Cornell College > Alumni > Alumni Association > Meeting Minutes > Spring 2006

Alumni Board Meeting Minutes

Cornell College Alumni Board
Annual Meeting
April 21, 2006

Attending:
Carol Busch Telling
Joseph Campanelli
Mary Elliott
John Gilliland
Andrea Herrera
RJ Holmes
Fredrick Holtz
Mark Hudson
Sheila Kruse Boyce
Lisa Naaktgeboren
Anna-Doretta Dilley Riley
Lynn Ross-Cope
Allan Ruter
Linda Spies Schilling
Roger Stigers
Gary Thompson
Mark Van Etten
LuAnn White
Dan Wilson
Absent:
Andrew Peternel
Richard Scott
Paige Sindt
Kayla Sorgenfrey
Carrie Temm
Kate Schlemmer Watson
Todd Watson
John Yeager
Staff:
Ruth Miller
Jackie Stewart
Monica Davis
Debbie Green
Sharon Grice
Dee Ann Rexroat
Jayne Swanson

I. Meeting called to order by Joe Campanelli
Introduction theme:
Board members each shared how Cornell professors influenced them.
As everyone took their turn to tell something about a Professor one theme was very clear, the relationship between student and professor went beyond books and the classroom. The following are just examples:

They encouraged them to stay at Cornell.
They helped with life lessons.
They pushed people to achieve their best.
They made required courses interesting and fun.
Majors and advisors were changed because of one class with a certain professor.

Some favorite professors named were, Geneva Meers., William Heywood, Stephen Lacy, David Lyon and Rev. Thomas.

In Lu Ann’s introduction, she also spoke highly of Joe Campanelli and how well known he is throughout the Cornell Community.

II. Approval of the Oct. 14, 2005 minutes: Moved by Roger Stigers ’65, seconded by Mark Van Etten ’76, approved.

III. Remarks from Brenda Tooley, Dean of the College.

The Cornell Experience: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Adventure.
Through conversations that Brenda has had with students, faculty, staff and alumni, four components of a Cornell College education have emerged.

Scholarship: We are an educational community. Inside and outside the classroom, we are here to foster learning. The best way for students to learn is to collaborate with faculty who are also learning-and we do this very well. Student-faculty collaborative research occurs every summer; students and faculty present together at conferences, engage in performances together, act on stage together. The block plan enables ‘hands-on’ learning in class, studio and field. Our unusual calendar permits students to concentrate on one course subject at a time; it immerses them in a particular discipline or nexus of disciplines. Each course becomes a learning community dedicated to a common object of inquiry. Students in a drawing class become practicing artists; students in poetry class experience what it is to be a poet; students in chemistry class become, for three-and-a-half weeks, chemists.
Leadership: Students learn by doing, yes?! And students take up leadership positions in all kinds of ways – within social groups, in theatre workshops, in music ensembles, in class projects and new-student orientation and student government. Cornell College fosters the skills of team-building, organizing, and prioritizing that enable groups too act effectively. These activities are ‘secondary’, I’d say, to the education that occurs in class, lab, studio and field, but they are not ‘minor’ in any way. Students acquire and refine abilities that will serve them well for the rest of their lives in these activities. They learn time-management, the politics of small groups, and how to negotiate to achieve mutually beneficial ends. They learn the value of humor and tact, and the usefulness of constructive argument. They learn to be ‘do-ers’ rather than sideline sitters. They get out in front, they take stands, they speak up.
Service: All the leadership in the world does no good without an accompanying commitment to service. The Office of Volunteerism and Leadership is tangible evidence that the College values both. Our annual service day during New Student Orientation introduces all first-year students to local and regional venues in which they may serve, and exemplifies the value of acting together. A number of first-year students, this year, helped renovate apartments in a housing complex in Cedar Rapids in preparation for the emergency relocation of New Orleans residents. An ethic of service builds families, communities and organizations. An ethic of service takes one out of oneself and places the needs and interests of others in the foreground. Additionally, there are moments when what is needed is not so much strong leadership as strong and willing teamwork; there’s a definite skill in being a good (thoughtful, constructively critical, supportive) follower, as well. That’s not easy, and that’s another thing we care about here.
Adventure: Is it possible to slightly underestimate the adventurousness of our students? I think it may be, and I’d like to draw attention to how much initiative and enterprise and courage our students demonstrate. After all, they have all chosen to attend a college on an academic calendar unlike the academic calendars for most colleges and universities in the nation. It takes imagination to envision the opportunities of the block plan before you’re even on campus; it takes intellectual ambition to consider plunging into one course at a time; it takes a sense of adventure to say ‘this is right for me.’ And indeed, we want to open doors, to expand horizons, to offer challenges and opportunities.

Brenda also mentioned Rev. Thomas as a professor that has already touched her life.

Break

IV. Committee meetings:
Communications
Student Assistance
College Advancement

V. Strategic Plan presented by Joe Campanelli.

Overview and Historic Perspective:

Joe reminds everyone that the purpose of the Alumni Board is to keep parents, students, and alumni connected to the College. The Strategic Plan was put in place to provide the directions for Alumni Board members.

Objective 1: Supporting Class Agents:
Connect alumni with Class Agents through regular correspondence.
Objective 2: Promoting Area Activities
Connect alumni of the same geographical locale with each other and the college.

Objective 3: Assisting Admissions
Connect alumni with prospective students through admissions initiatives.

Objective 4: Assisting Career Services
Connect alumni with students through career development initiatives.

Objective 5: Supporting College Communications
Connect alumni with Cornell through print and electronic communications.

Objective 6: Promoting Alumni Visibility
Connect alumni with students to nurture future active alumni.
Refer to the Strategic Plan for annual goals and action steps for these objectives.

Lunch

VI. Issues of the Day from President Les Garner:

The college is working with a consultant to develop a comprehensive master plan for campus land use and facilities. The firm, Performa, recently presented the President’s Council with three scenarios. We developed a composite, preferred scenario which we plan to present to the Board of Trustees May 19-20.

After working with campus leadership, students, faculty, staff, and community members, Performa recommended that the first phases of the master plan (the next three to five years) include three components: 1) construction of one or two additional residence halls (the preferred site is near Pauley-Rorem); 2)renovation and addition to The Commons, structural improvements to King Chapel, addition of wet labs to West Science, a classroom addition to Cole Library, renovation to Pfeiffer Hall, and modest renovations to College Hall, South Hall, and other residence halls, and 3) possible acquisition of property in the three blocks north of First Street and at the northwest corner of the campus.

Performa’s final planning workshop on campus is April 18-20. The purpose of this workshop is to prepare a plan for the first phase that will include reliable cost estimates and a realistic plan for financing them. Shortly after this we will schedule a campus forum to discuss the master plan and answer questions.

VII. Campaign Update from Debbie Green:

Debbie provided a diagram of a typical $92,000,000 campaign which shows how many prospects are needed at different giving levels. Of particular note is the fact that the College needs 18 gifts above $1,000,000.

Through the campaign the College seeks to raise $50,000,000 for endowment.
$31,000,000 for capital projects. And $11,000,000 for the Annual fund

In the fall of 2006 an announcement of lead gifts and the names of donors will be announced.

The Campaign will take place over a five to seven year time period. A public announcement is sited for fall of 2007.

VIII. Reports of Standing Committees given (minutes of committee meetings to be submitted separately with more details of the following topics see attached)

Student Assistance; Admissions is looking for Alums who are willing to host student fairs. Sharon is also working on “Summer Send Offs” for new students starting at Cornell and would like some assistance from the Alumni Board finding alumni hosts for these receptions.
Alumni and College Advancement; Mark Van Etten would like to have someone from the Alumni Board to thank volunteers. Example: Class Agents who are stepping down. The following have volunteered to do so:
Joe Campanelli
Lisa Naaktgeboren
LuAnn White
Anna-Doretta Dilley Riley
Jim Coddington
Linda Schilling
Carol Telling
Mark Hudson
Sheila Kruse Boyce
Andera Herrera
RJ Holmes
Mary Elliott
Gary Thompson
Mark Van Etten

Communications; Allan talked about the excellent college magazine, the Cornell Report and nominated Joan Benson and Robyn Hepker for Honorary Alumni Awards. Joan and Robyn founded Benson & Hepker Design in Iowa City in 1993, and in 1995 the Office of College Communications hired them to redesign the Cornell Report. This was moved and carried. Distinguished Achievement Awards will go to Dr. James Ingle ’66 and poet Ingrid Wendt ’66 at the Homecoming convocation. Leadership and Service Awards will go to Dr. David ’61 and Ann Archer Harsh ’61. Dee Ann distributed some information on the development of a new college logo and reported on the progress.

IX. Online Committee, Fred Holtz: The contract with Golden Parachute is for 3 years. They will continue to help with the following plan.

CORNELL COLLEGE ALUMNI ONLINE COMMUNITY ROLL-OUT PLAN

PHASE I - PRE-LAUNCH
Sept 05: Enews Teaser √
Sept 05: Postcard Teaser √
Oct 05: Beta Site Testing √
Dec 05: Site goes “live” √

PHASE II - AT LAUNCH
Jan 06: Prominent Promo on Alumni page and Cornell home page √
Jan 06: Roll in Classes of 1975 and before via letter and email
Feb 06: Roll in Classes of 1976-1987 via letter and email √
Feb 06: Prominent Advertisement in Winter Cornell Report√
Mar 06: Roll in Classes of 1988-1996 via letter and email √
Apr 06: Roll in Classes of 1997-2005 and Honorary Alumni via letter and email
Apr 06: Mention in Class Letters
May 06: Roll in Class of 2006 via emails
Jun 06: Advertisement in June Enews
Aug 06: Roll in Class of 2007 via emails

PHASE III – POST-LAUNCH
Aug 06: Promote new Homecoming online registration form
Sept 06: Begin Quarterly Web Broadcast Email Registration/Launch Reminders to Non-Registered
Oct 06: Computer Kiosk at Homecoming for capturing registrations
Nov 06: Mention in Class Letters
Ongoing – Dates TBD: Unveiling of Discussion Boards, Surveys, Class Pages and ability to add additional education experiences.

Other possible promotions:
Oct 06: Magnets at each place setting at reunion dinner

Hit List of Post-Launch Priority Projects:

Redefine and align Cornell’s online ‘Update Your Information Form” to compliment not duplicate the community update info form. This had to remain in duplicate until all classes were rolled into the community.
Complete the integration of a “deceased” indicator.
Test and activate the online giving and event registration capabilities.
Begin using the calendar to list and promote upcoming alumni events.
Revisit the additional education information capabilities.
Develop and implement a class page template.
Test and activate the discussion board feature.
Test and activate the survey feature.

Some quick overall performance stats (as of 4/12/06):

Total Mentors: 25
Internal Messages Sent: 432
Total Distinct Members Sending Messages: 206 (15.5%)
Total Registered Members: 1,329
Average Class participation rate: 10%
Number of alumni yet to launch (classes 1997-2006, Honorary Alumni): approx. 2514
Estimated total number of registered members by June 1: 1,580 (13.7%)

X. Homecoming 2006:

Ruth mentioned the work that RJ Holmes is doing with Class Dinners to build class loyalty. She explained that funding was needed to help with this project. Alumni Board members then donated $525 for this spring’s Jr. Class Dinner.

Ruth talked about the Homecoming Surveys and the positive responses for the format of the 50 th reunion group.

Ruth also passed out a tentative schedule for Homecoming 2006 and discussed several of the new events this fall:
Friday: Open classes; Multicultural Alumni Open House at BACO House; Pre-Theater Dinner
Saturday: Organ Recital, Poetry Reading, Book Signings, Lecture “Athenian Vase Construction” by Barbara “Toby” Scheiber ’46, Faculty Panel, C’YA After the Game/CSSG Party

There will be two Homecoming brochures going out this year, one for recent grads and one for all other alumni. Summer C’YA event invitations will be mailed to 1996-2006 grads.

Ruth thanked the Alumni Board for their donations for the Class Dinners.

XI. Trustee Reports:

Joe Campanelli pointed out that the primary purpose Alumni Board representatives attend Trustee Meetings is to be more informed so better decisions can be made on how the Alumni Board can best assist with future plans for the College. Joe, Lu Ann and John spoke briefly on their minutes from the last Trustee Meeting (minutes of committee meetings to be submitted separately with more details see attached)

XII. Other Business:

Lisa Naaktgenboren reminded everyone that dinner was starting at 6 p.m. at Ruth’s house.

Joe reminded everyone that there was a dedication at 4:30 p.m. of Geneva Meers Memorial Tree on the South Hall lawn. Allan Ruter was a guest speaker.

XIII. Meeting Adjourned 4:15 p.m.

____________________________________________________________________

Cornell College Alumni Association Board of Directors
Communications Committee
April 21, 2006

Members present : Lynn Ross Cope ’87; Anna-Doretta Dilley Riley, ’90; Fred Holtz (recorder), Dee Ann Rexroat, ’83 (staff liaison); Allan Ruter, ’76 (chair); Dan Wilson, ‘66

1. Review of Alumni Association Award Nominees

A. Distinguished Achievement Awards (to be presented at Homecoming Convocation): James Ingle, ’66, and Ingrid Wendt, ‘66

B. Leadership and Service Awards (to be presented at Homecoming Convocation): David Harsh ’61, and Ann Archer Harsh, ‘61

C. Honorary Alumna (to be presented at fall Board luncheon): Joan Benson, Robyn Hepker

2. Report on and discussion of College marketing committee issues

There is a dynamic between a contemporary logo that might appeal for new student marketing versus a more traditional logo that appeals to alumni and the development office. Artwork is being drafted and evaluated. A decision is expected by the end of this academic year. The total package of the committee’s output will be a logo, tagline and graphic standards manual. The Cornell website will be redesigned over the next 12 months.

3. Report on and discussion of “ Cornell College Online Community” rollout

The online community was demonstrated to the entire board including usage figures. There is only one more group for the rollout, classes of 2002 on. Participation levels are encouraging. Those board members who have not yet made a profile were encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

____________________________________________________________________

Cornell College Alumni Association Board of Directors
Minutes for the Student Assistance Committee
April 21, 2006

We started the meeting with everyone introducing themselves around the table.

Sharon Grice handed out an agenda.
Ruth Miller stepped into the meeting to talk about the formation of a new committee, a task force on Athletics. This would involve Alumni with the recruiting of Athletes to Cornell. Tom Cox is heading this task force up and the committee will be asking for the help of the Alumni board in the future.
Sharon continued, after Ruth left and reported on the following:
Legacy Admissions – Sharon said it is very important to make calls to the children of alumni. Even if we find out they are not attending Cornell we are still keeping ties and lines of communication open with those alums and their families.
CARE
An electronic Newsletter will be sent out now in June and one in the fall.

It was brought up that members of CARE might not realize that they are members of this special group. We talked about ideas for how to make members have a sense of belonging to this alumni group.

Sheila asked how people were recruited and then suggested that we let them know they are part of a group through increased communication with the members of CARE.
College Fairs
Sharon continued with a report that our invitations to college fairs have increased. We are currently choosing to go to fairs in states that we have higher numbers of Alumni. Carol suggested that we include a report to the committee on where the Admission staff is going as well.
Admissions Website
The Admission website will hopefully build great connections with new and potential students and Alumni. There is a place on the Admissions homepage where Alumni can sign up to be a part of this connections group. We discussed making it easier for Alumni to join this group by linking it to the Alumni page.
Summer Send-offs
Currently the office is trying to fit alums who are willing to host Summer Send-offs with staff members. Hosting requires a home that is able to accommodate a large group, and a yard where people can assemble. It also requires covering the cost of a large portion of the reception. This limits the number of people who can host from those who are willing to host.

Currently we are looking for suggestions on Alums who would be willing to open their homes for a summer send off in certain cities.
Current Enrollment for 2006-2007
We are in the middle of waiting to get deposits. The deadline to commit is May 1.
Jayne Swanson from the Career Center reported:
Jayne gave a recap of programs done by the career center involving alums
.
Externships – These are offered to students who can spend their Spring
breaks or smaller time periods learning about a profession. There were three alums that participated in this program this academic year.
Panels –Ten Alums participated on these panel discussions with students.
Following up with Alums who give their time/help out with program.
We agreed that we should thank the Alumni who helped with all of the programs. We divided up the task of writing thank you notes to those who participated, so they would have a personal thank you from the Alumni board.
Jayne reported that student participation in internships is booming and that several new programs are in place to continue that increase.

We adjourned the committee meeting after some questions and clarifications from the group to Jayne.

____________________________________________________________________

CORNELL COLLEGE ALUMNI BOARD
Alumni & College Advancement Committee
Meeting Minutes 21 April 2006

Class Agent Letters

Debbie Green provided an update on fall and spring class agent letters.
Out of 76 classes, 57 received a fall letter.
Of the 19 that did not, 7 received a spring letter, so only 12 did not receive a letter.
A tracking system was used to identify pledge card receipts which were sent with class letters. There were 183 responses yielding $96,351 total, the average donation was $526.50
The class letters, for grad years 1996-2005, will include a plea for the Coe-Cornell Challenge.
Cornell presently is beating Coe….It is a participation challenge, NOT a $$ challenge. Our participation rate is 11.2% as of today!
A question was asked if the Alumni office provided an outline to assist class agents, the answer was yes.
Suggestion was made to include more Cornell news in the letters.
A proposal was made to recognize “retiring” class agents (NOT inactive ones who quit or were asked to step down), a gift certificate or a mug was suggested.

2005-2006 Alumni Events

There is a continuing problem getting a good turn out in major area events. There is a “core group” that usually attend.
Suggestion was put forth to have all events posted on the web site.
The Cornell Report was discussed as a possible venue, but Debbie pointed out that the publication date varies quite a bit.
Board members need to work closely with Ruth & Jackie on the type and location of events.
It is critical to form a calling committee, with alums from many classes, to call and encourage those they know to attend.
It helps to have students attend the event who are or have been involved in the Initiative/Fellows Programs.
In the fall of 2007, the college will announce the Capital Campaign to raise $92,000,000.

C’YA Update

2005 saw C’YA events in 11 cities
Fr 2006, 16 C’YA events are being planned in 15 cities. All will occur 0n 18 or 19 August.
At homecoming a C’YA After the Game is being planned. The alumni lunch tent will be reconfigured for the event with a DJ, keg and snacks
The Senior Challenge is underway. Seniors are challenged to make their 1 st pledge to the college, to be completed within 5 years. To date, 123 seniors have pledged $19,000. Get ‘em started early!
2 alums, David & Jillian Knutsen offered matching funds up to $10,000.
President Garner will kick in $20.06 for each senior pledging
Question was raised about expanding the Coe-Cornell Challenge to older classes. Consensus was to keep it as is.
We can check on line to the Challenge status: Coe-CornellChallenge.com

Alumni Stewardship

Discussion began as to how better to express appreciation to alumni who make contributions. One idea was a thank-a-thon, we need to flesh this idea out more. One idea was to ask CASA students to be involved in the thank-a-thon. Also could the College send letters?
A suggestion was made to have the Alumni Board express thanks to all alums who have volunteered t assist the school. Could be simply a phone call or a brief thank you note.
Could we ask class agents to take on this task. The class agents on the committee did not support the idea, the fear is some would quit.

Homecoming 2006

Ruth showed a hefty stack of comments from Homecoming 2005 made by alums.
There were 3 reocurring themes:
1. More academic access
2. See student performances
3. How to better incorporate young alums
This year, there are, proposed, 5 classes and 7 events. In addition there will be the C'YA After the Game event.

Respectfully Submitted;
Gary W. Thompson
Recorder