Introduction and approval of the agenda Chair Zachary Hodges called the meeting to order, welcomed the committee members, and reviewed the agenda for the evening. Each committee member introduced him/herself.
Approval of minutes of June 1999 meeting - It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes as distributed. The motion carried.
Report from the Director, Marlene Ross Marlene recognized the efforts of staff Maggie Melson and Susie Nelson. She also mentioned that six members of the first class of Fellows are attending this meeting. Cynthia Phillips, hired to work with the Fellows Program due to a grant, has resigned and recruitment for her replacement will begin shortly. The ACE Board appointed Bill Harvey as new Vice President and director, Office of Minorities in Higher Education. He is a former Fellow and will start in the summer.
Marlene commended the great series of events for the Fellows Program 35th anniversary, thanks to Elizabeth McDaniel and Lois Wims who co-chaired the major events. The new video will be in the ACE exhibit booth; another one on mentoring will be sent to mentors in the fall. Videos are available to use when giving talks or promoting the program.
The new class is in place with the placement process to begin soon. Representation in the class is four community colleges, nine African Americans, five Hispanics, one Asian, and one Native American. Two natives of India will be supported by the Fullbright Commission. The plan is to place each in a setting with a domestic Fellow. There are thirteen males and twenty-one females with twenty thinking of a year placement, six considering semester placements and eight desiring periodic placements. Most are from public institutions. With dollars left from the Kellogg grant, Page Morahan is conducting an evaluation of the various options. This report will be presented at next year’s meeting. Marlene thanked all who served as readers, advisors, and interviewers.
Funding continues from an anonymous donor to support women from research universities. The USA Group grant is in year two, and ACE still receives the Bush Foundation funding for Fellows from private HBCUs. The Native American initiative with Kellogg continues, and a proposal has been submitted to the Hearst Foundation to support Hispanic/Latinos. There also is a proposal with the Luce Foundation for program support, and an ad hoc group met today on additional funding ideas.
A simulation for administrators developed by Bill Massey will be field-tested with Fellows in the fall. COF weekend in June will be the final event of the 35th year anniversary celebration and will recognize three anniversary classes, 1969-70, 1979-80, and 1989-90.
Marlene praised the support of Sr. Vice President Mike Baer for the program.
Noreen Carrocci commented that small institutions offer a good setting for direct involvement of Fellows but often don’t have $$$ for travel, etc. Need to think about support for these types of institutions.
Committee reports
35th Anniversary of Fellows Program - Lois Wims, chair
Lois Wims reported that this group met this morning and recognized the hard work of everyone planning events and awards. She especially recognized Jean Blosser who found the design for the desk keepsakes and Toufic Hakim who made the arrangements for the portfolios so we could earn more profit than originally estimated.
Elizabeth McDaniel noted that the five award winners are Lindsay Desrochers, Bob Dickeson, John DiBiaggio, Vera King Ferris, and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. The awards committee was chaired by Annie Kronk.
The program committee, chaired by Clark Henley, produced a program with the history of Fellows Program, COF events during meeting, and the names of institutions with multiple Fellows. There also is a tribute to mentors of five or more Fellows. The Fellows Program office will follow up with presidents of institutions and mentors noted via letter.
Policy and Priorities - Bruce Mallette, chair
There will no longer be a designated Minority Forum at the ACE Annual Meeting since sessions will not be sponsored by individual groups. However, the topic will remain as an area of focus. This has specifically been one of the charges of this committee. The committee will reach out to Bill Harvey to indicate its continuing support of this area.
Five items were brought to the Executive Committee for feedback and counsel:
Bruce noted that Kirby Gilliland had been asked to work on strategic planning. Anne Gormly suggested that in looking at the bylaws, we need to look at purpose - similar to the COF mission statement. The Policy and Priorities Committee would undertake the review but would need the involvement of others and need to be brought back to COF.
In discussing technology issues, Marlene noted that all addresses are already in a database and kept current. A couple of years ago there were problems with the listserv and it was discontinued. If renewed, we would want to give the option of subscribing. ACE has one set up for the Executive Committee, but it has not yet been tried. Bruce suggested the class agent be the person to link to the class listservs without violating the privacy of the class.
Patty Cormier commented that it is difficult to rewrite the bylaws without a strategic plan. We ought to first delineate priorities in a strategic plan, then revise the bylaws to reflect these priorities. It was suggested that both the strategic plan and bylaws originate with the mission. For June a draft of a mission statement will be presented; then we can begin work on revision of the bylaws.
Anne Gormly will pose the questions raised today on the listserv and engage chairs of committees in the discussions.
Professional Development Committee - James Renick, chair
Jim Renick thanked everyone involved with the Saturday professional development program. The theme for next year will be "Talent: The Critical Imperative." The session will focus on identifying, developing, and sustaining/retaining talent. Patty Cormier clarified that talent refers to everyone who serves in the institution including faculty, administration, and staff. Marlene added that it might include a session on how to be a good mentor. Patty Cormier will facilitate the planning that includes finding someone to talk about the larger picture, a small panel addressing some of issues, break-out sessions with questions to answer, and finally a closing session focusing on leadership talent. The theme could carry on to the June 2001 meeting. Any ideas of persons to participate should be sent to Patty.
COF 2000 weekend (June 3-4) is being planned by George Sims working with Page Morahan. The program will be modeled more like a workshop than a conference by introducing the group to a planning process that will actively involve Fellows in working with a problem. The workshop presents methodologies for planning that consider the whole system of the institution and involve relatively large groups of people in planning efforts but allow completion of planning within a relatively short time frame. These methodologies have been used effectively in corporate situations with consultants but are now being introduced as options for campuses. A concern was raised that this not turn into a commercial for facilitators (Future Search is a commercial venture).
The June COF weekend will recognize the 30th, 20th, and 10th reunion classes. The Executive Committee will meet Friday night. Attendance was up at the 1999 Council of Fellows Weekend with extremely positive feedback from the three reunion classes.
Annual Fund Committee - Cordelia Ontiveros and Betty Overton-Adkins
Susie Nelson was thanked for her help with the Annual Fund. Last year at this time the Annual Fund was at $13,540; this year before the meeting $20,660 had been raised or pledged toward a goal of $35,000. So far, $2,975 has been collected at this meeting with $6,900 more needed to meet the goal. To surpass the all-time high, we need $7,400. The fiscal year ends Sept 30. Patty Cormier suggested that if we get near the end and are close to the all-time high, we communicate to those who have contributed, seeking additional gifts. An update will appear in the Newsletter.
Mike Sperling added that we may want to regularly communicate where this money goes to improve giving. Cordelia noted that twelve persons have contributed $350 or more for the 35th anniversary. The obligation of this board is to help reach goal even if we have given before. Anne Gormly added that fundraising is an important professional development topic.
Cordelia mentioned that the phonathon was changed last year. We had two separate phonathons - one in Michigan and one in North Carolina. We will do the same again this year with an additional one in the New England area.
Class agents are recognized with ribbons on their badges this year. Class agents can come from another class if no one volunteers to serve from a given class. We have sold approximately 90 portfolios so far as well as about 35 commemorative desk keepsakes. The Program earns about $9 on each keepsake and $20 on each portfolio.
Projects for the coming year include a donor brochure with information on how funds are used; listing donors in the Newsletter in order of percent of participation by class and total amount by class; and special recognition in the Newsletter of donors who give $350 or more.
Nominations Committee
The slate was presented with the class of 1999 going off as of this meeting. Those working on activities for COF are invited to stay involved.
Advancement Committee
Don Straney reported that a small group met to discuss ideas for addressing advancement through a committee structure. Neal Simon proposed creating a mechanism to provide advice and assistance on communicating with external audiences and developing external funding sources (the Annual Fund has focused internally on Fellows). The group will have written ideas on the specific role such a committee might play for the June meeting.
Newsletter - Susan Currier.
Susan requested that members e-mail her ideas for the Newsletter. Ideas for the Newsletter include a profile of an alum, particularly one who has been out of the Program for awhile; a bio of people who have accomplished extraordinary things, and profiles of reunion class members. Input must be sent no later than March 30. Bill Harvey would be a good profile for the fall Newsletter. Other ideas were a news release abut the video, a regular column on what works and best practices, and information on what Fellows are reading. Zach Hodges emphasized the importance of meeting the deadlines.
Report from the Chair
Zach Hodges recalled wondering as a Fellow how to get involved in COF. He cited the fundamental respect he had for those steering the Fellows Program. He commented that it has been a pleasure and privilege to work with the group and gave the committee credit for the good work it does. He thanked the group for allowing him to be chair this year. Marlene affirmed Zach’s comments and added her own appreciation for his leadership.
New Business: Don Schmeltekopf suggested we follow-up on the Atwell Lecture we heard this evening. Marlene said ACE may be planning to publish it, but someone could write a piece for the Newsletter on the major points.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Saundra J. Tracy
Secretary