NAAAD eNews Update Items in this issue: 1. NAAAD attends Club & Affiliated Group Officers Weekend 2. New NAAAD Officer: Brooke Ammann '97 3. NAP Hires New Program Coordinator 4. Student Career & Alumni Networking Panel 5. Association of Alumni Constitution Vote Passed 6. Bi-Annual NAAAD Newsletter 7. Nominate Alumni for Rockefeller Awards 8. Upcoming Events 9. Initiatives in the Works! 1. NAAAD officers attend Club & Affiliated Group Officers Weekend Liz Sumida Huaman '98, Nehomah Thundercloud '97, Debbie Atuk T'04, and Alumni Council Rep Carmen Lopez '97 all returned to Hanover for Dartmouth's annual Club and Affiliated Group Officers Weekend ("CAGOW"). The purpose of the weekend is to brief club officers on the Dartmouth Experience (student life, faculty, and facilities), admissions and finance updates; and to provide opportunity to network with fellow club officers. NAAAD officers attended break-out sessions on recruiting diversity, club fundraising, communications and leadership. Alumni Relations Assistant Director Uriel Barrera-Vasquez '98 presented Debbie Atuk T'04 with the affiliated group president of the year award at the opening dinner and awards ceremony. 2. New NAAAD Officer: Brooke Ammann '97 During Homecoming Nehomah Thundercloud '97 agreed to assume the title and responsibility of NAAAD Treasurer which created an opening for an At-Large Member. This position has been filled by Brooke Ammann '97 who ran in the last election. Brooke has already volunteered to help coordinate a regional event with the Midwest Dartmouth Alumni Club. 3. NAP hires Poonam Aspaas '04 as Program Coordinator NAAAD met with NAP's new Program Coordinator Poonam Aspaas '04 briefly during CAGOW. Poonam said she is excited about her position, the students, and alumni support. The NAAAD officers look forward to working closely with Poonam in the future. In particular, we have begun developing a Student Career & Alumni Networking Panel with Poonam's assistance. Poonam will formally propose this idea to current students at the NAD house meeting this Thursday 3/2/06. 4. Student Career & Alumni Networking Panel During CAGOW several NAAAD alumni enjoyed dinner at the NAD house with current students including Joy Shockley '06, Jeraime Tapaha '09, Cassie Rendon '09, Cory Cornelius '07, Daniel Becker '09, Jesse Sixkiller '06 and Melissa Thompson '09 just to name a few. Alumni quizzed students about their studies, life at the NAD house, and how they are adjusting to Hanover winters. We also discussed hosting a panel at the NAD house for students to access alumni for career advising and mentorship. Students we spoke with seemed genuinely interested (or at the very least intrigued with a little prompting). NAAAD is coordinating this panel with NAP. It is tentatively scheduled for the week leading up to Pow-Wow 2006. If you would like to participate, please email Debbie Atuk T'04 at atuk@dartmouth.org or Poonam Aspaas '04 at poonam.h.aspaas@dartmouth.edu. 5. Amendment to Association of Alumni Constitution On February 12, 2006 the Association of Alumni called a special meeting to vote on an amendment which would approve all media voting. With 230 alumni present and voting, the amendment passed by 86 percent (198 in favor, 32 opposed), exceeding the 75 percent threshold for passage. As a direct consequence, all 66,000 Dartmouth Alumni will be able to vote rather than just those present and voting in Hanover. The amendment also included a provision to change the threshold for passing an amendment from three-quarters to a more realistic two-thirds. For more information go to: http://alumni.dartmouth.edu/leadership/association/msgFeb06. html 6. Bi-Annual Newsletter The next bi-annual NAAAD newsletter will be published in March. Watch for this pdf format newsletter to appear in your email inbox. The newsletter will include a profile on a current student, an interview with Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord '79, profile of the newest NAAAD officer Brooke Ammann '97, update on the moderated listserv, and an overview of the Alumni Council by NAAAD Rep Carmen Lopez '97 We would like to begin publishing "class notes" style news. If you have news you would like to share, please email Liz Sumida Huaman '98 at sumida.98@alum.dartmouth.org. 7. Nominate Alumni for Rockefeller Awards The Public Service Award was established by the Rockefeller family and the Board of Visitors to honor the late Nelson A. Rockefeller '30 for his dedication to service in the public and private sectors. Nelson Rockefeller's public life spanned nearly forty years, including 15 years as Governor of New York State and two years as Vice President of the United States. His commitment to service, though, went beyond his political involvement and included participation on various educational and cultural boards through philanthropic support. Previous recipients of this award include: Susan Holmes '84 - Environmental Activist, Earth Justice (2003) Robert Reich '68 - Former Secretary of Labor (2002) Paul E. Tsongas '62 - Former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and 1992 Democratic Presidential Candidate (1996) C. Everett Koop '37 - Former U.S. Surgeon General (1993) The Board of Visitors recently established the Emerging Leader Award to recognize younger alumni (10-15 years post graduation) who are actively engaged in public service in local or state governments and community organizations and demonstrate leadership skills exemplified by Nelson Rockefeller. Please send nominations and background material on any classmates whom you think deserve consideration for either of these awards to Amy Wilkinson '78 at aewilk0705@comcast.net. 8. Upcoming Events - Special NAAAD Event at Pow-Wow Weekend, May 12-14, 2006 NAAAD along with Dartmouth Alumni Continuing Education & Travel are coordinating a behind the scenes tour of Rauner Library and the Hood Museum. Arrangements are being made for a guided tour of these facilities to examine the papers of Samson Occom and view artifacts from Native peoples of North America. The faculty member guide will facilitate discussion about Occom's travels on behalf of the college and the Hood's cooperation with the Repatriation Act. Details to follow as this event is in the planning process. If you would like to make suggestions please contact Nehomah Thundercloud '97 at nehomah92@yahoo.com. - NAAAD Annual Meeting at Pow-Wow Weekend, May 12-14, 2006 NAAAD will hold its annual meeting during Pow-Wow Weekend. Time and location are to be determined. Details will be published via email. - Reunion Weekend Reception for Affiliate Groups June 17, 2006 If you will be attending reunion this spring, NAAAD will be co- hosting a coffee/tea reception with fellow affiliated groups (BADA, DAPAAA, DALA and D-GALA). The reception will be Saturday, June 17, 2006 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Details to follow. For more info contact Uriel Barrera-Vasquez at uriel.barrera- vasquez@dartmouth.edu. 9. Initiatives in the Works! Since this class of NAAAD executive officers were elected last May, we have met in person twice (Homecoming 2005, CAGOW 2006) and by phone at least once every month. We are committed to continue meeting regularly as we work toward: - Recognizing dues paying members - Creating an Admissions Committee - Collaborating with NAVC - Sponsoring reunion/admissions event with DAPAAA in Hawaii - Co-sponsoring an event with the Midwest regional club - Updating the NAAAD website - Creating a scholarship for NAD students - Finalizing a strategic plan - Mobilizing volunteers from the membership drive - Revisiting NAAAD Constitution - Establishing regular communication with alumni We welcome all volunteers! Please write to Nehomah Thundercloud '97 (nehomah92@yahoo.com) to request a membership form if you haven't filled one out already. We use the forms to keep track of members' volunteer interests.