*
* *
International
Mother Language Day
An international cultural program accompanied a
special reception in February, organized by the Consulate General
of Bangladesh with the support of the Society, to celebrate International
Mother Language Day.
Please
click here
for a selection of images.
* * *
SOFC
Members Ring the Opening Bell at
the New York Stock Exchange.
In
February, the members of the SOFC were guests of the NYSE
Euronext, where we rang the Opening Bell and had a private
tour of the trading floor.
Please click here
for photos.
* * *
If you have not yet signed up for the 2010 financial year, please
do so to ensure future invitations to special events! Click
here for a membership form.
* * *
On
Friday, January 29 from 7:00PM
Czech
Republic and Friends
present
HAITI BENEFIT CONCERT
AT THE BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HALL
321
East 73 Street (bet 1st & 2nd Aves)
All PROCEEDS GO TO THE RED CROSS
Suggested donation USD 20
FEATURING
MARTA TOPFEROVA, GARY LUCAS,
LUCIA PULIDO + more
For more info: 646-422-3399
Czech beer/delicatessen at the bar by Zlata Praha Restaurant (portion
of bar proceeds will also be donated to the charity.)
* * *
END-OF-YEAR
HOLIDAY RECEPTION
This year's annual end-of-year get together for SOFC members and
invited guests, was held on Sunday, December 20 at the Kellari
Greek Taverna, hosted by the Consul General of Greece, Hon.
Aghi Balta. Highlights included a lucky door prize trip for two
to Europe on SWISS
International Airlines!
* * *
BRIEFING FOR SOFC MEMBERS
SOFC members are invited to attend, on October 8 at the Consulate
General of the Czech Republic, an updated briefing on the subject
of:
"Facilitating VIP Arrivals at JFK and Newark Airports".
The presentation followed by Q & A will be given by Heidi
Nassauer, Chief, Passenger Ops, CBP, Passenger and Cargo Ops at
JFK Airport and Domenico Calise, Deputy Chief, Passenger Ops,
CBP, at Newark Liberty Airport.
* * *
92nd
Street Y's Street Festival on October 18
The venerable New York institution, the 92nd Street
Y will again stage their much-anticipated annual celebration of
international cultures, art, sports and cuisine on Sunday,
October 18 from 11:00am-5:30pm on Lexington Ave from
79th to 94th Sts.
Experience a variety of world cultures along International
Way (91st to 92nd Streets), featuring booths sponsored
by Consulates, UN Missions, tourist offices and their partners.
There will be free offerings in art, music, sports, fitness,
lectures and in many other areas for every age and interest.
Live music, dance and spoken word performances will take place
on an outdoor stage.
Visit www.92Y.org
or contact Alison Gardy on 646-436-7287 to learn how you can set
up a booth to promote your country!
* * *
MEMBERSHIP DUES...are due!
The financial year commences annually on July 1.
Membership dues are $95 for Consuls General/Head of Post
or Mission and $60 for Consular staff and you can download
membership forms from the "About Us" page. All
SOFC members are eligible for discounts at the venerable NYC cultural
institution, the 92nd Street Y, whose lecture
series explores international issues; their concert series features
world-renowned virtuosos and ensembles; and their spa, gym and
other facilities are world-class. SOFC members also receive FREE
Gold Club car rental membership (a $60 value!) with Hertz
as well as their preferred rates and special offers as well as
sepcial rates and offers from FedEx.
* * *
ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting was held on June 24 at the Consulate
General of Indonesia. A new board was elected. Please see the
Executive Committee page for the results.
* * *
On
Saturday, May 30, we hosted a Guided Walking Tour of Central Park
to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Continuing our long record of philanthropy, approx $4000 was raised
and donated to the International Outreach Programs of St.
Jude.
Participants representing more than 25 countries along with our
guide, NYC Parks Cultural Affairs Liaison Officer, Mr. Gary Rozman
enjoyed an almost 3 hour-long trip through this iconic landmark.
Starting from The Arsenal and covering the north-south portion
from 65th Street to 72nd Street and east-west from 5th Avenue
to Central Park West, we passed by the Literary Walk, Bethesda
Terrace, Cherry Hill, Strawberry Fields, the Tavern on the Green
& Sheep Meadow. Special thanks to all who participated and
donated! Click
here for a selection of photos...
* * *
WALK FOR ST.JUDE
On Saturday, May 30, 2009, the Society of Foreign Consuls
will host a Guided Walking Tour of Central Park to benefit St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Continuing our
proud record of philanthropy, the proceeds raised will be donated
to the International Outreach Programs of St. Jude.
The tour will start at 9:00am and our guide will be NYC Parks
Cultural Affairs Liaison Officer, Mr. Gary Rozman. The
tour will go ahead rain or shine! (Permit)
For
each $45* donation, participants will receive:
- Access to the tour and refreshments
- Gift bag including a t-shirt, bottled water, map, Central Park
gift, St. Jude gift and some surprises!
- The individual raising the highest amount will win a special
prize!
(* donations may be tax deductible.)
Both
members and non members of the NYC consular corps are welcome
but each participant MUST:
- PRE-REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND PRIOR TO THE EVENT by emailing
Beth.Desai@StJude.org
(please include your name, consulate/affiliation, number of people
in your team and a contact phone number)
- Record contact details and the details of any sponsor/s in your
brochure (download below)
- Present completed brochure and all monies raised upon checking
in. Please make your checks payable to St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital.
Sponsorship
brochures have been sent to all members - if you need additional
brochures, please feel free to photocopy or download
here...
On
The Day - Saturday, May 30:
From 8:00am - Check-in for all pre-registered
participants at The Arsenal, 3rd Floor. This building is located
within Central Park, down the steps at the junction of 65th St
and 5th Ave.
9:00am
(sharp!) The leisurely walking tour will start from The
Arsenal, covering the north-south portion from 65th Street to
72nd Street and east-west from 5th Avenue to Central Park West.
We will pass by the Literary Walk, Bethesda Terrace, Cherry Hill,
Strawberry Fields, and the Tavern on the Green & Sheep Meadow.
The tour lasts approx. 2 hours and ends back at The Arsenal. Participants
may drop in and out of the tour at any time but no refunds will
be given.
If you need additional information or have questions, please contact
Ms. Beth Desai at ALSAC/ST. JUDE on 212-239-3239.
We look forward to your participation in this fun social event
with your consular colleagues to raise awareness and funds to
fight childhood diseases and to benefit the very important international
outreach programs of the St.
Jude Children's Research Hospital.
* * *
The
Governor of New York, David Paterson, hosted a dinner on Wednesday
April 29, 2009 in Buffalo, New York as part of a two-day trade
mission (April 29-30) at which many members of the Society of
Foreign Consuls attended. Click here to download the
invitation
and arrangement
details.
* * *
The
SOFC was delighted to support and sponsor the Celebration
of International Mother Language Day, an important initiative
of the Consulate General of Bangladesh on February 27,
2009 which was hosted by the Turkish Cultural Center
in Manhattan. More than 30 members of the NYC Consular Corps participated
at this reception to celebrate the world's languages.
Click
here for the program.
This event provided an opportunity for Consul Generals of different
countries to project languages and cultures at a multicultural
function. Apart from members of the Consular Corps, the event
saw attendance US dignitaries, civil society organizations from
different communities, the UN and UNESCO officials, linguistics,
experts on multiculturalism, academics and cultural activists.
By way of background, the UNESCO declared 21 February as International
Mother Language Day in 1999 and the UN General Assembly established
2008 as the International Year of Languages and the International
Mother Language Day is observed annually in UNESCO’s Member
States and at its HQ to promote linguistic and cultural diversity
and multilingualism.
* * *
The
Executive Committee arranged a lunch and private tour of the trading
floor of the New York Stock Exchange
in February.
It was the largest group ever hosted on the trading floor by the
NYSE.
Representatives from more than 80 countries were hosted by NYSE
CEO Duncan L. Niederauer and Vice President, Global Affairs, Jeffrey
H. Eubank.
Click
here for photographs.
* * *
If
you have recently been posted to NYC, consider joining the SOFC...
The
financial year commences annually on July 1.
Membership dues are $95 for Consuls General/Head of Post
or Mission and $60 for Consular staff and you can download
membership forms from the "About Us" page. All
SOFC members are eligible for discounts at the venerable NYC cultural
institution, the 92nd Street Y, whose lecture
series explores international issues; their concert series features
world-renowned virtuosos and ensembles; and their spa, gym and
other facilities are world-class. SOFC members also receive FREE
Gold Club car rental membership (a $60 value!) with Hertz
as well as their preferred rates and special offers as well as
sepcial rates and offers from FedEx.
* * *
--
HOLIDAY RECEPTION 2008 --
The
SOFC's annual holiday reception for the New York City-based consular
corps was held on Thursday, December 4 at the New
York Marriott East Side on Lexington Ave. More than 80 guests
attended this international evening.
*
* *
NEW!
Newsletter from the US Dept of State's Visa Office
The
Visa Office has started putting out a newsletter for the diplomatic
and consular communities which has lots of useful information.
Click
here...
* *
*
OBITUARY
Renée
Monique Pinder
Vice Consul, The Bahamas
With
profound sorrow, the Society announces that Renée
Pinder (41), Vice Consul of The Bahamas in New York since
2002 and an active and long-time member of the Society, passed
away suddenly on July 30, 2008 in The Bahamas.
A
book of condolences was opened for signatures at the Consulate
General of The Bahamas and a well-attended memorial service was
held on Friday, 8 August at the Kelly Temple Church of God in
Christ, in New York City.
* * *
MEMBERSHIP
The financial year commences annually on July 1.
Membership dues are $95 for Consuls General/Head of Post
or Mission and $60 for Consular staff.
You
can download membership forms from the "About Us" page.
All
SOFC members are eligible for discounts at the venerable NYC cultural
institution, the 92nd Street Y, whose lecture
series explores international issues; their concert series features
world-renowned virtuosos and ensembles; and their spa, gym and
other facilities are world-class. SOFC members also receive FREE
Gold Club car rental membership (a $60 value!) with Hertz
as well as their preferred rates and special offers as well as
special rates and offers from FedEx.
*
* *
ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
The
AGM was held on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at the Consulate General
of South Africa and your new Executive Committee was elected.
Please visit the Executive Committee page for the results.
* * *
BRIEFING
FOR SOFC MEMBERS
On June 12, the Indonesian Consulate General hosted a lunch and
updated briefing on the subject of:
"Facilitating VIP Arrivals at JFK and Newark Airports".
The presentations were given by Ms. Heidi Nassauer, Chief, and
Mr. Richard Pileggi, Deputy Chief, Passenger Ops, US Dept. of
Homeland Security, Customs & Border Protection Bureau, Passenger
and Cargo Ops (JFK Airport) and Mr. Al Parra, Supervisor, Passenger
Services, CBP, Newark.
* * *
COCKTAIL
RECEPTION AT FORBES GALLERIES
A VIP invitation-only Spring Cocktail reception, co-hosted
by Mr. Christopher Forbes, Vice Chairman, Forbes, for SOFC members,
recently arrived Consuls General and distinguished guests was
held at the Forbes Galleries in New York City on May 21. More
than 100 Consuls General and consular staff attended.
Click here for a selection
of images.
*
* *
IMPORTANT
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN MISSIONS
-
Policy Change regarding parking at NYC area airports -
May
1, 2008 --The Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) wishes to announce
a change in the policy regarding parking fees at New York-area
airports, to include JFK International.
Following
discussions with OFM, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
has informally indicated that, effective May 1, 2008,
vehicles with consular (C) plates may park free of charge at JFK,
Newark, La Guardia and Stewart airports for up to twenty-four
hours. However, if a vehicle with consular plates parks
for a longer period, parking fees may apply to the entire time
the vehicle was parked at the airport. This policy does not apply
to vehicles with staff (S) plates, which will continue to be subject
to all parking fees.
The
Port Authority has informed OFM that it is communicating this
change in policy to its relevant personnel, including contractor-supplied
employees at the airport parking facilities. The Port Authority
is also amending its protocol so that the change in policy will
be reflected in its operations manuals and written instructions.
OFM anticipates that it will receive formal notification of this
change from the Port Authority shortly. Until then they request
that Consulates contact OFM (Tel: 212- 826-4500) if they encounter
problems under the new policy as it is being implemented.
* * *
WELCOME
FOR NEW CONSULS GENERAL & END OF YEAR HOLIDAY RECEPTION 2007
The
Society and the Consulate General of Indonesia hosted an end-of-year
holiday reception for all members of the Society and members of
the NYC-based Consular Corps on December 13. Guests included representatives
from the New York Governor's and Mayor's offices.
* * *
BRIEFING FOR SOFC MEMBERS
On November 28, the Indonesian Consulate General hosted an updated
briefing on the subject of:
"Facilitating VIP Airport Arrivals at JFK Airport".
The presentation, along with Q & A, was given by Ms. Heidi
Nassauer, Chief, and Mr. Richard Pileggi, Deputy Chief, Passenger
Ops, US Dept. of Homeland Security, Customs & Border Protection
Bureau, Passenger and Cargo Ops (JFK Airport).
*
* *
SOFC
WALKS FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY IN CENTRAL PARK AND RAISES
MORE THAN $13,000!
Under the leadership of former SOFC President and Consul General
of Barbados, Hon. Jessica Odle, more than 80 members and friends
of the Society of Foreign Consuls joined the "SOFC Cares"
Team and raised in excess of $13,000 to benefit the American Cancer
Society. Click HERE
to see how the SOFC team fared at the ACS’s Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in NYC’s
Central Park on October 21.
*
* *
ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
The
AGM was held at the Consulate General of The Philippines on Tuesday,
June 26 and the new Executive Committee was elected. For details,
please see the Executive Committee page.
*
* *
NY
DRIVER LICENSE AND IDENTIFICATION
The State Dept through its Office of Foreign Missions can provide
diplomatic spouses, (some) family members and G- and A-series
visa holders with a driving license. The OFM can also provide
spouses who do not drive with a non-driver photo ID
For more information on obtaining a driving license, please visit:
www.state.gov/ofm/resource/imp/roinfo/ny/20946.htm.
For additional New York State DMV information,
please visit: www.nysdmv.co
*
* *
2006
HOLIDAY RECEPTION
In
early December, the Consulate General of Monaco hosted SOFC members
including Ambassadors, Consuls General and representatives from
more than 45 nations as well as invited guests from the US State
Department's Office of Foreign Missions and the New York City
Commission for Protocol, the UN and Consular Corps. Click
here for photographs from the event.
*
* *
CONSULAR
DAY IN NEW YORK CITY
October
17 was officially proclaimed Consular Day in New York
by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
At
a reception in the refurbished Gracie Mansion, the Mayor and NYCCUN
Commissioner Marjorie B. Tiven, welcomed 150 representatives of
the New York City consular corps and other NYC agencies.
Mayor
Bloomberg presented the 2006 SOFC President and Consul General
of Monaco, Hon. Maguy Maccario-Doyle with an official Proclamation.
She responded by thanking the Mayor for his Administration's support
of the consular community and for "fostering such a wonderful
environment in NYC so that all voices of the world could be heard."
Click
here for photos and a press
release of the event.
*
* *
FUND
RAISING WALK
The
SOFC Walks... and raises more than $12,000 for St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital in Memphis.
On
Saturday, June 3, the walk to benefit St.
Jude Children's Research Hospital raised more than
$12,000 (after the final tally) and saw walkers from more than
20 countries participate.
Browse our picture
gallery!
The beautiful Hudson
River Park on Manhattan's west side was the site
for the Society's Inaugural Sponsored Walk, an initiative of the
Society's President, Hon. Jessica C. Odle of Barbados.
Many people from the following countries took part in some way:
Antigua & Barbuda, Austria, Australia, Barbados, Bahamas,
Chile, Cyprus, France, Grenada, Guyana, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia,
Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Luxembourg, Monaco,
The Philippines, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad
& Tobago and the USA.
*
* *
80th
ANNIVERSARY GALA
An
international black tie/national dress celebration was held at
the spectacular Ballroom of NYC's Mandarin Oriental in November
2005 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of The Society.
The Gala was chaired by the Consul General of Monaco, Hon. Maguy
Maccario-Doyle, with SOFC President Hon. Jessica C. Odle, Consul
General of Barbados and the Executive Committee and SOFC members.
Congratulatory letters and greetings were received from former
US President George Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush, the
Office of Secretary of State Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Governors from
New York, Connecticut and New Jersey and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg
as well as numerous Past Presidents from around the world. Also
featured was a luxury raffle with the Grand Prize of a dream trip
for two to Barbados and a $500 spending spree at the Bernardaud
boutique on Park Avenue. Proceeds from the raffle were presented
to staff from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
*
* *
