Saint Paul’s College National Alumni Association, Inc
65th Mid-Winter Conference
February 3-5, 2012
Sponsored by THE WASHINGTON DC ALUMNI CHAPTER
BALTIMORE MARRIOTT HUNT VALLEY INN
(HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND 21031)
Theme: “Renewing our Faith and Moral Integrity
to Rebuild a Healthier Saint Paul’s College”
Rev. James S. Russell (Founder; 1888-1928)
Speakers encouraged and motivated alumni to believe in the history of a people and of the college. Alumni were reminded of the privilege to attend a private school. A private black school which nurtures students and affords them opportunities they may not otherwise have. We were reminded of our value in the world in terms of our inception in this country where slave owners “imported” us to American to build their wealth because of how capable we are to do anything we set our minds to.
CONFERENCE SUMMARY
Friday, Feb. 3, 2012
Registration: 3PM – 9PM (well organized; Obama bags given with souvenir booklet & other goodies)
Vendors: 4PM – 10PM (Greek & college paraphernalia, jewelry, clothes, books, art, pics, etc.)
Executive Board Meeting: 7:30PM – 9PM (private meeting with alumni assoc. & chapter pres.)
Hospitality: 9PM – 12PM (social gathering with music & food)
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Registration: 8AM – 4PM
Vendors: 10AM – 10PM
Friends in Faith Breakfast 7:30AM – 8:45AM (we lit candles to renew our faith – Anderson Flen)
Annual Meeting: 9AM – 12:15PM (summary below)
Luncheon: 1PM – 2:30PM (Speaker Dr. Oliver W. Spencer, Jr. – summary below)
Dinner: 6:00PM – 8:30PM (Speaker Mr. james Watkins – summary below)
Reception: 9:30PM – 12PM (Danced …fun!)
ANNUAL MEETING SUMMARY
FINANCIAL SUMMARY: The National Alumni Association had a total of $17,830.42 in the budget. Of that amount $7,000.00 is being donated to the College. A detailed treasurer’s report reflecting income and expenditures was provided to all alumni members to include budget line items from Sept. 1, 2011 – Dec. 31, 2011.
The Alumni Association made it a point to demonstrate the need for alumni to increase giving to UNCF. To this end, the College Fund/UNCF financial report for, Apr. 1, 2011 – Jan. 25, 2012, details giving by various groups’ goals in comparison to their actual gift. For example, alumni’s gift goal is $35,000.00 but $8,190.00 is the amount gifted thus far. Another illustration, college staff giving’s goal is $1,500.00 and they’ve gifted $1,105.00. The College Fund/UNCF’s grand total goal is $100,000.00; the amount raised so far is $40,160.50.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Membership in the alumni association and in local alumni chapters must increase. The good news is that there are 5-7 new life members. Life membership requires alumni pay $500.00 to become members life. At-large membership is available to alumni who either do not wish to join a local chapter or do not have a local chapter to join. Inquire about this if interested.
There are three distinctive alumni awards to be given on March 15, 2012 (Distinguished Alumni Award, Alumni of Merit and another alumni award that I didn’t catch the exact name of).
There was a discussion about changing alumni by-laws/constitution to allow rolling alumni membership instead of annual membership. The difference is that rolling membership allows alumni to pay a one- time membership fee at any time throughout the year whereas annual membership could require alumni to pay the required membership fee when they join (if membership is acquired after June 30TH)
and again in June of either the same or following June. For example, as the by-laws/constitution are currently written if alumni join in December they are expected to pay membership dues at that time. And, when the set alumni membership date of June rolls around membership fees are also due for one year.
NOMINIATING COMMITTEE: This is an election year. All current National Alumni Association Officers’ positions are open for election. The nominating committee has selected the following alumni to run:
National Alumni Association President
Robin Henry – Baltimore Chapter
Cecil Jones – Petersburg Chapter
Hardy Jones – At-Large Member
National Alumni Association VP
James Watkins – Baltimore Chapter
National Alumni Association Secretary
Sandra Anderson – Buckingham/Prince Edward Chapter
National Alumni Association Assistant Secretary
Linda McCullough – Richmond Chapter
National Alumni Association Financial Secretary
Jacqueline Headspath –Raleigh/Durham Chapter
National Alumni Association Treasurer
Reginald Davis –Kenbridge Chapter
National Alumni Association At-Large Membership Coordinator
Kathy Wilson Jones – Richmond Chapter
National Alumni Association Parliamentarian
Christine Easterly – (chapter unknown at this writing)
National Alumni Association Chaplain
Lois Hayes Howerton – Baltimore Chapter
NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCATION ELECTIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Helen Sharpe-Williams (Chair) –Chesapeake Chapter
Melvina Gaffin –Philadelphia Chapter
Lawrence Penn –D.C. Chapter
Lorretta Yates – Prince Edward Chapter
Levi Thomas-Richmond Chapter
Note: Nominees must be financial. Ballots will be mailed timely. Decisions are to be announced at the Annual Meeting in May 2012.
COLLEGE ENROLLMENT/STUDENT RECRUITMENT:
Dr. Moore is offering returning students $100 and returning students who bring a new student $500.
CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION:
Dr. Moore has an on going Oh Wow! campus beautification project where noticeable changes are made to various portions of the college campus. As of now, improvements have been made to the cafeteria. The goal is to improve different spots on campus site each time students leave campus for holidays and breaks.
CURRENT STATUS OF FUNDRAISING:
1888 Campaign has raised approximately $40,000.00; 2012 Blitz of Hope Campaign total TBD.
OLD BUSINESS: “Can NAA IRS Tax Exempt Status Be Extended to Local Chapter?” Answer: Yes. (See Rev. Proc. 8027, 1980; Rev. Proc. 80-25, Pg. 39; IRS Pub. 557; and IRS Pub. 4573).
NEW BUSINESS: “Should alumni pay the salary of the Director of Alumni Affairs?” Answer: TBD
PRESENTATION ON FUNDRASING OPPORTUNITY – Raleigh/Durham Chapter
Gary Walker, with ACN Affinity, completed a power point presentation about creating free websites that generate funds back to the college. Local chapter presidents were presented with materials to review.
Note: The information provided here is a summary of events and does not in any way reflect a detailed analysis of reports provided at the conference.