BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and the city of Bay Minette are looking to form a group in hopes of developing young professionals to picture a successful community future.

The Young Professionals Forum will hold its inaugural meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 21, at the Bay Minette Civic Center.

The group’s purpose is to unite professionals ages 21-40 “to emerge as community and business leaders by fostering relationships and providing professional-development opportunities,” according to the forum’s invitation letter by Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Brandon Simpson.

Simpson’s letter explained that the forum’s vision “is to encourage young professionals to become involved in community issues and empower them to expand their professional horizons. The goal is to inspire community leadership in economic development and policy that will positively impact the lives of residents, business leaders and professionals and visitors … and have fun doing it.”

According to Chamber Executive Director Margo Allen, the chamber will be a part of the group’s background.

“The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s role is to present an opportunity or concept.” she said in a telephone interview. “Our goal is to stay affiliated, but for it to be self-led and internally-governed with chamber board members as advisers.

“We want to increase their knowledge base on issues facing our community, they need to be aware and moved through the process,” Allen added. “I’d like to see them come together and network and grow cohesive so they can keep their finger on the pulse … and tackle challenges.”

As the group is in initial phases, no definite projects have been set, Allen explained, but leadership development could take the organization down a variety of paths.

“Maybe they will at some point, see their role as mentors for a younger set of people such as high-school seniors and college students,” she said. “Wherever they’'ll do the most good and have the most influence, it could be a governmental affairs venue. Who knows where they’ll go. They are an up and coming power source and voice.”

Allen said the group may face challenges as many will be busy climbing corporate ladders.

“There may be time constraints because of demanding careers and jockeying for positions,” she explained. “We want to do a good job of making it available for busy schedules. We want to be flexible and not formally structured and hopefully evolve into a useful forum. If the brand sticks, it can be something they do like civic groups that meet.”

According to Allen, 40 invitations were emailed, and she hopes that word of mouth will grow the first meeting’s attendance to 50-60.

For more information, call Allen at 580-5665.