Council Meeting Minutes
African American Alumni Council Meeting
Alumni Association Boardroom
Saturday, January 15, 2000
ATTENDANCE: Linnie Carter, Jean Coleman, Trotter Collier, Mary Cosby, Valerie Fisher, Regina Harris, Larry Powell
I. CALL TO ORDERLinnie Carter, presiding on behalf of AAAC president Michelle McQueen, called the meeting to order at 10:15 am.
II. WELCOMEMs. Carter welcomed the members and asked for introductions.
III. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 20, 1999A motion was made to approve the November 20, 1999 minutes as written. Moved. Seconded. Carried.
IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE REPORTFund Raising
Ms. Carter reported that the Executive Committee discussed having the AAAC leadership arrange fundraising visits with major donor prospects to help raise money for the Merit Scholarship Campaign. Ms. Cosby agreed to make telephone calls to out-of-town prospects and Ms. Carter and Ms. McQueen make face to face visits with local prospects. Mr. Collier suggested inviting a member of the Scholarship Committee to join Ms. Carter and Ms. McQueen during their local fundraising visits.
A member suggested that the AAAC prepare a marketing piece to highlighting the program and the scholarship recipients.
Basketball Game
Ms. Carter reported that the AAAC sold 92 out of the 100 tickets for the VCU vs. North Carolina A&T basketball game. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be transferred to the AAAC's Educational Fund. Mr. Powell added that the athletic department was encouraged by "walk-up" tickets sales for the VCU basketball games against historically black colleges and universities during the past couple of years and expects future games to be scheduled.
Black History Month
The Council will participate in the African-American Studies Program's "Black History in the Making." This year the AAAC will honor an outstanding African-American alumnus who has made significant contributions in the community and to the university.
Public Relations Committee Report
Ms. Carter reported that she completed an article for the Shafer Court Connections and it will appear in the spring 2000 issue. She is currently working on alumni profiles for the AAAC's on-line newsletter. She has also developed a presentation for the Merit Scholarship fundraising visits.
V. COMMITTEE REPORTSa. Scholarship - Trotter Collier AAAC Educational Fund
Mr. Collier reported that the committee met on January 8 and discussed the characteristics of the AAAC various scholarship funds. The committee also discussed strategies to get the message out to alumni.
Mr. Powell reported that the DC area AAAC members verbally agreed to donate the $1,058 they raised for their scholarship program to the AAAC's Merit Scholarship Fund.
AAAC Leadership Scholarship Fund
Mr. Collier reported that a scholarship flyer and application was mailed to close to 3,000 African-American VCU students with GPAs higher than 2.8. The materials were mailed to their home address prior to the winter break. The scholarship application deadline is February 28, 2000. A scholarship selection committee will be formed to review the applications and select a recipient by mid-March.
AAAC Merit Scholarship Fund
The Scholarship Committee discussed pledging full support to the AAAC Merit Scholarship Fund with a gift from each member.
b. BudgetMr. Powell presented the current AAAC budget to the members, which included revisions to the reunion budget as requested at the previous meeting.
c. Bylaws
Ms. Cosby reported that page 4 article 6-B was revised per the January meeting. A motion was made to accept the by-laws as revised. Motioned. Carried. Seconded.
d. Career Exploration
The Career Exploration workshop will be held on January 29 from 10 to 1 p.m. The workshop will consist of Resume writing, interview skills, online job search and a fashion show.
e. Nominations Committee
Ms. Coleman reported that the committee has set a date to meet to discuss potential nominees for officer positions. The committee will solicit nominations to fill the following positions: president-elect, parliamentarian, treasurer, and secretary. Nomination Committee members are Donna Stallings, Lisa Shaw-Fisher, and Jean Coleman.
f. Program and Events
Reunion
Mr. Powell reported that the reunion weekend brochure would be mailed in early February. The issue of hosting a hospitality suite was raised. Thus far, there hasn't been a commitment made by anyone to host a hospitality suite this year. Michelle Jones has asked Ms. McQueen if the Delta's could use the hospitality suite as a registration headquarters during reunion weekend. No decision has been made at this point.
Black History Month Program
As stated earlier, Mr. Powell reported that the AAAC will participate in the "The Black History in the Making" program on Thursday, February 17 at 7 p.m. at the Grace Street Theater. The African-American Studies Program coordinates the program.
VI. OTHER BUSINESSMr. Powell reported that there would be a pregame barbecue prior to the VCU vs. George Mason basketball game on Saturday, January 22. He encouraged everyone to attend
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:40 p.m.