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

MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 16, 2009 – CONRAD LIBRARY

Attendees: John “Ozzie Cheban, Kris Fletcher, Lynn (Farley) Makowski,
Connie (Nichols) Marro, Geri (Renai) Money, Gail Pollinger, Harry Rogerson,
Faith (Carter) Simpers, Tom Skelly, Jean (Phillips) Skelly,
Mary Ellen (Dailey) Vitsorek, Principal Mark Pruitt


The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Tom Skelly in Buck Simpers’ absence

October 19, 2009 Minutes were distributed.

Treasurer’s Report – Faith Simpers in Brenda Saulsbury’s absence
Receipts of $372; no Expenses. Current Balance as of November 16 is $4,187.80.
Ed Malin Scholarship Fund as of November 16 is $770. Jean Skelly made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report; Kris Fletcher seconded. Approved.

Committee Reports

Fundraising – Mary Ellen Vitsorek reported

• The committee met prior to this evening’s meeting
  
• Phase I bricks have been received by Conrad School of Sciences. Principal Pruitt reported District will pay for installation. Meeting needs to be held to discuss installation process.
  
• In addition to ongoing sales of license plates and Phase II of bricks, committee recommended other projects:
  o CHS car decals (similar to OBX, DB),
  o Conrad High School replica Christmas ornaments,
  o Charcoal Pit (Wilmington), Nickola Pizza and/or Grey Hare (down state) Dine-in nights and
  o Selling Nicobolis
  
• Decision was tabled until further research and report back at next meeting
  
• Some discussion also around the different types of fundraising; i.e., Target, General

Membership – Ozzie Cheban and Tom Skelly reported

• The committee met November 3 and will
  o contact individual reunion committees and offer help in finding classmate and help with their database
  o have one Committee member attend every reunion and, if possible, briefly speak about Alumni Association– Was received well at Class of 59; Class of 69 declined offer
  o develop registration form to take to each reunion to get information
  o maintain a database of information (Tom, Paul Stratton and Joan Enslen would have access)
  
• The committee recommended against collecting dues. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Kris Fletcher to take a vote on whether dues should be collected for the purpose of funding the Alumni Association’s expenses. The motion was seconded by Harry Rogerson. A show of hands indicated 7 no and 4 yes. Motion was carried not to collect dues at this time.
  
• Paul Stratton has decided to work on the Fundraising rather than Membership Committee but will continue as Class of ’66 contact

Events – No report

Liaison/Mentor – Kris Fletcher reported

• The Committee will set up a meeting with Mark Pruitt and Andy Vincent to find out specific school needs and desires that the Alumni Association can help support
  
• Collaborating with Delaware Mentoring Council

Communications – Harry Rogerson reported

• To date, 476 registered via website.
  
• Working on selection of logo for letterhead and stationery. Any decisions tabled until next meeting.

Connie Marro raised the question – Has anyone done a report/article about the Alumni Association for publication purposes? Harry and Tom will discuss at the next Communications Committee meeting and develop something.

Mary Ellen will also put something in the Community News publication for her development in Rehoboth.

Museum/Historical

There was discussion around having a room designated in the school rather than the area above the Library due to issues of access as well as security. Kris will take concerns back to Tim.

Unfinished Business

Principal Pruitt reported:

Beef and Beer
Illness caused quite a few “no shows,” but over $10,000 was made. Silent Auction donors will receive personalized thank you letters from the PTO.

Homecoming

• 150 attended the breakfast; school was open for tours; band was well received by neighbors during the parade
  
• Kris again suggested that next year the Alumni Association might want to take a larger role in helping out, particularly with publicity
  

New Business

Principal Pruitt reported Conrad School of Sciences is hosting the Regional Robotics League Tournament on December 12 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Tournament involves 39 middle schools coming from four states. Volunteer judges are needed for the event. There will be a one-hour meeting on November 30 from 7-8 p.m. as well. If any alumni are interested in being a judge, contact him.

Geri Money reported she, her husband and son planted trees on the school property in memory of her mother who passed away a year ago.

Tom Skelly asked for a minute of silence in memory of Susan’s husband, Robert Strawbridge, who suddenly passed away.

A motion was made by Kris Fletcher to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Harry Rogerson. Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

Next meeting - Monday December 21, 2009 – 6:00 pm in Conrad Library

Faith Carter Simpers – Class of ‘65
Pending Approval