IIT-GNY (Greater New York, NY-NJ-CT-PA)

President – Jude Netto

IIT-GNY is estimated to have more than 3000 IITians from seven campuses – IITB, IITD, IITG, IITM, IITK, IITKGP and IITR. Considering the size and structure of various IIT Alumni Associations, we have adopted following model for organizing events.

• Jointly organized events. Volunteers from all IITs participate in organizing the event e.g. Montek Singh reception in 2006 at Indian Consulate, Central Park Picnics.
• Events hosted by alumni associations. Organizing alumni association takes on the responsibility of planning and executing the event. For example, IITK picnic in Morristown, NJ every August, Dr. Kak’s talk organized by IITD, Dr. Sailesh Rao’s presentation organized by IITM.
• IIT-specific events. For example individual IIT reunions, fund-raising for each IIT.

Note that almost all of our events are open to family and friends of our alumni/alumnae. In fact, even campus specific events are open for alums from other IITs. IIT-GNY is playing a big role in helping each IIT with their outreach program.

IIT-GNY is broadly focused on alumni services and giving back. The goals of IIT-GNY are:

• Professional and career development, including mentoring  
• Business and Social networking
• Help each campus setup or strengthen their alumni associations
• Help facilitate communication across different AAs and sharing of best practices at the local as well global level
• Giving back to IITs
• Giving back to local communities

Recently organized events in the reverse chronological order:

• Central Park Picnic (June 17, 2007). A few alums drove from as far as Boston to attend the picnic, organizers did a thoroughly professional job
• Presentation by Dr. Sailesh Rao (IITM’81) on “Solutions to Global Warming” (May 25, 2007)
• Talk by Dr. Kak on "Science, Economics, Spirit. India's Knowledge Capital-Past and Promise" (Apr 26, 2007)
• Business networking and mentoring event focused on Investment Banking/Asset Management (Apr 12, 2007)
• IITDAA kick-off networking event (Mar 15, 2007)
• IITB Community Participation event with Computers-For-Youth (Mar 3, 2007)

Past events include:

• Various Mentoring events
• Various Happy Hours and Business Networking event
• Exclusive interaction and discussion with Montek Singh
• Joint events with TiE, Indian Consulate, CII (Confederation of Indian Industries) and FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry)
• Various panel discussions such as India-China series, “From IIT to Boardroom – Lessons Learned”

IIT-GNY, through its multi-pronged approach to organizing events, has been able to deliver a wide-range of events and has built a vibrant community of participants. Thanks to our tireless volunteers from various IITs.

Event calendar for immediate future:

• Reception and dinner for IITD Director on July 10, 2007
• IITK Picnic in Morristown, NJ on Aug 11, 2007
• IITB Annual Reunion on Sept 22, 2007
• Various fund-raising drives

Suggestions for national Pan-IIT:

• A national 501c5 or 501c7 structure should be considered to provide common structure for all chapters to work with; this structure should not compete with individual IIT and help chapters with tax filings, D&O insurance etc.
• Common structure is needed to better handle raising and dispensing of funds and expenses for activities
• Provide a common platform for web-services such as providing hosting space on iit.org, providing a common database and establishing guidelines to prevent misuse and address privacy concerns
• Enable sharing of best practices amongst chapters
• Help chapters with fundraising and sponsorship
• Help chapters reach powerful and influential speakers

Jude Netto, President IIT-GNY

• Graduated from IIT Bombay in 1966.

Jude has been actively associated with various IIT related initiatives for the last decade. His leadership was crucial in formalizing and strengthening IIT Bombay Alumni Association of Greater New York. IITBAA of Greater New York (a 501c7 organization) is one of the most active chapters around the globe. He currently serves on the advisory board of IITBAA-GNY.

Jude was an early proponent of Pan-IIT movement in the Greater New York area. He took the initiative in connecting with all the individual chapters and worked tirelessly to bring them together to a common understanding. This has helped chapters to share best practices, share and co-organize events and enhance alumni services. This has helped already established chapters with their outreach efforts. Jude is closely working with all IIT foundations/funds/alumni associations to help strengthen their chapters in Greater New York area through IIT-GNY. He has been President, IITGNY from 2002. He is also President of IIT Bombay Alumni Association (IITBAA) from 2003 – 2004.

Jude serves as the Executive Council Member and Fundraising Champion for the IITB Heritage Fund from 2004 to present.

Jude leadership has been instrumental in forming and accelerating the IIT movement in the Greater New York area.