Franklin Pierce University
Alumni Association Board of Directors
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Meeting Minutes
In Attendance:
Board Members
Babitts, Scott
Falconi, Richard E.
Fink, Arthur W.
Fink, Marcy
Grill, Adam N.
Groder, David B.
Kennedy, Valerie L.
Miciotta, Dominick T.
Provost, Kyle R.
Riley, Kimberley
Riley, Robert F.
Sanderson, Pamela A.
Schank, Raymond G.
Alumni
Borino, John
Crockett, Bruce S.
Ellis, Henry G.
Farrell, Carleen
Perry, Jane C.
Shirvell, Kevin J.
Stein, Sharon L.
Waldron, Angela
Washington, John F.
Williamson, Roberta
Guests
Babitts, Katie
Toomes-Stickle, Kathy
Staff
English-Whitman, Shirley A.
Meeting called to order at 9:37am
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Welcome and greetings by Adam Grill ’89 – Board President
Last board meeting minutes, due to a technical error are not available for this meeting.
Motion on the floor to postpone approval of the minutes from the March 2011 meeting:
Seconded, motion amended to have the minutes sent electronically and to be postponed to
January 21st meeting at Manchester campus. Motion approved.
At January meeting there will be committee, then board meeting.
Brought up that the agenda, given yesterday had a date error.
The question was brought to the floor of what time the next meeting will start: TBA maybe
around 9 am
President’s update – Adam Grill ‘89
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Floor is open to questions about recent changes at the University including staff reductions
If not comfortable asking questions in this forum, please contact Shirley Whitman or Ahmad
Boura offline.
Reminder that Shirley is still liaison for alumni
There will be more involvement in planning and execution of chapter events by chapter leaders.
In consultation with the VP for External Relations and the University, Chapter leaders will take
the lead on contacting the venue, selecting menu (as required), logistics and outreach. The
University will provide support for this by marketing the events and providing budgetary advice.
Asked chapter leaders present to weigh in on the change. Kevin Shirvell (NY) mentioned that he
is having difficulties with the restaurant he is working with but he feels there is no extra step
really and that it is fluid. From chapter leader point of view the transition is smooth about
setting up events. It seems very streamlined and non stressful. It is almost better for the point
person to be the liaison for the venue.
Question asked if leaders will be told the budget they have to work with: Answer yes.
Would like to give Alumni calendar of events: such as college fairs, and ask alumni if they can, to
represent the school.
Clarification from board members that the extra step needed for venues is a smooth process. “It
What is the short term or long term plan to get staff back? Answer: Adams focus has not been
on that but on the managing the changes.
There is a question if work studies will replace full time staff? Answer: There are plans in place
to utilize more work study students.
It should be recognized that the state of the economy has contributed to the decision to make
budget reductions.
Reminder that job of the alumni board and volunteers is outreach and support of the University
in good times and bad.
Question asked of what the alumni can do to create a big impact in short amount of time. Idea
brought up about an Alumni consultant group that can partner expertise of people who are in
those fields and put them in touch with students, faculty, and the school. It would be a project
to get it launched but would be easy enough to do.
“The house is NOT on fire.” The school is having trouble but it is not crashing. The alumni
association job is outreach and to get more people (and resources) to come to Franklin Pierce.
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Try to get fellow alumni to go to alumni weekend or if there are any families that will be going to
school try to get them to come to FP.
An idea is brought up to donate a dollar for every year since you’ve graduated from Franklin
Pierce University.
Any idea is welcome no matter if you think it is silly or not.
Academic Relations update - Marcy Fink ‘73:
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First career symposium went well. Students seemed engaged and grateful for the opportunity.
Panelists enjoyed the interaction as well.
Shirley was asked if she can get feedback from students about the career symposium.
For the career symposium the video should be brought to career services or televised to the
students who did not go to it. Also recommended to bring the video on the alumni page as well.
Focus for the next year is on planning and promoting a career symposium.
Response to the proposal to utilize LinkedIn (social media) as a gateway to alumni-student
mentoring s a good idea but phone calls and face to face meetings work as well.
Affinity program revenue is what makes the Alumni Association able to give scholarships. Past
year $35,000 was returned to the scholarship fund by affinity partner programs.
Question was asked if anyone knew what programs were available (info is available on the web
about):
 Liberty Mutual – home, auto and renters insurance – discount for FP alumni
 Class ring sales - Jostens
 Bank of America - MasterCard
 Diploma Frame sales
 Meyer and Assoc – health, life, pet, travel and other insurance products
There has been talk that companies want to get out of affinity partner programs but Alumni
Relations has been receiving calls from companies to join FP in their programs.
It was brought up that a list of Affinity programs needs to be made public.
Alumni can save a lot of money through affinity programs.
All the affinity programs except for possibly the ring company do mailings twice a year. If you’re
already a customer you might not be getting the mailings.
The framing company for diplomas targets graduating seniors and graduate students, not
alumni.
Question was brought up that if the school is getting anything from Nike for having their logo on
out T-Shirts. Need to get in touch with Nike
On the website affinity programs are under “special offers” which leads the idea of buying
something. Should be called “Alumni Benefits”.
An idea was brought up that we should possibly Bank some of the money from Affinity to make
a small endowment. There has to be a check of the rules to see if that is possible. And if there
was a change it would have to be brought to the board of trustees. The only authorized
spending for that fund is for scholarship.
Box tops for education idea was brought up. Collecting them on campus might bring in revenue
if they can be used for colleges.
External Relations - Kevin Shirvell ’01 on behalf of Tara Shollenberger ‘04:
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10 different ravens remember events will be held October 26-Nov 12th They are on the website
and can be RSVP’d.
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New York and NJ chapter will be merging after the Raven Remember events.
The merge is in hopes that it will reinvigorate the event attendance for that region.
Next alumni board meeting volunteer and community service events will be discussed.
Suggestion was brought up that Yankee game was a huge success and why we haven’t tried that
again.
There is an idea of having a Ravens Remember on Long Island at a minor league ball game.
The group ticket purchasing process of Yankee tickets is wonky and unpredictable.
Someone also brought up that many alumni only get calls about donating money but not about
social events. This is due to the amount of volunteers in different chapters. Shirley has started
having her student assistant make phone calls. Still need alumni volunteers to help.
Membership and Bylaws - Rick Falconi ‘69
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Everyone should have received an email from him around August about the make up of the
board and the 7 terms that will be expiring next year and need to be replaced. 4 positions can
run for a second term, meaning there will be at least 3 positions open.
Executive team is turning over 4 positions. Nominees must come from sitting board members.
Says it’s such a pleasure to come to the meetings.
Hopes that people run for their positions again.
Board president, Adam Grill ’89, reiterates Rick’s call to get more alumni in the body and people to
take positions. If there is anyone who wants to be an active member of the board please give their
names to Rick or Adam. And if anyone wants to be on the exec board they are to give their name to
Adam or Rick by January.
Also thanked Kyle Provost and Shirley for their work on making alumni weekend great.
Alumni Weekend - Kyle Provost ‘05
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Great weekend! Very happy and thanks to the committee and Shirley who worked hard.
Friday night had great events here and off campus.
Wish the weather could be controlled.
Events went off without issues.
Loves that different committees are sponsoring different events.
This year dinner and program were combined with dessert at the end and it went off well.
Need to make sure for next year we have the hay rides, whiffle ball game, and softball game
which could not be done due to weather.
Collaborated well with family day, this showed the most during the ground breaking ceremony
for the new Health Science and Athletic Training Facility. The parents were walking by and it was
a moment of past, present and future all in one place.
Took suggestions and questions.
Suggestion was brought up that we should get students to come out more and sell their pottery
and glass blowing and such.
Suggestion brought up that student art sales should be near food to bring more people in.
Brought up that for next year the art departments should make a commemorative 50th year
anniversary items that could go up for auction and bring in more money.
There were complaints of the price of the carnival lunch and the lack of kosher or vegetarian
options.
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It was seen as a good idea to have family day on the same weekend because it showed parents
that there was life after college.
It was brought up that the dinner clean up during the award program was very disruptive. It was
explained to the body by Marzell who also works in the cafeteria that there was mostly new
people working catering and that there was a new supervisor and manager for the event.
Shirley brought up that she saw the greatest interaction of all attendees at the live critter show.
Suggestion brought up to also keep the photo booth till the end of the dinner.
Also brought up that classes should not have their own private events.
A question was brought up on whether or not there will be surveys of the event which will be sent.
Yes.
Also asked how students were selected to attend the dinner. The entire senior class was invited only
about 12 students attended. There is thought that it will be better attended next year.
Alumni Relations - Shirley-English Whitman
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Thanks to everyone for support during these rough months.
Is balancing the alumni relations and alumni board.
Asks for patience, humor and support through her role with alumni.
You all have helped her learn her role and she values all support and friendship she has received
from the body.
Adam Grill opens floor to old business
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Is there a CGPS newsletter? There is currently no newsletter due to lack of volunteers but if
anyone wants to volunteer speak with Shirley. Brought up that a CGPS person is needed for the
board.
New business
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Is there anyway the committee can be leveraged for an admission focus to help with finances
at the school? Adam bridged that idea with Melissa Conway from admissions. He believes we all
have something we can give to get new students. Dominick is volunteering to help since he has a
background in marketing.
Is there a network of guidance counselors in schools? Shirley answered: There is a program in
place where guidance counselors come to campus twice a year, and we visit guidance
counselors. There are 6 counselors on the road who make connections with schools to try to
advertise ourselves. Currently were looking for a new vice president of admissions and
marketing and alumni helping will be a priority with admissions.
We should plan on a January update and a committee to work on admissions alumni relations.
We should give FP alumni teachers, and counselors’ information about when the school will
be visiting them. It seems that they never receive heads up or info.
Suggestion that we should have a mentoring program in high schools.
Was brought up that the Alumni weekend registration process was streamlined and nice.
Want board positions to be on name badges next year.
Motion to adjourn
Rick Falconi seconded by Dave Groder
Adjourned 11:19 am