1. Forming a charter
2. Formally organizing an executive committee with elected officers
3. Seeking out collaborative relationships with local technical societies.
4. Supporting the upcoming ANS Winter Meeting (Nov. 12-15, 2005) and Young Professionals (YP) Congress (Page 26 of the Program)
5. Starting off a membership drive!

I volunteered to work on the membership drive and I can think of no better way to re-energize the existing membership and attract new members than to hold a series of fun events where everyone can get to know each other.

And with so much happening in conjunction with the ANS Winter Meeting, this is a perfect time to get started.

Not only is NA-YGN hosting a session as part of the Winter Meeting, but it is also a co-organizer of the first ever ANS Young Professionals Congress. Also, NA-YGN is hosting a planning meeting for the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC) executive committee.

So here is a list of events and the various ways that you can participate or help out...

Volunteer opportunities:

1. Providing transportation to and from the airport for IYNC meeting participants, November 9, 10, 13, 14, 16.

This sounds boring, doesn't it? It's not! When I've traveled to foreign countries for IYNC meetings, the local YGN groups often graciously provide this kind of transportation. And since our international friends are as anxious to learn more about the US and Americans as we are to learn about them, the conversation is always interesting! We have men and women coming from Sweden, Finland, the UK, Croatia, and Germany. If you can sign up to do only one pickup or drop-off, that's fine. Most of them are arriving on Thursday, November 10 and leaving either the next Sunday or Monday. A few are staying for the entire ANS Winter Meeting. Contact Kent (KBW@nrc.gov) or Shana (SRB1@nrc.gov) if you'd like to get in a little extra networking time with our international guests.

2. Volunteer to help staff the NA-YGN booth at the Technology Expo Monday and Tuesday, November 14 and 15.

This is a great opportunity to network and find the best trinkets that companies are giving away. You must be registered for the ANS Winter Meeting to help out. The NA-YGN Public Information chair, Mike Stuart, is organizing this, so please let him know that you're interested. Just send your availability (even an hour or two between sessions is helpful!) to Michael_Stuart@dom.com.

3. Volunteer to be a "Don't" Model in the "Dress for Success" session at the ANS YP Congress on Saturday, November 12.

We have an image consultant/personal shopper coming to give us tips on dressing professionally. To keep things light, we are starting the session with some "Don'ts" on display. I need two women and two men to ham it up a bit in their most exaggerated I-would-never-wear-it-to-the-office attire. Contact me at lss@nei.org. Ideally, the models will be going to the Congress. Alternatively, if someone else would like to do the speaker introduction, I'll volunteer to be a "Don't."

Social and Informational opportunities:

1. NA-YGN sponsored session "Bringing Value to the ANS: The Employer's and Young Professional's Perspective- Panel" On Tuesday, November 15, 10:00 am

2. Go out with IYNC representatives the evening of Friday, November 11 (that's Veterans' Day)

Another thing about our international friends, after we spend the entire day in meetings, they like to socialize with local YGN members and sample the nightlife whenever they travel. Come on out and help us show them what a fun town DC is! Amanda (awatson@edlow.com) will be the social chair for the evening and will provide details later.

3. ANS YP Congress on Saturday, November 12, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

There is still time to register at www.ans.org.

4. ANS YP mixer Saturday night, November 12, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

George (gatsakan@bechtel.com) is arranging the details at a local restaurant/bar and Westinghouse is the sponsor. You have to be registered for the Congress for this one.

5. More going out after the mixer Saturday night, November 12, 9:00 pm to ?

You won't find this in the program anywhere, but I've never once seen an NA-YGN mixer that didn't end with "So where are we going now?" More details will follow, and you won't have to be registered for the Congress for this part.

6. NA-YGN Fun Run Tuesday morning, November 15, 6 am.

You early birds will have fun with the course Amanda is putting together and there are prizes that absolutely cannot be won by the person who finishes first. Contact her at awatson@edlow.com if you have questions.

7. NA-YGN Mixer Tuesday night, November 15, 7 pm to 9 pm at Brickskeller.

Another opportunity for socializing and networking.

Any questions? Contact me or one of the people mentioned above. And if you have ideas for the membership drive, let me know!