New York State of Mind
Before extension became her passion, Michelle Coppola LaPlatney invested her time and effort in recruiting sisters to start the New York City Alumnae Association. At the 2006 National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia Michelle actively sought to gather information to start a New York City Alumnae Association based on the fact that there were so many Theta Phis in the area. Michelle served as the area coordinator and collected 35 responses from sisters who were interested in starting a new alumnae association. An Executive Board was selected, charter fees were donated and the New York City Alumnae Association was born! The New York City Alumnae Association received its charter on December 24, 2007.
Gaining Momentum
The New York City Alumnae Association has worked to expand its membership base to all local chapters in the New York City area – Alpha Epsilon, Beta Alpha, Gamma Eta and Gamma Pi. Every year the association has participated in numerous chapter events in hopes of encouraging recent graduates to continue to stay involved and uphold their lifetime commitment to Theta Phi Alpha. The association has sponsored numerous social events including Friday night socials in the NYC area, dinner and a movie and a summer barbeque. The New York City Alumnae Association continues to utilize social media to communicate with all alumnae in the area, which has allowed all sisters to be aware of not only NYCAA events, but area chapter events and ceremonies as well! At the 2008 Convention in Chicago, IL the New York City Alumnae Association was proud to receive Diamond Level Achievement.
Giving Back
The association has worked to serve our local community at a variety of different events, including New York Cares Day, the Revlon Run/Walk for Women in Times Square, St. John’s University Service Day, and the New York City Avon Breast Cancer Walk. The New York City Alumnae Association has also donated supplies to Camp Friendship, as well as helped to support local chapters financially. Over the past few years many NYCAA members have supported and attended Alpha Epsilon’s Charmaine Lalane Memorial Scholarship Benefit. There are a number of sisters that continue to be involved on a local and National level.