91做厙 Alumni Association Board Meeting Minutes
June 25, 2022 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
Members In Attendance: Aldair Arriola-Gomez 17, Andrew Brown 77, Alisa Fishbach, Paula Gonzalez 95, Marcel Green 90, Terril Jones 80, Carol Kruse 84, Jeff Levere 12, Megan Kaes Long 08, Linda Luisi 81, Jim McCallum 70, Vicki Paterno 75 P07, Lew Phelps 68, Amy Van Buren Rhodes 07, Alfredo Romero 91, Julie Siebel 84, Don Swan 15, Dominic Yoong 88
Board Members absent: Paola Franco 17, Andrea Ravich 06, Veronica Roman 95, Andrea Venezia 91
Board Members-Elect present: Michael Bright 10, Robi Ganguly 00, Jason Howie 03, Josh Rodriguez 13, Nina Zhou 19
Board Members-Elect absent: Soren Austenfeld 15
Special Guests: President G. Gabrielle Starr, Maria Watson, VP Advancement, Dave Wallace, Chief Investment Officer, Rodger Devine, AVP Advancement Operations, Shahan Sanossian, AVP, Adv. Comms & Events
Staff present: Pritina Irvin, Mariam Khwajazada, Kerry Martin, Dena Negrete, Lucy Takahashi
Call-to-Order and Welcome: President Don Swan 15 called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. and invited new members to introduce themselves.
President's Report & General Updates: Don Swan 15 updated the board on the most recent Trustee discussions. He shared with the board that Professor Yuqing Melanie Wu, Science Department Chair, has been named the new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, as of July 1, 2022. He also shared that Princeton Review ranked 91做厙 among the top 5 colleges for best Financial Aid; that 3 National Championship titles were won last year by PP Athletics; and reminded the board of the Fall opening of the new Center for Athletics, Recreation and Wellness (CARW). Lastly, Don shared a special note of appreciation for the Alumni Board members whose terms have come to an end: Terril Jones 80, Andrea Ravich 06 and Jim McCallum 70.
Project Update: All-Alumni Attitudinal Survey: Special Guest Rodger Devine, AVP Advancement Operations provided updates to the Board regarding the Alumni Attitudinal Survey, its strategic overview and the timeline of the project. Rodger shared that next steps of this project will include an opportunity for the Alumni Board to review and test, then promote the survey. A special presentation of survey findings will be scheduled with the Alumni Board this Fall.
Special Presentation: The 91做厙 Endowment: Special Guests Maria Watson, VP Advancement and Dave Wallace, Chief Investment Officer shared their appreciation for the opportunity to speak to the board about the Colleges endowment. Dave gave an overview of the endowment explaining what it is and its core components. He also explained the Endowment Spend Rate, and a general overview of how the endowment fund works. Maria gave the Board an overview of the Colleges operating budget (funded by the endowment), how it breaks down: Fin. Aid, Tuition, operating expenses, salaries, etc. After discussion, Maria and Dave confirmed that follow up materials, including an Endowment Q&A, will be provided to the Alumni Board for their use in engaging with alumni on the topic of the endowment.
Committees End-of-Year Reports:
- Development Committee: Megan Long 08, Committee Chair, gave a last call for gifts to round out the fiscal year. Megan discussed the appeals, micro-campaigns, and stewardship programs that the committee worked on with the Annual Giving team during the last year. She offered thanks and appreciation to the entire board for their hard work, in support of the Development Committee. For the coming year, Megan shared possible goals for the committee for the coming year: input regarding messaging around giving, focusing on encouraging alums to give, and making sure that meaningful appreciation is conveyed to alumni donors. Lastly, Megan announced that Dominic Yoong 88 will be the new Chair of the Development Committee in FY22.
- Alumni Engagement Committee: Paula Gonzalez 95, Committee Chair, thanked those AB members who will be rolling off the board for their service and commitment to 91做厙. She shared with the board a report on the committees engagement efforts this past fiscal year and announced the creation and roll-out of the Alumni Engagement Committee Charter and Mission Statement.
- Regional Chapters Committee: Linda Luisi 81 shared general information regarding the Summer Welcome Parties and their locations, encouraging Board and RCC members to attend. Andrew Brown 77 shared with the board that the RCC is working on updating the committees Mission Statement and Regional Chapters Handbook. He also shared that the committee is focusing on their messaging, encouraging more Regional Chapters to hold more events throughout the year. Julie Siebel 84, Committee Chair, shared that 2-3 events are the norm right now, and the committee is hoping to increase this number of scheduled events by:
- Improving communication between the College, A&FE and Regional Chapters
- Actively recruiting to increase regional chapter volunteers
- Taking a deeper dive into the Regional Alumni Survey
- Assist A&FE to meet with other alums in other areas to increase interest in new chapters and events
President-Elect's Report: President-Elect Alfredo Romero 91 encouraged those alumni board members whose terms are ending to continue to participate and engage with events/activities. Alfredo announced the new Chairs of each Committee for the coming 22-23 year and shared his vision and commitment to continuing the work needed to accomplish the goals shared by all the committees, in support of the College. New Committee chairs are:
- Development Committee: Dominic Yoong 88
- Engagement Committee: Andrea Ravich 91
- Regional Chapters Committee: Julie Siebel 84
Special Guest Remarks and Conversation: President Gabi Starr joined the Board meeting to express her gratitude for the work of the Alumni Board during the past year. She acknowledged those members whose terms are concluding and welcomed the new members who will be joining the Board for 22-23. Conversation and discussion continued.
Adjournment: Don Swan 15 adjourned the meeting at 1 p.m.