By Nicole Millman-Falk
Michael Weamer, Chair of NYSAE and CEO of the Marfan Foundation."This past year, NYSAE’s Board of Directors did yeoman’s work as they conducted a deep dive into where we are, where we are going, and how we are going to get there," said Michael Weamer, Chair of NYSAE and CEO of the Marfan Foundation. Echoing his comments when he was elected Chair last year, Weamer noted that the Board of Directors is strong and focused on the health of the organization, and that NYSAE’s volunteer membership is committed to seeing that we thrive.
To move the organization forward, NYSAE’s Board, with input from committee chairs, is working on a three-year Operational Plan, spearheaded by NYSAE member Doug Brown, CEO of Paradigm Associates. That plan, many months in the making, will be unveiled at NYSAE’s Board and Committee Retreat, to be held July 17-18 at the Hotel Indigo East, Riverhead, Long Island, and will unfold to the membership over the course of the year.
This is the first formal planning process that NYSAE has undergone since 1999. It was initiated by the Board of Directors, who wanted to see a formal plan with measured objectives in place.
Weamer is excited about his second term as NYSAE Chair. "In one year, you can do little more than follow the present plan," he noted. "By revising our Bylaws to allow for a second term, it enables the leadership to be more visionary," he added. Weamer, a long-time member of NYSAE, also served as its Chair from 1998–1999. "Each leader wants to leave behind a better organization than he or she starts with," said Weamer.
NYSAE experienced a number of accomplishments under Weamer’s first year at the helm. NYSAE is in good financial standing, thanks in part, to corporate sponsors like Kalahari Resorts, and under the leadership of Board members like Holly Koenig and others.
MeetNY, in a new location at the New York Marriott Marquis, was again an outstanding success. For the eighth year, the program, billed as the "Best Hosted Buyer Event in the Northeast" continues to grow and thrive. Feedback from attendees and vendors was excellent. MeetNY 2017 is scheduled to be held again at the New York Marriott Marquis on March 8, 2017.
Educational Summits, under the chairmanship of Zon-Wei Cheng and the Professional Development Workshops, under the chairmanship of Beverly Daniel, experienced excellent reviews from all in attendance, "and, I might add, attendance was excellent," said Weamer. The Technology, NextGen, and Women Executives in Nonprofits SIGs added to the educational mix. The Nonprofit CEO Forum relaunched this past year with a program on executive compensation. "During the 2016-17, we also hope to relaunch our Communications SIG, rounding out our educational offerings," said Weamer.
NYSAE’s online publication InView, under the editorship of Nicole Millman-Falk, continues to be well received. InView enables NYSAE to continue to use technology as a strong vehicle to help promote several NYSAE programs, including MeetNY, the Technology Summit, and outstanding Synergy Awards Program.
"In an association and educational mecca like New York, where many training opportunities already exist, NYSAE has to choose where we can make a difference so we can deliver top-quality programming," said Weamer. "As part of our Operational Plan, we will be looking at where we can make the most impact." Does NYSAE need to change up its menu? How are we delivering our information? Is it in a format that today’s members want?
"I already feel a renewed energy, a lighter more positive feeling about NYSAE," Weamer. "I want to continue to build that collegial environment, where people want to come, and when they feel good when they are with us."
If anyone can do that, it’s Michael Weamer, along with a dedicated Board of Directors, committee chairs and volunteers, and President & CEO Joel A. Dolci, CAE, and his committed staff.
NYSAE Officers and Directors
Also reelected were
- Chair-Elect Gerard M. Thiers, CAE, Executive Director, ASAH;
- Treasurer Neil Mullanaphy, Director, Meetings and Conventions, American Traffic Safety Services Association; and
- Immediate Past Chair Lester N. Shafran, LLB, JD , Executive Director, Independent Payphone Association of New York, (IPANY)
- Board members Joanne Barry, CAE, Executive Director, New York State Society of CPAs, and Charles Riotto, President, International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association.
New Board members elected for three-year terms expiring 2019 include:
- Stephen Aird, Regional Director of Sales, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB;
- Robert Blumenfeld, Executive Director, ACG New York;
- Jennifer Ian, CAE, Director of Member Services and Chapter Relations, American Thoracic Society; and
- Robert Spangler, Senior Director of Marketing, New Jersey State Bar Association.
Other Board members include:
- Marsha S. Block, CAE, CFRE, Chief Executive Officer, American Group Psychotherapy Association;
- Michael R. Borden, Executive Director, New York State Podiatric Medical Association;
- Louis J. Coletti, President & CEO, Building Trades Employers Association;
- Joel A. Dolci, CAE, President & CEO, NYSAE;
- Mary Jane Eimer, CAE, Executive Director, Association for Behavioral & Cognitive Therapies;
- Holly J. Koenig, Vice President, The Kellen Company;
- Amish Mehta, CPA, Partner & Director of Not-for-Profit Services, Friedman LLP;
- Barry Melancon, CPA, CAE, President, American Institute of CPAs;
- David Murphy, MBA, CPA, Senior Vice President-Wealth Management, UBS; and
- Marian T. Thielsen, Associate VP, Sales & Marketing, American Pet Products Association.
Nicole Millman-Falk is President of Millman-Falk Communications, LLC, providing content development and strategic communication services for trade associations, professional societies, and donor-based organizations. In addition to her own company, she serves as Editor for Apogee Publications, which provides turnkey association newsletters, magazines, and membership directories. She is Editor of NYSAE's InView and is Chair of the PR & Marketing Committee. She can be reached at 201-652-1687; nicolemillmanfalk@gmail.com; or through her website at www.millmanfalkcommunications.com.