Council Meeting Minutes
African American Alumni Council Meeting
VCU Alumni Association Boardroom
University Student Commons
Saturday, September 22, 2001
(Minutes from the November 2001 meeting will be posted upon approval at the January 2002 meeting)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Thurmond Alford, Linnie Carter, Nina Goodwyn, Regina Harris, Debbie Holmes, Michelle Jones, Monica Jones, Sandra Johnson, Keesha Massenburg, Larry Powell, Wanda Ritchie.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m.
II. WELCOME
Ms. Carter welcomed everyone and asked for introductions.
III. APPROVAL OF MAY 12, 2001 MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the May 22, 2001 minutes as submitted. Moved. Seconded. Carried.
IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
The AAAC Executive Committee on September 8 and developed an AAAC Plan of Action for the 2001-02 academic year. Ms. Carter reviewed the items indicated below and invited discussion on each.
Membership
The African-American alumni in the Washington, DC area will meet in October to discuss re-establishing a DC/Northern Virginia area AAAC group. Mr. Powell has been in contact with the representatives and invited them to attend the November AAAC meeting.
Ms. Carter also reminded the members that there are two different association membership forms (AAAC and VCU Alumni Association). Alumni should be make sure that they complete the appropriate form.
Increase membership involvement
Ms. Carter asked Mr. Alford to lead the AAAC's effort to encourage more African-Amerian men to join the Council. She also asked Ms. Holmes to assist in establishing a mentorship and professional development programs to connect VCU African American alumni with students. They both accepted Ms. Carter's request.
Reunion Sponsorship
The membership suggested that the AAAC's program and events committee consider contact non-greek organizations regarding reunion weekend sponsorship. Alternative organizations include African-American Accounting Society, African-American Social Workers, African-American Nurses, etc.
2002 Reunion Brochure
The membership suggested that the AAAC revise the reunion weekend brochure design. After some discussion, Mr. Thurmond suggested that the AAAC contact Ash Productions. Ash Productions is a design company founded by 1999 VCU alums Antoine and Spencer Holmes. Mr. Thurman will contact Ash Productions about designing the reunion brochure and let Mr. Powell know if there is any interest on their part. The Council asked Mr. Thurmond would consider doing the design work pro bono. In return, the AAAC would offer Ash Productions free reunion registration and hotel accommodations.
It was suggested that the 2002 brochure contain a better mix of pictures than in the past. The pictures should include alumni from different years as well as photos from the community service project and the breakfast. It was also suggested that the AAAC develop a theme for next year, however, the membership didn't propose any ideas at this time.
The AAAC received another suggestion to develop a collage of alumni pictures from various decades to be displayed during the reunion.
Reception for the VCU vs Virginia Union Game
Due to low attendance at last year's pre-game reception, the membership discussed the feasibility of organizing another pre-game event this year in conjunction with the VCU vs. Virginia Union basketball game. It was decided that the Council would inquire about available event space at the Siegel Center and possibly organize some form of a hospitality suite to be open to AAAC members during the game. Mr. Powell will contact the Siegel Center and pass along the options via e-mail for feedback. Last year's reception cost the Council over $446 and the Council agreed that it did not want to pay more than that this year.
Increase Seniors awareness of the AAAC
The Council will try to become more visible to seniors at several functions this school year. Some of the functions seniors attend include the Black Student Organizational fair and the fall step show. The Council will have a table set-up to promote the organization at the both the Friday afternoon cookout and the Saturday evening step show. The Council will also invite seniors to the reunion park outing in May.
At each of these events seniors will be given promotional information on the Council and a student survey to fill out. As an incentive to encourage them to complete the survey at each event, the Council will offer some form of a prize to be raffled (i.e. a reunion t-shirt).
Mr. Powell was also asked to check with the Student Commons to see if the Council could utilize the one of the glass information case located near the food court area.
Website
It was suggested that the website include a picture of Ms. Carter. Mr. Powell also stated that alumni association website will contain an on-line career center where alumni and prospective employers can be connected.
Vacancies in Multicultural Student Affairs and Student Support
Mr. Powell stated that Dr. Henry Rhone assured him that there would be no structural changes to the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. They are currently conducting a national search to fill the director's position vacated by Victor Collins.
Also Dr. Quincy Moore, the former director of the Office of Academic Success Center, accepted a student affairs position at a college in Pennsylvania. Ms. Carter asked Mr. Powell to let the Council know when these positions have been filled and to invite the new director to a Council meeting.
Future invitee to the AAAC meeting
Ms. Carter asked Mr. Powell to invite Deion Coleman, Assistant Director of the VCU Career Center, to attend the November meeting. Ms. Carter thought it would be good idea to have Ms. Coleman come speak with the Council on how the organization could help make the students and alumni more familiar with the resources they have available at the Career Center.
The Council will invite Bill Iles to attend an AAAC and/or Executive Committee meeting. Mr. Powell reported that the alumni office has addressed the Council's concerns about not having a direct link to the AAAC's website on the front page of the alumni association's new website.
Shafer Court Connections
Ms. Carter stated that she would discuss the idea of having a regular AAAC segment/article in each edition of Shafer Court Connections with Dr. Iles.
V. Committee Reports
1) Budget - reported by Larry Powell on behalf of Mary Cosby
Mr. Powell distributed a copy of the year-to-date budget for the members to review. He also informed the members that the AAAC now has a check book which will allow more flexibility to making purchases and paying bills.
2) Bylaws - no information to report.
3) Professional Development - no information to report.
4) Program and Events - reported by Larry Powell
Mr. Powell stated that the 2002 AAAC reunion weekend will be May 3 - 5, 2002. He reviewed a tentative reunion weekend schedule with the membership.
5) Public Relations - reported by Nina Goodwyn
Ms. Goodwyn distributed her committee report highlighting their goals for the year. She also added that she is working on the bulletin board issue in the Student Commons and photographs for a collage.
6) Scholarship Committee - no information to report.
7) VCU Alumni Association Board Representative - no information to report.
VI. Other Business
Mr. Powell distributed a report of miscellaneous alumni office information and a copy of this year's Founder's Day brochure.
VII. Adjourned
Ms. Carter adjourned the meeting at approximately 12:15 p.m.