The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities

The most frequently asked questions for The Network are divided up into four question areas: General, Membership, Event, and Volunteering.

What do you mean by professional?
Think of professional in the broad sense. The Network welcomes everyone into the network regardless of occupation. It is an inclusive network of people from all backgrounds, professions, and lifestyles. We have teachers, nurses, lawyers, bankers, engineers, and more as members.

What area do you serve?
The Network targets the entire greater Quad City region including Illinois and Iowa. Membership is evenly split between states.

Can The Network help me get a job?
Not directly, although if you become active you will expand and diversify your network which can lead to career growth.

Does my company need to be a member of a Chamber of Commerce for me to join The Network?
NO, while The Network is a initiative of the Illinois Quad City and Iowa Quad Cities Chambers of Commerce, it is not a service exclusive for Chamber members. The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities welcomes all Quad City young talent to get involved. Click here to learn more about The Network's membership.

If my company is a member of a Chamber of Commerce is there an extra fee for me to join The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities?
NO, recently The Network made changes to its membership structure to allow more members of the Illinois Quad City and Iowa Quad Cities Chambers of Commerce to get involved. However, if you do not work for a chamber of commerce member, you can still get involved! Click here to learn more about The Network's membership.

Do I have to be a member of The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities to attend events and programs?
NO, although membership has great benefits and offers discounted event fees.

Is The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities a money making service for the Illinois Quad City Chamber or Iowa Quad Cities Chamber?
NO. The Network works to operate at a break-even for existing programs leveraging membership dues, event fees, sponsorship and grant dollars.

Is my involvement in The Network considered a business expense?
Check with your employer.

Is The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities specifically a social, dating group?
NO. In fact, approximately 60% of The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities members are married, engaged, or in a long term relationship. The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities helps shape and showcase the social, professional, and cultural opportunities in the greater Quad City region to young people. Social and business networking is part of The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities programs.

What is Get Plugged In?
Get Plugged In is a weekly e-newsletter sent to a network of over 2,300 young professionals. You do not have to be a member to receive this. You are able to find out about The Network's events and programs and Quad City happenings. Sign-up here.

Can I market an opportunity to the The Network membership?
YES. Marketing opportunities are made available via www.thenetworkqc.org, Get Plugged In and through broadcast emails.

Can I buy a mailing list of your members?
NO. The Network’s mailing list is not currently available in any form.

How do I become a member of The Network?
First, check your employers membership status to the Illinois Quad City Chamber or the Iowa Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. If your employers is a Chamber Member, you are automatically a member of The Network through their investment. Click here to sign up as a chamber member. If you do not work for a chamber member employer, click here to sign up for an individual membership.

What are the benefits of being a member of The Network!
Members of The Network have access to reduced event fees, Get Plugged In weekly email, and the The Network's Hot Spot Discount of the Month offering discounts at area hot spots. People join The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities for many reasons, including to build a more diverse social and professional network, to learn more about the greater the Quad City region, to grow as the next generation of Quad City leaders, and to get more involved in The Network and the community.

Am I a member of The Network?
Contact us and we’ll let you know.

What if I have an issue with getting out of work early or for a long lunch?
The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities is a professional organization with a good reputation throughout the business community. We anticipate your employer/boss will see your involvement as good for business and for your professional growth.

Why does my company support The Network?
Companies see The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities as a recruitment and retention resource and an employee benefit they can offer their young talent.

I recently changed companies...am I still a member?
Contact us and we’ll let you know.

What is anticipated of members?
As a The Network member, you can be as active as you want. We hope you take advantage of your membership by reading Get Plugged In, the weekly e-newsletter and attend at least 2 events over a 6 month period. There's no meetings to attend, unless you want to serve in a leadership capacity. Read up on The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities programs and events and get involved in the community.

Do I have to attend a certain amount of events to maintain my membership?
NO, however to find full benefit in the organization, we recommend attending at least 2 events in a 6 month period.

I just joined, what events should I attend first?
Most people new to The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities jump in by attending The Network @ Night, our monthly after hours networking events. Each event offers more information about the organization and gives you the opportunity to socialize and network with approximately 100 other young professionals from the Quad Cities. The Network @ Noon events are luncheons focused on both personal and professional development and are a great way to connect to The Network and business and community leaders.

What if I come alone?
The Network is a great way to increase your social and professional network. Whether you're new to the area, a returning QC resident, or a native Quad Citian, The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities will help make you feel welcome. The Network creates an environment to make sure you're able to connect and mix and mingle with other young professionals.

Can I attend an event if I am not a member?
You can attend most The Network events as a non-member, although typically at a higher fee, but if you join The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities within 30 days, we will deduct the event fee from your membership.

Can I bring my children to events?
Not recommended. However, since approximately 60% of The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities members are married, The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities sometimes has hosted family friendly events in the past.

What should I wear?
Come as you are from work. Most are in business casual but others range from jeans to suits.

Why is there a fee for events when I am a member?
Event fees go dollar-for-dollar to cover the cost of the event. Event fees cover approximately 1/3 of event expenses. Corporate/Chamber sponsorship of events cover the remaining costs incurred.

How does The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities select its event locales?
The type of event dictates space. The Network @ Night events seek area “hot spots” to showcase with capacity of 75-100 from 5:30 to 8pm the first Thursday of the month and ability to serve complimentary appetizers and cash bar. The Network @ Noon Luncheons seek locations with private banquet facilities for 65-100 guests and ability to serve lunch under $10 all inclusive.

Does it matter where The Network events are located?
The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities holds events equally in Illinois and Iowa. The Network is a bi-state regional organization.

Do I have to register for The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities events?
We ask for pre-registration through our website calendar. This helps us accurately estimate how much food and space we will need. Some events have enough space for walk-in registration as well. Don’t ever miss an event because you forgot to register but please try!

When do you meet?
The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities meets-up about twice a month via The Network @ Night and The Network @ Noon events. See our event calendar for upcoming events and programs.

Do you have any events on the weekends?
The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities Special Events are held a few times a year on weekends. The Network also occasionally has volunteer project opportunities on weekends.

Who decides what events you do?
Volunteer Committees are responsible for event planning in conjunction with The Network's staff.

Why should I attend an event?
Attending events is a great way to meet new people, connect with old friends, get informed about the region and grow a diverse network. The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities offers a range of event options. So there is sure to be an event for you.

What does The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities do for the community?
The Network's objective is to get its members involved. To that end, The Network has developed a few avenues connecting its members to community service and issues through a program called eNgage.

How can I serve or get more involved with The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities?
First, it is important that you are showing up for events and making your presence known. Limited positions on Action Teams are extended to our most active members. The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities is always accepting volunteers to serve as YP Greeters, the people who help welcome members and guests at The Network's events.