Activities

Greetings to All PBKNY Association Members! Hope Everyone is Enjoying the Warmer Weather.

The annual meeting is scheduled for September 19, 2016 at 5:45 pm at the Museum of the City of New York.

Our PBKNY President, Jacques Ohayon, was invited to participate in the PBK induction ceremony at Williams College. The Phi Beta Kappa Society’s new Secretary & CEO-elect, Frederick Lawrence–himself a Williams alumnus–was also present. Congratulations to all 2016 inductees!

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Thursday | May 26, 2016 @ 6:30 p.m. | Networking Event at the French Embassy
We had a wonderful turnout for this amazing event!

The Phi Beta Kappa Association of New York proudly announces a wonderful networking event at the French Embassy!

We had a quiet winter and are now prepared to start our Spring programming with the long-anticipated event at the French Embassy in Manhattan. The focus of this event is for members who have had an educational experience in France.

From the Embassy:

France Alumni: Extend your French experience in the US!

France Alumni has been created by Campus France at the initiative of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development to enable international students who studied in France to make the most of their French experience. France Alumni USA, the local digital platform dedicated to American residents, will be launched in September 2016. Joining this unique social network will give you access to:

• Networking opportunities
• Job and internship offers
• Invitation to cultural events
• Information and resources to value your French experience

4 good reasons for Phi Beta Kappa members to join France Alumni network:

1. Get access to an online directory to build your French network – Connect with other alumni who studied in France and live in the U.S. – Join, create and manage discussion groups to share your French experience with alumni from all over the world
2. Bring together all Phi Beta Kappa Society members who studied in France – Create a dedicated section for Phi Beta Kappa members on the platform – Engage the French and Francophile community with your Phi Beta Kappa local chapter through virtual and in-person events
3. Get involved in comprehensive career services to boost your career and give back to young members of the community – Share and have access to training and job offers – Give advice on career development through webinars and special events
4. Receive regular updates and invitations to cultural events happening in your city to extend your French experience.

Those PBKNY members who have not had an educational experience in France are welcome to bring a friend that has and would be interested in attending and being part of the program.

Location:
French Embassy
972 Fifth Ave (corner of 79th Street)
New York, NY

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Wednesday | May 11, 2016 @ 6:00 pm | La Philharmonie de Paris at the French Embassy

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Thursday | April 14, 2016 @ 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Lebowitz Prize Symposium at Fordham University

Please join The Phi Beta Kappa Society as 2015 Lebowitz Prize winners Alvin Goldman (Rutgers University) and Jennifer Lackey (Northwestern University) Present their symposium “Social Epistemology.”

Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served!

Location:

Fordham University Lincoln Center Campus
Law School Lecture Classroom 3-03
113 West 60 Street
New York, NY 10023

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Friday | December 18, 2015 @ 6:30 PM | 2015 Holiday Party & Toy Drive

With a tremendous turnout, the Holiday Party was a wonderful success!

We were especially proud to present our 2015 PBKNY Scholarship Awards to:

• Joshua Rotbert
• Marcelina Washington

Many congratulations to both, and we wish them the very best!

Joshua Rotbert (left) with PBKNY President Jacques Ohayon

And, of course, many thanks to all our PBKNY members who attended the party and donated to the CancerCare for Kids Toy Drive. All gifts went to children and teens living with cancer and coping with cancer in their family.

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Wednesday | November 11, 2015 @ 6:30 PM | Paul Hatrak: “Communicating For Success: For Entrepreneurs and Business Owners”

Mr. Paul Hatrak led a cogent interactive discussion on how to communicate more effectively. All who participated in this wonderful workshop took away a fresh and unique perspective on attaining new and maintaining current relationships–both professional and personal. For more information on Paul Hatrak, please go to www.paulhatrak.focalpointcoaching.com.

Paul Hatrak, CPA, CGMA, Certified Business Coach, National Speaker Explains How to Better Communicate for Success “For Entrepreneurs and Business Owners”

Did you know if you are dealing with Clients, Connectors and Competitors the same way you could be losing up to 75% of your opportunities to become a more effective Entrepreneur or Business Owner?

It could be because you are communicating the same way with everyone and not tailoring your activities to each person’s behavioral style. If you respond the same way to everyone then you are not responding to anyone.

If you’d like to know how to communicate better and also gain immediate insight into your most challenging people, come hear Paul Hatrak, CPA, CGMA, Certified Business Coach, National Speaker talk on “Communicating For Success: For Entrepreneurs and Business Owners”.

Paul will lead an interactive discussion that will help you understand the universal language of DISC (dominance-influence-steadiness-compliance) as it pertains to Entrepreneurs and Business Owners.

DISC is concerned with how we act and our way of doing things.

You will gain an understanding of your own behavioral style, recognize the behavioral style of others, and be able to adapt and blend your style for greater, more effective communication and relationships (personal and professional).

About Paul Hatrak, CPA, CGMA, Certified Business Coach, National Speaker

As a FocalPoint Certified Business Coach and President of Hatrak Associates, LLC, Paul’s mission is to work with clients with “entrepreneurial spirit” to drive further success or to “rekindle the fire” that may have been lost in their business.

He’s combined 20 plus years of business and leadership experience with the powerful results-based content and expertise of one of the world’s best known business coaches, Brian Tracy.

Paul held senior financial management positions in large and small companies, holding such titles as Regional Finance Principal/Officer and Controller.

As regional Finance Principal for Willis Group Holdings plc, he was responsible for directing finance activities impacting a $150M global business segment with operations in North America, London and Bermuda.

In his previous position at Willis, Regional Finance Officer, he directed finance activities impacting the $100M New York Metro region.

Paul joined Willis from Marquis & Associates Inc. where he was a Partner and controller. In this role he coordinated the merger with Willis Group Holdings plc.
He also has previous audit and tax experience with Deloitte & Touche.

Paul holds a BS in Accounting from King’s College and is a CPA, licensed in Pennsylvania.

He is also a licensed Property & Casualty, Health and Personal Lines Producer in New Jersey.

Paul is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), Financial Executives International (FEI), Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) and served on the board of the Morris/Essex New Jersey chapter of the institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

He is also an avid networker, connector and golfer.

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Thursday-Saturday | October 8-10, 2015 | The Phi Beta Kappa Society 44th Triennial Council

In October The PBK Society 44th Triennial was held In Denver, Colorado.

Highlights of the Triennial was a constitutional debate following Roberts Rules of Order on the Society Resolution concerning the Mass Shooting crisis facing College campuses. The delegation decided to discourage arming college security guards while still recognizing the severity of the problem. Jacques Ohayon sent a copy of his epidemiological report on the causes of the Mass Shooting problem to Secretary Churchill and made it available to the 250 member delegation.

(l. to r.) Jacques Ohayon, PBKNY Delegate; John Churchill, Secretary, PBK Society; Andrew Masich, Ph.D., President & CEO, John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh Association Delegate

Delegates also received a special presentation from University of Chicago Professor and Composer Augusta Read Thomas:

Composer Augusta Read Thomas

This is the way a commissioned composition starts out.

The delegation also had the honor to receive a presentation from great American Author David McCullough (originally from Pittsburgh)

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Friday | October 2, 2015 | The 13th Inauguration of the President of Drew University

On October 2, 2015 your President Jacques Ohayon, represented the Phi Beta Kappa Society at the 13th inauguration of the President of Drew University. Jacques personally delivered a plaque for Dr. MaryAnn Beanninger, 13th President of Drew University.

(l. to r.) Jacques J. Ohayon and Dr. MaryAnn Beanninger

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Wednesday | September 30, 2015 @ 6:30 PM | “Read the Book, Meet the Author” – a joint program with the Museum of the City of New York 

(Please click image for event details)

The recent “Read the Book, Meet the Author” event was a great success! Dr. Foner was very interesting and shared with us many insights into New York City’s role in helping to free slaves. If you would enjoy additional programming at the Museum please let us know.

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Friday | August 28, 2015 @ 5:30 PM | Sailing at North Cove Yacht Harbor

We would like to get at least 20 persons indicating an interest prior to scheduling a definite event. Please check your schedules and determine whether you can attend this interesting summer event! The event is open to all friends and family as well as members of PBKNY.

The sail lasts one hour, after which we plan on going to Brookfield Place for drinks and networking. It should be an enjoyable event!

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Wednesday | July 15, 2015 @ 6:00 PM | GENERAL MEETING at the Museum of the City of New York

Location:
Museum of the City of New York
1220 5th Avenue (at 103rd Street )
New York, NY 10029
(Rowe Classroom 3, lower level)

We had a fantastic turn-out for our General Meeting as well as Special Summer Event! Many thanks to all PBKNY attendees for making this a huge success!

The featured items on the General Meeting’s agenda were the Association’s annual election of Officers and ‘At-large’ Members of the Executive Council, the Association’s governing body, followed by a short presentation. All members of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, their friends, and family were invited to attend. Light refreshments were served.

SPECIAL SUMMER EVENT — The New York Nobody Knows — Wednesday, July 15th at 6:30pm

Immediately following our Annual Meeting, William Helmreich and journalist Ariel Kaminer discussed how NYC has changed since the 1970s and the voices and stories of two prevailing groups of people: the immigrants and the gentrifiers to which Heimreich attributes the city’s success.  William Helmreich is a Professor of the Colin Powell School Civil and Global Leadership at City of New York Graduate Center (CUNY) and Journalist Ariel Kaminer is a senior reporter for BuzzFeed News and formerly a reporter for The New York Times.

2015 Election Results – Executive Council

Elections for the 2015-2016 program were held immediately before the evenings Program. Below was this year’s uncontested election slate, as selected by the Nominating Committee. All on this slate were elected to serve our Board for 2015-2016.

Congratulations to all our Officers and Executive Council Members!

Officers:

• Diane Wesson, President Emeritus
• Jacques J, Ohayon, President
• Susan Tausig, Treasurer

Members of Executive Council:

• Alan Wong (technology resources) – 1 year term
• Carolyn Messner – 1 year term
• Holly Newman – 1 year term
• Leslie Verter – 1 year term

All members of the Phi Beta Kappa Association of New York, dues-paying and life members, current with Association dues as of July 13 2015 were eligible to vote; voting was in-person, as proxy voting is not permitted. Newly inducted members registering with PBK of NY by July 13, 2015 were also eligible to vote.

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Monday | May 11, 2015 @ 6:30 PM | NYC Happy Hour at the Royalton Hotel Lobby Bar

The Phi Beta Kappa Association of New York had a wonderful turn-out for its spring happy hour! Thanks to all the PBKNY new members for making this a huge success!

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March 25-26 | Colgate University Visiting Scholar Lecture and Events | Hamilton, NY

With Caroline Bruzelius, A.M. Cogan Professor of Art and Art History, Duke University and 2014-2015 ΦBK-Frank M. Updike Memorial Scholar.

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Friday | February 6, 2015 @ 4:00 pm | Lebowitz Prize Symposium at Fordham University

Lebowitz Prize winners Jonathan Schaffer (Rutgers University) and Jessica Wilson (University of Toronto) each presented alternate views on “Grounding in Metaphysics.” Organized by Phi Beta Kappa national, Secretary John Churchill moderated this event which comprised amazing presentations, a wonderful attendee turn-out, a dynamic Q & A session, as well as complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the conclusion of the event.

Special thanks to Secretary John Churchill, Ann McCulloch, and Laura Hartnett for making this symposium a huge success!

Location:
Fordham University Lincoln Center Campus
Lowenstein Building 12th Floor Lounge
113 West 60 Street
New York, NY  10023

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Wednesday | January 21, 2015 @ 6:30 PM | Lecture on Animal Law with Sharon Discorfano, Esq.

Location: CancerCare, 275 7th Avenue, NYC 22nd Floor

For members living in New York City and thinking about getting a pet, or who already have one, this presentation is for you!  Landlords are welcome as well.   Sharon is a great resource, I spent the evening with her during the PBKNY Holiday Party and CancerCare Toy drive,  and found her to have an exceptional personality in addition to a legal expert in this area.  Any members attending her presentation will have the benefit of meeting and  networking with Sharon.

A graduate of Rice University, I have an M.A. in Literature from Georgetown and an M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from New York University, with my initial post-baccalaureate work in Psychology at Columbia University.

In May 2012, I received my J.D. from the James E. Rogers College of Law at University of Arizona, with a personal focus on Animal Law issues. At the law school, I served as Co-Director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter and as Student Representative on the Executive Council of the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Arizona. In addition, I’ve worked as a Legal Intern for Compassion Over Killing, a Government Relations Intern at the ASPCA, and spent several years working with The Humane Society of the United States on its Cage-Free Campus campaign. My latest joy in animal advocacy is getting to be part of the NYC Bar Association’s Committee on Animal Law. (Note: posts on this site are solely mine and are not intended as representative of these organizations).

My personal experiences in the workplace range from academic settings to the music industry to Wall Street. My first career was as a child model, actress, and singer in New York; I resurfaced on the NYC blues scene years later, performing in venues such as The Bitter End, Manny’s Car Wash, Chicago B.L.U.E.S., and Tribeca Blues. Other cities I’ve hung my hat for a while: Houston, Rome, Austin, and Washington D.C.

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Tuesday | December 9, 2014 @  6:30 to 8:30 PM | 2014 Holiday Party & Toy Drive

Location:
Piccola Cucina
184 Prince St
New York, NY 10012

Details:

• $30 per person for Italian buffet and dessert (tax and tip included)
• Please bring an unwrapped toy or book for children and teens with cancer

We had a great time at the PBKNY Holiday Party!

Special Thanks to Jason Butler and Ashley Randolph for helping to make the arrangements.

From left, around the table: Jason Butler, Michael McMenamin, Jon Weiner, Leslie Verter, Sharon Santana, Sharon Discorfano, Brian Chernak

Left to right:  Brian Chernak, Carolyn Messner, Paul Kirby and Jacques J Ohayon, President PBKNY

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Thursday | November 13, 2014 @ 6:30 PM | Creative Writing and Music Workshop