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Yale College (Silliman) '89 /Yale Law School '94 Fellow Yale alums -- I'm working on a book, THE HAPPINESS PROJECT, about the year I spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages and the current scientific studies about how to be happier -- I report on what works and what doesn't. Come ...

A Diverse Family at the YAAMNY 2008 Strategic Planning Retreat

Over 50 people showed up this Friday night and Saturday to discuss what YAAMNY could and should be.  32 of us were current board members, advisers, former YAAMNY leaders and alums new to YAAMNY.  The additional attendees were spouses, kids and AYA Staff.

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Editor's Note November 2008

 

Have you noticed the changing leaves are especially radiant this fall?  Perhaps the leaves are hanging on a little longer and the reds and ambers have just enough life in the leaves to glow.  Or perhaps they are resonating with the political moment, CHANGE.  Rebublican, Democrat or undecided all seem intent on the thought.  So perhaps the leaves are singing that message too.

I wonder sometimes how change became the banner of the two parties.  Wouldn't I rather see "Vote McCain for Paradise Now?"  Change only tells me what I'm leaving, not where I'm going.   

Yale, when I arrived at 18, seemed immutable, monolithic and anti-change.   Hadn't it been as I found it for 300 years?   But having been involved with Yale now for 20 years, I've come to see the extent to which Yale is the result of an incredible diversity  of voices sounding and sometimes clamoring across time, space and context.  All change Yale in their own ways, big and small.

And it has been the commitment to the ideals of excellence, discernment and truth in those voices that has made Yale adapt so well and be as great as it is.  They may make a bad political bumper sticker, but those ideals make the change for the best at Yale, in NY and in the world.  YAAMNY exists to help in some small way make change for the for the better in NY.  And I hope you will make change yours and for the best on election day and every day in the communities where you live.

SPECIAL EARLY SEPTEMBER EVENTS FOR YALE ALUMNI IN NYC!

 

Greetings,

Before you take off for the long weekend, we wanted to make sure you heard about the very cool end-of-summer rooftop party with UPenn, Northwestern and Notre Dame at the swanky Maritime Hotel on Sept. 2. PLUS on Sept. 9, there's a special Young Alumni Welcome to NYC reception at the Yale Club. See below for more details! Have a great Labor Day!

Editor's Note May 2008

Greetings,

Last month we promised a party and we're delivering TWO.  My Luu's Spring Fling is sold out, and the very next day, Amanda Taffy has been working hard on a Best Buddies benefit at Plumm.  The Events  calendar is full of excuses to get together.

Your participation is THE KEY to this and many many thanks are due to the 50 Alums and friends who took a couple days out last week to work on the strategic planning retreat for YAAMNY.

In addition to the several key initiatives coming out of that retreat I'd like to specifically highlight Doreen Oliver's new leadership of the Arts and Entertainment group  and Amanda Taffy's continuing work in the Public Service group - details below.  If you would like to work on other important events, such as professional development events and talks, please get in touch with us!

Last but not least please have a look at Jaradoa Theatre's new production: The Small of Her Back which opens tomorrow and is hosting a special YAAMNY night May 19th.  And for an extra special treat, see below for a very limited seating dinner with the founders of Jaradoa hosted by yours truly.

The Great Inclusion - Politicians, Doers and Bureaucrats

Do-ocracy Nicole Possin '94 attended a reception last March 31 where we were discussing some of the ideas of what YAAMNY should be and she stood up and described YAAMNY as a potential "Do-ocracy."  An institution, I gathered, dedicated to enabling other people to "DO" and organize around whatever ...

YAAMNY 2008 Strategic Planning Retreat Reflections by Nicole Rose

This weekend I am having the experience of coming together with diverse members of the Yale Alumni community of New York in a discussion that is encouraging the expansion of ideas through an all day strategic planning session directed at developing a scope of vision and objectives for YAAMNY. The ...

Organizing YAAMNY Stretegic Planning Retreat

It's an exciting time for YAAMNY as we develop the Agenda for our Strategic Planning retreat this weekend. I spent this morning working with Jenny on formulating the goal and deliverables for the weekend.  It's incredibly interesting to work on figuring out how to adapt our currently completely virtual ...

Metrics For Success

AYA LEADERSHIP FORUM January 24 26, 2008 Session Notes   Module 3: Good to Great and Metrics for Success   What is your hedgehog? How do we measure success in Yale Clubs? % dues participation % event participation Level of buzz Finding positive deviants & acknowledging them Representing Yales diversity ...

Volunteer Motivation and Management

AYA LEADERSHIP FORUM January 24 26, 2008 Session Notes   Module 3: Volunteer Motivation and Management Why do people volunteer? Self-interest Caring Shared values Makes them feel good Outlet/opportunity to contribute Honor your Yale experience & those expanded horizons Pride Community of shared interests Appearances Peer pressure Obligation Networking Tangible ...

AYA Leadership Forum Notes

AYA LEADERSHIP FORUM January 24 26, 2008 Session Notes    Module 3: Volunteer Motivation and Management Why do people volunteer?  Connections Self-interest Caring Understanding of mission Shared values Makes them feel good Outlet/opportunity to contribute Honor your Yale experience & those expanded horizons Pride Community of shared interests Appearances ...

Party Lessons from The Club of Southern California

The Y.C. of SoCal just threw a party at the Rainbow Lounge in Hollywood. It was the first time we brought dry ice into a night club. Here's why we're never going to do that again: