Future HR Leaders

NetIP: Aiming to be One Step Ahead of Others A chat with Neeti Passi, President of NetIP, Toronto
Posted on 30 December 2011 by http://www.sagennext.com

“Even though our name does have the word “Indian” we always market our events to all South Asians and ensure to bring in leaders from all parts of the world. We recognize that being South Asian is beyond having an Indian background and we strive to celebrate everything South Asian, regardless of origin.” “In my opinion through my experience in the corporate world, I think most organizations in the GTA are ensuring that their organizations are representative of the diversity that this province has to offer.” Born and raised in Brampton, Neeti Passi, the current President of NetIP—Network of Indian Professionals, Toronto, symbolizes the modern South-Asian Canadian woman—confident of her stride and enthusiastic to reach out. Talking to Generation Next, Neeti remembers how growing up in a South Asian family meant focusing on academics and picking a professional career. She was lucky though as she recalls, “I had an older brother who had already gone through many of the similar experiences I was facing, thus making it easier for me to find my east-west fit.”

A Health Informatics Leader for Saint Elizabeth, Neeti joined NetIP Toronto in January 2011 as a member and the National Liaison co-lead. The idea was to get connected with other likeminded South Asian professionals while also giving back to the community. But doesn’t she feel the organization’s name needs to be changed to make it more representative of South Asians, rather than just Indians? Neeti responds, “Even though our name does have the word “Indian” we always market our events to all South Asians and ensure to bring in leaders from all parts of the world. We recognize that being South Asian is beyond having an Indian background and we strive to celebrate everything South Asian, regardless of origin.”

As President of the organization, Neeti aspires to make NetIP Toronto a name to reckon among South Asian professionals. She shares with pride the progress the organization has made within two years of its existence in Toronto. “We are starting to see a lot of new faces are each of our events, which empirically tells us that we are reaching out to more people.”

When asked what challenges NetIP Toronto faces, the new president says it relates to constantly ensuring that the activities provided by the organization are commensurate with membership needs. To this end, feedback is regularly sought from both members and non-members. Neeti also says, “NetIP Toronto wants to set itself apart from other professional networking organizations, therefore, it’s always a challenge to be one step ahead and offering interesting and intriguing events for our members.”

And what are her challenges as a South Asian Canadian? “One of my biggest challenges,” she says, “is to be seen as an individual and not falling into the stereotypes. It’s wonderful to see that the times are changing and young South Asian professionals are branching into a multitude of professional careers. Moreover, historically, South Asian women have had to struggle to maintain a career while supporting a family, but I think times are now changing.”

Neeti also feels it isn’t difficult for young South Asian women to start a family in Canada, as long as both partners have a common family goal. Given this scenario, would she prefer being a stay-at-home-mom? “I would love to stay at home with the children when they are young, but I don’t think I would stay home forever. I enjoy applying my professional skills and contributing to a household. Even if I couldn’t go back to work, I could see myself being more involved in not-for-profit/volunteering activities,” she says.

South Asian women like Neeti have made their mark across many fields. This can sometimes be intimidating to male members of the community, still conditioned by stereotypical images of women. Neeti feels this has a lot to do with the type of role models such men grew up with. “If they had a mom that was working, then I don’t think it is such an intimidation factor if a South Asian female is successful in her career; however, if they have never been exposed then it’s more of a fear of the unknown than intimidation,” she says.

Generation Next wants to know Neeti’s views on multiculturalism in Canada, given a measly four percent of visible minorities being represented at corporate leadership levels. According to Neeti, Canada’s multiculturalism is thriving and represents the world’s diversity. The challenge with ensuring that the same diversity is reflected effectively at a corporate leadership level “is the responsibility of organizations,” feels Neeti and adds, “In my opinion through my experience in the corporate world, I think most organizations in the GTA are ensuring that their organizations are representative of the diversity that this province has to offer.”

This young leader believes there are enough opportunities available to the youth in Canada. Her wise counsel is for individuals to understand which opportunities will bring one happiness and success, based on one’s core values and desires.

Happy New Year NetIP Toronto Community!

The NetIP Toronto team is pleased to welcome everyone into a new and exciting year. Last month NetIP Toronto went out with a bang with our annual Holiday Party (see pics  – http://www.netip-toronto.org/index.php?option=com_expose&Itemid=8). Thank-you to everyone who attended and supported our efforts to collect food and funds for the Daily Bread Food Bank – we are always humbled by the generosity of our community and sponsors.

We were ecstatic to see the number of new faces at our last event and hope that we can continue to see you all at our upcoming events. As a member of NetIP Toronto, you will receive exclusive access and discounted rates (many times FREE) to our events! Annual membership is only $30.00 or register as a couple and receive annual membership for the both of you for $50.00. Please visit http://na.netip.org/members/join and become a member today!!!

With the holiday season under our belts and with credit card statements in the mail, January is an excellent month to understand how we can make our money work for us. Join NetIP Toronto as we present our Success Investing event on Tuesday January 24^th, 2012at 6:00pmat the ING Direct Networking Orange. We are pleased to have Tim Prescott, VP Fidelity Investments, Patrick Graham, National Manager of Franklin Templeton Investments and our very own Aleem Visram, Co-Owner of Multi Insurance Retirement & Financial Planning come speak to us on how to successfully invest in a period of economic downturn and develop a plan to meet your current and future financial goals. The event is FREE for NetIP Toronto members and only $5.00 for non-members. Space is limited so please register early to avoid disappointment. For more information please see below. http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5hr9oun853aef8a&llr=bs9jmieab

Lastly, it is with great sadness that I announce that our Finance lead, Zamreen Ebrahim, is stepping down from the NetIP Toronto board to pursue a career opportunity in New York City. Zamreen has been an integral member of the Toronto team with leading our Leadership event in November and has been instrumental in managing our finances. We all wish Zamreen the best of luck in her new role as she enters an exhilarating phase in her career – she will be deeply missed by all of us!

Your NetIP Toronto Leadership team is working hard as we continue to develop programming for 2012, BUT we can’t do it alone. We are looking for keen and creative individuals to join our leadership team in the Finance portfolio lead. If you have CA or accounting experience and would like to volunteer your time to help be an integral part in executing any of our pillar events or support our internal operations, please contact myself at neeti@netip-toronto.org.

As we glide into 2012, the NetIP Toronto team is diligently working to plan and to execute on high-quality events for the South Asian professional community. If you have any ideas and/or suggestions on events that you would like to see come out of NetIP Toronto, please send us an email at info@netip-toronto.org

Neeti Passi,

President, NetIP Toronto

Event: Masala, Mehndi Masti Dandiya Raas

5:30pm – 8:30pm Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

Join Net Ip for the traditional folk dance of India as part of the Masala Mehndi Masti festival. During MMM 2011 festival, our group will bring a non-stop up-bit dance sequence that will encourage every one to pickup the Dandiya sticks and start dancing with the bits. We will provide the Dandiya sticks and basic training for those who will be joining for the first time, meet at the Harbourfront Bridge (west of the vendor shops) at 5:30pm, look out for the Net IP Exec wearing our Net IP T-Shirts.

Following dandia raas, we will walk over to the Lakeside Terrace where Eyes on India features a special literary panel with Sylvia Fraser, Mariellen Ward and Katherine Matthews – all writers of non-Indian origin – who have been captivated by India. The panel, which will be moderated by our own Syerah Virani, will explore how and why India beckoned these individuals and how it sustains them even as they live their lives in Canada. They will examine the privileges and the prejudices that a “Firangi” can experience and how our panelists engage with the Indian diaspora and with the mainstream as self-appointed ambassadors for the beauty and love of all that is India.

Feel free to bring your friends and colleagues to this free event!

Click Here for more Info

Over 200 young professionals from various organizations gathered in Downtown Toronto to hear what the Liberals have to offer to these young professionals. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Ontario Ministers Harinder Takhar (MPP from Mississauga Erindale), Kathleen Wynne ( Don Valley West), and Margarett Best (Scarborough-Guildwood). Two Liberal candidates Indira Naidoo Harris from Milton and Marisa Sterling from Toronto Danforth were also present at the event hosted by Network of Indian Professionals (NetIP) Toronto and the Young Ismaili Professionals.

Published by South Asian Generation Next, click here to read more

Join us to see the one of the greatest Archaeological finds in history!!

The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army Exhibit at the ROM ends on January 2, 2011. The exhibition showcases artifacts from the tomb complex of China’s First Emperor – the largest tomb complex in China, and possibly the world.

Buried 2,200 years ago in what is now China’s northern Shaanxi province, the First Emperor surrounded himsel…f with nearly 8,000 full sized terracotta warriors and horses in magnificent military formations, along with many other artifacts, in preparation for the afterlife. The warriors are often referenced as the eighth wonder of the world!

This exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be missed.

Join us on Monday, December 27, 2010 at the entrance of ROM at 3 pm!

The first 12 NetIP members to purchase tickets online pay just $20 (regular price is $31).

Click here to purchase tickets

After the first 12 tickets sell out, NetIP members can still take advantage of the group rate of $25

Non-Members pay $31 (tickets can be purchased online or at the door)

See you at the ROM!!

PS: An impromptu dinner/drinks session may be planned after the event.

It’s hard to believe that NetIP Toronto is soon approaching the end of its first year! It was December 2009 when our former Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Jean Chretien formally blessed the launch of the Toronto Chapter.

For a chapter in its first year, we have achieved much success and recognition from the community and our peers (NetIP chapters across North America). However, the most encouraging feedback has been from you – our members – that demonstrated support by attending our events and contributing your time and knowledge as volunteers.

Our board members were supported by strong committees and we held events under each pillar. Indulge me in a trip down memory lane as I recall some of these events:

Cultural Awareness: Visit to the Textile Museum, South Asian Day at the ROM, Guided visit to the Swaminarayan Temple, Family Day and Picnic.

Professional Development: GMAT and LSAT Orientation, Entrepreneurs’ Dinner Circle, Dinner and Discussions with Local Author, Getting Things Done Workshop, Financial Planning Seminar, CEO Outlook at Ryerson and the MBA Partnership Tour

Political Awareness: Screening of “Made in India” at Hot Docs; Toronto Mayoral Front Runners.

Community Service: Hope House Fundraiser and World Partnership Walk.

With such a strong start in our first year, I have no doubt that 2011 will be a year when NetIP Toronto will deliver even more value and programs to its members.

However, to accomplish this we need our members to rally and get engaged.

Positions are now open on the NetIP Toronto 2011 Board as well as our many specialized sub-committees and portfolios.

There is something for everyone and, in that spirit, I ask each one of you to consider giving some of your time towards the organization and making a commitment to grow not just NetIP Toronto and benefit its members but to also take away valuable personal rewards yourself.

Interested members are invited to complete a short application/survey which can be found here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J65YBVT

The deadline to complete and submit your application is December 20, 2010.

Please feel to call me anytime (416 884 3555) or email me at syerah@netip-toronto.org if you have any questions about the application or about Chapter related matters.

I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Salima Syerah Virani
President – Toronto Chapter
Network of Indian Professionals

NetIP Toronto has entered into a strategic alliance partnership with The MBA Tour.

More than just a fair, The MBA Tour events offer unique formats to explore MBA programs and to help you discover your ideal school. The Toronto MBA Conference is scheduled for Saturday, 13 November 2010.

NetIP Toronto will have a booth at the event and we will be ready to assist you with questions on memberships, renewals and applications for board and committee positions. So, please do stop by!

Participating Universities include University of Toronto, Queens, Ivey, York, UBC, McMaster, ESADE, Cranfield, University of Texas at Austin, Georgetown & more!

Details are as follows:

Date: Saturday, November 13, 2010

Toronto MBA Conference

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

255 Front Street West

Toronto, Ontario M5V 2W6

Register online

Fee:

Online: C$5

At Event: C$10

FREE Entry if you take the MBA Spotlight Survey

Limited space! Register soon
After attending you may be eligible to apply for The MBA Tour Scholarship

Are you looking for a simple and understandable approach to make your money work harder?   What happens to your plan to buy a home or a car when interest rates go up?  How can you  make an RRSP and a TFSA work to meet your financial goals?  What amount would you need to save every month to retire at 65 while maintaining your current lifestyle?

Whether you are a financial planning novice or you just want to enhance your current financial knowledge, find an answer to these and many other questions with NetIP Toronto and Zaeim Tareen of BMO Nesbitt Burns for a wonderful educational opportunity to learn how to plan your finances for a secure financial future.

In today’s rapidly changing world, economic uncertainty and market volatility, it is becoming increasingly important to develop and execute your personal financial plan. This event will provide an opportunity to understand some basic financial planning concepts and realizing how to achieve your financial goals with a systematic and focussed approach to managing your money.

Event Registration:
This is a limited capacity event; email RSVP@netip-toronto.org to reserve your spot today!

Date:  Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Time: 6.00 pm – Registration and Networking

6.30 pm to 8.00 pm – Seminar and Presentation

8.00 pm – Q & A and Networking

9.00 pm – Event ends

Location: 130 King Street West (The Exchange Tower), 14^th Floor, Toronto

Tickets:

Purchase your tickets online at our special advance prices by clicking HERE:

$5.00: NetIP Toronto members
$7.00: Non-members early bird registration
$10.00: Ticket plus membership to NetIP Toronto for the remainder of 2010