What does PTDN do?
PTDN's mission is to promote the recruitment, retention, and development of diverse professionals and technical specialists. We do this by providing opportunities for employers and professional organizations to network with each other and build long-term relationships. Often this may result in increased exposure to diverse applicants for employers and increased job opportunities for diverse professionals. However, PTDN also supports the long-term development and health of professional organizations by coordinating financial and in-kind support and advertising professional organization events and activities.

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What are "Power Networking Events"?
Power Networking events are regular opportunities for employers and professional organization leaders and members to get to know each other. While new employment opportunities often arise from building relationships, Power Networking Events are not specifically recruiting events. Organizations also use events as opportunities to solicit support for activities and initiatives, and businesses and agencies can use events to expand brand awareness of their products and services.

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How does PTDN support professional organizations?
PTDN offers a forum for professional organizations to establish relationships and garner support from regional employers. Many organizations within PTDN use these relationships to expand membership, expand job opportunities for members, and solicit financial and in-kind support for organizations events and activities such as organizational events and scholarships.

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Who is considered a professional organization?
Professional organizations are recognized constituency organizations that promote and emphasize diversity in professional and technical fields; attract experienced practitioners; and support ongoing professional development through quality programs.

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What about student organizations?
Student organizations are encouraged to participate in PTDN through their professional society counterparts. Several of the PTDN professional organizations sponsor and support such student organizations. When no professional chapter exists, a student organization may join as a PTDN organizational partner.

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Is there a fee to participate?
PTDN does not currently charge a fee for membership. Although we are regularly looking for new and creative ways of financing PTDN activities. Employer partners are asked to cover the expenses of PTDN activities through sponsorships, event fees, and advertisements.

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Are donations tax deductible?
PTDN is a certified tax exempt charitable organization. We are organized as a 501(c)(6) business league with the same charitable status as a 501(c)(3).

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How can employer members participate?
Employer members can contribute to PTDN's mission in several ways. First and foremost, we encourage all employer members to participate in PTDN power networking events! Power networking events are the hub of how we connect employers and professional organizations. Employers can also support PTDN by providing financial support through event sponsorship and other activities. Most importantly, employers can support PTDN by supporting our professional organizations. Professional organizations always need sponsorship for events, activities, and initiatives. This can include attending events, helping to build membership, and providing financial support for scholarships, trainings, etc. Please support our professional organizations!

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How can professional organizations support PTDN?
Advertise your involvement in PTDN! Professional organizations are the reason employers participate in PTDN. Attending PTDN events, and advertising PTDN participation in your events is critical to building employer support for PTDN.

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What if my organization is not a professional association?
PTDN welcomes all supporters of workforce diversity. However, our primary focus is building relationships between direct employers and experienced professionals and technical specialists through their professional societies. We encourage all organizations and businesses that support diversity to support PTDN by supporting the activities of the professional organizations. We also encourage all members and supporters to participate in other regional diversity activities and organizations including the various diversity task forces throughout Washington State. For more information, please visit the Washington Diversity Network at http://www.scn.org/civic/diversity/.

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What if my business is a recruitment and placement firm?
PTDN welcomes all supporters of workforce diversity. However, our primary focus is building relationships between direct employers and experienced professionals and technical specialists through their professional societies. In doing so, PTDN tries to build direct relationships between employers and diverse professionals. While networking events often offer opportunities to explore career opportunities, they are generally not recruiting events. In no instance, should networking events ever be used to "buy and sell" employees. Such activities go against the mission and ethics of PTDN. Recruiting and placement firms are encouraged to support diversity through sponsoring and supporting the activities of professional organizations.

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