The Northern Territory’s Young Professionals Network division was launched in July 2005 by the Honourable Paul Henderson.  Its formulation was part of the IPAA National Strategic Plan and a recognised need for contemporary peers given the young Territory population base.  Founding members, including past winners of the IPAA Scholarship, volunteered their time in setting up the YPN NT sub committee, establishing its Terms of Reference, while organising professional and social events.  The first year of operation saw the membership base explode to over 140 members, not a bad feat considering the aim was only 60!  Since its inception YPN NT has an e-mailing list of over 350 people, runs regular professional and networking events, with contacts to many public and private organisations.

 

The objective of YPN NT is to provide a forum for professional development, social events and network building opportunities for young people employed in the Northern Territory public, private and community sectors. The activities of YPN NT are, including but not limited to:

 

a.  Providing professional development opportunities through facilitating

    guest speakers in specific areas of interest and pertinence to young

    people in the Northern Territory. YPN NT meetings and workshops will

    also give members opportunities to communicate, negotiate and

    develop professional skills.

b.  Network building opportunities including formal, informal and social

    events. A balance of structured and social events will be achieved to

    facilitate desired outcomes of members and to provide rounded

    networking opportunities.

c.  Mentoring - YPN NT will work closely with Government and private sector

    organisations to promote opportunities for members to access mentoring

    opportunities in their field and for members to become mentors for other

    young professionals.

d.  Getting Involved. YPN will give young people a forum to discuss issues,

    trends and interact with other young people. YPN will also provide

    opportunities for young people to participate in organising events that

    contribute to their own development.

e.  Enhancing and sharing knowledge is a key objective of YPN. This will be

    achieved through the facilitation of guest speakers at YPN events and

    through the sharing of knowledge within the network.

f.  Vehicle for change. Many young people like to be involved positively in

    the change processes that they see constantly going on around them.

    YPN will allow discussion and input on key issues affecting young people

    in the Northern Territory, and provide feedback to relevant organisations

    on these issues.

g.  Supporting and promoting the interests of young people in the Northern

    Territory.

 

The core values under which the YPN NT operates are, including but not limited to:

 

• Inclusiveness                                               

• Innovation

• Creating a friendly environment 

• Fun

The YPN NT Executive Committee operates under a Terms of Reference in correlation with IPAA NT and comprises of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and committee members. The committee meets regularly to discuss forth coming events and determine policy to advance the objective of YPN NT in the best interests of its members.