The Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network (YPN) takes great pride in their members. Each year the network highlight eight members who have shown great dedication and passion to the vision and mission of this organization.
We would like to both congratulate and thank all members nominated for these awards. We greatly appreciate all of our members. On May 5, at the YPN Annual Cinco de Mayo Anniversary Celebration & Annual Meeting, we announced eight of our members and three distinguished business partners with awards.
Five of our outstanding members were recognized for their commitment, passion and immense dedication to the YPN. Molly Sullivan was awarded the 2014 Crystal Reid Excellence Award for serving the network and community. TJ Jerke received the 2014 Great Plains Award for leadership and innovation in the network, and Karali Oradei was honored with the 2014 Pioneer Award for going above and beyond the call of duty. Mallory Westby is the 2014 Sakakawea Award-winner for giving selflessly of her time, and Chelsea Gleich received the 2014 Theodore Roosevelt Award for persistence and dedication in the network. Congratulations to all of you and thank you!
As previously stated, membership plays a great role in our network and in order to retain members, as well as, boost memberships the YPN held a Recruit & Activate campaign from October through May in an effort to boost and reward membership and involvement in the network. Three members were awarded prizes for participation in the campaign. Karali Oradei received the Top Recruiter award for recruiting the most new members in that time period. Amanda Brossart and Amy Nelson won prizes for attending team meetings and events during that time period.
Although our members are a huge part of the network, our business partners also play an immeasurable role. The YPN is supported through membership dues and partnerships with the business community. A few of these valued business partners were also honored at the celebration. Basin Electric Power Cooperative, KLJ and Sanford Health were named the 2014 Distinguished Business Partners of the Year. We would like to send a special thanks to all of our business partners across the Bismarck-Mandan Area, our network would not be what it is today without you!