VCU African-American Alumni Council

Council Meeting Minutes

African American Alumni Council Meeting
University Meeting Center
Saturday, January 20, 2001

(Minutes from the March 2000 meeting will be posted upon approval at the May 2000 meeting)

MEMBERS PRESENT: Deborah Bolling, Linnie Carter, Trotter Collier, Mary Cosby,  Regina Harris, Larry Powell, Loretta Hayes Richardson, Rose Roberson, Kysha Washington

The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m.

Ms. Carter welcomed everyone and led the group introductions.

A motion was made to approve the November 18, 2000 meeting.  Moved. Seconded. Carried.

Ms. Carter reported that Mr. Ernie Roane resigned as president-elect. The position is now vacant and members are encouraged to submit nominations to fill the position. Due to holiday season, Executive Committee did not meet in December.

Budget Report - Reported by Larry Powell

Mr. Powell distributed a copy of the current AAAC budget and reviewed it with the membership. Mr. Powell reported that there are some questions regarding postage expenses that need to be researched.

Professional Development Committee - Reported by Regina Harris and Rose Roberson

Ms. Harris suggested that the AAAC offer assistance at the VCU Career Fair on February 14^th. The AAAC's participation will help the Career Planning and Placement office as well as generate additional exposure for the AAAC. Ms. Harris and Ms. Roberson will attempt to contact Dionne Coleman, an assistant director at the Career Planning and Placement Office. They also mentioned possibly sending an e-mail message from the AAAC to the students promoting the Career Fair and emphasizing the importance of utilizing career workshops available to them. Ms. Harris and Ms. Roberson also suggested inviting VCU seniors to the Reunion Weekend picnic to further help gain exposure for the AAAC among future alumni.

Ms. Harris and Ms. Roberson suggested having a professional development seminar during the Reunion Weekend Community Service Project and inviting VCU students. A representative from a pharmaceutical company has been invited to speak during the project. There was a suggestion to organize two sessions: a general session and a breakout session. In the breakout session, the pharmacy rep could speak with the college students and a recent graduate (possibly Keesha Massenburg) could be invited to speak with the high school students. The members from the MCV campus felt that this was a great idea to help generate interest in pharmaceutical studies as well as providing an opportunity for African-American alumni from both campuses to partner with each other. The membership suggested requesting a bio from the pharmaceutical representative.

The AAAC's will participate in the African-American Studies Program's "Black History in the Making" event on Thursday, February 8^th. The program will consist of honoring outstanding VCU students and alumni. Mr. Powell distributed nomination forms and encouraged the members to submit nominations if they know of any alumni who should be considered for recognition. Ms. Carter suggested adding Sabrina Squire to the list of nominees. Ms. Carter will contact Ms. Square to confirm her nomination acceptance. Mr. Powell reminded the membership that AAAC welcomes additional nominations.

Mr. Powell also reported that an alumnus, Kevin Johnson, contacted him requesting an opportunity to organize a book signing during Reunion Weekend. Mr. Johnson recently published a book entitled Give God the Glory. After some discussion a motion was made to allow Mr. Johnson to set up a table during the picnic for a book signing. Moved, Seconded, Carried. Mr. Powell reported that a member suggested organizing an "Alumni Business Expo" in the future during Reunion Weekend to give alumni an opportunity to market their business ventures.

Ms. Harris reported that she and Valerie Cason will organized the Reunion Weekend Fellowship Breakfast. The event will also recognize African-American alumni (from both campuses) who are deceased. Ms. Harris will send a letter to the families of the deceased alumni verifying our records and requesting additional information to share during the program. Only alumni who are confirmed as being deceased will be recognized. Ms. Harris said a table honoring the deceased will be set up with pictures or other personal information obtained from the families of the deceased alumni.

Ms. Carter will draft a scholarship brochure this week and forward it to Mr. Powell and Mr. Collier for their review. Ms. Carter also discussed wanting the AAAC to produce "Black History in the Making" booklet highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of the program's honorees. Ms. Carter sent an e-mail message to Dr. Njeri Jackson requesting her department's help with the booklet.

Ms. Carter also emphasized that she would like for all members to do at least three things in support of the AAAC:

1. Pay their annual membership dues
2. Support Reunion Weekend
3. Contribute to one of the AAAC's scholarship funds.

Mr. Collier reported on the three AAAC funds: Educational Fund, Leadership Scholarship and Merit Scholarship. The AAAC has raised over $29,000 in scholarship funds. The university has waived one of the VCU Foundation's scholarship stipulations, thus allowing the AAAC to award a Merit Scholarship next semester to an incoming freshman. Mr. Collier encouraged all members to honor their scholarship pledges and presented a check to the VCU Alumni Office staff to pay on his contribution commitment. He also reported that the Merit Scholarship has a substantial number of unpaid pledges and felt that the AAAC may need to consider alternative way to encourage alumni to fulfill their commitment. Mr. Collier will draft a letter from the AAAC to alumni with unpaid pledges encouraging them to send in their contribution. He will draft a letter and forward it to Ms. Carter for revisions and approval. Ms. Carter also encouraged members, particularly the officers, to honor their pledges or make a contribution to the fund. The Merit Scholarship campaign has ended; however, scholarship contributions will be accepted and encouraged indefinitely (though contributions will no longer be matched by the VCU Foundation).

The members were reminded to please pay annual membership dues. It was stressed that a portion of the membership revenue is allocated to the AAAC's Leadership Scholarship fund. Ms. Cosby also reported on Dr. Trani's presentation during the last VCU Alumni Association board meeting. Dr. Trani discussed the land donated to the Life Science Center Project as well as his goal to increase the promotion of "VCU" as a name brand to improve its recognition. Ms. Cosby also reported that MCV Hospitals is now named VCU Health Systems and that the VCUAA will offer suggestions for renaming VCU's Academic Campus.

Loretta Hayes, on behalf of MCV alumni, reported on the MCV Black History Month Program. The program was established to reach out to minority students and employees on the MCV campus. During the month of February, the MCV alumni are planning a series of events including:

1^st week - Kickoff Breakfast

2^nd week - Reception featuring Dr. Jean Harris as the keynote speaker

3^rd week - Educational Health Fair consisting of booths representing various organizations (including the AAAC), refreshments, and entertainment.

The meeting was adjourned at noon.

Respectfully submitted,
Rose M. Roberson
AAAC Secretary

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