SJBiz_Dept_Professional Associations_1124 - edit_Dept 11 / 5 / 24 2 : 05 PM Page 1 behind the South Jersey Young Profession - N E T W O R K I N G als Association ( SJYPA ) , which accepts mem - bers as young as 21 . “ So many people , when they’re young , really don’t know how to get involved or where to go to get involved , ” says Charles Dennen , an attorney at Archer & Greiner who serves as president of the SJYPA . “ I think SJYPA provides a great forum for young people who are interested in getting involved and meeting like - minded young professionals . It’s a very comfortable setting , it’s a very friendly group and it’s welcoming of anyone . … I think getting involved early is very important and can be beneficial to your personal and professional growth . ” Strength in Dennen was inspired to first join and then take on a leadership role at the SJYPA because of its philanthropic mission . Its sig - nature event is the Halo Ball , held in the spring , which has raised nearly $ 700,000 for Numbers South Jersey nonprofits while helping to bring awareness to their causes . The organ - Membershipin a professional association comes with a ization will also be holding its annual holiday widerange of benefits , from networking and educational toy drive on Dec . 12 at Blue Monkey Tavern opportunitiesto advocacy on the important issues in a in Merchantville . In addition , the SJYPA started a Speaker particularindustry . [ By Matt Cosentino ] Series in September to provide education to hile there are certainly equal opportunities for contracts or safe its members on various topics , and of course some professionals who working conditions , members are fortunate the networking aspect is a constant through - join a regional or industry to have her support . out the year . association in order to It helps that she comes from a govern - “ There are business connections and W simply add a fancy new entry to their ré - ment affairs background and also serves as business development opportunities , and sumé , it doesn’t take long to realize that the a political science professor . there are also opportunities for friendship , ” potential benefits are much more substan - “ Being an advocate , being able to speak Dennen says . “ I am genuinely friends with tial . Not only do these organizations bring to legislators and lawmakers about the is - several of the people I have met through like - minded people together for crucial net - sues our companies face , about the things SJYPA , and they wouldn’t be part of my life working opportunities , but they also pro - they are doing well with and the ways in otherwise . Networking is definitely a big vide educational resources , the ability to which they could use some support , that is part of it . We are seeking to connect young support charitable causes and a representa - very important to me , and it’s not some - people who are interested in growing their tive to act as the voice for its membership thing the average person is typically able or networks , and at the end of the day things on key issues . readily available to do . So I’m happy to do get done and people get helped by know - That last responsibility is one that it for them , ” she says . ing more people . ” Samantha DeAlmeida Roman especially “ It is one of the most critical pieces of my That is a sentiment that DeAlmeida Ro - takes seriously in her role as the president job and I take a lot of pride in it . But I also man shares , and she has seen business con - of the Associated Builders and Contractors take a lot of pride in educating our members nections happen frequently through ABC . ( ABC ) New Jersey Chapter , which has on the civic engagement part , so if they do “ We do a lot of networking events , and 1,400 members across the state in the con - want to speak to a legislator in the future hearing about big projects that are going to struction industry . and it is something outside of the ABC , be going on or what’s coming down the “ Our members are running businesses , they’ll know how to do that . This way , they pike , and just making valuable connections they’re very busy in their day - to - day opera - have those tools moving forward . ” with other people in the industry , that’s all tions , they’re employing people and they’re Typically , companies apply to ABC for really important to members , ” she says . “ I’ve working to support their families and to membership and all of their employees are seen [ business deals get done ] in real time . make New Jersey better , ” she says . “ I am then members . The list includes contrac - We have a great event called Meet the Gen - here as their advocate . ” tors , suppliers and manufacturers , as well erals that we do in North Jersey and South While DeAlmeida Roman doesn’t de - as those who provide services to the con - Jersey , and it’s basically speed dating for sign projects or swing a hammer herself on struction industry , such as attorneys and ac - general contractors with subcontractors . I’ve job sites , she comes from a family of con - countants . seen deals brokered at that meeting , and struction workers , recognizes the part the in - ABC has a Young Professionals Com - then I’ve seen the outcomes because we dustry plays in the state’s economy and is mittee that DeAlmeida Roman calls one of have our Excellence in Construction Awards , proud to lobby on the behalf of ABC’s mem - its most valuable , and she encourages pro - where the projects are showcased . So I’ve bership on legislative issues and to promote fessionals to get involved in organizations gotten to see the fruits of that networking w their work . Whether she’s advocating for like hers as early as possible . That’s the idea event firsthand . ” 14 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 14 ISSUE 11 | SouthJerseyBiz.net