Council Meeting Minutes
African American Alumni Council Meeting
VCU Alumni Activities
Conference Room
Saturday, February 4, 2006
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m.
II. WELCOME
Mr. Wallace welcomed everyone and asked for introductions.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 7, 2006 minutes were reviewed and a motion was made for approved with a minor correction. Motioned. Seconded. Moved as amended.
IV. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Website
Mr. Wallace and Mr. Powell met with Ms. Patty Ferguson from VCU Creative Services to review the website proposal from Eric Atkinson with Culture Create. Creative Services review the proposal to see there were any issues that needed to be addressed in the proposal. During the meeting Mr. Atkinson was contacted via speaker phone and addressed technical questions Creative Services had. At the conclusion of the meeting Creative Services indicated that they thought Mr. Atkinson's proposal was impressive and that they would not be able to provide similar services at the price quoted. As a result, the AAAC was encouraged to proceed with the plan outline in the proposal.
After meeting with Creative Services, Mr. Wallace and Mr. Powell met with Chip Rossi, executive director of VCU Alumni Activities, to review the proposal and address any issues or concerns. Mr. Rossi stated that the VCU Alumni Association's contract with its current website provider (IAC) expires in August 2006 and they're in the process of reviewing their options before deciding to renew. He said that the AAAC could await the VCUAA's decision to see if both website redesigns could be incorporated into a new contract or proceed with the Culture Create proposal. The AAAC members considered the options and decided that given the uncertainty of the VCUAA website situation it would be in the organization's best interest to contract with Culture Create and redesign the website now.
The website redesign was one of the goals for the Mr. Wallace's term as president and he hoped. The Council's goal was to have the website live by Reunion Weekend. The ultimate purpose of updating the website was to make it more attractive and user friendly and to encourage more alumni interaction. A motion was made to formally accept Mr. Atkinson's website proposal and for AAAC to proceed in redesigning the website. Motioned. Seconded. Moved.
V. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget
Mr. Powell shared a copy of the budget with the AAAC members and explained that there weren't any major changes since last month.
Professional Development
Mr. Powell reported that last summer a major mailing was sent to African-American alumni requesting their participation in a student mentoring program coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. The program was planned to begin in the fall of 2005. The program is still being development and hasn't come to fruition as of yet. Mr. Powell reported that the mailing was costly and suggested future announcement be sent by e-mail. The membership was in agreement with his suggestion.
Program and Events
Reunion
Mr. Powell shared a copy of the 2006 reunion weekend schedule and stated that there were still issues that weren't finalized for the 2006 reunion weekend. Mr. Wallace said that he was continuing to work out the details for the Saturday morning summit and that he would need some help from the Council to make it happen.
Mr. Eddie Robinson suggested inviting Ms. Viola Baskerville, former state delegate and recently appointed director of administration by Gov. Kaine, to speak at the Friday night entrepreneur session. He also suggested inviting members of the Metropolitan Business League to the event. After considerable discussion the members encouraged Mr. Robinson and Mr. Powell to gather additional information and proceed with making arrangements for both ideas to happen
Mr. Powell stated that he did not know how much longer he would be able to maintain the current charges to attend reunion activities due to the steady increase in reunion expenses each year. Eventually, the AAAC will need to begin raising the event charges paid by attendees. Mr. Robinson recommended gathering the contact information of those attending the Friday night entrepreneur's session and cultivate them for possible future reunion sponsorship. It was also suggested that the theme for next year's reunion should be "Time to Come Back Home." Mr. Wallace also stated that he would like to recognize the scholarship recipients at the Friday night event.
Black History Month
The "Black History in the Making Program" will be held Thursday, February 16 at the Grace Street Theater. The AAAC will recognize both the 2005 and 2006 AAAC Alum of the Year during the program. The 2005 recipient is Linnie Carter and this year's recipient if Dr. Micah McCreary.
Nomination Committee
Mr. Wallace announced that Teresa Hairston has resigned as AAAC treasurer and made a motion to install Mr. Tyner as interim treasurer for the remainder her term. Motioned. Seconded. Moved.
Mr. Powell stated that the nominations received so far for the 2006-2008 officer positions are:
Parliamentarian
Rodney Harry
Ramond Tateman
Jacenta Bottoms
Treasurer
Joseph Tyner
Secretary
No nominees
President-Elect
No nominees
Scholarship Committee
Mr. Powell and Mr. Wallace will meet with Anne Hoffler, director of stewardship, to review the AAAC's criteria and distribution process for its recently created scholarship. The applications for the scholarship are currently on the website and Ms. Sinayoko has already distributed the information to the appropriate student organizations.
Black Caucus Report
Scholarship Packet
Ms. Sinayoko reported that she has distributed the AAAC Executive Scholarship program to the various student organizations on campus. She mentioned application did not request information on the organization nominating the student for the scholarship. After some discussion the members decided that the students should be contacted after submitting their application to find out what organization sponsored their nomination.
Public Relations
Mr. Powell reported that Ms. Nina Sims needed the material for the next AAAC newsletter.
VCU Alumni Association Board Representative
Ms. Jones reported that the VCU Alumni Association met on February 1st and she reviewed some of the highlights from that meeting. She reported that there were several speakers at the meeting including Mr. Jeff Wing, National Scholarship Coordinator, University Honors Program; Don Gehring, Vice President Governmental Relations; Mark Hampton, Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Planning and Director, Center for Institutional Effectiveness (filling in for Dr. Gottfredson who was unable to attend), Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Peter Wyeth, VP for University Advancement. Mr. Wing discussed information regarding university scholarship. Mr. Gehring distributed and discussed the VCU 2006 Legislative Priorities. Mr. Hampton gave an update on the 20/20 plan and stated that it was completed and scheduled for a vote by the VCU Board of Visitors next week (plan it is located at www.vcu.edu/vcu2020). Mr. Wyeth reported on the search for a new Athletics Director and stated that the university has received 60 applications for the position. He also reported on the progress of the Capital Campaign stated that it was on target to meet its goals.
Alumni Paraphernalia
Ms. Diane Stout-Brown stated that there will soon be a website for VCU Alumni. The VCUAA will soon sign a contract with Club Colors to offer alumni merchandise online. An announcement will be made after the site is up and running.
Student Loan Consolidation
Ms. Brown stated the VCUAA's contract with MBNA to offer student loan consolidation services will soon expire and other options for this service will be explored.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
Homecoming
The AAAC will participate in the "Chill & Grill" tailgate party on February 11, 2006 and the group discussed it logistical arrangements for the event.
Concession Stand & Grad Finale
Mr. Powell informed the members that the VCUAA will be working the concession stands at the February 18th men's basketball game and are looking volunteers. He also reported that volunteers are needed to assist with the Grad Finale on March 28, 29 and 30 and those interested in participating in either program should contact Diane Stout-Brown for more information.
VII. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Regina Phinizey