I’ve written before about suggestions for retaining student members after they graduate and about the importance of a forward-thinking communication strategy.

But what about focusing on your own younger staffers – the young professionals?

Loosely defined as anyone between the ages of 21-35 (although the ages limits are pretty fluid), young professionals have a lot to offer your organization. As late Gen-Xers and early Millennials, though, their needs and outlooks can be slightly different from yours. Perhaps, as a small-staff association, you don’t work with many young professionals. But as more Baby Boomers retire, it’s likely that a younger person could join your staff soon.

Young professionals thrive on career development and want to learn new things. Workshops dedicated to salary negotiation and cover letter writing are always beneficial, especially since many people in this age group change jobs frequently early in their careers.

But for younger association staffers, this can be a stressful time in their lives. Presenting to the board for the first time can be scary, and so can planning and executing their first program. And managing others? Not everyone is a natural leader or manager, and it can be especially difficult for some.

What kinds of unique services does your association offer its young professionals? Management seminars? Networking opportunities with other young professionals? Career development workshops?

If your organization is too small to support workshops and seminars for young professionals, consider teaming up with another small organization in the area. After all, they don’t have to be focused on the association itself – career development and networking can benefit anyone, no matter what their line of work.

And how does your association get the most from its talented young professionals? There are lots of new ideas to be had from this group, and they probably don’t all have to do with technology. Growing up in a different decade, with different opportunities and outlooks, means young professionals are engrained with new ideas and visions.

Do you provide an environment that fosters their brainstorming and innovations? Do you welcome all new ideas and seriously consider them?

Not to be cheesy, but young professionals really are the future of your organization. They are the ones who will be in charge in 15 or 20 years. Be sure to make it an environment they want to stick around in for a while.