Council Meeting Minutes
African American Alumni Council Meeting
VCU Alumni Activities Conference Room
Saturday, September 15, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:12 a.m.
II. WELCOME
Mr. Wallace participated in the meeting via conference call. He welcomed everyone and lead introductions.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes were reviewed and a motion was made to approve the June 16, 2007 minutes as submitted. Motioned. Seconded. Moved.
IV. PRESIDENT'S REPORTS
Mr. Wallace gave an overview of his objectives for this year including current enrollment and organizations to collaborate with to increase membership. He wants to form a connection between the Academic campus AAAC and the MCV campuses. He reminded the membership that his team ends June 2008.
V. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Nominations
Mr. Powell reported that the terms of the current officers expire at the end of June 2008. As a result the AAAC will need to form a nominations committee and go through a formal election process to replace the retiring officers. The process consist of requesting nominations from the membership, preparing a slate of officers candidates to be sent to the membership in March, and a formal election during the June meeting.
A question was asked regarding the AAAC by-laws and how to avoiding complete officer turnover every two year. A motion was made to have this issue on the next meeting's agenda for additional discussion. Mr. Powell will review the bylaws and draft an amendment for discussion at the next meeting. Motioned. Seconded. Moved.
Professional Development
Mr. Wallace recently met with staff from the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA). Beverly Walker is now the acting director of OMSA replacing Dr. Napoleon Peoples who has returned to the MCV campus. Mr. Wallace and Ms. Walker discussed having undergraduates attend AAAC meetings to serve as a campus liaison. Mr. Wallace plans to foster relationships with Black Caucus and OMSA. He also stated that he would like for the AAAC to participate in Mosaic Week in the Fall 2008
Mr. Wallace spoke extensively about the mentorship program that was organized last year. It did not work due to poor participation by the students. He further commented on students who had applied for scholarships and how the incentive of participating in AAAC sponsored and supported activities could be used to earn points towards their scholarship application.
Budget
Mr. Tyner did not have an actual report at this time. There was discussion regarding the AAAC receiving annual support from the VCU Alumni Association beginning July 2008 and whether the organization should considering offsetting the lose of revenue through membership dues.
Public Relations
Mr. Powell provided a demonstration of the AAAC's website and reported that he and Mr. Wallace will be examining going into phase two of the site's development. Mr. Powell added that he would like to make the site more interactive and incorporate more audio video components.
Scholarships
Mr. Powell shared information of the 2007-08 AAAC scholarship recipients and briefly described the three AAAC scholarships to members attending the meeting for the first time. He also reported on the university's growing concern about "race based scholarships" and advised the membership that organization has changed language in the AAAC's scholarship description and criteria as a result. All AAAC scholarship will be targeted to "disadvantaged groups."
Programs and Events
Mr. Powell reported on behalf of committee co-chairs Jackie Tunstall Bynum and Rumae Foddrell. Next year's reunion will take place April 25-27, 2008. The Theta Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Phi Delta chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will co-host the reunion as they both celebrate their 35th anniversary. Mr. Powell also reported that the host hotel and Saturday night dance venue will change in 2008. The host hotel will be the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Innsbrook and the dance will be held at The Place in Innsbrook and showed a video presentation of both venues. Mr. Powell reported that the majority of the weekend has been confirmed except for the Friday night event which the committee is still working on.
VCU Alumni Association
Eddie Robinson reported on some of the activities of the VCU Alumni Association. He stated that the most important priority is currently membership growth. Increasing our membership base will: 1) build a foundation for the university to encourage future campaign support; 2) generate revenue; 3) expand their influence and support.
Mr. Robinson also reported on other objectives including: 1) improve partnership with various schools and their development offices to grow membership and coordinate activities; 2) begin to finalize budget for 2008-09; 3) expand communications to alumni; 4) continue to support student cultivation; 5) finalize position on support for alumni chapters.
The first round of committee meetings will take place the week of September 24th. The committee will focus on key initiatives for the year and their plans (to be shared with the full board) address these areas.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Wallace passed along the 2007-08 AAAC meeting schedule: October 20, November 17, January 19 2008, February 16, March 15, April 19, June 19.
Mr. Powell reported that the Advancement Office is currently interviewing candidates to replace Chip Rossi.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Mary Francis
Secretary