Member of the Month

Amanda is one of the people we can thank for our amazing new charity partner-Fedcap. As part of the charity selection team, she conducted an initial interview with Fedcap and continued to mediate through the selection process.  In addition to this recent project, she has been a reliable member of the communications team managing our Twitter account. Who was behind all those tweets alertimg you of the coolest new silent auction items? Yup, Amanda and her adorable dog, Ginger.  Thank you, Amanda, for strengthening us in so many ways.

How did you find out about nycTIES ?
Elise King! I met her at a party and she invited me to come to a happy hour

What is your favorite nycTIES memory?
Hanging out with WNBA superstar Sue Wicks at the NBA skills event with GO Project.

What’s something you have gained from nycTIES that you did not expect to gain when you joined?
A boyfriend.

What are three of your favorite NYC spots?
The Brooklyn Bridge, Supper, Hill Country Chicken

Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase?
chapstick; a pen; 8,000,000 receipts

Best concert you have ever been to?
U2 and Pearl Jam in Hawaii

If you could meet anyone, who would it be?
Tina Fey

What is one of your life goals?
Write a book and have it published.

Three things your family would say we might not know about you?
There’s only one thing my family would like you to know: if I’m ever in a bad mood, food will help snap me out of it.

Who is the love of your life?
My dog Ginger

Who is you favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?
Tina Fey

Tobias or Gob (Arrested Development reference)?
Maeby

Erica Bossen continuously strengthens nycTIES by volunteering in a variety of ways. Volunteering her time, she has attended everything from yoga classes to tutoring sessions with the students of The Children’s Storefront and the GO Project.  Volunteering her professional skill sets, she has helped the events team by acquiring silent auction items from her employer, the NBA, and even initiated our FIT clinic with GO Project. The FIT clinic featured former WNBA and NBA players and was one of our most successful events of the year: For that event, we have received many letters of thanks from GO and the parents of children who participated. A huge thanks to Erica for being an all-star on so many fronts.

1. How did you find out about nycTIES?

I learned about nycTIES from a friend (Elise King- VP of nycTIES) of a friend (Geraldine Cowper). I was looking for more volunteer opportunities in the city, and nycTIES was the perfect organization to join in order to volunteer with good folks (now great friends) on a consistent basis. So big thank you to G for introducing me to E!

2. What has been your favorite charity to work with and why?

nycTIES has collaborated with top notch NYC charities – GO Project, The Children’s Storefront, etc. But hands down, my favorite charity is the Emily Krzyzewski Center in Durham, NC, which is a non-profit organization committed to providing educational programming to low-income, high potential students in the community. I’ve been volunteering with the Emily K Center since college, and it is a well-run non-profit that is making a huge impact on its students.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?

My favorite memory is the NBA FIT clinic we organized for the students of the GO Project. The NBA generously offered to host the clinic, led by the phenomenal NBA/WNBA legends Sue Wicks and Marty Conlon. It was a great experience to bring together my NBA colleagues and nycTIES friends to volunteer at such a fun event for such a good cause.

4. What’s something you have gained from nycTIES that you did not expect to gain when you joined?

When I joined, I was simply looking for volunteer opportunities in the city. Little did I know I would meet a group of volunteers that I now consider some of my closest friends.

5. What are three of your favorite NYC spots?

1) Madison Square Garden during Duke’s annual basketball games in NYC

2) Equinox during Saturday morning kickboxing class

3) My rooftop for a game night with friends

Ray Tse has provided nycTIES with a sense of unity, pride, and excitement through his artistic graphic designs.  Coming into the charity through our Communications Team Lead, Stephen Lee, Ray’s first design was for our hugely-successful Skate in Central Park with The Children’s Storfront which brought in $7,000.  This year, he designed logos for all of our volunteer events, our 5th Anniversary Party, the pre-gala and gala, and designed the recruitment cards for the Member Relations team. Such thought went into each project that he even made the invitation for the recent NBA FIT Clinic with GO Project and nycTIES look like a game ticket!  Every design has brought excitement to our events, heightened the professionalism of our volunteer organization, and provided a sense of unity of purpose.   As if all of this were not enough, Ray was instrumental on the Charity Project Management team last year designing the marketing brochure for The Children’s Storefront that the school continues to pass out to all donors and newcomers.  Thank you, Ray, for using your art to build our charity.

1. How did you find out about nycTIES ?
I learned of nycTIES through my best friend Stephen Lee.

2. What has been your favorite charity to work with and why?
The Go Project, because of all the fun Saturday events they host and the opportunity to create fun graphic invites for their events.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?
Confusing Elise with graphics terms.

4. What’s something you have gained from nycTIES that you did not expect to gain when you joined? Learning how to tie a tie by heart.

5. What are three of your favorite NYC spots
Dumbo, Shore Road bike path and being on the roof of my building.

6. Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase
Toy robot, sketch pad and a camera.

7. Favorite restaurant
Anything that’s fast food.

8. Favorite Facebook photo of yourself

9. If you could meet anyone, who would it be
Leonardo Da vinci

10. What is one of your life goals?
I plan to be a successful artist and eventually start my own designer toy line

11. What’s the next vacation you want to take
Hawaii or Australia to escape the cold and go hiking.

12. Three things your family would say we might not know about you
I still buy toys, I have a pet hamster named Bebe and I don’t like to eat my vegetables.

13. Who is you favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?
Obviously Megan Fox

14. Hobbies
Hiking, Toy making, Model building, sculpting and creating weird mechanical/electrical contraptions.

15. If another nycTIES member were to play you in a movie, who would it be and why?
Stephen lee because we’ve been friends for 20 years and he would know me best.

1. How did you find out about nycTIES?
A friend of mine told me about the organization and I went with him to a happy hour. I was hooked from then on.

2. What has been your favorite charity to work with and why?
I have had the opportunity to be a member on the strategy team for the GOProject. We work with GO to help address their volunteer needs as well as many other requests. It has been very fulfilling thus far and my team members are wonderful.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?
Painting The Children’s Storefront with a great group of people, and being completely covered in blue paint afterwards!

4. What’s something you have gained from nycTIES that you did not expect to gain when you joined
Learning in detail the challenges that face a non-profit

5. What are three of your favorite NYC spots
The Frying Pan, W Hotel Downtown, and Joshua Tree.

6. Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase
iPhone, the latest edition of The Economist, and an umbrella – I’m always prepared

7. Favorite restaurant
Emilio’s Pizzeria, Commack, New York

8. Favorite Facebook photo of yourself

9. Best concert you have ever been to
Kanye West Graduation Tour

10. If you could meet anyone, who would it be
Steve Jobs – RIP

11. What is one of your life goals?
I’d like to travel to all 7 continents, although I really hope the Antarctica visit is a short one… not a fan of cold weather.

12. What’s the next vacation you want to take
I have a long list but Japan, a drive up the California coast, and Eastern Europe are at the top

13. Three things your family would say we might not know about you
I think I’m a pretty transparent guy… I really don’t have any deep dark secrets that my family knows about J

14. Who is the love of your life
Optimum Nutrtition Extreme Milk Chocolate Whey Protein

15. Who is you favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?
Besides Beyonce?!? I have to pick Jay-Z just because they’re such a great couple.

16. Hobbies
Snowboarding, Gym, Running, and de-facto Computer Repair for grandma

17. Tobias or Gob (Arrested Development reference)
I’ve never seen it!

18. If another nycTIES member were to play you in a movie, who would it be and why?
David Carpentier because he did such a great job in American Psycho, although I think he’s tied up filming the The Dark Knight Rises at the moment.

Corinne Arnold continues to strengthen nycTIES in a variety of ways.  Last year, in our partnership with The Children’s Storefront, she organized the silent auction programs and the auction itself on the events team to help us raise $10,000.  This year,she has organized volunteer events on the charity project management team.  Her Around the World event on August 2nd (pictures here) garnered the most nycTIES volunteers yet and was well-loved by the GO students.  Thank you, for Corinne, for always being that friendly face and for showing us the many ways one can contribute to nycTIES

1. How did you find out about nycTIES ?

David Carpentier

2 What has been your favorite charity to work with and why?

That’s a tough question to answer.  The thing I love about nycTIES is that it’s easy to get involved at any level you want.  Someone can walk into a happy hour not knowing anyone and walk out with 5 or 10 new friends.  It’s a great place to get to know people, the city and give back.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?

The ice skating charity event was the best.  We were able to have fun with the kids, ice skate, raise money for the charity and hang out with our friends all at once.  It was the best of all worlds.

4. What’s something you have gained from nycties that you did not
expect to gain when you joined

A sense of community.

5. What are three of your favorite NYC spots

Joe’s Coffee, Fat Cat and Bruschetteria

6. Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase

Credit card, license and phone, I’m practical like that!

7. Favorite restaurant

Bianca’s

8. Favorite facebook photo of yourself (attach in addition to your picture if appropriate)

I can’t say that I have a favorite pic… just pictures with favorite people!  It would be impossible to choose just one

9. Best concert you have ever been to

Rusted Root

10. If you could meet anyone, who would it be

Jimmy Carter

11. What is one of your life goals?

To be happy

12. What’s the next vacation you want to take

The next new place I would like to go is coast of Colombia.  I think it will make a great weekend trip this winter.

13. Who is you favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?

Paul Newman

14. Hobbies

Volunteering, spending time with friends and family, traveling, Pliates

15. Tobias or Job (Arrested Developemnt reference)

I work in sales

16. If another nycTIES member were to play you in a movie, who would it be and why?

David Carpentier, it would be very entertaining to see him dressed up as a girl

1. How did you find out about nycTIES ?
From other Florida State University alumni who are friends with alex Price.

2 what has been your favorite charity to work with and why?
The Children’s Storefront because they remind me how the staff and parents of one school can truly act on their passion for children.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?
There are many which some include hitting up a Dunkin’ Donuts before it switches to its next shift at 5am to hearing another one of Carp’s stories.

4. What’s something you have gained from nycTIES that you did not expect to gain when you joined
An ulcer

5. What are three of your favorite NYC spots
Painkiller, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, Marshall Stack

6. Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase
My Blackberry, lip balm, iPod

7. Favorite restaurant
Fetch

8. Favorite Facebook photo of yourself

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=693055509093&set=a.10100315665340973.2929779.5209549&type=1&theater

9. Best concert you have ever been to
Kanye West at MoMA’s Party in the Garden Afterparty, surprise appearance by Jay-Z

10. If you could meet anyone, who would it be
Both of my grandfathers since they were gone before I was born

11. What is one of your life goals?
To be mindful of pretty much everything

12. What’s the next vacation you want to take
The beach!

13. Three things your family would say we might not know about you
Maybe that I’m not a morning person or that I’m more talkative than shy

14. Who is the love of your life?
My niece, Avery

15. Who is your favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?
Chris & Gwyneth

16. Hobbies
Listening to live music, going for really long walks, talking

17. Tobias or Gob (Arrested Development reference)
It ain’t easy being white. It ain’t easy being brown.

18. If another nycTIES member were to play you in a movie, who would it be and why?
It could be Elise King because she’s as nice and hospitable to our members just like me.

1. How did you find out about nycTIES ?

From other Florida State University alumni who are friends with alex Price.

2 what has been your favorite charity to work with and why?

The Children’s Storefront because they remind me how the staff and parents of one school can truly act on their passion for children.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?

There are many which some include hitting up a Dunkin’ Donuts before it switches to its next shift at 5am to hearing another one of Carp’s stories.

4. What’s something you have gained from nycTIES that you did not
expect to gain when you joined

An ulcer

5. What are three of your favorite NYC spots

Painkiller, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, Marshall Stack

6. Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase

My Blackberry, lip balm, iPod

7. Favorite restaurant

Fetch

8. Favorite Facebook photo of yourself (attach in addition to your picture if appropriate)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=693055509093&set=a.10100315665340973.2929779.5209549&type=1&theater

(see attachment)

9. Best concert you have ever been to

Kanye West at MoMA’s Party in the Garden Afterparty, surprise appearance by Jay-Z

10. If you could meet anyone, who would it be

Both of my grandfathers since they were gone before I was born

11. What is one of your life goals?

To be mindful of pretty much everything

12. What’s the next vacation you want to take

The beach!

13. Three things your family would say we might not know about you

Maybe that I’m not a morning person or that I’m more talkative than shy

14. Who is the love of your life?

My niece, Avery

15. Who is your favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?

Chris & Gwyneth

16. Hobbies

Listening to live music, going for really long walks, talking

17. Tobias or Gob (Arrested Development reference)

It ain’t easy being white. It ain’t easy being brown.

18. If another nycTIES member were to play you in a movie, who would it be and why?

It could be Elise King because she’s as nice and hospitable to our members just like me.1. How did you find out about nycTIES ?
From other Florida State University alumni who are friends with alex Price.

2 what has been your favorite charity to work with and why?
The Children’s Storefront because they remind me how the staff and parents of one school can truly act on their passion for children.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?
There are many which some include hitting up a Dunkin’ Donuts before it switches to its next shift at 5am to hearing another one of Carp’s stories.

4. What’s something you have gained from nycTIES that you did not expect to gain when you joined
An ulcer

5. What are three of your favorite NYC spots
Painkiller, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, Marshall Stack

6. Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase
My Blackberry, lip balm, iPod

7. Favorite restaurant
Fetch

8. Favorite Facebook photo of yourself (attach in addition to your picture if appropriate)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=693055509093&set=a.10100315665340973.2929779.5209549&type=1&theater

(see attachment)
image.png

9. Best concert you have ever been to
Kanye West at MoMA’s Party in the Garden Afterparty, surprise appearance by Jay-Z

10. If you could meet anyone, who would it be
Both of my grandfathers since they were gone before I was born

11. What is one of your life goals?
To be mindful of pretty much everything

12. What’s the next vacation you want to take
The beach!

13. Three things your family would say we might not know about you
Maybe that I’m not a morning person or that I’m more talkative than shy

14. Who is the love of your life?
My niece, Avery

15. Who is your favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?
Chris & Gwyneth

16. Hobbies
Listening to live music, going for really long walks, talking

17. Tobias or Gob (Arrested Development reference)
It ain’t easy being white. It ain’t easy being brown.

18. If another nycTIES member were to play you in a movie, who would it be and why?
It could be Elise King because she’s as nice and hospitable to our members just like me.

Gerren Scoon gave nycTIES something it had been waiting for for years-a new website.  Although only joining the organization last fall, Gerren immediately knew he wanted to use his computer skills to build us a new website.  He even had a mock up done within one week.  Gerren carefully listened to our teams’ functional needs for a new site and developed the phenomenal Member Section that allows new and old members to connect, network, and build our community.  Thank you Gerren for your talent, work ethic, artistic vision, patience and enthusiasm as you sent us to the next level. Read Gerren’s inverview below!

How did you find out about nycTIES?
I found out about nycTIES through a former co-worker, Stephen Lee.  He invited me to a happy hour in October of 2010.  I didn’t know anything about the organization going in, but once I heard the story, I was hooked.

What is your favorite nycTIES memory?
My favorite memory of nycTIES is the 5 year anniversary party.   The event brought together old and new members and really helped paint a picture on how far we’ve come.

What are three of your favorite NYC spots
675 bar, Frying Pan, Brooklyn Museum (First Saturdays)

What’s something you have gained from nycTIES that you did not expect to gain when you joined?
I’ve met a number of people that I interact with outside of the organization.

What are three of your favorite NYC spots
675 bar, Frying Pan, Brooklyn Museum (First Saturdays)

Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase
Laptop, power cord, and headphones

Favorite restaurant
There are so many good restaurants in the city.  I don’t have a favorite.

If you could meet anyone, who would it be
Steve Jobs and Dave Chappelle

What is one of your life goals?
I’d like to start a software company.

What’s the next vacation you want to take
Hong Kong

Three things your family would say we might not know about you
- I’m very competitive
- I was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad
- I can’t cook

Who is your favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?
Will Smith

Hobbies

Entrepreneurship, Coding, Working out

Tobias or Job (Arrested Development reference)
“But where’d the lighter fluid come from?” – Gob
By the way, it’s spelled with a “G” like my name, c’mon!

Jenna Hurwitz has been a true nycTIES enabler.  Jenna organized our monthly happy hours so that our members could have a regular time to socialize and to learn of upcoming events and so that new members could access our outstanding organization.  Not only did Jenna hook us up with tons of fun spots, but she helped out during an intense year of applying to business school.  Jenna, thanks for helping us grow and good luck at Columbia Business School.

1. How did you find out about nycTIES?
I was looking for a charity organization to get involved with shortly after I moved to NYC. I found a listing on the TIES website for a new member orientation so I went and they immediately put me to work—I was hooked!

2. What has been your favorite charity to work with and why?
The Children’s Storefront (TCS). I was lucky in that our partnership with them was just heating up around the time I joined TIES. One of the first events I attended was our meet and greet with the students and their parents. Everyone was so genuine and dedicated—they definitely inspired me to get more involved.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?
Painting @ TCS. I brought along a friend who had never been to a Ties event and everyone was immediately friendly and welcoming. We left that afternoon feeling like we’d really contributed to TCS and made some new friends in the process.

4. What are three of your favorite NYC spots?
Irving St. right by Gramercy Park, the Frying Pan on a summer evening and 16 Handles

5. Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase
Blackberry, Chapstick, gum

6. Favorite restaurant
Extra Virgin

7. Best concert you have ever been to?
Dispatch at the FleetBoston Pavilion8. If you could meet anyone, who would it be?
Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen—I’ve loved them since their Full House days.

9. What is one of your life goals?
To do well while doing good.

10. What’s the next vacation you want to take?
Greece, Turkey, Croatia

11. Who is you favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?
Paris Hilton

12. Hobbies
Football, traveling, exploring NYC, eating, cheering for my Boston sports teams

13. Tobias or Job (Arrested Development reference)
Account Manager at a Branding Firm

Jonathan Palmer has been crucial to nycTIES and its success.  Involved with nycTIES for a few years, Jon became invigorated by The Children’s Storefront.  He organized tech Saturdays to help students acquire computers and learn how to use them; gathered auction items and tons of hockey buddies for A Skate in Central Park at Lasker Ice Rink; and now leads nycTIES’ recruitment efforts on the Member Experience team.  Jon has immersed himself in the organization and contributed on a variety of fronts.  Thank you, Jon, for helping us grow and change NYC.

1. How did you find out about nycTIES?

My old roommate Fred LeCao.  We miss you Freddy.  Graduate Wharton already.  NYC needs you back!

2. What has been your favorite charity to work with and why?

The Children’s Storefront.  This is an organization that truly inspired me, from the teachers and leadership committee to the children and their parents.  These are genuine people that appreciate everything that’s been given to them since attending The Children’s Storefront.  This School is 100% tuition-free.  It’s amazing to see that people are not taking it for granted.  We will continue to work with TCS formally and informally for the years to come.

3. What is your favorite nycTIES memory?

Dave Carpentier and myself (two hockey players) trying to touch our toes during a yoga session for one of our events.  Not pretty.

4. What’s something you have gained from nycties that you did not expect to gain when you joined.

I have gained a solid rolodex of great, authentic people that give back to the community without expecting anything in return.  These people have turned out to be my friends, as well as group members.
5. What are three of your favorite NYC spots

Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, The Brass Monkey, Madison Square Park
6. Name three things we would find in your purse or briefcase

Research pieces, business-related items, a map

7. Favorite restaurant

Fig & Olive – Midtown location

8. Favorite Facebook photo of yourself (attach in addition to your picture if appropriate)

I’m not photogenic, believe me.

9. Best concert you have ever been to

Jimmy Eat World at Terminal Five.
10. If you could meet anyone, who would it be

Alive: Wayne Gretzky  Dead: Ronald Reagan
11. What is one of your life goals?

To be the best husband and father I can be (down the road of course).

12. What’s the next vacation you want to take?

Costa Rica to surf and beach it.

13. Three things your family would say we might not know about you:

Nothing.  I leave it all out on the table.
14. Who is the love of your life

My family, friends, and girlfriend Christina

15. Who is you favorite celebrity besides Beyonce?

Clint Eastwood

16. Hobbies

Ice Hockey, Surfing, and Socializing

17. If another nycTIES member were to play you in a movie, who would it be and why?

Dave Carpentier.  I have to give it to him, he knows how to mimic me like no other.  It actually makes me feel quite pathetic.