CONRAD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 3398
NEWPORT, DE 19804

MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 18, 2010
BSA+A Office, 715 N. Orange Street, Wilmington, DE

Attendees: Buck Simpers, John “Ozzie Cheban, Connie (Nichols) Marro, Geri (Renai) Money,
Faith (Carter) Simpers, Tom Skelly, Jean (Phillips) Skelly, Susan Strawbridge
Mary Ellen (Dailey) Vitsorek,


The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by Buck Simpers

November 16, 2009 Minutes were distributed and approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Faith Simpers in Brenda Saulsbury’s absence

• Balance as of January 18 is $3,978.86.
• No additional donations to Ed Malin Scholarship Fund.

Committee Reports

Fundraising – Mary Ellen Vitsorek and Connie Marro reported

• We continue to receive Phase II brick orders.
• The Alumni Committee would like to have the Phase I bricks installation occur prior to the April 17, 2010 5K Run/Walk so that a formal ribbon cutting ceremony can be held in conjunction with the event. Buck will contact Principal Pruitt to see if this can happen.
  
• Connie Marro had samples of Conrad High School items; i.e., ornaments, key chains, letter openers, tote bags, baseball caps, etc. There was discussion around how to and where to sell the items – list on website, take to events, etc.
  
• Discussion around having social events for all alumni
  o Night or day of bowling at Pleasant Hills Bowling Lanes; Mary Ellen will contact Pleasant Hills to determine available dates
  o Beef and beer
  o All-class reunion, etc.

Membership – Ozzie Cheban and Tom Skelly reported

• Ozzie attended Class of 64 reunion at Timothy’s
  
• Ozzie expressed concern and frustration about getting alumni interested/invested in the Association and its activities
  
• Tom developed a registration form to take to each reunion and other functions to get information and will maintain a database of information
  
• Ozzie will recontact Joan Enslen to invite her to join this committee

Events – Susan Strawbridge

• One project being considered is having a dinner to honor former alumni and proceeds will go to Ed Malin Scholarship Fund. Could post on website to take votes for nominees.
  
• Committee will consult with school on its schedule of events and work on areas for us to take on a larger sponsorship/partnership; i.e., help with football game, beef and beer. We could promote the events and get more people involved, and the PTO could be in charge of Silent Auction.

Liaison/Mentor – No report

Communications – Tom Skelly reported

• To date, 507 registered via website and listing of registrants now appears on website

Museum/Historical – No report

Unfinished Business

Much discussion about how to obtain additional funds, mailing post cards to individual classes or email distributions asking for donations, selling items, etc., including the Committee revisiting the subject of dues. A motion was made and seconded to put on next month’s agenda for further discussion.

There was also a lot of discussion about coming up with ways to reach out to everyone. Thoughts and suggestions were brought up around the website, Facebook, Utube and print media. Also working collaboratively with Fundraising and Events to come up with a calendar of annual events – some would be fundraisers, some in conjunction with the school, some specifically for our membership. Fundraising and Events committees are going to meet to further explore these options.

Ozzie reported he and his grandsons attended the Regional Robotics League Tournament held at Conrad School of Sciences on December 12. The Tournament involved 39 middle schools coming from four states.

New Business

A motion was made by Ozzie Cheban to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Jean Skelly. Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Next meeting - Monday February 15, 2010 – 6:00 pm at BSA+A Office,
715 N. Orange Street, Wilmington

Faith Carter Simpers – Class of ‘65
Pending Approval