Meeting Minutes
Black Alumni Constituent Society Board of Directors Meeting – January 26, 2013
Alumni Center
Members Present: Renee Akins, Phil Anderson, Jarod Crowley, Jarrod Dortch, Dee Dee Gray, Teresa Jeter, Pam Morris, Charles Payne, Carl, Radford, Tammy Robinson, Sue Taylor, Laura Waldron, and Allen Williams. Present via telephone: Mike Chisley, Alivia Johnson, and Keith Robinson. Guest: Elaine Radford.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by President Pam Morris at 10:07 a.m.
Minutes
Minutes from the November 10, 2012 meeting were unanimously approved following T. Robinson’s move to approve and Gray’s second.
Membership Update
There are two vacancies on the board of directors. Ebonee Cooper’s term that expired in 2012 was not renewed due to distance, work and education commitments, but she would like to rejoin when her schedule is more accommodating. Ed Wills submitted his resignation due to his new work schedule conflicting with Saturday meeting dates.
Morris reminded the membership that they are required to make an annual gift and that it can be donated to any BSU account. Failure to do so will disqualify an alumnus from serving on the board. There was some discussion about the BSUAA switching to a fiscal year and how "end of year" gifts would be counted - June or December. Morris thanked the board for their support as the BACS was one only one member short of 100% board participation in 2012.
Campus Update
Payne reported on Unity Week activities on campus. Scheduled events included keynote speakers, over 400 individuals at the breakfast, a Unity March from the Multicultural Center to Shafer Tower (shortened length due to weather), and an MLK Memorial Concert that was attended by about 250 people. Charles started the concert 7-8 years ago where songs of the Civil Rights Movement were played. This was the first year that the School of Music put the concert together and community organizations participated as well. The focus was on all African American music, not strictly Civil Rights Movement-related.
Celebration of Excellence is May 3, the Friday before Commencement, at Pruis Hall. On average, 60-70 minority students are in attendance. The reception and plaques are sponsored by University deans and others on campus. Charles said that the BACS is always invited to attend - as alumni leaders, and particularly to make students aware of the organization, its activities, and its scholarships. In addition, alumni speakers are always needed for the Celebration (and occasionally at other events on campus). Anyone with an interest in speaking or who has a suggestion for an alumni speaker, contact Patricia Lovett.
BACS Alumni Awards
The board will accept nominations for alumni award recipients until February 15. Please submit names and a brief biography to Taylor. The Committee will report on candidates at the April 6 meeting.
Scholarships/Matching Gift
T. Robinson reported that the matching gifts requirements were met for the Endowed Scholarship (461) and the Book Scholarship (462). It was noted and appreciated that there were a few first time donors who responded to the scholarship drive. There was some discussion about having student caller campaign for scholarship dollars, a text to give program, and looking into other matching gift possibilities.
Williams suggested that the board not focus their drive at the end of the calendar year, because it can be a tough time to solicit donations. Taylor mentioned that the fiscal year is changing for the BSUAA, and that a June 30 fiscal year-end campaign could be considered. She reported that the following account balances, as of February 8, 2013, do not include matching dollars = Fund 408 (BACS) has $2,162.23 Fund #461 = $18,485.04 Fund #462 = $2,820.00. She will inquire about when they will be transferred.
2013 Reunion – Each 1 Reach 1
Reunion publicity. Akins will work with Waldron to coordinate social media outreach and mass emails for the reunion.
-Friday, August 2
The reception will run from 7-10 p.m. at the Alumni Center. Williams will check with Phil Dunn about providing music. Greek organizations will be asked to help sponsor live entertainment. A step show or stroll off was suggested and the dance floor was requested for Assembly Hall.
-Saturday, August 3
Panel Discussions. A Saturday service panel will utilize attendees from the Greek participants. The focus will not be on what each Greek organization does specifically, but the importance of service, inspiring others, strengthening alumni relations, and giving back to collegians. Suggestions for utilizing non-Greek alumni included extending a panel invite to Monique Armstrong from Motivate Our Minds. Discussion followed regarding an additional panel centered around an education driven discussion (suggested by Williams), combined with career discussion (suggested by Carl - career options, what fields are really like). T. Robinson suggested the panel be data driven with a call to action, i.e., remediation for college students. She believes this panel will be powerful for parents in the room. She will reach out to Glenda Ritz's office and try to get on her calendar. Williams and Radford will assist with education/career development panel.
The board determined that the two panels will focus on 1. Service and 2. College Readiness to Job Readiness. Panel tables will be set up in the Conservatory to display materials from the panel discussions. This area may also be used for networking, like a mini-Career Fair, where business cards are exchanged, and the Career Center could be invited to attend. Radford said he will talk through some ideas with others and bring a more solid plan for the career portion of the panel to the next meeting.
Saturday keynote speakers will be introduced at lunch by Julie Stroh, Alumni Programs. President Jo Ann Gora will be invited to introduce the evening keynote. Alumni keynote speakers will include Pastor Corey Brooks and Ball State Board of Trustees president, Hollis Hughes. Cox will be asked to follow up with Hughes on his availability.
Saturday afternoon activities will begin with a noon luncheon, followed by a bus tour between 2-4 p.m. (with Greek mini-reunions/programming also occuring at this time). Free time will fall between 4-5:30 p.m.
The Silent Auction will take place on Saturday afternoon. Taylor reported that she and Powell have some items for the auction but need more. She suggested that the membership remind businesses that we will publicize their involvement with the auction with signs at the event. Waldron added that business names can be published and updated more frequently if also included on the reunion website.
Saturday evening festivities begin with the evening reception at 5:30 p.m. The reunion group photo will be taken during the reception and dinner will be served between 6:30 -7:45 p.m. Program and awards will follow the dinner.
Radford will find out if the Sunday jazz musicians are available to perform during the dinner on Saturday evening. Crowley and Dortch will utilize Pandora for the dance.
-Sunday, August 4
The breakfast will be publicized as a "Jazz Brunch." Carl is coordinating live jazz with School of Music faculty and will look for someone to underwrite the cost, should there be any.
Library Archives
Williams is working with John Straw in University Libraries on archiving materials for a Black Student Experience collection - documents and photos will be from students and alumni (Williams’ own materials and Dr. Myland Brown's, plus BACS documents and photos). Williams asked the board to submit any photos and materials they may have for archiving as well. He requested that photos be labeled. Gray suggested that this be documented as an oral history as well. Waldron and Williams are in discussions with Straw to accomplish this. Library Archives is very interested in an oral history.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. for lunch. The next two meetings will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 and on June 1, 2013. Both meetings will be held at the Ball State University Alumni Center at 10:00 a.m.