Meeting of the Class of 1961
102 Dartmouth Hall
Oct. 28, 2000

  President Oscar Arslanian called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.

I. Treasurer’s report: Ivar Jozus

Ivar reported we have $36,684.71 in the Treasury.

Last year we took in $19,563, of which $15,075 were from dues, $1,648 from bank interest, and $2,840 for minireunion fees.

We spent $20,602, of which $8,300 was for alumni magazine subscription, and much of the rest went for newsletters, the costs of the dues campaign, and letters from Arslanian, as well as the deficit from the San Francisco minireunion and the costs of the Dartmouth Night weekend minireunions.

Ivar noted that he was not present at the Executive Committee session where the class dues were raised to $61. Oscar quickly pointed out that he had notified the class through a letter about the increase in dues.

Ivar said that though the notice had just gone out, 105 classmates already had responded, and all had paid the full amount.

II. Secretary’s report: Bob Conn

A. Minutes. The minutes of last year’s meeting were circulated and Bob moved for approval. Seconded and approved unanimously.

B. Obits.  Bob reported on the recent deaths of Larry Sims and Harry Ault Jr. and asked if anyone present had been close to them, noting that Alumni Magazine obits work better coming from friends. No one was, so Bob said he would proceed with standard obits.

C. Class Directory.  Based on a decision of the Executive Committee at Class Officers weekend, Bob is proceeding with a new directory.  He proposed that the College do it this time. Based on another discussion, widows will be in the main section of the directory, rather than in the back

He said he had asked the College for:

§        Name followed by nickname

§        Preferred  address

§        Home phone

§        Office phone

§        Fax

§        E mail address

§        Wife’s name and nickname.

A discussion ensued on whether to try to seek the names of significant others as well. It was suggested that the College Alumni Records Office send out its survey form early, with special attention to email addresses and significant others, or to do our own mailing. [However, later in the meeting, it was decided that it was important to get the directory out as soon as possible, to assist in recruiting classmates for reunion and the reunion giving campaign.]

Bob noted that the directory also would include a geographical listing, a necrology, a list of the lost or uninterested classmates, and the class executive committee.

D.  Photos for the 40^th Reunion Book. Bob reported that he and Ron Wybranowski had spent most of Friday in Webster Hall with Rauner special collections. They found a few photographs from our undergraduate years, but not that many. Most of what is on file in Rauner are sports pictures, and we picked out a photo of the seniors on the lacrosse team in 1961, a photo of John G. Edwards in swim suit, a photo of the California contingent made just before they came to Hanover.

            There was no really good shot of our graduation, unlike one we saw of the 1963s, where there were about 30-40 clearly identifiable faces. The one we chose was a line of us at a distance marching in front of the unfinished Hopkins Center –symbolic that we never saw the thing completed --  plus one of an unidentified classmate holding his kid, and a shot of Thad Seymour and John Dickey leading the graduation parade..

            We found a nice photo of Frost made in his 1961 visit to the campus which we could run besides a photo of our statue.

There were a number of pictures from our 25^th reunion. Recommending several, including one group photo from the reprise of our freshman trip, and one of Bob Naegele on his roller blades talking to two classmates.

There were several photos of Bob Conn teaching in policy studies in 1983; we chose one.

Bob and Ron also found a nice Alumni Magazine article by Marshall Ledger on our first Passages discussion back at our 15^th reunion. And they found a listing of key events that occurred during our time as undergraduates, most of which we did not remember.

E. Costs of the reunion book.

            Frank Ginn appealed via e mail for help in figuring out how to finance the 40^th reunion book. Early estimates are that the cost will range from $30,000 to $35,000 for 600 copies of a 200 page book, hard cover. He noted that the  60s produced a good looking book that was soft cover, and he said he was trying to contact the editor of that book for a discussion on costs.

            Frank said he thought the book ought to go to every living classmate and to the widows, no matter whether the recipient pays for the book or not.

            An extended discussion ensued. The 60s sent their book to 696 classmates and 20 widows. They solicited support for the book from classmates  before publication, raising $6,895 from 152 classmates, an average of more than $45.

The class discussion looked at a number of options:

§        A campaign liked the 60s did.

§        Sponsorships from corporations in which classmates are in the leadership.

§        Frank advertising at the end of the book, as appeared in our Green Book. Someone pointed out that the demographics of our class are significant and might be attractive from an advertising standpoint.

§        Raiding the treasury

All of these assume asking people who get the book to help pay for it with $25-$50. But if all 600 classmates sent in $25, that would still only total $15,000.

            Pete Bleyler said he was not in favor of general solicitation because of the special reunion giving campaign and ongoing legacy campaign. He favored seeking sponsorships from individual companies.

Another possibility was asking for a contribution for the book as part of reunion solicitation form.

The class decided unanimously to send the book to everybody. There was general agreement to seek advertising and corporate sponsorships. And there was general agreement to charge enough for the book to gain a significant return – say $25 to $50. We will pursue including a line asking for a pledge toward the book as part of the reunion form.

Bob proposed that we pledge funds from the treasury, but withdrew his motion after Ivar pointed out that the treasury would have to cover any deficit anyway.

IV. 40^th Reunion

Oscar reported for Art Johnson, who is also reunion chair. He said Art was doing a fabulous job with the reunion and had put together a strong committee including Vic Rich as treasurer, Roger McArt being responsible for program, Oscar Arslanian,, entertainment; Bob Wendell, registration; Ellie Rittman and Dave Armstrong, food and liquor; Rev. George Bland and Rev. Duane Cox, memorial service; Pete Bleyler, Moosilauke Ravine Lodge; Hank Eberhardt, participation; and Larry Gleeson, art exhibit.

We hope to get up to 400 people (including spouses, families and friends) back, which has made for a difficult time in finding spaces for our dinners. Our entertainment highlight will be the Big Smoothies, which will be featured on Tuesday night. Wednesday, we’ll have CDs in the tent.

The reunion actually will begin on Sunday with events at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, including hikes up the mountain. For those who don’t want to stay at the Lodge, reservations have been made in town.

 Some other key events:

Monday:

§        5:30 p.m. Hopkins Center reception to honor the 61 Legacy.

§        6:45 dinner at Thayer Hall

§        Glee Club concert

Tuesday

§        Address by Jim Wright

§        Memorial service

§        Lunch of boat house

§        Reception at Bartlett Tower and the Frost Statue

§        Dinner at DOC house

§        Entertainment by Big Smoothies

Wednesday

§        Passages revisited

§        Class meeting

§        Class Reception and banquet at the new lodge at the Dartmouth Skiway

Other activities and programs are being planned in addition to these highlights, as well as golf and tennis tournaments, etc. and some free time.

V. Reunion Giving Campaign

Pete Bleyler reported that the College considers the 40^th  reunion giving campaign as at least equal to 25^th

He said an executive giving committee had been formed with Ron Boss and Pete Bleyler as co-chairs and including Art Kelton, Lenny DiSavino, Gerry Kaminsky, Henry Eberhardt, Don O’Neill, and John Zabriske, with Oscar Arslanian as ex officio

He said the group had touched base with 50 potentially leadership classmates over the summer and “based on that survey, we decided not to give a specific goal at this point.” He said it was possible class would get close to $2 million. At our 25^th reunion, we raised $1,000,061. The executive giving committee set goal of  between $1-2 million. Pledges so far, primarily from committee members, is $440,000 so far towards our 40^th.

Pete went on to point out that ordinarily, only unrestricted gifts count to alumni fund. But a gift of $250,000 or more in reunion year, can be directed to some project and still count in the reunion giving campaign.

Pete also pointed out that a $15,000 or more gift toward unrestricted scholarship would be designated to a specific senior and you would have the opportunity to have lunch with that senior on the Friday of Dartmouth Night weekend.

He was asked about matching gifts: they count in goal.

VI. Legacy project:

Oscar reported that David Birney is personally very engaged in this process. Not satisfied only with a letter solicitation, he is making followup  telephone calls. So far, over $200,000 in the project. It is an ongoing class project that will continue indefinitely. He said he understood that the $200,000 represented funds actually raised, not pledges. The total does not count bequests, of which there already are several.

It is up to the College on when to launch. The key element of our project is not the performance, but interacting with students

Oscar also discussed the plan to do a silent auction at our reunion to raise money for legacy. The committee planning the silent auction will be largely spouses and significant others, all of whom are very excited about it. We’re looking for about 100 silent auction gifts of which Nyla already has planned a Hollywood vacation as one of them.

A catalogue will be prepared in advance -- bring your checkbook – and 100 percent of money goes to Legacy.

The discussion returned to the kickoff event. Maynard Wheeler pointed out that with sufficient advance notice, a number of classmates probably would want to be there to participate and of course Birney should be there.

VII. Nominating Committee

A nominating committee has been formed with Pete Bleyler as chairman and including Art Kelton, Bill Hutton, Dave Armstrong and Vic Rich. Suggestions are being solicited.

VIII. Phone contact

Art Kelton suggested we develop a phone call list – a phone tree – to stimulate  attendance at reunion through personal contact. There was consensus to step up production of the class directory to facilitate this. The geographical section may be of particular value. Bob pointed out that he had already suggested that Sam Bell make some calls in Florida.

IX. Fayerweathers

Pete Bleyer said he had been in contact with the person who oversees the Fayerweathers and identified a key need as a ping pong table, as well as some help with spring programs. A discussion ensued, and there was general delight in having a specific group of projects. We will proceed with getting a good quality ping pong table and talk about the other needs.

X. Ski trip.

Pete reported that the ski trip to San Moritz is now fully subscribed, with  42 people include five 1961s.

XI. The meeting was adjourned at 10:11 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Conn, Secretary.

Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem NC 27157-1015
Rconn@wfubmc.edu