Council Meeting Minutes
African American Alumni Council Meeting
VCU Alumni Activities Conference Room
Saturday, November 18, 2006
(Minutes are posted after approval. December 2006 minutes will be posted after approval during the January 2007 meeting.)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Shavonda Gravely, Leslie Harper, Rodney Harry, Regina Phinizey, Larry Powell, Edward Robinson and Joseph Tyner.I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m.
II. WELCOME
Mr. Tyner presided in Mr. Wallace's absence. Mr. Tyner welcomed the members and led the group through introductions.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes were reviewed and a motion was made to approve the October 21, 2006 minutes as submitted. Motioned. Seconded. Moved.
IV. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Mr. Tyner review with the members Mr. Wallace's President's Report.
Committees
Mr. Powell gave a description of the various committees, explained each committee's responsibilities, and Mr. Tyner encouraged the members to become actively involved.
Lapsed Member Calling Program
Mr. Tyner thanked Rodney Harry for participating in the VCU Alumni Association's lapsed member calling program and asked if this was something the AAAC should consider doing on its own? Mr. Powell stated that it would be simple to coordinate such an effort if AAAC chose to plan such an activity.
Website
Mr. Powell stated that website tracking was limited in terms of identifying registered users because real names are not required. He said that he would have that report available at the next meeting.
Basketball Game
Mr. Tyner asked if the Council would be interested planning and event around a VCU basketball game (i.e. hosting a pre-game reception). Mr. Powell reported that the Founder's Room typically reserved for use by the university president on game days, however there may be other options that can be explored.
In the meantime the Council asked Mr. Powell to send an e-mail blast to alumni informing them of the November 25 basketball game between VCU vs. Hampton University.
AAAC Apparel
Ms. Harper reported that the Richmond Jazz Society had dealt with several vendors (Target Market, Vatex Promotional Products, National Pen Corporation and Baldwin Cooke) to produce their apparel. She brought in several items as example of apparel produced by the Jazz Society.
Mr. Robinson reported that his company deals with Cafepress and would share examples of their products at the next meeting. He also gave the members the website address for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind (http://www.msblind.org/) and asked the Council to take a look at it and pass along their thoughts.
A suggestion was made that this could become a partnering opportunity between the AAAC and alumni artist and graphic designers. For example, an alum could design a t-shirt image for Reunion Weekend and the AAAC and the artist share the profits.
Program and Events Committee
Mr. Wallace is still waiting to confirm that a high profile alum would be available to participate in Reunion Weekend, specifically the Friday golf outing. Plans for Reunion Weekend are progressing slowly but things are beginning to come together.
V. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget
Mr. Tyner reported that the inflow was $5,550, outflow $4,667 and the overall balance was $88,671.93. The majority of the Council's expense and revenue will show up at the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Tyner asked each committee to submit their budgets for the fiscal year so that they can be approved by the Council. Mr. Tyner and Mr. Powell will work on the budget projections for the year after budgets have been submitted.
Professional Development
Mr. Powell reported that he will contact with Ms. Beverly Walker at the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and report on their mentoring program at the December meeting.
Program and Events
The Eta Theta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc will co-host this year's reunion and celebrate their 30th anniversary. Mr. Tyner said he had not been able to contact the Phi Beta Sigma's to find out if they would be available to assist the Zetas with any of there reunion plans but will do so as soon as possible.
Mr. Powell stated the committee is considering coordinating a casino night for the Friday evening activities. Ms. Harper said that the Jazz Society had previously sponsored several Casino nights and she would be happy to share any information about their events with Council.
Public Relations
Mr. Powell reported that Nina Sims, chair of the public relations committee, recently gave birth and her baby has consumed a significant portion of her time. He wasn't sure if Ms. Sims was interested in continuing to head the public relations committee and invited anyone interested in assisting in this area to let him know. Mr. Powell said that he would speak with Ms. Sims to see if time would allow her to stay involved with the committee.
Scholarship
Mr. Wallace attended the annual scholarship dinner and will report on the event during the December meeting.
VCU Alumni Association Board Representative
The Council will contact Michelle Jones to see if you will be able to continue to serve as the AAAC representative on the VCU Alumni Association board.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
The VCU Alumni Association will hold its commencement breakfast on Saturday, December 8th and AAAC members were invited to assist at the event.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
Submiitted by
Regina Phinizey and Larry Powell