Captain's Log: Voyagers

These are the voyages of the GAMship captains.  Our fifth Captain's Log is about two captains.  This is the voyage of two extraordinary friends, Captain Janneisy "Janeway" Vidals and Captain Luiza "Lulu" Bilt.

GAM has a tradition of officers selflessly switching titles to give each other a chance at the helm. Our original two captains--Captain Ninoska Alvarez (CCNY) and Captain Harry Baker (NYIT)--both switched to give another officer a chance to be captain before they graduated.  In that fine example, Captain Luiza and Commander Janneisy switched titles.  Luiza and Janneisy are great friends, and Luiza wanted her friend to be captain before she graduated.  GAM CCNY is very lucky to have had two great friends leading their ship.  So Captain Luiza offered the helm for a semester to Commander Janneisy.

Captain Janneisy Vidals, GAM CC Fall 2010
Captain Luiza Bilt, GAM CC Spring 2011

Captain Janneisy then guided GAM ahead in an event labeled Go GAManas to combine a message about good nutrition in between classes with the showing of a foreign film that complemented that message.  The timing could not have been more perfect.  Go GAManas was able to support a professor's class project that similarly encouraged marketing students to use their skills to spread a message of good health.

After the two friends switched titles back, Captain Luiza resumed leading GAM ahead in C.C.N.Y. University (a GAMetta Stone series) to combine school pride with GAM's mission to unite students. GAM invited language clubs and other organizations with cultural themes to decorate a table in the style of their most iconic new year celebration to Come Celebrate New Years by sharing the University of the Countless Cultures of New York at C.C.N.Y.

Captain Janneisy recalls:  "I felt very welcomed from the moment I joined as a shipmate.  While I was a shipmate I learned so many life lessons and how to communicate better.  Face it, the world out there is tough and you have to learn how to market yourself.  I learned through challenges how to market myself through GAM."

Captain Luiza recalls her first event before taking the helm of GAM:  "MoMMA was a special and memorable event that not only made me celebrate my mother in pleasant way but also interact and get insights about the other GAM shipmates' lives, pasts, feelings and thoughts, getting to know them better."

Without these two extraordinary friends, the voyages of GAM CCNY would have ended a year ago. Captain Luiza and Captain Janneisy sail out of port soon.  Bon Voyage, Captain Janneisy and Captain Luiza

Captain's Log: Captain Convincing

These are the voyages of the GAMship captains. Our fourth Captain's Log recounts a time when GAM needed a hero to conVINCE shipmates to unite; and one young Kirk beamed up--Captain Vincent Pierotti.

Captain Vince heard the mayday of another GAM ship sailing in choppy seas and came to their aid. The captain donned the red suit and stuck out his knee. But not for Captain Morgan. (Morgan was his commander.) Captain Vince was Santa Claus for a day to celebrate Christmas in Brooklyn Chinatown, distributing toys to the children. His Christmas spirit lifted that one GAM ship out of dry dock, and forged a new spirit of cooperation.

Hi Members of GAM:

Thank you for your support on our Christmas Celebration in Brooklyn Chinatown. I hope you all had a wonderful experience volunteering with us. This event wouldn't be so successful without your help, especially your Santa Claus. I've a link to our photo taken on that day and I hope you can join us in our coming event next year.  I also hope we can start a good partnership with the rest of the NYIT program in the near future. Let me know if your club need the help of our community, we will definitely support you. 

Warren Chan | Executive Director

Asian Community United Society

Captain Vincent Pierotti, GAM CC Fall 2009

When asked to choose his favorite adventure, Captain Vince shared Rolling With GAM. "There are so many good memories to choose from. I think my favorite event was GAM bowling. We realized that Judge Gregorek was a natural, and I realized that I should stick to contact sports."

Captain Vince sailed halfway around the world, and continues his legendary spirit for conVINCing people to unite on himself. "I studied Media and Communication Arts at CCNY. I currently live in Tokyo, Japan. I have been studying the Japanese language, culture, and media for the past year. I plan on working and living here for a long time. It really is a great country and the people are wonderful."

Captain Vince united castaways welcoming them aboard GAMship creating a vibrant crew in the face of troubled waters ahead. Even though his voyage at the helm was short, Captain Vince brought fair winds and following seas to GAM. He was honored with the second Me Hearties pennant. Bon voyage, Captain Vincent Pierotti

GAMetta Stone UNIVERSITY! Come Celebrate New Years!!

It's on!  Today (March 22nd) clubs from NYIT met with clubs from CCNY at CCNY to look over the venue for GAMetta Stone University!  This spectacular event invites everyone to Come Celebrate New Years by sharing the UNIVERSITY of the Countless Cultures of New York at City College of New York.  

GAM CCNY Captain Luiza Bilt broke the good news on the GAM Facebook group event page:

Hello, Judge, hello all! The meeting was a success. A whole beautiful bunch from NYIT showed up at CCNY College networking and mingling with three other clubs from the campus. From NYIT side we had visiting UN, graduate and undergraduate clubs taking a field trip throughout the whole campus and familiarizing themselves with the surroundings. The visit culminated with a warm salutation with Mr. Rhinehart, Director of Student Life. Thank you all for a wonderful and insightful meeting. As I said today as a next step: CCNY comes to you NYIT people.  Ahoy to you shipmates and prepare yourselves for a phenomenal world celebration event.

Students are invited to come celebrate all the various nations and regions of the world represented at CCNY on April 12th from 12-2p in the NAC Rotunda.  Our goal is to offer our huge diverse population an opportunity to get to know one another--to share images, music, dress, and culinary samples of the communities here at CCNY culminating in and through the excitement of New Year’s Eve.  Experience it all through what we all share in common--celebrating the new year!  

Today began a new year of cooperation between clubs from two colleges along Broadway--East meets West.  Represented today from NYIT was Chinese Student Association, the United Nations Team, Chinese Business Student Association, and GAM/Great American Mentoring.  From CCNY, there was the African Students Union, Senegalese Students Association, Haitian Students Association, Caribbean Students Association and GAM/Great American Minds.  If you join us Now You're International Too, NYIT; and Crazy Cool Now Y'all at CCNY.  

For more information:   http://goo.gl/I7Gyc | GAM.ccny@gmail.com.

Captain's Log: Letters of Marque

These are the voyages of the GAMship captains. Our third Captain's Log treks broad way--a short crossing across and a long voyage along--back to where it all started with our first captain. His ship was preceded by the corsair command newly setting sail with fellow academy director Captain Ninoska Alvarez.

Captain Ninoska Alvarez, GAM CC Fall 2008-Spr 2009

During the summer of 2008 a league of thirteen extraordinary fellows convened (at the academy across the broad way) to parlay with the lil mayors ("the keys to the city," the Association of Hotel Concierges). These thirteen were GAMA! And their creative director was future Captain Ninoska Alvarez.

After the summer of 2008 a fleet of two ships emerged embarking on a voyage of extraordinary leagues. Welcome aboard GAMship! And the first to receive Letters of Marque were led at the helm by Captain Ninoska Alvarez.

"Everyone has a story, will yours make an impact?"  Wise words from Captain Ninoska, who left an enduring impact. Captain Ninoska led her crew: 

• holding court at the Cochrin law firm running a silent auction to help raise dubloons for the Make A Wish Foundation;  
• ghouling around at the GAMoween party with the cauldron (SPA) from NYiT; and 
• ballroom dancing at the Valentine Noir Masquerade Ball with our anchor sisters teaching us how in the cathedral of Shepard Hall at CCNY!

Captain Ninoka is tacking ahead:  after she received her communications degree with a specialization in Public Relations and Advertising, she set course for an MBA in Marketing and her own Event and PR company.  Bon Voyage, Captain Ninoska Alvarez

eXistenZ is better with the Moon On Yer Sail

GAM CCNY is proud to invite their vice president of the student government at CCNY to share her experience of a GAM event. Sahar Khan joined other students interested in seeing a variation of Plato's Allegory of the Cave on the silver screen, hosted by Career Services and sponsored through GAM's Moon On The Sail movie series. By popular demand, this was an encore performance with Ms. Leigh Mascianica, Assistant Director, Career Services, leading our moviegoers in an after-theatre discussion of this scifi movie with deep philosophical ideas. As Sahar notes, at this event we had "no popcorn, but instead GREAT snacks! Chips, drinks, cookies, and sandwiches!"

Bella, Bernard, Sahar and Muhammad 

On Friday, March 4th, 2011, I went to see the movie eXistenZ sponsored by GAMship at NYIT. The movie was good. Jude Law, playing one of the main characters in the movie, performed very well. There were MANY twists in it, which confused the hell out of me! Like a game, there were many characters involved that play a significant part in the climax, so keep that in mind when watching!

The movie had some gross scenes and was visualized in a sci-fi setting throughout. Some of the scenes from the movie were really interesting and mind-boggling. The movie kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know where the game would lead to. For instance, Jude Law had paused the game when the “special lunch” was being offered and it really made me want to know why it was so special, and I wanted the game to continue. I grasped the concept of the movie at the end – reality vs. perception. Overall, it was cool movie. I liked it.

We also had a brief movie discussion with Ms. Leigh who works at the Career Center at NYIT. We shared our insights about what reality is and what we perceive it to be, and, ultimately, whether reality is different for each individual. She left us with a lot to think about.

I had a great time and I can’t wait for more GAM events!

Sahar Khan
Executive Vice President
Undergraduate Student Government
The City College of New York

Captain's Log: The Path of Ugg

These are the voyages of the GAMship captains. Our second Captain's Log treks back to the second of only three captains to ever command GAM MA to date. Our first captain set a gallant precedent by turning over command of his ship before he graduated to facilitate a smooth transition. He turned his command over to Captain Tasnim Mansur.

Tasnim shares her memories of GAM with us:

Captain Tasnim Mansur, GAM MA Spring 2009

My favorite event was our Valentine Noir Masquerade Ball. We brought together some big organizations in NYIT, which probably had never happened before. My fondest memory of GAM, would be the friendships we stumble across.

Judge Gregorek is a genius, and knows what he wants and how to get it. Under his wings, I learned a lot about life, and how to face situations when they are unexpected. And with GAM, there was always something happening, and some event coming up. It was the best experience of my life. I learned how to time manage myself and others. I also realized at what point I may have too much on my plate, and how to prioritize all events coming up.

The main thing you learn being a part of GAM is that there are opportunities out there, but they will not come to you if you just sit there and wait. You have to be aggressive and you have to go out there and make things happen. GAM is excellent when it comes to teaching you how to network with others, and to collaborate with different organizations toward the same goal. And of course, the hours I spent in the office are simply priceless. Learning from Judge Gregorek was one of the most memorable times of my college career. Thanks Judge!!

Tasnim studied Communication Arts at NYIT and graduated in 2009. She is currently still leading students as an admissions counselor at St. Joseph's College. She is planning to pursue a Master's degree soon. She notes: "Maybe I will open up my own business, which may even have opportunities for GAM."

Captain Tasnim Mansur has a special place in our hearts for which she was awarded the very first Me Hearties pennant--to say how much we would miss her. Bon voyage, Captain Tasnim Mansur

Captain's Log: Where No Student Had Gone Before

These are the voyages of the GAMship captains. Our first Captain's Log treks back to where no student had gone before. To talk about our very first captain, you have to talk about the beginning of GAM.

Captain Harry Baker, GAM MA Fall 2008

Prior to the summer of 2008 a league of eight extraordinary fellows pirated pieces of eight (the eight slices of a pizza) from their lair in Ocho Piso (the eighth floor of our college at Columbus Circle). These were the Pirates of the Eighth Floor. Their leader was future Captain Harry Baker.

During the summer of 2008 a league of thirteen extraordinary fellows convened (at the college across the great seaway known as Broadway) to parlay with the lil mayors ("the keys to the city," the Association of Hotel Concierges). These thirteen were GAMA! And, again, their leader was future Captain Harry Baker.

After the summer of 2008 from these two a ship emerged embarking on a voyage of extraordinary leagues. Welcome aboard GAMship! And at its helm was Captain Harry Baker.

When you tell the story of the beginning of GAM, you had to start with an extraordinary friend, Captain Harry Baker. "I invested my interest into many studies," Harry recounts those days. "The Sciences, Literature, Medical and Law became my hors d'œuvre of learning, while History, Logic and Philosophy became the main dish." Those latter three subjects were taught by fellow pirate, fellow GAMA director, fellow GAM original, your favorite judge, Fleet Admiral Gregorek. It is with great pride that this first Captain's Log is written about true friend, Captain Harry Baker.

"I am currently the Assistant Chief Financial Officer of an organization that battles against homelessness, hunger, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS." Bon voyage, Captain Harry Baker

The Sound of One Hand Clapping

Every Friday GAM invites you to put the MOON ON YER SAIL with a free movie sailing around the intellectual world with us. This week's port is in a trailer by the Pacific Ocean where we learn what the sound of one hand clapping is. If you want to be a First Class Mate in GAM, this event counts as a big chunk of points toward a raise in rank and as your alternative initiation.

GAM's premier initiation is reading Atlas Shrugged, to earn a jump in rank, first class membership and full privileges, writing a one-page reflection on it, and answering questions regarding it satisfactorily to the Captain or Captain's designees. The alternative is a lot easier.

Moon On The Sail this week is an abbreviated event; the movie is only 50 minutes. It's part of GAM's alternative initiation. So instead of the book Atlas Shrugged, you watch the coolest detective ever (who looks like Judge Gregorek's dad), then chat a bit, introduce yourself, and take home a crossword puzzle to solve.

If you are in GAM, and you ought to be; then this is your chance to complete your initiation. It's free. Our new t-shirts are on the way, and more. So make plans to join us. Invite your friends. Anyone can join and get initiated this day. Find yer way this Friday, Feb 25th, to the Career Services Floor, 16 West 61st St., Room 623, at 2:30-5p.

A club is as fun as you make it. Hang around without focus in the hallways (good practice for being a bum), or rally your friends to do cool events that get you prizes, awards and goodwill (aka be genuinely popular!).

Join us for movies every Friday 2:30-5p, and put the Moon On Yer Sail.

For the full movie list, please look here: http://goo.gl/TiPtN

GAM BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH GLORY

In celebration of Black History Month, students of all different races, ages, genders and clubs gathered around at Moon On The Sail to watch Glory. The movie is about the 54^th Regiment who revolutionized the way African American slaves and soldiers were viewed. The 54^th Regiment demonstrated extraordinary bravery and dignity, which impelled the Union to change their rules, regulations, and hearts to let African Americans serve in the Union army. In this month we celebrate the 180,000 African Americans who turned the tide of the Civil War. The diversity of the people who participated in this event, including both GAM and the UN Team, is a tribute to those men who gave up there lives to defend what is important to us all--liberty.

Gabriel Almonte (GAM) and Nancy Arvizu (UN)

CrimpWord Puzzle for Ye to Solve

If ye have the answers, find yer ship officers to earn yer booty.

GAMMY SMITH APPLE

[Editorial note: On February 17th GAM will go to a high school to encourage students to consider college, encourage them to hold a signature GAM charity event and to bestow honors on them for joining in on our GAMes. This excellent adventure was charted for us by our Commodore Alyssa D’Amico. This is the simple story of how we got GAMMY Smith Apples.]

At one of our GAM meetings, Judge Gregorek suggested that we engage our old high schools in our GAMes. I thought that contacting a high school that I had attended, The Smith School, would be great. When I called my old high school and told them what GAM is and what we had in mind, they were excited about it. 

In a follow up interview, Judge Gregorek and I shared the GAMarray Gazette, GAMbill and Treasured Moments, along with information about college. We explained what GAM is about and how it can help students. We all agreed that I would return on February 18th to make a presentation to the students.

The Smith School is a private school on the Upper West Side, serving 7th to 12th grade. We intend to run a little contest to get the students involved and interested in GAM. I look forward to making the speech and seeing all my old teachers! And that’s how GAM and The Smith School decided to shine together in the Big Apple. Would you like to plan something fun with your old high school or with your college peers? GAM it!

By Alyssa D'Amico

Here We Grow Again: GAM Starts Research Branch, GAMA

The Fall 2010 semester marked yet another milestone for Great American Mentoring (GAM) as the club relaunched its research branch, GAMA, employing students for marketing research in various areas.

Christopher Gionnatta is shown above in the center
 wearing a white shirt. He is surrounded by other
associates of GAM.

One of the projects, Codename: JABNOT, is led by Project Coordinator Christopher Giannotta, a Computer Science major at the Manhattan campus of NYIT, who joined during the middle of the Fall 2010 semester.  JABNOT (Just Another Bag...NOT) is a play on the crux of the case involving a lawsuit where a major airline paid a record judgement for the death of a stray dog named Floyd that they argued was just another bag.  Floyd was virtually baked to death in the cargo hold of the plane, which sat delayed on the runway, in the summer of 1988 in Arizona, where temperatures rise over 110 degrees.  The airline relied upon its self-serving ceiling on compensation for lost or damaged baggage (then $1,250) as applicable to traveling pets.  Professor Gregorek took over the case in 1994 and contended that the term “baggage” in airline transportation did not mean to the ordinary consumer a dog, cat, or other companion animal.  What the research team is now involved in is finding out the impact the case has had on other animal welfare cases and whether or not anything has changed, hopefully for the better. 

Commenting on what he has learned from the case, Giannotta expressed that he further understands the importance of animal welfare and the legalities behind the fair treatment of animals, and that activism is an important aspect of that understanding.  The various skills that Giannotta credits having already learned from working on the GAMA project include investigating and gathering research data, coordinating and communicating effectively with fellow researchers, and working in/as a team (this being his first real-world group project).  

Be sure to be on the lookout for the next great opportunity that GAM has for you!  Come Aboard

"GAM it!" In 2011

As the Spring 2011 semester begins, I would just like to welcome everyone back from winter break. This is going to be yet another productive and prosperous semester for Great American Mentoring and I'm excited to get started. We have been hard at work planning fun and exciting events with much opportunity for you. For those of you who are new to the club, Great American Mentoring, also known as GAM, is a "mingling and mentoring" club designed to develop and strengthen our member’s “business sense and social grace.” The Spring 2011 officer corps includes Captain (President) Christopher Engel, Commander (VP) Yosr El-Azhary, Lieutenant Navigator (Secretary) Chloe Pitterson, and Lieutenant Purser (Treasurer) Gabriel Almonte. As part of GAM’s commitment to its members to provide a platform of free expression, GAM publishes its monthly magazine, The GAMarray Gazette. In it, you will find information on upcoming meetings and events as well as the views, opinions, and creativity of your fellow student. The Fall 2010 semester marked yet another milestone for GAM as the club launched its research branch, GAMA, employing students for market research in various areas. If you are interested in joining, or would like more info about who we are and what we do, please email GAM.nyit@gmail.com, or check out our website at GAMship.net.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Award

Celebrations:  Hindu (upper left), Jewish (center top), Muslim (bottom left),
Christian (center bottom), Fayon Pellew (right photo).

GAM’s Cultural Celebration

It was during the summer of 2009 that Professor Gregorek first came to me with the idea about the cultural celebration. I liked the idea as soon as I heard about it.  It was to be an event highlighting four religions:  Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. There is a lot of information to be said about those four religions so I thought of four common themes that they all share but practice differently.  They were births, maturation, weddings, and deaths.  We also decided upon presenting the holy books and the major holidays of each religion. The presenters were students who wanted to share their religion.  We also incorporated presentations from students about the influence of each religion on the United States.  In addition to presentations from students there were also professionals invited who gave presentations on doing business internationally with different cultures and on using etiquette when interacting with those cultures.  In order to make the cultures that students spoke about more palpable we also added music, food, and clothing of each religion.  It was a great way for students to get to know each other effortlessly because they were talking about something that is so much a part of themselves and their identities.  --Fayon Pellew (B.S., Business Administration, 2010)

[Editorial Note:  GAM's Commander Fayon Pellew was nominated for and received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award.  Apropos to note on his national day of observance.  You can read more about GAM’s Cultural Celebration online.]