Council Meeting Minutes
African American Alumni Council Meeting
VCU Alumni Activities Conference Room
Saturday, November 20, 2004
MEMBERS PRESENT: Thelma (Vanessa) Brooks, Marc Chambers, Mary Francis, Regina Phinizey Larry Powell, Edward Robinson, Frank Wallace
I. CALL TO ORDERThe meeting was called to order at 10:13 a.m.
II. WELCOME
Mr. Wallace welcomed everyone and asked for introductions.
III. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Past Presidents Meeting
Mr. Wallace reported that he facilitated a meeting of the former AAAC Presidents to give them an update on the Council's activities and to retain their involvement in the organization. Mr. Wallace wanted to keep them actively involved in AAAC by: 1) having regularly scheduled meetings with them at least once or twice per year; 2) inviting them to a president's reception asking for their assistance in recruiting other alumni to become involved in the AAAC.
AAAC Student Worker
Mr. Wallace state that he would like for the AAAC to hire two students to provide additional administrative support to the AAAC and assist the Alumni Office staff. He passed along information about a new pilot program was being implemented by the university called "VCU Works" which will target 100 undergraduate students who are likely to drop out due to non-chronic academic difficulties and/or experiencing financial difficulties. These students would be given the option to earn income though on campus jobs funded by VCU. Supervisors would also be required to serve as their student's mentor. It is hoped that the mentoring relationship with these at-risk students will increase the possibility of them staying in school.
After discussing some of the duties to be assigned to the student worker, Mr. Wallace asked Mr. Powell to submit the necessary paperwork for the AAAC to participate in the "VCU Works" program by the required deadline. Mr. Robinson offered to assist Mr. Powell with the wording for the application.
Objectives for the Year
Mr. Wallace's theme for 2004-2005 for marketing the AAAC is a "New Renaissance. His objectives are: increase AAAC membership by 100 new members; raise $2000 in a fundraising campaign; develop a newer interactive website, hire 2 part-time student worker, participate in the Alumni Extern Program, distribute scholarship funds, renew campus partnerships, develop a fraternity/sorority membership drive(with incentives), increase interaction with the VCU Alumni Council, co-sponsor a lecture series (with class credit for students), and have interactive meetings (use of available technology). Mr. Wallace would like feedback on his objectives at the next meeting.
Future Meeting Dates
Future meeting dates for 2005 are: January 22, February 19, March 19, April 23 and June 4. All meetings are scheduled for Saturday mornings. A motion was made to approve the dates as submitted. Moved. Seconded. Approved.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget
Mr. Powell gave everyone a copy of the budget and offered to answer any questions pertaining to the AAAC's finances.
Professional Development
Tabled until next meeting.
Program and Events
Mr. Powell stated that the reunion plans were still being finalized. He handed out a copy of the reunion mark your calendar post card that will be mailed soon to alumni.
Public Relations
Newsletter
The quarterly news letter is due to go out soon. Mr. Wallace stated that he would like for the newsletter to be sent to all African American alumni not just to the ones with email addresses.
Website
Mr. Wallace stated that he believed that one of the key factors for growth is to have a great website. The Council's current website needs to be updated. Mr. Wallace stated that he had a contact that may be willing to work with the Council to update the site and make it more user friendly. Mr. Wallace showed the Council evidence of his contact's work by showing them his fraternity's website. Everyone agreed that the Council should use this person to help update the website.
Scholarship
Mr. Wallace stated that he wants to award the AAAC scholarships to students doing Alumni Reunion Weekend. It was decided issue needs to researched further to determine its feasibility.
Student Involvement Regarding Scholarships
The members had a discussion on how to get students involved in the Council to help increase the organization's visibility on campus. The members also discussed utilizing Council's scholarship fund as an incentive to work with the Council? The members talked about a number of different scenarios.
Mr. Wallace and Mr. Powell solicit the help of student organizations for advice on how to connect with students and set up a meeting with the President of the Black Caucus for assistance. They will also contact Dr. Peoples in the Multicultural Student Affairs Office for additional advice on this initiative.
VCU Alumni Association Board Representative
Michelle Jones agreed to continue serving as the Council's representative to the VCU Alumni Association board.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Country Club of Virginia Alumni Reception
Mr. Powell reported that some members of the Council attended a VCU Alumni Association reception at the Country Club of Virginia. The reception was one of a series of "neighborhood receptions" the VCU Alumni Association will host in various regions of the city. Mr. Powell said that he would keep the Council informed of other alumni receptions as they were planned.VI>
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30
Submitted by
Mary Francis
Secretary, AAAC