On Board with Josephine Haft

We asked Josephine a few questions about her connections to SGSNY and what encouraged her to volunteer as a Board Member.

What sets SGSNY apart from other organizations?

A really strong sense of community – I discovered SGSNY shortly after moving to NYC and it provided a warm welcome as well as a strong network to help navigate the city, with the added bonus of really making a difference in the broader NY community.  SGSNY offers the opportunity to make a difference in our immediate community while also building lasting friendships.

In your time as a Board Director of SGSNY, what have you learned about yourself that may have surprised you?

I suppose the biggest thing I’ve learned is that how the smallest action or contribution can make a significant difference in improving someone’s life.   

Approximately how much time do you spend on SGSNY in any given month? 

It varies quite a lot over the course of the year, but I’d say anywhere from 10-20 hours.  Many spend much more, some less, but it’s the collective effort that makes the difference.

What have you accomplished so far and what are you most excited about working on? 

I’m really proud to have been involved in the work the scholarship committee has done to extend the scholarship program across all five boroughs of New York, as well as working with the board and wider SGSNY community to craft a strategic plan that will help SGSNY serve more members, more beneficiaries and more scholars.  It’s exciting to see how the Society continues to expand and develop building on its more than 250 year history.