FLEX - Venango County's Young Professionals Organization

06/11/2026

📣FLEX Speaker Series Spotlight: Laura Anna📣

Laura Anna has served as Elections Director in Venango County for the past year and a half, previously serving as Voter Registrar. With nearly four years of election experience, Anna is passionate about election administration and policy. She has completed a number of external training opportunities to become well-versed in election policy, security and emergency preparedness. As Election Director, she has participated in a number of community events aimed at engaging with the community, and educating voters and future voters. She has also hosted education workshops for prospective and current candidates.

Meet Laura and other public officials and learn more about how to run for office at our speaker series event on June 24!

More Than A Campaign - Purpose Preparation & The Path to Public Office
📅 Wednesday, June 24
⏰ 6:00 - 8:00 PM
🧭 228 Elm St, Oil City
✅ Free and open to the public (all ages welcome!)

06/11/2026

🤝 Opportunities start with connections.

In this month's FYI newsletter, FLEX member Erik Tessmer shares how networking through FLEX can help you build your resume, grow your confidence, discover career opportunities, and become more connected to the community.

Many opportunities happen through relationships. FLEX helps you build them.

💚 And don't forget, FLEX members can attend any Venango Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours mixer for FREE. Join us tonight from 5-7 PM at Representative R. Lee James' office to meet local professionals and grow your network!

06/01/2026

The hardest part of any important task is getting started.
Not finishing.
Not being perfect.
Not having all the answers.

Just taking that first step.

Send the email.
Make the call.
Submit the application.
Show up to the meeting.
Start the project.
Try something new.

Progress rarely begins with confidence. It begins with action.

If there's something you've been putting off, consider this your reminder: you don't have to do it all today. Just start.
Future you will be glad you did.

05/27/2026

FLEX members, this is your reminder that your FLEX membership opens more doors than you might realize. 👀✨

Since FLEX is a program of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, you’re invited to attend Chamber mixers as a Chamber guest… including this upcoming Business After Hours Mixer with R. Lee James! 🎉🤝

📅 Thursday, June 11
🕔 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
📍 3220 PA 257, Seneca, PA 16346

This is the kind of event where connections happen naturally. Meet local business owners, community leaders, elected officials, and other professionals from across the region while enjoying a relaxed evening of conversation and networking. 💼✨

You never know who you’ll meet, what opportunity might come from one conversation, or where simply showing up could lead. Showing up changes everything. 💚

Join us for a special Business After Hours Mixer hosted by the Franklin and Venango Area Chambers of Commerce with State Representative R. Lee James!

Connect with local business leaders, community members, and elected officials while enjoying an evening of networking and conversation.

📅 Thursday, June 11
🕔 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
📍 3220 PA 257, Seneca, PA 16346

We look forward to seeing you there!

05/26/2026

✨ Joel’s Journey ✨

One of the best parts of FLEX is getting to spotlight the stories, experiences, and perspectives of young professionals right here in Venango County. 💚

This month’s FLEX FYI Newsletter features Joel’s Journey, sharing reflections, growth, and the path that continues to shape his connection to our community.

Every journey looks different, and that’s what makes these stories worth sharing. Sometimes all it takes is hearing someone else’s experience to spark a new idea, a new goal, or a new connection.

📖 Check out Joel’s Journey in the May FLEX FYI Newsletter:
https://venangochamber.org/fyi-newsletter-may-2026/

05/26/2026

🌟 Joe’s Journey 🌟

What does growth look like as a young professional in Venango County?

Sometimes it looks like taking chances.
Sometimes it looks like building relationships.
And sometimes it looks like simply staying involved and saying “yes” to new opportunities along the way.

This month’s FLEX FYI Newsletter features Joe’s Journey, highlighting the experiences, lessons, and connections that continue to shape his path right here in our community. 💚

We love sharing stories like these because leadership and success don’t follow one perfect roadmap. They’re built through real experiences, community involvement, and people willing to keep showing up.

📖 Read Joe’s Journey in the May FLEX FYI Newsletter:
https://venangochamber.org/fyi-newsletter-may-2026/

05/26/2026

Let’s hear it… what’s something you did that was completely outside your comfort zone that ended up changing your life for the better? 👀

Could be something like:
💼 applying for a job
🤝 showing up to an event alone
🎓 going back to school or learning something new
❤️ putting yourself out there
💡 starting something from scratch

Drop your answer below ⬇️
Someone else might need the encouragement to try their own “first step.” 🚀