New York Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter
New York Metro Area Alumni Chapter (NYMAAC) (Founded 12 May 2001) is located in New York City. The Chapter was founded by Beta Epsilon Chapter alumna Alexandra Spirer, Alpha Iota Chapter alumnae Dana Cabral and Keri Buchanan, and Len Zoppa. NYMAAC is a member of the East Region.
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NYMAAC
The New York Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter is more commonly known as NYMAAC. The chapter encompasses New York City, northern New Jersey, Westchester and Long Island. NYMAAC has several NAA members, but caters to a much larger group of brothers in the NY Metro area. As of August 2012, 110 brothers are currently signed up for our listserv ([1]).
Executive Board 2015-2016
- Kate McConnell, President
- Hillary Nicoll, Secretary
- Sarah Viviani, Communications Coordinator
- Andrew Berman, Recruitment Coordinator
- Marissa Gernett, Service Coordinator
- Michael Covin, Social Coordinator
- Sue Yousif, ICR Coordinator
- Alex Spirer, Historian
Past Executive Board Members
- Alexandra Spirer, President (2001-2009), Social Coordinator (2009-2010, 2011-2013), Service Coordinator (2010-2011)
- Kimberly Van Dyke, Member-at-Large (2005-2007)
- Allison Park, Communications Coordinator (2005-2008)
- Jeremy Shepard, Service Coordinator (2005-2008, 2013-2014), Communications Coordinator (2012-2013)
- Andrew Berman, Secretary/Recruitment Coordinator (2006-2008), Communications Coordinator (2008-2009, 2012), President (2009), Recruitment Coordinator (2012-2014)
- Juli McLaurin, Social Coordinator (2007-2008)
- Lindsay Famula, Communications Coordinator (2007-2008), Secretary (2008-2009)
- Helen Lee, Social Coordinator (2008-2009)
- Jessica P'an, Service Coordinator (2008-2010)
- Stella Maher, Recruitment Coordinator (2008-2009, 2010-2011), President (2009-2010)
- Kate McConnell, Communications Coordinator (2009-2010), President (2010-2013)
- Andy Strassler, Communications Coordinator (2010-2011)
- Becca Visgaitis, Social Coordinator (2010-2011)
- Ally Hirschkowitz, Secretary (2010-2012)
- Elizabeth Walsh, Communications Coordinator (2011-2012)
- Rebecca Torres, Recruitment Coordinator (2011-2012)
- Marissa Gernett, Service Coordinator (2012-2013), Social Coordinator (2014-2015)
- Hillary Nicoll, Secretary (2012-2013), Social Coordinator (2013-2014)
- Gretchen Mengeringhausen, Secretary (2013-2014)
- Jonathan Chin, President (2013-2014), Secretary (2014-2015)
- Sue Hall, Communications Coordinator (2013-2015)
- Courtney Pike, Service Coordinator (2014-2015)
- Michael Covin, ICR Coordinator (2014-2015)
| NYMAAC Executive Board | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office | 2001-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
| President | Alex Spirer | Andrew Berman/ | Kate McConnell | Jonathan Chin | Kate McConnell | |||||||
| Secretary | Andrew Berman | Lindsay Famula | Ally Hirschkowitz | Hillary Nicoll | Gretchen Mengeringhausen | Jonathan Chin | Hillary Nicoll | |||||
| Communications Coordinator | Allison Park | Allison Park, | Andrew Berman | Kate McConnell | Andy Strassler | Elizabeth Walsh/ | Jeremy Shepard | Sue Hall | Sarah Viviani | |||
| Recruitment Coordinator | Andrew Berman | Stella Maher | Rebecca Torres | Andrew Berman | ||||||||
| Service Coordinator | Jeremy Shepard | Jessica P'an | Alex Spirer | Marissa Gernett | Jeremy Shepard | Courtney Pike | Marissa Gernett | |||||
| Social Coordinator | Kimberly Van Dyke | Lindsay Famula | Juli McLaurin | Helen Lee | Alex Spirer | Becca Visgaitis | Alex Spirer | Hillary Nicoll | Marissa Gernett | Michael Covin | ||
| ICR Coordinator | Michael Covin | Sue Yousif | ||||||||||
| Historian | Alex Spirer | |||||||||||
Chapter Events & Activities
Happy Hour
NYMAAC hosts a happy hour once a month at various bars, pubs, and clubs in Manhattan (usually the 'Third Thursday' of the month, unless otherwise specified).
New Jersey Happy Hour
In an effort to reach out to the New Jersey Brothers, NYMAAC also hosts Happy Hours located in NJ every 3-6 months depending on interest.
- July 2015: The Office in Ridgewood, Bergen County
- March 2015: Cuban Pete's in Montclair, Essex County
- January 2015: World of Beer in New Brunswick, Middlesex County
- March 2014: LITM in Jersey City, Hudson County
- August 2013: East of Elm in Morristown, Morris County
- April 2013: Biggie's Clam Bar in Hoboken, Hudson County
- February 2012: Dubliners in Hoboken, Hudson County
The Page and Popcorn
The Page and Popcorn is our popular book and movie club (read the book then see the movie) that typically meets every other month.
Past selections have been:
- January 2016: Kill the Messenger, by Nick Schou (pub. 2006, movie 2014)
- August 2015: The Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl (pub. 1968, movie 2009)
- Canceled due to low interest, inspired by Riverside Park outdoor movie series
- May 2015: Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy (pub. 1874, movie 2015)
- Canceled due to low interest
- March 2015: Children of Men, by P.D. James (pub. 1992, movie 2006)
- January 2015: The Giver, by Lois Lowry (pub. 1993, movie 2014)
- July 2014: The Princess Bride, by William Goldman (pub. 1973, movie 1987)
- Inspired by the Movies Under the Stars series on the Riverside Park piers which chose it for one of their summer screenings.
- March 2014: The Human Stain, by Philip Roth (pub. 2000, movie 2003)
- Event canceled due to scheduling conflicts and not rescheduled due to low interest
- November 2013: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, play by Tom Stoppard (first performed 1966, movie 1990)
- July 2013: Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy (pub. 1873, movie 2012)
- May 2013: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald (pub. 1925, movie 2013)
- April 2013: A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving (pub. 1989, movie "Simon Birch" 1998)
- November 2012: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky (pub. 1999, movie 2012)
- Movie had left theaters by our scheduled meet-up date, rescheduled for January
- March 2012: The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde (pub. 1890, movie 2009)
- January 2012: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer (pub. 2005, movie 2011)
- Canceled due to low interest
- November 2011: Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro (pub. 2005, movie 2009)
- September 2011: The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood (pub. 1985, movie 1990)
- May 2011: Water For Elephants, by Sara Gruen (pub. 2006, movie 2011)
- March 2011: The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan (pub. 2005, movie 2010)
- January 2011: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, by Steig Larsson (pub. 2005, movie 2009)
- The Hollywood movie starring Daniel Craig wasn't out yet, so we watched the Swedish film
- August 2010: Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert (pub. 2006, movie 2010)
- April 2010: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll (pub. 1865, movies 1985 and 2010)
- From the many adaptations, we chose two: a 1985 star-studded made-for-TV production which we watched at a Brother's apartment, and the then current Tim Burton version in the theater.
- February 2010: To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (pub. 1960, movie 1962)
- January 2010: The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold (pub. 2002, movie 2009)
- November 2009: Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak (pub. 1963, movie 2009)
- We all read this book together a la a children's storytime, and then went together to the theater to see the movie.
- August 2009: The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger (pub. 2003, movie 2009)
- August 2009: Julie & Julia, by Julie Powell (pub. 2005, movie 2009)
- June 2009: Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel García Márquez (pub. 1985, movie 2007)
- September 2008: Blindness, by José Saramago (pub. 1995, movie 2008)
- The movie had left theaters by our scheduled meet-up date, so we saw "W" instead and rescheduled the event for March.
- May 2008: Bringing Down the House, by Ben Mezrich (pub. 2002, movie "21" 2008)
- Canceled due to low interest.
- March 2008: The Other Boleyn Girl, by Philippa Gregory (pub. 2001, movie 2008)
- January 2008: The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini (pub. 2003, movie 2008)
- December 2007: The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman (pub. 1995, movie 2007)
- September 2007: Stardust, by Neil Gaiman (pub. 1998, movie 2007)
- September 2007: Atonement, by Ian McEwan (pub. 2001, movie 2007)
- In a Page & Popcorn GOTCHA! moment, we changed our minds and went with Stardust instead. One Brother didn't get the memo and read Atonement, and holds a grudge to this day.
- July 2007: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J. K. Rowling (pub. 2003, movie 2007)
- Not an official selection, since we assumed most people had already read it, we just set a date to all go see the movie together.
- June 2007: Breakfast at Tiffany's, by Truman Capote (pub. 1956, movie 1961)
- March 2007: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt (pub. 1994, movie 1997)
- January 2007: The Manchurian Candidate, by Richard Condon (pub. 1959, movies 1962 and 2004)
- We watched both the original with Angela Lansbury and the recent adaptation with Liev Schreiber. P&P double feature.
- November 2006: Running with Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs (pub. 2002, movie 2006)
- Our first official selection
- June 2006: Thank You For Smoking, by Christopher Buckley (pub. 1994, movie 2006)
- This was the book that inspired the book club. Two Brothers read the book and saw the movie together, and thus P&P was born.
If you have any future book/movie suggestions or are interested in joining us, please contact us (nymaac-owner@yahoogroups.com).
Annual Scavenger Hunt
Each year shortly following graduation time (usually mid-late June), NYMAAC hosts a scavenger hunt in New York City for all current NYMAAC members as well as any recent or otherwise alumni who happen to be in the New York City area. Besides being a ton of fun, this is NYMAAC's biggest recruitment event each year.
E-board Meetings
The NYMAAC E-Board meets monthly at our members' offices to discuss upcoming events, development and recruitment. Have some ideas? Share them! Everyone is welcome to attend, or shoot us an email and let us know your thoughts.
Holiday Dinner
NYMAAC hosts a holiday dinner for its members whenever possible in the month of December. Traditionally, this dinner has taken place at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, but occasionally has had to relocate to other sites when needed. NYMAAC Brothers who choose to participate may bring a gift for the White Elephant gift exchange. In 2011, NYMAAC also collected toys for Toys for Tots in Manhattan as a service event.
Undergraduate Involvement
As part of the East Region, NYMAAC stays as involved as possible in local undergraduate chapters. In the Fall 2011 semester alone, members of NYMAAC attended chapter meetings for Delta Chi Chapter, Alpha Theta Chapter, Alpha Eta Chapter, and Alpha Pi Chapter, among others. NYMAAC members also attended the Delta Chi Chapter Founders Day celebration and the Alpha Theta Chapter Induction. NYMAAC has also been represented at several East Region Conferences.
Elections
In accordance with the National Constitution, NYMAAC holds annual elections for all Executive Board positions. Elections are held over the summer and electees take office on September 1st. If you're interested in running, or would like to nominate someone, please email nymaac-owner@yahoogroups.com.
Newsletter
NYMAAC publishes a periodic newsletter called NYMAAC News. Back issues are available in the Files section of our Yahoo Group and by request. New issues are sent out to the NYMAAC mailing list, the undergraduate chapter presidents, and the national listserv (vt.edu).
Collegiate Outreach and Support
Undergraduate Music Video Contest
Since 2013, NYMAAC has held a music video contest in which collegiate chapters create and submit a music video for the chance to win a full quad registration to National Convention. The winner is announced each year at Convention and the prize is redeemed at the following Convention. The prize is financed by an alumni donation drive targeted specifically for the contest. The contest was the brainchild of Patrick Herron and was initially spearheaded by then NYMAAC President Kate McConnell.
- 2013: Are We Not Entertained? Winner: Gamma Tau. Video: If You Wannabe My Brother
- 2014: Show Us Your Awesome Winner: Epsilon Alpha. Video: Show NYMAAC Our Awesome
Video Bro-Down
Also spearheaded by Kate McConnell, the Video Bro-Down is an attempt to start a video conversation between undergrads and alumni on topics of interest to undergrads where alumni can offer advice. Undergrads submit topics via comments on our YouTube videos, FB, Twitter, or however they want, and NYMAAC sets up a video chat with an alumni panel consisting of Brothers from around the country.
- It Gets Awesomer
- Bro-Down #2 coming soon
Notable Members
Current Members
- founding member, NYMAAC president (2001-2009), recipient of NYMAAC's first ever Chapter Service Key (2012), Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Board Member (2009-2011)
- Producer of official Phi Sigma Pi Fraternity Songs recording (2002), NYMAAC president (2013-2014)
- Vice President of Membership Development (2004-2010), Vice President of Philanthropy Development (2014-2016), recipient of the 2012 Rolla F. Wood Graduate Scholarship, recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Service Key
- Director of Publications and Alumni Relations (2009-2011), NYMAAC president (2009), NYMAAC CSK
- Region Consultant (2012-2014), Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Board Member (2014-2017)
- Region Consultant (2012-2013)
- NYMAAC president 2010-2013, founded Pursuit of Awesome (2012-present), Regional Volunteer (2014-2015, PMRC), NYMAAC CSK
Past Members
- National President (2007-2014); Vice President of Alumni Development (2004-2007)
- Senior Vice President (2000-2002), Vice President of Alumni Development (1996-1998); Distinguished Service Key Recipient (1999)
- Vice President of Finance (2004-2010); National President (2000-2002), National Secretary (1998-2000); Distinguished Service Key Recipient (2002)
- Vice President of Alumni Development (2010-2014), Vice President of Finance (2014-2016)
- Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Board Member (2011-2014, President 2012-2014), NYMAAC president (2009-2010)
Grand Chapter Delegates
- 2015: Andrew Berman (Delegate), Sarah Viviani (Alternate), Kate McConnell (NAA Alternate #1)
- 2014: Andrew Berman (Delegate), Hillary Nicoll (Alternate), Kate McConnell (NAA Delegate #1)
- 2013: Andrew Berman (Delegate), Hillary Nicoll (Alternate), Kate McConnell (NAA Delegate #1)
- 2012: Andrew Berman (Delegate), Patrick Herron (NAA Delegate #2), Kate McConnell (NAA Alternate #2)
- 2011: Kate McConnell (Delegate), Elizabeth Walsh (Alternate), Stella Maher (NAA Delegate #2)
- 2010: Stella Maher (Delegate), Sarah Cantwell (Alternate)
- 2009: Alex Spirer (Delegate)
- 2008: Andrew Berman (Delegate), Stella Maher (Alternate)
- 2007: Jason Walters (Delegate), Jeff Samuels (Alternate)
Chapter Honors and Awards
- Most members attending 2006 Alumni Convention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Most Successful Recruitment at 2006 Alumni Convention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Excellence in Technology and Communication, 2008 Alumni Convention, Las Vegas
- 2012 Outstanding Alumni Chapter (first time it was awarded)
- 2013 Outstanding Alumni Chapter
- 2014 Outstanding Alumni Chapter
Chapter Service Keys
- Alex Spirer (May 10, 2012)
- Kate McConnell (December 10, 2013)
- Andrew Berman (December 10, 2013)
- Patrick Herron (May 22, 2016)
Further Resources
