NYSJC Metro Chapters have many reasons to be proud this year

By 2007 NYSJC Metro-Conference Director Shonda Ranson

In St. Louis in 2006, former MCD Jennifer Sinatra-MacNeil (Buffalo) attended a special training with the idea that someday, New York State would host the prestigous JCI MetNet international conference. Well, from her beginnings to our formal bid in Atlanta in August 2007, New York State has made a big name for itself and is hosting JCI MetNet 2008: “MetNet & the City.”

But we haven’t stopped there. New York City Metros played hosts to many JCI international guests and banded together to impress UN delegates for a New York City night. Rochester launched a countywide young talent survey that made statewide news and started a conference led by First Lady Governor Silda Spitzer while capturing the attention of local colleges and setting the groundwork for collegiate extensions. KAJC Presidential Advisor Jonathon led an international moment of silence in honor of the Virginia Tech shooting victims. Syracuse connected with young professional giant 40 Below to begin a new collaborative partnership and invited them to participate in the JCI Training program. PNY boosted membership training to a new level and still kept their high level of community involvement. And, finally, Christine D’Andrade was elected the 2008 Metro-Conference Director while Gina Pellettieri took on the JCI MetNet Chairperson role.

Still, with all of these accomplishments, the most impressive accomplishment of the New York State Metro Chapters in 2007 was their ability to seek involvement of all of New York State, whether through the acceptance from the Board of Directors or consulting all of the chapters regardless of designation. Truly, what we’ve accomplished in 2007 will carry us through years to come and I am very proud that I was allowed to be a part of it.