How to Get Connected in Greater Green Bay, WI
Moving to a new city is a quintessential life experience for many, from young professionals taking their first career steps to families with kids relocating for work to adults looking for a change of pace. While exciting in many ways, this experience can be nerve wracking and even a bit scary, especially if you’re moving to a place where everyone and everything is unfamiliar. A move to Greater Green Bay, WI, means you can put those unsettling feelings to rest. The two cities, 13 towns and nine villages that make up Greater Green Bay, WI, provide plenty of opportunities to get connected and make the city feel like home.
Tracey Fuller, director of nursing at Advocate Aurora Health, recalls the “new to the area” jitters when her family relocated to the Greater Green Bay area in 2021 for new career opportunities.
“Don’t discount Green Bay,” she says. “There are lots of resources available to find your community.”
Here are a few tips on how to get connected to Greater Green Bay, WI.
In This Article
Get Connected Professionally in Greater Green Bay, WI
A great way to start getting to know your new community is through work. Ask your employer for resources and recommendations. Fuller says she and her colleagues were very intentional about making connections with one another and in the Greater Green Bay community. It was through her colleagues that she got connected with the Greater Green Bay Chamber (GGBC) and their Leadership Green Bay program.
“It’s not just about being a better leader myself,” Fuller says of the program. “It’s about how I can be a better leader for my community and how I can make my community my oyster.”
GGBC is a wonderful starting place for young professionals and recent graduates to get connected in Greater Green Bay, WI. The chamber’s Current Young Professionals and Community Concierge programs offer multiple avenues for new residents to get involved in their community, like networking and community exploration and engagement.
The chamber also hosts Startup Week, which supports local entrepreneurs, luncheons, award events, and its annual Golf Classic – a day of networking and, of course, practicing (or showing off) your swing. In addition to the Chamber, the Greater Green Bay area offers a diverse selection of professional organizations. Among them:
- IndUS, which promotes Indo-American friendship and goodwill.
- The Latino Professionals Association, which works to recognize, elevate and connect Latino professionals.
- The Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders, which provides Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) professionals opportunities to work together to enhance AAPI leadership.
Each has active chapters in Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin.
Volunteer Opportunities in Greater Green Bay, WI
Spending time giving back to a community is a great way to get involved, and in Greater Green Bay, a great place to start is the Volunteer Center of Brown County. This organization strives to create a stronger community by bringing volunteers together to support their nonprofit partners, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, Brown County Library, Green Bay Community Foundation, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity and Wisconsin Humane Society. Brown County United Way, Newcap, New Community Shelter and Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay also offer ample opportunities to strengthen and support the community.
Fuller is active with the United Way and says, “it’s mind-blowing to see how people give back.”
Ways to Stay Active in the Region
It’s not a secret – sports bring people together. And there are plenty of ways to play or watch sports in the region. Green Bay Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department provides activities for all ages, like basketball, football, pickleball, dance, swimming and soccer. Plus, kids can find community and friendship through the department’s summer camps. For those who fancy soccer, lace up your cleats and join a league at the Sports Emporium in De Pere. Year-round soccer and flag football leagues are available for youth, high schoolers and adults.
Fun at Lambeau Field (where the Packers play) isn’t limited to game days. Titletown, a community development near the field, offers family-friendly activities year-round, including a playground and a 100-yard football field that hosts soccer, kickball, flag football and more!
Additionally, Fuller says you can’t miss the annual Pink Flamingos Classic charity softball tournament. The Pink Flamingos works to provide financial support and bring awareness to nonprofit groups, charitable organizations, youth groups and families in need in Northeast Wisconsin. The event is a combination of everything Greater Green Bay residents love: charity, fun, sports and community.
How Will You Get Connected in Greater Green Bay, WI?
When moving to a new city, research is crucial in making decisions and building connections. In addition to the aforementioned resources, social media is another great way to get to know your new community. Join local Facebook groups to learn more about events and activities. You might find a hidden gem or discover a new hobby.
If you’re feeling nervous about moving to a brand-new city, that’s perfectly natural and normal, Fuller says.
“There are plenty of opportunities in Green Bay to find your community and your people or build one yourself,” she says. “Never underestimate what a city can offer you or what you can offer a city.”
This article is sponsored by Your Move Green Bay and the Greater Green Bay Chamber.