Alumni Council
Jenell reported that a budget was passed at the June 14 Alumni Council meeting and that the appointment of President Jo Ann Gora was announced. It was brought to the attention of the board that there may be some openings on Alumni Council for at-large representatives and a discussion followed about how to get more black alumni representation on the Council.

Reunion– "Embracing the Past – Steppin' Into the Future"
Committees. In Pam's absence, Fred announced committee assignments and additional volunteers were added.
Reunion Co-chairs: Pam Morris, Fred Cox and Keith Robinson
      Awards: Phil Anderson, Mike Chisley, Joyce Jamerson, Sue Taylor
      Decorations: Joyce Jamerson, Jenell Joiner, Nancy Pinkston-Price and Connie Winfrey
      Entertainment: Phil Anderson and Fred Cox
      Hospitality: Al Williams and Foster Stephens
      Menu: Fred Cox, Pam Morris, Nancy Pinkston-Price and Sue Taylor
      Programs: Reunion Co-chairs
      Publicity: Fred Cox, Anthony Head, Charmaine Powell, Keith Robinson and Sue Taylor

After much discussion, the board voted unanimously to accept "Embracing the Past – Steppin' Into the Future" as the theme for the 2005 reunion.

Tentative Reunion Schedule (time and program subject to change)
Friday, August 5
      3:00 – 5:00 Fair with possible vendors and Bus Tours         
      5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Reception with possible buffet dinner
      9:00 p.m. Hospitality Suite

Citing a decrease in attendance, Fred suggested the removal of the Friday lunch and Greek Reunions. In addition, he reported that both the attendee and non-attendee surveys (2003) indicated that daytime during the week was a bad time for many and that independents felt left out during the Greek Reunions. Keith suggested the board compromise the time but not the concept. Mike asked if someone was not Greek then what would their hook be to that event? Ben suggested maybe having one area for 80s grads, one for 90s, one for 00s, etc. Connie said there does not need to be a lot of emphasis on segmenting the groups because the number one hook is that they were all African Americans at BSU. Jenell suggested a word of mouth reception within a reception. The Greeks would still be able to get together and independents would not feel excluded. Keith requested the board move the start time to 3:00 to include Greek reunions, have music, maybe involve vendors and call it a Fair.  After much conversation, it was decided that Friday would include a 3:00 – 5:00 Fair and that Keith would look into vendors.  The board suggested moving the bus tours to Friday during this time for the ease of obtaining transportation and for the amount of interest the activity generates.

Al suggested that the reception publicity emphasize the meet and greet aspect. He would like a strong effort by the board to meet as many attendees as possible. This would set the tone for the whole reunion. Connie added that everyone should act as host and hostesses and requested individuals be assigned to greet attendees at the door for each event. Al asked if the board could be introduced at the reception. Mike suggested warm-up activities prior to each event. For example, an individual could give each person they meet a sticker and at the end of the event see who has the most stickers. Keith suggested buttons or stickers be at the front door with the names of Greek organizations, dorms, etc. on them in order to start conversation. Another idea was to ask attendees to write something on a sticker that they wanted everyone to know about them from their time at BSU.  Ben appointed Al, Mike, Connie, Joyce and Keith to look into activities the board can use as hooks and bring something to the next meeting.

Music for Friday night will probably be in the form of a jazz CD.

Saturday, August 6
       6:30 a.m. Golf (optional)
      10:00 – noon Round table discussion
      12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Outdoor BBQ picnic (guaranteed hot from 12:15 – 1:15)
      3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Wine tasting
      4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Free time
      6:00 p.m. Reception
      6:30 p.m. Group photo
      7:00 Program begins
      7:15 p.m. Dinner is served
      8:15 p.m. Award presentation, keynote speaker
      9:00 – midnight Steppin' and visiting – Fred is checking into DJ Thomas Griffin
      Midnight Hospitality Suite

The board suggested that the round table discussion could have a BSU focus. Ben recommended a panel to discuss experiences and visions.  Fred noted that Charles might be a great panelist. He could share what has changed about BSU and what is good about it right now. Keith stated that the "Most Influential" list (Whos Who in Black Indianapolis) Fred provided for award consideration might be a great resource for the panel. Connie recently heard a discussion between panelists of various age groups on Bill Cosby's comments. The discussion had an interactive audience. Ben agreed that something like that would be interesting with a Q&A format. Connie also suggested that the board consider a topic to inspire the attendees. Ben, Pam, Keith and Fred will work on the panel.

After some discussion on food service and quality, Sue suggested that she contact the head of catering and extend a meeting invitation in order to discuss any questions or concerns.

Joyce recommended that steppin' lessons be made available outdoors during the lunch. She also suggested that the board learn prior to the reunion as part of the meet and greet – board members could give quick lessons to attendees. Fred said the lessons could be another hook for the reunion and liked the idea of the board doing steppin demonstrations at various events.  Keith suggested providing a compilation CD as a memento. Joyce and Mike recommended a couples steppin DVD. Connie noted that the music from the evening would be a nice souvenir. Ben agreed and suggested that the board work something out with a distributor.  Copyright infringement was brought up as a concern. Fred said he would check with Thomas Griffin on the availability of a "lesson package" (i.e.,lessons and music).

Steppin' Ball will have a black and white clothing theme. Joyce suggested hanging recordable CDs from the ceiling as decorations.

The Hospitality Suite set-up was discussed. Al suggested that one of the rooms could be old school and one for new or maybe one for cards and one for hanging out.  Keith requested one large room. He thought the board could look into the Regency because it is walking distance from the hotels. Charles will talk to CJ about using his banquet facility (costs, availability) and report to the board at the next meeting.     

Sunday, August 7
Farewell brunch

Miscellaneous Reunion
T-shirts. Ben is looking into another area vendor to supply the reunion t-shirts.  Keith will contact a class at his school to create some artwork for the reunion shirts in addition to the work Foster is doing. Sue said the price and quality are factors to consider.

Communication. Ben asked the board to start contacting friends from each era – especially the 80s and 90s. Al suggested a phonation. He asked that the board consider calling individuals who have not attended or who they do not know yet. Mike recommended brochures that say "Looking for the class of the 80s, 90s", etc. Connie added that a "Looking for you at the reunion" postcard could be mailed.

Campus Involvement
There was much discussion on the number of African American employees at the university. Ben said that he believed the board should be focusing on employment issues, recruitment and hiring. He noted that he was willing to write a letter stating his, or, if agreeable, the board's concerns to Ed Shipley, President Gora and others. Mike suggested that it may be best to start out by contacting individuals in Human Resources, etc. who have access to the information and let them address the board's concerns as some HR issues might be confidential. Charles said that it is necessary to be on staff to get on committees and then to get concerns on the agenda. He suggested that there are simply not enough African Americans in committees.

Al asked the board if they were interested in being a primarily social organization or participatory in the process of the university. He said that the board needed to be consistent to continue to expand, build credibility and let people know they are upset and watching. He pointed out that the board has been primarily social and that to proceed on this HR issue will take regular commitment.

Agenda
The agenda items involving the constitutional revisions and Ben's expiring term on Alumni Council were tabled by the president.

Upcoming Events

• BSUAA Awards Dinner will be held on Friday, October 8. For more information, please visit http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/event/0,1366,37674-4765-5092,00.html John Hall will be recognized
• Homecoming will be Saturday, October 8. For more information, please visit http://www.bsu.edu/web/alumni/homecoming/ For more information on the Black Alumni Society Reunion during the Homecoming pre-game, please visit http://www.bsu.edu/web/alumni/homecoming/blackalumnigathering.html

Next Meeting Date
The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. (Muncie time) in the Alumni Center.