Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
Beechwood Hotel
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
6:15 p.m.
Present: Tom Campbell, Jackie Carlson, Shyno Chacko Pandeya, Ed Godek, Ron Grasso, Andy Hochberg, Sean LeBlanc, Joel Slovin
Absent: Sara Coady Howe and Ron Spicer
Staff: Deb Goodhind and Anna Symington
Guests: Bob Graham, Carole Mansur, Joe Moro and Scott Robbins
The meeting convened at 6:15 p.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Sean thanked the new board members in attendance for their participation on the board. New board members introduced themselves and shared a brief overview of their past volunteer experience supporting UMass Amherst and the Alumni Association. Sean noted that the incoming president of the Student Alumni Association and a doctoral candidate would also be joining the Board of Directors as student representatives.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: by Ed Godek, seconded by Joel Slovin, to approve the minutes of the May 18 Executive Committee meeting. The motion passed with seven ayes and one abstention.
President’s Update
Sean thanked all of the current Executive Committee members for their participation over the past year, and thanked Anna and Deb for their support of the Committee.
To ensure that their volunteer experience on the Board is positive and productive, Sean encouraged the new directors in attendance to actively participate in their specific committee assignment(s) and whenever possible, attend local alumni events to engage with our constituents. He also noted that all directors have the responsibility to serve as a positive representative of the Alumni Association. Any questions may be directed to Sean, Anna or Deb.
Executive Director’s Update
Anna expressed her sincere appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Committee and welcomed the incoming members. Plans are underway to present a full Board orientation at the October Board meeting that will cover director responsibilities and board policies and protocols.
Staff members are continuing their work on the membership transition plan, and are making headway with developing new marketing materials and addressing technology and other operational changes necessary to implement the restructured membership program on July 1. The membership brochures for distribution to all alumni are currently at the printers and will be mailed in July. Anna reported that we received our first Legacy membership earlier this month and we continue to receive numerous alumni contacts expressing interest as to how much they have invested in membership dues to date. Because of the membership restructure, one staff member of the Membership and Marketing team has been reassigned to the Events team and another has been upgraded to reflect that individual’s increased membership responsibilities.
The redesign of UMassAlumni.com will launch in mid to late July and a new Traditions page will be incorporated into the design. Chancellor Holub is very interested in the efforts currently underway by the Alumni Association to promote traditions and instill pride of the university within current students and alumni. As a follow-up to a suggestion made at the last board of director’s meeting, Anna has been speaking with the Veteran’s Affairs office regarding the stoles worn by veteran’s at this year’s undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies, and whether the Alumni Association could help support this as a new tradition in coming years.
Reunion Weekend was a great success and numerous alumni have already been in contact with Anna and Chancellor Holub to express their appreciation for the Alumni Association hosting this event.
Staff is conducting a review of Alumni Association events over the past two years, considering both the quality and quantity of events, and well as content area and attendance. The goal of the review will be to develop more focused and strategic programming that will translate into increased participation through event attendance, membership and volunteerism.
Staff is working to plan alumni receptions around the UMass vs. Michigan football game at Michigan Stadium in September and the UMass vs. UNH football game at Gillette Stadium in October.
Anna has agreed to chair the search committee for a new executive editor position in University Relations that will oversee the magazine and other external communications.
Deb reported that the Association’s current affinity credit card partnership will end in 2011 and she and Anna will begin to establish discussions with a number of potential partners over the summer.
FY 2011 Committee Assignments
Executive Committee members reviewed the proposed FY 2011 committee assignments and discussed a suggestion to divide the Communications, Marketing and Membership (CMM) Committee into two, with one committee focusing on communications and marketing initiatives and the other focusing solely on membership. The Executive Committee determined that it would be advantageous to maintain the current CMM Committee structure as this year’s communications and marketing efforts will be critical to the success of the new membership program.
Motion: by Andy Hochberg, seconded by Shyno Chacko Pandeya, to approve the FY 2011 committee assignments as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Committee Reports
Audit
The Alumni Association has completed the process for procuring independent coverage for D&O insurance, network security coverage, and general liability insurance. Staff is in the process of collecting conflict of interest disclosures from all board members.
Career Connections
Staff will be conducting a number of career-related webinars over the summer and are collaborating with Career Services to host a networking event for young alumni in the Boston area in July.
Clubs
None
Communications, Marketing and Membership
None
Finance
None
Honors and Awards
The Honors and Awards Committee will meet this week to review and develop recommendations for revising the Distinguished Alumni Awards evaluation criteria and rating tools.
Nominating
None
Programs and Services
None
Technology and Online Services
Staff is currently working to promote the Alumni Association’s social media sites, particularly LinkedIn, which is nearing close to 10,000 participants.
Volunteer Advocacy and Public Affairs
Next year’s committee will focus on identifying ways to expand community service volunteer opportunities, diversity initiatives, and public affairs activites.
Old Business
None
New Business:
Peter Travato ’05 was recently profiled on the Today Show for his work in helping the families of veterans killed in action. An article on alumni veterans’ service will be included in an upcoming edition of @UMASS.
Adjournment:
Motion: by Ed Godek, seconded by Ron Grasso, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.