Laurel Sliskovic has always been one to put community first.
As president of the city’s Young Professionals group, she’s able to fulfill that passion.
Formed in July of 2012, the Young Professionals of Campbell River (YPCR) brings enthusiastic, community-minded workers together to network, share ideas, foster professional development and reach out to the community.
“It’s a nice organization to be a part of for so many reasons,” Sliskovic says, particularly because of the diversity of members from across the community and their big hearts.
The organization firmly believes in supporting its community. 
The YPCR hosts an annual gala for members every October. Proceeds from that event go to a different community group each year. In previous years, recipients have included the John Howard Society’s KidStart program, the Splash Park and the Discovery Passage Aquarium. This year’s event, which takes place on Oct. 29, will benefit two groups – the Mountain Bike Skills Park Society that is trying to establish a skills park at the Sportsplex, and Habitat for Humanity.
The gala will also mark Sliskovic’s one-year anniversary as president – a role she hopes to continue in for at least one more year. Sliskovic was elected president of the YPCR in 2015 after serving on the executive one year prior.
“It seemed to be a good fit for me personally and professionally, Sliskovic says
Sliskovic says the YPCR, which currently has between 50 and 60 active members, was the first organization she joined upon moving to Campbell River in February, 2013 and setting up her leisure research company.
Sliskovic says one of the things that really drew her to the organization was how receptive the members were to her and the ideas she wanted to share.
Being a new face in the community, she says it was also a great way to meet people and feel connected with the community.
“A lot of it just simply comes down to I think actively participating in one’s community is one of the simplest ways to be a part of something and be able to contribute to the kind of community I want to live in,” Sliskovic says. “I get to enjoy a really great quality of life because I’m proactive in how I lead my life.”
And leading the YPCR is a part of that.
“It is a way for young professionals to get involved in the community and get their feet wet in community service,” Sliskovic says.