Class representatives forming the Executive Committee met on July 10, 1999 at Bill Webster's cottage at Fenwick Point, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. The meeting was called to order at 11:50 AM and was adjourned at 3:05 PM. In attendance were:
· Jim Griffiths (President)
· Bob Blake (Mini-Reunion Chairman)
· Bill Webster (V.P. Northeast)
· Brian Porzak
· Hank Amon (Head Agent)
· Steve Waterhouse (V.P. Projects)
· Steve Fowler (Reunion Treasurer)
· Ken McGruther
· Tom Webster ('65A)
The minutes of the previous meeting, held at Pierce's Lodge in Etna, NH, on October 18, 1998 were reviewed and accepted without modification. Subsequent class business was conducted by including both old and new business within the construct of various Reports.
Class Treasurer Brian Walsh submitted in absentia the class financial report as of June 3, 1999. Items noted by the Ex Comm included the following:
· The total number of classmates having paid annual dues is down from a high of 407 in 1995 to 308 in 1999 (albeit with about one month left to go). From the high in 1995, annual dues-payers have averaged only 311 in the intervening three years.
· The net positive cash flow for FY99 to date was $5,836.
· Annual operating expenses were consistent with the two prior years.
· The class is "in the black" a total of about $60,000, $42,379 of which is in interest-bearing CDs. Of the total, $17,379 is left over from the Webster Hall project.
Discussion focused on the following issues:
1. Forming a Dues Committee to investigate and analyze class goals and policy pertaining to dues, to include flagging a "Final Issue" of the Alumni Magazine for non-dues-payers, means to get those who have stopped paying dues back, and the advisability and means by which annual class dues might be auto-deducted from Credit Cards. (Jim Griffiths will ask Jan Bent if the use of credit cards would be acceptable.)
2. E-mail accounts should be kept current. The ExComm noted that this is difficult due to members switching servers and changing account names. Also, however, this is one of the class goals, under the College-wide "majordomo" project. The roster was last updated at the Mini-Reunion in October 1998, and will be again at the 1999 Mini- and the June 35th Reunion. The Daily Dartmouth might be used to advertise for Interns to undertake a project of updating the '65 Class database, with the Class Treasury bearing costs.
3. The goal is to grow the percentage of dues-payers to 65%.
4. The Ex Comm voted to maintain annual Class dues at $50.
5. The subscription list for the Alumni Magazine is yet to be culled. Class President noted that this must be completed by mid-August, if at all. Committee voted unanimously not to cull the subscription list during this Reunion year.
Cass Secretary Richard Bordeau, via Jim Griffiths, noted the following in his report:
· We have not missed a column yet (36 columns and counting, at the rate of 9 per year for the past four years).
· More news is needed from classmates. Only mixed success has resulted from a variety of efforts to elicit more news. (cf. Newsletter report, below).
The following observations and comments resulted:
1. Bob Blake will provide issues from the Ex Comm meeting to Dick Bordeau for a future column.
2. Brian Porzak asked if the Class Newsletter could be transmitted on-line. It was noted that that should be done, if possible, even if duplicative of hard copy. Subsequently, the ExComm resolved to keep the most recent edition on the WebPage.
Head Agent Hank Amon reported the following:
· The FY 1998 goal of $265,000 would almost certainly be met. $255,000 was already in hand, with additional pledges of $12,000-$14,000 outstanding (with no expectation that they would not be honored.) · The giving total was from 325 class donors, constituting over 50% of total classmates on the books.
· The current year being a Reunion year, our class goal is expected to escalate on the order of at least 4-5 times a non-Reunion year. Amon noted that our class goal could be significantly higher than that.
One reason for a significant increase was the possibility that the College may switch to including ALL donations (i.e. those to almost any Dartmouth-associated activity) within the definition of class giving totals. Hank Amon is scheduled to meet with College representatives in New York City in the near future to clarify whether this practice (embraced by several other schools) would be adopted, and if so, to what extent. It was the expressed unanimous sense of the Ex Comm representatives that the Class should seek the widest possible definition of what could be included.
One item of business to be undertaken is to form a Reunion Giving Committee. The College prefers that the Chair be other than the Class Head Agent, and that the committee be 15-25 in size. This should be formed by 9/1, in order to get out in front of Reunion year donations.
Steve Waterhouse reported the following with respect to old/continuing projects:
· The Class Webster Hall 65 Gallery project is "the hit of the campus." Students are using it. To that end, hours have been extended during which the gallery may be used. It is shown on the Dartmouth Home Page. It is listed as one of the 3 "must sees" on the campus.
· The next step in this project could be to mount 3 display cabinets to contain, perhaps, Robert Frost papers and other items of special interest. The money for that could be taken from the Webster Hall project left over funds.
· Other continuing projects included the Academic Achievement Award ($300), financial aid for Freshman Trip ($300), athletic sponsor program ($500), contributory membership in Friends of Baker Library ($250), and funding library books on Native American subjects in memory of deceased classmates. No motion was entered to revise any of these projects.
Regarding new projects, three were discussed:
1. Create a collection of literature published by '65s for display in the Webster '65 Gallery. The Committee raised several questions, including if the College would sanction such a project, what would be included (literature only, or photos, art, etc.?), and how material would be sourced. The first step is for Steve Waterhouse to ascertain if the College is willing to endorse this project. If affirmative, the Class Ex Comm can entertain subsequent "how to" questions.
2. Initiate an endowment of $50,000 (up to $500,000) to support one Class of 1965 Scholarship to be awarded annually. The ExComm did not formally vote on this, but support was widespread. Issues included: whether the amount raised could be counted in the annual giving total (each year); on what basis the scholarship might be awarded (and the extent to which the Class would retain say-so); the total size of the endowment (estimates varied from $50K - $500K); and whether such a project would entice any special donors.
3. There was considerable discussion about a proposal that the Class work with College officials to become involved in a durable landscape improvement to the north campus. To date, $865 has been spent on several design options. However, there was unanimous consensus that due to the reluctance of the College to commit to more than 10 years, and remaining uncertainties about the construct of the North Campus, this project should be tabled for now, and reviewed annually.
In general it was agreed by the Ex Comm that class strategy should be to support things the College needs, but to the extent possible ensure there is an enduring "return on investment" (in either financial or credit-given terms) to the Class, and that the Class retain the greatest possible influence in how specific projects are executed.
Mini-reunion Chairman Bob Blake reported the following:
· The annual fall mini-reunion will be held 10/22-24, to correspond with Homecoming, as is the normal practice.
· The 1999 Spring mini-reunion in Bermuda was successful, with 9 classmates (18 total) attending.
· Due to the 35th Reunion in June, a spring mini- is not recommended for 2000.
The following issues were discussed:
1. Mailing out of announcements for the Fall Mini-Reunion should be combined with notification of the June Reunion. The announcement should include a line to "save the dates" of 6/12-15/2000 for the Reunion in Hanover, and any other bullets about what is known will occur in June. However, the mini-announcement should go out in mid-August in any case, even if no further information is available about the 35th Reunion.
2. For the fall 1999 mini-reunion, it was agreed that there will be a late afternoon reception in the '65 Gallery of Webster Hall. Steve Waterhouse will investigate feasibility, costs, and other particulars (does Hanover Inn have to cater, etc.?) The estimate was for a total of 50 attendees. Service would be cider, wine, cheese, and possibly champagne.
3. Potential sites for the Spring 2001 "Out of Hanover" mini-reunion were discussed. Jim Griffiths suggested that a location other than the southeast should be chosen, since the last two were in South Carolina and Bermuda. Vail and Taos in March 2001 were two prime suggestions. Jim Griffiths agreed to contact Ron Riley to ask him to investigate feasibility and costs associated with a Vail, Colorado ski-mini. Additionally, Amy Jo Porzak, who arranges group travel, suggested overseas locales might be included: they are not necessarily cost-prohibitive and can be interesting, with sufficient activities possible to appeal to a wide segment of class and families. She said she would be willing to investigate specific sites (the one she mentioned was in SW Ireland). The issue was tabled for further discussion at the Fall Mini-reunion, with no stipulations attached ("'round the girdled earth?")
4. Bob and Sharon Blake are in the final year of their 5-year term as mini-reunion chairpersons. At least one of the two is adamant that this will be the last year.
Allen Zern reported, via Jim Griffiths, the following concerning the Class Newsletter:
· Four Newsletters were issued in the past year, which is the class goal.
· It is class policy to restrict news to that of interest and relevance to the Class of '65, and '65 Classmates. (I.e. not to be a vehicle for the College to pass general info about college affairs to alumni.)
· Class news is not often volunteered. Zern recommended a concerted effort in the next year to make several attempts to elicit news, such as challenges, appeals to affinity groups, and by direct solicitation (classmates asked are normally forthcoming.)
Other publications (included under Class Goals, which were adopted in their entirety) included:
· Class Calendar concerning activities, projects, and publication dates.
· Nine columns annually for the Alumni Magazine.
· Three annual dues mailings (fall, winter, spring).
· 2-3 annual letters to class from the Head Agent (appeal + progress reports)
· One annual Bequests and Trusts letter.
· For the next 3 years we will have two '65s serving, since Ted Atkinson represents the classes of '65 and '66, and Jim Griffiths represents the Class Presidents' Association.
· It was reported by Bob Blake that the Trustees do not, contrary to impressions, have a secret or self-motivated agenda. They are actively seeking input, and trying to improve public relations. Also, the Fraternity/Sorority issue has calmed down a lot since initial (fallacious) reports.
Steve Fowler, the Reunion Treasurer (Mike Bettmann is Chairman) reported the goal for the 35th Reunion is to produce an event that will reach out and elicit participation from the widest possible segment of the Class. Thus activities will be designed to be inclusive. He asked what interests have not been included in past Reunions that might be included at the coming one. Specifically, he was seeking recommendations on '65s who would be willing and able to participate on panels, or as speakers, on topics of class-wide interest. Some panel topics were suggested:
1. Computer Usage for Dummies
2. Internet for Dummies
3. Health Orientation (approaching the '60s)
4. Retirement (both life-style and financial aspects)
5. Where is the Info-sphere headed?
The following additional issues pertaining to the 35th Reunion were addressed:
· Non-class members would also be possible as speakers and panelists, but with a mind that outside speakers tend to command large fees. One source to tap for info-related speakers/panelists could be those attending for the 5th, 10th, etc. reunions.
· A memorial service will be held for deceased classmates.
· One possible theme for the Reunion was suggested as "Miles to Go." (Another was "Surviving Until the Big Dirt Nap!").
In conclusion, the Goals for Dartmouth Class of '65 as amended (deferring New Projects #2 and deleting the caveat on Mini-Reunions #2) were approved by the Ex Comm.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:05PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ken McGruther
DARTMOUTH CLASS OF 1965---- F/Y 2000 L/T & S/T GOALS
A. 35th REUNION--JUNE 12-15, 2000:
1. Utilize Class Website and Class List-serve to promote attendance and events.
2. Minimize per-person fees and maximize total attendance to 200 (including family).
3. Use Reunion to reach out to classmates who have not participated in Class activities by focussing on diversity, change and inclusiveness in programming and promotion.
4. Raise Reunion contributions of $1 Million with 65% Class participation.
5. Nominating Committee shall be appointed to work through winter-spring 2000.
B. CONTINUING PROJECTS:
1. Improve / add furnishings in Webster Hall '65 Galleries from time to time as raised through dues.
2. Annual 1965 Academic Achievement Award and 1965 Service Achievement Award for graduating Native American students. ($300).
3. Annual Financial Aid for three freshmen to participate in the Freshman Trip ($300).
4. Annual contributory participation in the Athletic Sponsor Program ($500).
5. Annual contributory membership in the Friends of Baker Library ($250).
6. Fund library books on Native American subjects in memory of deceased classmates.
C. NEW PROJECTS:
1. Initiate collection of literature published by '65s for use/display in '65 Gallery.
2. Work with College officials toward a significant and durable landscape improvement to the North Campus ---$25,000 currently set aside. ($865 Spent)
3. Annually reconsider creating a Class of '65 Scholarship endowment.
D. MINI-REUNIONS:
1. Major "Dartmouth Night" Mini-Reunion every fall in Hanover / Pierce's Inn.
2. Late winter/early spring "Out of Hanover" Mini-Reunion every year between summer Reunion years. ----Alternate between Eastern and Western US.
E. MEETINGS:
1. At least 2 Executive Committee meetings annually---major one during fall Mini-Reunion
2. Agenda for each meeting and minutes of last meeting will be sent to Exec. Comm in advance.
3. Post minutes of most recent meeting on Class of '65 Website.
F. PUBLICATIONS / COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Regularly encourage Vox Alumni Network signup, and develop Class email list-serve.
2. Publish at least four Newsletters annually to the entire class. Keep latest one on Website.
3. Maintain Class Calendar and keep class informed of Activities, Projects, etc (Newsletters /Website)
4. Secretary produces nine columns annually for the Alumni Magazine.
5. Treasurer produces 3 annual dues mailings---fall, winter, spring.
6. Head Agent produces 2 to 3 annual letters to class (first an appeal, then progress reports).
7. Bequests Chair produces 1 annual letter reminding classmates of the importance of this program.
G. CLASS MEMBERSHIP:
1. Executive Committee shall conduct a survey after 35th Reunion to determine ways our communications / class services can be improved.
2. Grow dues payer participation to 65% of Class scoring base.
3. Executive Committee shall annually examine and approve dollar amount of dues.
4. Review and cull Alumni Magazine subscription list (Class scoring base) during 1st year post-reunion.