TJJ: I knew I should have been more insidious when I derived that screen name! coast2coat?? Only thing you have gone coast-coast on is one of those donkey basketball teams, but I digress.
I'm pretty sure that a professional is anything that you are compensated for. Hence; why amateur athletes can not accept money without being considered professional. So whatever it is you claim on your W2 as profession, you are technically a professional at, but I'm not making the rules.

I am glad to see there is some interest in the group. I understand that the term "professional" is very ambiguous. However, if you strive to be better at whatever it is that you do, I would classify you as one. Ultimately, many of us are not only trying to meet others, but to share ideas. A lot of younger people are still not "set" in their careers at this point. Introducing these individuals to others in their age bracket may lend some insights. Other people may be looking for advice on how to start up their own business and for these people we have lined up some good resources as well. I believe the key here is to stay "professional" at the gathering and leave any drunken debauchery for another time.
The interest thus far has been fantastic. I hope the attendance will be as well. I'll see you there I hope!

LMAO
GOOD ONE kiowamohican!
I think I know who you are (your name is a dead give away, along with the sarcastic sense of humor)! So are you going, or not bro? Can ya float me a 20 if you are? HAHAHA
Try not to get banned from this message board ;-)
TJJ

Wow!!! I'm afraid to even post, what if I make a grammatical error? I think that this is a great move on the part of Forward Janesville! Recognizing the need to get the "younger" crowd involved, is a huge step in the right direction. While I'm not sure what constitutes "professional", I do think that if you're below the age of 35, you should come. I'll be going, and I'm whats known as a "professional student". If nothing else, at least the experience will help me figure out what is available in Janesville after graduation.
I'd like to encourage everyone who reads this blog to spread the word. Even if you aren't sure weather or not you are a professional, (I'm sure that I'm not), getting together with other people in the same age group who are trying to plant their roots in Janesville could prove to be a valuable resource. I think there is a lot of potential here, and that our generation could really keep Janesville moving in the right direction.

How do you define "professional"?

I work, but I don't have a degree or anything. Does that leave out those of us who haven't matriculated?

The "you can't spell therefore you're ignorant" argument is only used by those who don't are not bright enough to come up with a clever rebuttal.

Hmmm, I wonder if any of Janesville's professional lap dancers will be attending? That may play into somes decision upon attending.

While your looking for Bigfoot, look for a spellchecker, it keeps the "you can't spell therefore you're ignorant" attacks by the petty to a minimum.

Good luck in your quest to finding a young professional in Janesville. Me myself have decided my energy would be best used looking for Bigfoot. (There are pictures of him at least)

Alrighty folks, let's not resort to petty spelling and grammar fights. Back to the topic... I don't think it's about how many young professionals are here in Janesville to fill a building. The fact is we're here, and just by the few comments here, there's at least a handful that are looking for some kind of networking opportunity. Fitzy, we (the OTC bloggers and I) look forward to meeting you and others!
As far as an age, I think Forward Janesville is shooting for people under 35, according to our story.

craigholmes:

If you are so great at spelling and grammar, why are you spelling the words "cocktail" and "grammar" wrong? By the looks of your post, I would guess your education is limited to a GED. And by the way, throughout my career I have received quite a few emails from CEOs of Fortune 500 companies with tons of spelling and grammar errors. Seems they can be quite successful with with making those errors.

Might be a good idea to define "young professional"

Age limit?

What professions? Bartender, waitress, MD, LLB,
Cop, nurse,refuse technician???

You get the idea.

This is a great idea, and if I were a bit younger I'd consider myself eligible, heh. I belonged to such an organization when I lived in suburban Chicago (where, believe it or not, it can be just as hard to build a network ... unless you like the bars!). Good luck!

I know several young(er than me) folks that are new in town that I'll be passing the info to!

Coctail- Who said any thing about filling the speakeasy? I am a young buisness professional from Kenosha,WI and a recent grad of UW-Whitewater, who currently lives here in Janesville. After moving here, I found it hard to meet young professionals like myself. So I welcome this idea with open arms!

Coctail: Although your comments might be spot on, where did you go to college, and who is employing you now? With poor gramar skills, and limited vocabulary, make me wonder...

Good luck with that. Most of the individuals that got college degrees and are young professionals left Janesville as fast as they could and moved to a big city (myself included). Is there enough young professionals to even fill the Speakeasy? It is not like Janesville has an abundance of corporate jobs in it.

This is so needed. When I first moved to Janesville, it was very hard to meet people and make new friends. If we want to keep young people in Janesville, we have to make the environment welcoming.

Thank you very much for writing this article and, in doing so, helping the Young Business Professional's Group get going. If you're a 35 or under professional please feel free come to the event on May 6th. There are many potential short term and long term goals for the group, however #1 will be welcoming our young professionals with open arms. I'll see you there.
P.S You GazetteXtra types should definitely be there. I would love to shake your hand(s).