The recent new member orientation breakfast held at the Schottenstein Center of Yeshiva University on June 25, was attended by more than twenty new members. Of these, the number of new professional members was about equal to the number of new associate members.
The friendly, one hour breakfast and presentation was also attended by twelve board and membership services committee members. Most took a few minutes each to help introduce the new members to IFMAGNY and speak of their experience and the benefits of membership and participation (the presentation).
Ian Noray, associate director facilities operations at the Council On Foreign Relations is one of our new professional members. He thought the orientation was a worthy beginning of his IFMA experience. Personally, he is most interested in the educational opportunities that IFMA presents. He is also looking forward to meeting other facility managers, who will be able to share their valued resources and proven contacts with him, for the many new projects he'll need to undertake in the future.
Noray is working with Greater New York Chapter vice president, Christian Miller, in a study group setting, to ramp up for his CFM designation. He is very pleased about this and feels immediate value from his membership.
Mee Lee is another of our new professional members. Lee is the facility manager for the Tribeca Film Festival, in lower Manhattan. Lee thought the gathering was very interesting and has joined IFMAGNY "to learn more about how facility managers handle problems with their infrastructure - from HVAC to technology." She is very much looking forward to the support the IFMA community will provide.
We also spoke with two associate members to gauge their response to this event. Michael Eisen, of JM Offset, is a returning member. He's looking forward to involving himself with IFMA through attending networking events and volunteering for committee participation. He's looking forward to many new contacts, both with FMs and associates.
Michael Caputo, of Branch Restoration Services, attended the meeting as part of his participation with the membership committee. He joined IFMA and participates for the value he receives from meeting and interacting with both facility managers and associates.
Personally, I enjoyed attending the orientation and took time to speak with more than several of the new members. I also think that another 15-30 minutes of time, for the new members to interact with and raise questions on a one to one basis, with the attending board and membership services committee members, following the formal presentation, would further serve the orientation and participation process.


Michael Moskowitz of Gateway Chauffeured Services is a member of the Greater New York Chapter of IMFA's public relations
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