Council Meeting Minutes
AFRICAN AMERICAN ALUMNI COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 16, 1996
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jesse Butler, Marilyn Campbell, Simeon Chestnut, Regina Harris, Michelle McQueen, Todd Pilot, Larry Powell, TaShaunda Riley, Curtis Shearin, and Kenneth White I. CALL TO ORDER
Marilyn Campbell called the meeting to order at approximately 10:30 a.m.
II. WELCOME
Ms. Campbell welcomed members attending their first Council meeting: Curtis Shearin, Jesse Butler and TaShaundra Riley.
III. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 14, 1996 MINUTES
Larry Powell noted the treasurer's report should indicate a 1996-97 beginning budget of $72 instead of $22. Ms. Campbell asked for a motion to approve the September 14, 1996 minutes as amended. Moved. Seconded. Carried. Michelle McQueen had several questions for Mr. Powell regarding items mentioned in the minutes.
Ms. McQueen asked if VCU is planning to establish chapters? If so, will they affect the Council's budget allocation from the VCU Alumni Association? Mr. Powell said that VCU would establish alumni chapters in 1997 and he does not anticipate the Council's budget allocation being affected. Funds have been budgeted in 1996-97 for chapter development.
Ms. McQueen asked if the African American Alumni Chapter would still be considered a Council with the establishment of chapters? Mr. Powell said that the regional groups would be formed as a branch of the overall AAAC. Though the regional AAAC groups would develop their own structures and programs, they would operate within the overall mission of the Council.
Ms. McQueen asked whether a concern at the last meeting prompted a motion regarding written committee reports? Mr. Powell said to keep others abreast of committee activities, the Council agreed that the committee chairs should submit and share written reports with other members.
Ms. McQueen also asked if the Project Umoja had been planned by someone else and did the Council know about the outing in advance? Mr. Powell said that the trip was initially informally presented to Regina Harris by Victor Collins. Ms. Harris asked Mr. Collins to present a formal proposal to the Council for their consideration at their September meeting.
IV. OFFICE OF ALUMNI ACTIVITIES REPORT
Mr. Powell reported that the Council will definitely sponsor a reunion dance in l997. Since the alumni office did not identify sororities or fraternities celebrating an anniversary in 1997, the dance will not be co-sponsored by a greek organization. Mr. Powell will form a subcommittee to help plan the Council's reunion weekend activities and asked that interested members contact him.
Simeon Chestnut suggested that the Council look into sponsoring a reunion with another school and consider an alternate location (i.e. the Richmond Center) for such an event.
Mr. Powell reported that he had spoken with Jackie Tunstall Bynum of the Northern Virginia African American Alumni Council regarding their groups idea to sponsor a fund raising dance or an event after the networking reception to help support their scholarship program. He said that the Northern Virginia group would provide the funds to organize an event and would like the Council's support to help the make the event successful.
V. DISCUSSION OF 1997 BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM
Mr. Powell reported that the African American Studies Program is currently celebrating their 25th year of activity and that the Council should consider incorporating the program's anniversary in its Black History Month program. Todd Pilot asked for a motion to have the Council approach the African American Studies Program and offer to sponsor or co-sponsor a Black History Month Program. Moved. Seconded. Carried.
Mr. Pilot added that an alternate plan should be pursued if the idea to work with the African American Studies program isn't feasible.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
Northern Virginia African American Alumni Council Update Kenneth White reported that their group is planning to award a scholarship to a Washington, D.C. area high school student in the Fall of 1997. Mr. White added that the group will be working with D.C.'s metropolitan area high school system scholarship coordinator.
Mr. White also reported that the Northern Virginia alumni are considering organizing another scholarship drive event next January similar to their function last May. They will also discuss organizing a bus trip to Atlantic City at their next meeting.
VII. STRATEGIC PLANNING
The Council engaged in a strategic planning exercise to develop goals and strategies to help the organization accomplish its mission. After considerable discussion, the group developed the first draft of its strategic plan to be reviewed at the next meeting.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Regina Harris, Secretary-AAAC