By Nicole Millman-Falk and David Teisler, CAE
Each spring, NYSAE honors those who have demonstrated leadership, service, and special achievements that benefit the association and not-for-profit management profession. At this April's Synergy Awards Luncheon, NYSAE also presented its CyberSpace Awards recognizing outstanding association and not-for-profit websites, its Social Responsibility Award and a new award, called the Outstanding Information Technology Leadership Award.
NYSAE Honors The Best!
Synergy Award winners recognized at NYSAE’s April luncheon included (left to right top row): New Star Award Winner Matt Powers, Grand Hyatt New York; Outstanding Association Executive Holly Koenig, The Kellen Company; Distinguished Service Award Winner Joseph Benincasa, The Actors Fund of America; XVII Award Honoree James Rocco, James E. Rocco Associates; and Outstanding Committee Chair Michael Cummings, The Kellen Company. Also pictured are (left to right bottom row): NYSAE Chairman Andrew Darmohraj, CAE; Outstanding Associate Member Dena Kerren, Canadian Tourism Commission; Outstanding Information Technology Leadership Awardee Theresa Bischoff, American Red Cross; Outstanding Committee Chair Judy Sandford Guise, MSW, CAE; and Social Responsibility Award Winner Carlos Rodriquez, Food Bank for New York City.
Outstanding Information Technology Leadership Award
The recently established Outstanding Information Technology Leadership Award recognizes the contributions of prominent individuals or organizations from the tri-state region, who demonstrated excellence in the field of information technology. Recipients of the award will have been responsible for spearheading, building, educating, promoting, or otherwise contributing to the benefits that information technology has to offer to humankind. NYSAE's first Outstanding Information Technology Leadership Award was presented to the American Red Cross for its Text "Haiti" to 90999 and Text2Help Program. NYSAE member Theresa Bischoff, CEO of the American Red Cross in Greater New York, accepted the award.
On January 12, a series of earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 6.5 to 7.3 devastated Haiti. The American Red Cross, working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners assisted those affected by this disaster. This mobile fundraising initiative is a partnership between the American Red Cross, Mobile Accord, and the mGive Foundation that is supported by the U.S. State Department.
Customers of participating wireless carriers were able to text message "Haiti" to 90999 and make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Donations appeared on customers' monthly bills or debited from a prepaid account balance.
Since the January 2010 Haiti earthquake, the American Red Cross has received unprecedented support from compassionate individuals, corporation and foundations throughout the United States. As of February, the American Red Cross had received approximately $255 million for the Haiti relief and recovery efforts, including more than $32 million through its mobile giving effort. This enabled the American Red Cross to respond immediately and effectively as the needs on the ground evolved.
Since the earthquake struck three months ago, the global Red Cross network has:
- Handed out tarps, tents and toolkits for nearly 373,000 people;
- Provided relief items for 400,000 people;
- Distributed 60 million liters of clean drinking water;
- Built more than 1,300 latrines;
- Treated more than 86,000 people at Red Cross hospitals or mobile clinics;
- Helped vaccinate more than 152,000 people against deadly diseases;
- Coordinated the shipment of more than 2,100 units of blood to medical facilities in Haiti;
- Registered more than 28,400 people with missing loved ones on its family linking website; and
- Deployed more than 900 responders to Haiti, including 165 representing the American Red Cross.
Outstanding Association Executive Award
The Outstanding Association Executive Award is given to the association executive who demonstrates exceptional qualities of leadership and service, not only in his or her own association, but also in the volunteer and professional community as a whole. More than any of NYSAE's awards, this one is wide-ranging and externally oriented. While the other awards focus on contributions, service, and performance in relation to NYSAE, the Outstanding Association Executive Award considers more broad-based criteria, with the focus on overall excellence in the profession.
Holly Munter Koenig has dedicated most of her professional life to the association and not-for-profit community. As vice president of The Kellen Company, Holly is executive eirector of the World Airline Entertainment Association and Comics Magazine Association of America. She also provides executive oversight for the Home Fashion Products Association, New York Women in Communications, the International Interior Design Association's New York Chapter, and the Association for Fundraising Professionals' New York Chapter.
In her position with New York Women in Communications, she developed a plan to recruit students and in the first year recruited 200 student members. She also established a Foundation for student scholarships, which distributes $100,000 plus to high school students, undergraduates, and graduates. Holly also increased the attendance of the New York Women on Communications' major annual event from 250 attendees to 1,500 attendees; the event is rated in Biz Bash Magazine as one of the top five in New York City.
Holly's service to the community, charitable, and civic organizations is also commendable. She entertains seniors in two assisted living facilities; she volunteers at her synagogue as a media specialist for local newspapers, taking photos, writing press releases, and submitting stories. She is very active in her local civic association and is a former board member of the Comedy Cures Foundation.
Holly has also served as a member of several NYSAE committees. Currently vice chair of the Membership Committee, she is also a regular participant in NYSAE's professional development sessions and Institutes.
There is no doubt that Holly Munter Koenig shares NYSAE's passionate commitment to advancing association and not-for-profit management.
Outstanding Associate Member Award
This year's Outstanding Associate Member Award was presented to Dena Kerren, director of meetings & conventions Sales Department at the Canadian Tourism Commission. The award is bestowed on an individual who: makes contributions to his/her organization that have significantly improved, promoted and benefited their company; actively supports and promotes NYSAE programs and services; and makes contributions to community, professional, civic, charitable, and service organizations.
Dena has been a loyal member of NYSAE since 1983. She served a three-year term on NYSAE's Board of Directors and has been a committed member of many committees. For her work at the Canadian Tourism Commission, she has been the recipient of the Award of Excellence from the Council General of Canada and received the Certificate of Merit from Canadian Tourism Commission. Additionally, her signature Showcase Canada event was awarded Best Corporate event in New York City by Biz Bash Magazine. Dena is a veteran of the hotel industry and offers a breadth of industry knowledge and experience to clients. She is an active and dedicated member of her community. She works hand-in-hand with the leadership of the Parkinson's Foundation for the Annual Parkinson's Unity Walk, helping to raise funds. She also mentors countless young interns in order to allow them to get experience in the tourism industry.
Distinguished Service Award
NYSAE's 2010 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Joseph Benincasa, president and CEO of The Actors Fund. This award is for the person who has made extraordinary contributions to NYSAE by his/her skillful performance in aiding and assisting in areas such as: special projects, new programs and on ad hoc functions. In his 10 years as an NYSAE member, Joe has served on several committees and has made substantial contributions in NYSAE's special projects. He is most famous for his partnership between The Actors Fund and the NYSAE Foundation in the production of the very successful Parade of Stars, a three-year project resulting in substantial success for both organizations. Following a three-year term on the NYSAE Board of Directors, Joe was elected chairman of the board in 2007. He has been a trustee since 1990 of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs; he's a director of the minor league baseball team Somerset Patriots; and he currently serves as a director of the Times Square Alliance.
Outstanding Committee Chairperson Award
This Outstanding Committee Chairperson Award is based on the achievements of the chairperson and work of his/her committee in developing and/or executing programs and projects that promote the purposes of NYSAE and that benefit members. This year, NYSAE honored two chairs, Judy Sanford Guise, CAE, chair of the Membership Committee, and a consultant in association management, meetings, and membership services, and Michael Cummings, chair of the Education Committee, and business development director at The Kellen Company.
This is Judy's second year as chair of the Membership Committee. In such an unpredictable economy, her successes continue to be remarkable. The committee recruited 85 new members to date. A special two-for-one year-end holiday promotion resulted in 38 new members. Associations and companies were entitled to one new membership at no additional cost for each new paid membership added at the same time. The Membership Committee's very visible hospitality presence at all NYSAE events this year contributed substantially to this year's success.
The Education Committee is essential because educational content is what NYSAE is known for and it is a great responsibility to carry that torch. Educational content helps to both recruit and retain members and is a revenue stream in and of itself.
This year, the Education Committee expanded its role by adding the activities for what had formerly been the Professional Development Committee. Under Michael's leadership, the committee so far this year, has produced: Greg David of Crain's who spoke on the "New Normal;" a Finance Institute; a Revenue Institute; a Social Networking Workshop; and two Career Development Workshops (Building Your Brand and Facebook for Success). Yet to come this fiscal year are a hot topic program entitled Is Your Association Red Cross Ready? and the Communications Institute on May 19, as well as an additional Career Development Workshop.
XV+ Award
The 2010 XV+ Award was presented to James E. Rocco, principal consultant, James E. Rocco Associates. This award recognizes the significant contribution of an NYSAE member with 15 or more years of service to NYSAE, who has a proven track record of innovative work to support NYSAE programs and activities; actively participates on NYSAE committees; serves as a leader and mentor to the association community; and is a role model for NYSAE members
Jim has been a contributing member to NYSAE serving in various capacities for the past 18 years. He has chaired the Education, Professional Development, and Membership Committees. He has been a speaker at eight Institutes and an active supporter of NYSAE programs and services. Jim has been a leader and mentor to the association community by serving as a speaker and panelist on various programs dealing with executive compensation, human resources and governance. He has also served a three-year term on NYSAE's Board and several other non-profit organizations.
New Star Award
The New Star Award was presented to Matthew Powers, sales manager at the Grand Hyatt New York. This award recognizes the significant contribution of a new member (regular or associate) with less than three years of service made to NYSAE in the areas of committee work, special projects or new programs. Though only a member of NYSAE for the past year, Matthew has already been very active within NYSAE membership development and educational programs. In 2009, he and the Grand Hyatt New York hosted a NYSAE membership phon-a-thon. Matthew also played a major role in the development and execution of the Holiday Membership Drive that resulted in over 35 new members. More recently, he was involved as a panel speaker for NYSAE's January Revenue Institute. The Institute focused on sponsorship, and Matthew brought his experience as a hotel representative and sponsor to the panel discussion. While Matthew is not working hard at the Grand Hyatt New York or supporting the NYSAE, he can be found supporting various charitable causes in New York City, golfing, or enjoying karaoke.
CyberSpace Awards
NYSAE has been recognizing outstanding websites since 1999, when Raphael Badagliacca, president of SpaceMaster, suggested and originated the CyberSpace Awards. Among the criteria for this award are the website's: immediacy of overview; ease of navigation; aesthetics; consistency; timeliness of content; internal search capabilities; usefulness; interactability; originality, and Internet vision. Badagliacca, who presented the awards, noted that they are administered without nomination and automatically include the websites of any current regular member.
The 2010 CyberSpace Award winner in the trade association category was the Risk Insurance Management Society (www.rims.org); Michael Peters and Vyn Raskopf accepted the award. The 2010 CyberSpace Award winner in the professional society category was the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org); Alex Ortiz accepted the award. The 2010 CyberSpace Award winner in the donor-based organization category was the Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org); Kimberly Hedges and Marc Tobias accepted the award.
Social Responsibility Award
NYSAE takes great pride in recognizing its member organizations for their contributions to America with its prestigious Social Responsibility Award. Inaugurated in 1991, in response to President George H. Bush's direct challenge to the association community and to ASAE's Associations Advance America campaign, this award spotlights those organizations that strive to solve our country's pressing social problems by channeling the talents of their employees and volunteers into community service projects that make a difference. This year's award was presented to the Food Bank of New York City for its free tax assistance program.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is the largest poverty-reduction program in the nation, lifting more than 4.8 million people, including 2.6 million children, out of poverty each year. However, almost a quarter million New Yorkers who are eligible for the EITC do not apply for it. As a result, nearly half a billion dollars in tax refunds are forfeited in New York City annually by eligible households who could use that money to pay bills, purchase food for their families, and start saving for their futures. According to the IRS, Food Bank For New York City coordinates the largest civilian free tax assistance program. The Food Bank staffs and operates 12 tax assistance sites throughout the five boroughs, including its Harlem Food & Finance Center and a mobile unit during tax season. Last year alone, Food Bank's Tax Assistance Program served 33,000 New Yorkers, which resulted in nearly $63 million.
Last year, the Food Bank for New York City helped 582 tax filers open bank accounts. Additionally, in 2009, they screened 25,000 of tax filers for food stamp eligibility, and referred 4,700 families who qualified. The Food Bank's free tax assistance sites operate from mid-January through mid-April and they provide a substantial benefit to New York City families. For every dollar invested in the program, the Food Bank returns $32 in tax refunds for low-income New Yorkers. The return is even higher when monthly food stamp benefits (which average $280 per household) are calculated in the return on investment. Feeding families is vitally important to The Food Bank's mission of ending hunger. But, it's not enough to keep families from a lifetime of food poverty.
Programs like EITC help them help New Yorkers get back on their feet, and stay there. In FY10, The Food Bank aims to: prepare over 34,000 tax returns for low-income residents of New York City; screen and enroll eligible tax clients for food stamps and/or healthcare insurance; help 4,000 tax filers prepare returns themselves using free tax software under the guidance of a tax preparer; and assist clients in opening 1,000 new savings or checking accounts.
Carlos Rodriguez, vice president of agency relations & benefit access for the Food Bank of New York City, received the award on behalf of the Food Bank. The Social Responsibility Award is an original sculpture entitled "Caring Hands", was specially designed for NYSAE by Julian Bedoya, who in 1991 was a student from Columbia studying art in America. The bonded bronze sculpture shows intertwining hands to symbolize the many hands of volunteers helping others.
Nicole Millman-Falk, a member of the Awards Committee, is president of Millman-Falk Communications, Inc. David Teisler, CAE, chair of the Awards Committee, is director of communications for the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. She can be reached at mfc32@optonline.net or 201-652-1687. He can be reached at teisler@abct.org or 212-647-1890.