CONRAD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 3398
Newport, DE 19804

MEETING MINUTES - August 17, 2009 – Conrad Library – 6:00 P.M.

Attendees: Mary Castelli, John “Ozzie” Cheban, Kris Fletcher, Jim Hudson,
Susan (Nicholson) Laushey, Tim Laushey, Lynn (Farley) Makowski,
Harry Rogerson, Buck Simpers, Faith (Carter) Simpers,
Tom Skelly, Joan Stratton, Paul Stratton, Susan (Grimes) Strawbridge,
Principal Mark Pruitt, Kim Greer, PTO

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Buck Simpers.

A motion was made by Mary Castelli and seconded by Harry Rogerson to accept the
July 20 meeting minutes. Approved.

Treasurer’s Report - In Brenda Saulsbury’s absence, Faith Simpers reported one deposit of $156 for two bricks; the current balance is $2,913.66. A motion was made by Kris Fletcher and seconded by Harry Rogerson to accept the report. Approved.

Unfinished Business

Strategic Planning - Buck, Susan, Faith and Kris again presented results of the two Strategic Planning meetings:

• Buck reviewed the process and Association structure
  
• Susan reviewed results from planning
  o Review of last year – highs and lows
  o What questions we met to answer
  o Mission and Vision statements
  o Main Issues that face Association
  o SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) exercise – done to help understand how we relate to external environment and see if we’re aligned with it
  o Stakeholders
  o The future
• Faith reviewed basic recommended committees and guidelines needed to function successfully
  
• Susan presented goals and objectives
  
• Kris gave an overview and brief description of Constitution/Bylaws. Copies were distributed to attendees to take home, review and bring any questions and/or concerns to the next meeting for discussion
  
• Buck presented next steps
  o Get feedback
  o Amend/approve Constitution/Bylaws
  o Gather/appoint Committee Chairs
  o Plug into Conrad School of Sciences calendar
  o Develop Alumni calendar for the year

Questions were addressed and feedback was accepted and discussed. Copies of the Constitution/Bylaws were distributed for review and will be voted on at the September 21 meeting for approval. If the Constitution/Bylaws are amended substantially, a separate Bylaws Committee will be established.

Until a formal approval of the Constitution/Bylaws, Ozzie Cheban made a motion and Harry Rogerson seconded that we temporarily accept the list of committees so that we can get focused on activities. Approved.

The following members volunteered to be Committee Chairs:

• Fundrasing
  
• Membership – Ozzie Cheban & Paul Stratton
  
• Events – Susan Strawbridge & Jim Hudson
  
• Liaison/Mentor –
  
• Communications – Harry Rogerson & Tom Skelly
  
• Museum/Historical – Tim & Susan Laushey

Brick Pavers – Tim Laushey
Tim presented information from a new consultant/supplier, Fund Raisers, LTD, on engraved bricks. Discussion evolved around positives for changing from our original supplier, Delaware Brick (i.e., less expensive, free shipping).

Ozzie Cheban made a motion and Susan Strawbridge seconded that we retain Fund Raisers, LTD as our brick paver consultant/supplier. Approved

• We currently have orders for 35 bricks; Fund Raisers, LTD, requires a minimum order of 50.
  
• We need to aggressively solicit at least 15 more orders.
  
• Buck encouraged all attendees who have not yet purchased a brick to commit to ordering one.
  
• Possibly have the installation of the bricks done in time for the Homecoming events on October 24.

Alumni Website - Harry Rogerson

• As of August 16, 2009, we have 390 Registered alumni
  
• Class of 1959 will be holding their 50th Reunion the weekend of Homecoming. Over 100 alumni will be attending the reunion which could boost attendance at some of the events; however, their dinner/dance is the same night as the Beef & Beer.
  
• Harry’s been getting requests about Conrad Alumni T-shirt purchases. These are sold by Conrad Alumni Band and Harry’s been forwarding the requests to them.

Conrad School of Sciences PTO Athletic Boosters – Jim Hudson and Kim Greer
Upgrades to the concession stand on the football field are half done; waiting on material for the awnings.

• All materials were donated.
  
• Volunteers were Jim Hudson (Class of 1961), Jim’s son, Jay Hudson, Elmer Greer, Rick Mekanik, Tom Bey, and Paul Stratton (Class of 1966).
  
• On behalf of the PTO, Kim Greer gave special thanks to Jim for his unending help and devotion to the Athletic Boosters on any/all projects he has spearheaded. She also thanked his team of volunteers for their work on the concession stand.
  

New Business

Kim Greer reported the PTO has started preparations for the Homecoming events. Parents are accumulating items for the Silent Auction. PTO would like the Alumni Association to help with ticket sales and setting up for the Beef and Beer. Kim will furnish us with a calendar of events. The next PTO General Meeting is Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the school Library.

Susan Strawbridge reported Ed Malin, former Vice Principal and Biology and Chemistry teacher passed away. Events Committee would like to get started on having some type of event in his honor – possibly during Homecoming weekend.

Kris Fletcher made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Harry Rogerson seconded. Approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Next Meeting: Monday, September 21, 2009 – 6:00 pm in Conrad Library

Faith Carter Simpers - Class of ‘65
Pending Approval