10 Candidates written statements

Candidates written statements:

1. Gregory Magarshak -
A big shout-out to everyone in the NY Tech Meetup! I am running to fill the shoes of the next organizer, because I am passionate about the NY Tech community. Dawn and Scott have done a fantastic job running the meetup. And now, there is a lot we can do in the way of becoming a real organization and increasing opportunities for our members everywhere. Regardless of who ultimately becomes the organizer, I know there are a lot of us who share the passion and would love to have a hand in making the meetup - and this NY tech community - better. Let's help each other.

2. Joe DiPasquale -
NY Tech Meetup is an organization I love, and that deserves someone willing to put the work into it to take it to the next level. My plans:
1) If elected, I will ask the 2 next-in-line candidates to be co-Organizers. We need a team leading NY Tech meetup so we can get even more done.
2) Increase the Utility and Fun of meetups: through "happy hours" after events to breakout sessions to having the members decide who presents.
3) Coordination with other organizations in the NYC Tech community.
For more on me: http://www.linkedin.c... . Thanks for taking the time to vote.

3. James Wallace -
A New Voice
I joined NYTM in April, came to IAC, but couldn't enter--maximum capacity. If selected as Organizer, I'd:
- Create more accessibility (e.g. happy hours, dinner parties, larger venues)
- Solicit your ideas (YOU ARE the community)
- Foster greater collaboration to prevent the "echo chamber" effect
- Build a transparent selection process for presenters
As CEO of a growing, bootstrapped startup not seeking funding, I have no axe to grind, egos to flatter, or personal agenda to pursue. I will help whichever Organizer is elected, and I hope you choose me as your new voice. Thanks!

4. Richie Hecker -
The Tech Community deserves experienced leadership in these tough times to bring us all closer and move us a step forward. Let's make the meetup more intimate and give people value and bring the rest of the community around it so it can be the heart it was meant to be for NYC technology.Action is the key to our future.

5. Joshua Sherman -
The Organizer of the NYTM will have to spend a good portion of his time these next few months making sure there is a smooth and proper transition. I am one of the few candidates that can and did make that promise. My goals for the future of NYTM are to expand our social aspect. When we attend meetups, we hit a creative moment. I want to better harness that moment. I don't want you to leave until you've realized you're an hour late for your dinner plans and you've missed eleven phone calls. Oh, and two words: "summertime BBQ."

6. Chip Welsh -
The NY Tech Meet-up is fun - and we know it can be so much more.
As organizer of the NY Tech Meet-up I would not change much: keep the integrity, the fun, the smart, the irreverent - we don't need a heavy hand here - like guiding a smart school of fish.
However, my sales sense tells me that we can extract value from different quarters: partners, special offers etc. The best meet-ups have funded drink/snack events after.
Also, as entrpreneurs we live risky lives: portable health insurance would be an area to explore with the NY Start-ups - there is strength in numbers.(7500 strong).
NY Tech Meet-up is inspiring - it is a place where we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit - the colossal, big-hairy-audacious-goal of making a difference with technology often by the seat-of-our-pants. It is the clubhouse. Lets keep it fun and not turn it into some "dismal dull affair"...we have enough of those.
On the other hand with a little guidance

7. Sanford Dickert -
I am running for NYTM Organizer to maintain our tradition of being a premiere platform for tech demonstrations, our place in exciting the NY community about building tech businesses, and offering connections with like-minded people – all which we will enhance with our community energy.
But this growth will only happen with the help of all of you to add to the ideas for a stronger NY Tech Community. Please join me at nytechvision.com to discuss for how we might move forward on the NYTM. Building on our successes to create a stronger NY Tech Community is why I am running - but our success occurs only if we can create it together.

8. Oz Sultan -
Committed to the NYC scene, Oz has the acumen, ability and passion to continue NYTM as THE showcase in NYC while working to engage related Meetups, Womens organizations, Government and colleges to work with the community. His focus is leadership, inclusiveness of peer organizations and fellow leaders as well as developing NYC as the Tech hub it's meant to be.

9. Owen Brunette -
I am a management consultant with a computer science, entrepreneurship and finance background. I have lived in New York since 1994 and have been running an independent consulting business since 2006.
I would:
Maximize occupancy of existing venues
Add a social event later in the month
Add occasional themed events Trading Technology / Life Sciences / Media / Marketing, some with new formats, guest speakers or panels.
NY Tech exists to grow the economic influence of technology startups in The NYC Metro Area by providing in person networking events for the community and services to its members

10. Nate Westheimer -
As the Entrepreneur in Residence of Rose Tech Ventures, I am already an active participant in a diverse set of groups in the New York tech community. If elected the next NYTM Organizer, I will stay on as EIR and will dedicate my time, pro bono, to organizing the NYTM and working with other Community Organizers to create a platform for coordination and collaboration among the dozens of existing groups and constituencies in the New York tech ecosystem. For more information, visit my blog: http://innonate.com/n...