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The people who built this organization from the ground up aren't guarding it; they're handing us the keys. They're inviting us into their workspaces, their research, their decades of hard-earned knowledge, and asking us young folk to help write the next chapter. This isn't about politely observing from the sidelines. It's a real invitation to sit at the table, ask questions, and contribute ideas that shape where this industry goes next.

 

That shows up in tangible ways, too. Early career professionals aren't just attending meetings anymore; we're being pulled into technical committees and real decision-making spaces. People are asking what we think and how we'd approach the work differently. That's what it looks like when a community invests in the people coming up behind it. We rise as one group, we look out for each other, and nobody gets left to figure it out solo. And there's something special happening on both sides of that exchange: we get to learn from the folks who literally built the HVAC&R field. And furthermore, the generations before us get genuinely curious about how we see the tools and technology reshaping it.

 

Here's the truth, though: walking into ASHRAE for the first time can feel overwhelming. The acronyms, the structure, the unspoken rules of who does what. It's a lot to take in, and you shouldn't have to sort it out by yourself. That's the whole reason YEA exists. That’s the whole reason regional chairs exist for that matter. We're friendly faces, the translators, the people in your corner while you figure out where you fit. However, you show up, whatever your background, you belong here.

 

One goal of the YEA Committee is to enhance member benefits for young professional members by identifying their needs and creating supporting activities and services that better their experiences. Our primary focus is attracting and developing YEA members for future membership and leadership in ASHRAE and the HVAC&R industry. We do this through a variety of programs, resources and awards, including:

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• YEA Leadership Weekend 1.0, 2.0 and International

• Smart Start Program

• YEA Webinars

• Social/Networking Events at Society Meetings

• YEA Page on Society Website

• Facebook Page

• Technical Committees Guide

• Young Members Guide

• Mentorship Program

• Leadership U

• LeaDRS

• HVAC Design Scholarship

• Unique YEA Honors & Awards

• Social & Technical Chapter Activities 

• Student Activities Liaison 

• And SO MUCH MORE!

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Our door doesn't close. Got a question next week, next month, next year? Reach out. Anytime. That's what we're here for and I personally look forward to hearing how your development is changing the HVAC built environment.

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Jacob Saxinger – Region X RVC