Shires Young Professionals Celebrate a Record Year at 2025 Annual Meeting & Celebration
Board Chair Carolyn Gilbert delivers opening remarks to meeting attendees
Manchester, VT — December 2025 — Shires Young Professionals (SYP), the volunteer-run organization dedicated to connecting, engaging, and empowering young professionals across Bennington County, proudly hosted its 2025 Annual Meeting & Celebration on December 4th at the Southern Vermont Arts Center. Over 50 young professionals, community members, sponsors, and board members gathered to reflect on a landmark year of growth, community involvement, and strengthened leadership.
The event marked the culmination of a year defined by record-setting engagement, with SYP hosting 26 community-focused events throughout 2025 that brought together more than 570 participants from across the region, marking the highest participation in the organization’s history. These gatherings ranged from networking mixers and professional development opportunities to volunteer initiatives and social outings, each designed to foster deeper social and professional connections among young adults living and working in the Shires.
“One of the most remarkable aspects of this year was seeing members from all walks of life come together, not just to connect professionally, but to build enduring friendships,” said outgoing Board Chair Carolyn Gilbert. “The atmosphere of our annual meeting was really one of so much laughter and support for one another. I feel as if joining SYP means joining a group of 150 new friends — people invested in your sense of belonging in Bennington. Our annual gathering was proof of the community and camaraderie we’ve built.”
In addition to celebrating community engagement milestones, the Annual Meeting also featured the official board election for the coming year. Members voted in five outstanding new board members, a development that signals strong organizational momentum and a bright future ahead.
“Another success that I’m extremely proud of is voting in five new, phenomenal board members,” continued Gilbert. “So many organizations struggle with board member recruitment, especially among younger people, and this development of our board is a testament that young professionals are here and ready to lead.”
This leadership transition underscores SYP’s steadfast commitment to cultivating young leaders who are passionate about their community and ready to help shape the Shires’ social and economic landscape. The incoming board brings diverse perspectives and renewed energy to advance SYP’s mission of fostering connections, promoting professional development, and encouraging civic engagement throughout Bennington County.
In addition to board elections, the Annual Meeting provided a platform to acknowledge partners and sponsors whose support has been instrumental in expanding SYP’s reach. Corporate sponsors and community allies were recognized for their generous contributions toward programming and outreach efforts that have strengthened SYP’s role as a hub for emerging professionals.
Looking ahead, Shires Young Professionals will continue to build on the momentum of 2025 with plans for robust events and initiatives designed to support and retain young professionals in the region. With a growing membership base and an energized leadership team, SYP is poised to make an even greater impact in 2026 and beyond.