Getting to know you, getting to know all about you….

Our chapter’s events calendar has been jam-packed every month with a constant flurry of activity. We like to say there’s something for every member. Keeping our President’s Mind, Body and Soul vision in mind, the chapter was off to an early start in April with a members-only Town Hall style luncheon at Morton’s Steakhouse – a convenient venue where everyone enjoyed a fabulous lunch and the new Board of Directors shared their vision for this year. Wait, did you say Mind Body and Soul? Ok, settle down now and let’s keep reading!

Are you plugged in, can you hear us now?

It’s all about connections.  Community Connections that is!  Nadia Wagner and Shahily Negron visited Hunter College in the Spring for Phase I of the Community Connections Team’s, Career Optimization through Resources & Education (CORE) program. September 28, the Team entered Phase 2 of a 3-phase pipeline program with Hunter College, when chapter members engaged students in their offices in a teacher/student relationship covering a variety of areas within the law firm.

Students were paired with expert ALANYC members or their staff, who met with them on Friday, September 28th for a 1½ hour session. Students were asked to select two to three areas of interest in anticipation of this program, and they were assigned to “classes” accordingly. The areas of coverage included: the legal secretary/administrative assistant, business development and marketing, the role of the paralegal/paralegal assistant, the legal administrator role, IT, and Finance. Team Leader, Nadia Wagner, reported an overwhelming response to her call for volunteers for this very worthwhile pipeline mentoring program.

Hunter students Karma and Alaina meet with the Office Services department at Dorsey & Whitney LLP.

Presenter: Nathan Rosen; BP/Sponsor: Elisa Caro, Smart Choice, Host: Joel Herskowitz, Lee & Associates.

What would networking be without our terrific business partners? ALANYC charters new territory by bringing you its very first Murder Mystery – the Great Gatsby Murder Mystery-which was held at the Ainsworth Midtown Hotel on May 23^rd.  Who knew we had such theatrical talent among us?

Speaking of appearances…

Summertime, and the living is easy (Ella Fitzgerald). On June 13, we returned to the Marriott Marquis for an unforgettable evening of networking and creating new memories between members and business partners. The Chapter’s Annual Summer Party was held on a balmy summer evening. Members took advantage of the beautiful terrace overlooking Broadway while others preferred to stay in the air conditioned indoors. Everyone enjoyed a night out with delicious food, drinks and great camaraderie. Even the rain held out! This was a wonderful way to welcome our new Business Partners to the Chapter.

What’s a partner if not someone you ally and engage with often? On June 19^th, the Chapter held its annual New Business Partner Orientation Program at Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin where we welcomed our new business partners, assigned them mentors and discussed the program. Team BP reported it was a great turnout where existing Business Partners, Kevin O’Sullivan, Mark Shore, and John Connolly shared their individual experiences with the New Business Partners on how being a Business Partner with the ALANYC has been beneficial to them professionally and personally. Our technology and website guru, Doug Gibson, completed a tutorial on navigating the forums and explaining how to use the website for the Business Partners’ benefit. The Business Partners Relations team members, Henry Macchiaroli, Denise Harris, Rodger Williams, Tina Carter, Meredith Lonner and Mary Kirnon were inspirational in their words of wisdom explaining that it was necessary for business partners to show up to events as often as they could to develop long lasting relationships. ALA Board Members, Rose Jaworecki, President Elect welcomed the Business Partners and shared how much we valued their sponsorship; Lucy Shyti and Janine Nedd cemented those sentiments and shared how new business may not happen immediately, but with continued presence, information and meetings, it can develop over time.

Allyship is not restricted to our invaluable Business Partners. The Membership Leadership and Mentoring Team held their New Member Mixer at Thompson Hine on June 27^th. Team leader, Julissa Keene captivated our new and prospective members in attendance with the benefits of membership in ALANYC, while the Board of Directors and existing members gave personal testimonials of the benefits derived from their involvement with the Chapter.