Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:20 a.m. by Vice President Pam Morris.

Minutes
The minutes from the June 9, 2007 were unanimously approved by a voice vote following a motion by Linda and seconded by Fred.

Alumni Council
Mike reported on the April 28, 2007 Alumni Council meeting. Charles Green began his term as president on January 1.  During the meeting, vice president Ben Hancock reported that Ball State is in the feasibility portion of a capital campaign that will be launched in 2008.

In BSUAA news, there were fifty Legacy Scholarships awarded at $2,000 each from 160 applicants. The "Born to be a Cardinal" program recently began welcoming newborns into the Ball State family. For a $15 fee, parents and grandparents of a child under twelve months of age will receive a $10 custodial account in the child's name at the Ball State Federal Credit Union, a BSU bib and a magnetic photo frame.  More information about the program can be found online at http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/article/0,1384,28196-4392-51668,00.html

The next Alumni Council meeting will be September 29, 2007.

Homecoming
The board congratulated Joyce on her GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award and her nomination for Faculty/Staff Homecoming Queen. Joyce will receive her GOLD Award at the Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday, October 12, 2007 at the Alumni Center.

Charmaine researched the cost of having a Black Alumni Society float in the Homecoming Parade. In order to rent the flat bed trailer, pay construction materials for her contact to make the float frame, pay the entry fee, have music, decorations and candy, Charmaine estimated the cost at $392-426.  A truck to pull the float would be needed, as would transportation of the float from Indianapolis to Muncie. After much discussion, the board expressed their appreciation for Charmaine's efforts and decided to pursue a float entry in the 2008 parade. The board suggested that a storage unit be secured in January so that the float can be worked on continuously throughout the year and after meetings. Charmaine will look into this. In the meantime, the society will pursue classic automobiles for a car/walking entry.  Charles will bring his '68 Deuce and he will check with two friends who also have classic cars and determine if they have an interest in showing off their vehicles in the parade. Fred will bring a GM vehicle that participants can ride in the back of if they choose to. Lynda Van Davis and James Payne have agreed to come back and participate in the parade. The board decided to invite all Award of Achievement participants back for the Homecoming festivities each year. The recipients will ride in a vehicle together with a sign indicating that they are award recipients. Charmaine will purchase candy for the parade which will be paid for by the Black Alumni Constituent Society Fund.

Per Charmaine, board members interested in participating in the parade should meet at the Northside Middle School parking lot (on Bethel Avenue, next to the Alumni Center) on Saturday, October 13 at 7:30 a.m. The group will ride to Central High School together.

Diversity at Ball State
Charles P. reported that he is now the Assistant Provost for Diversity and the Director of the Diversity Policy Institute. The position is being developed to expand his role.  Charles noted that Provost Terry King is in his second year and is greatly committed to diversity within the student body and in faculty/staff. Charles said that King gives departments back 25% of a faculty member's salary if the department hires an individual from an underrepresented population. He will do this until the person becomes tenured or leaves the university. In addition, King wants a minority intern program with university administrators. He said, "Diversity is not outreach it is inclusion."  Diversity consultant Dr. Joanne Moody will be conducting workshops on recruiting and retaining minorities for administrators, department chairs, etc.  Ben suggests that administrators go to model schools and see what these schools are doing, attend their meetings.   Charles is also working on a mentoring program for students to encourage them to go to graduate school.

The board recommended forming a committee to study diversity and to come up with an action plan.  The committee will include Charles, Allen, Ben and Linda (as time allows). It was recommended that Pam Morris, Ebonee Cooper and recent Award of Achievement recipients be considered for the committee as well.

Scholarship
Ben is still working on the formation of the scholarship with the development office. They will need a name for the scholarship and a scholarship number from the Foundation in order to proceed with a fundraising letter. Ben requests that the board contribute to this scholarship fund to assist with recruiting quality students. Ben will bring scholarship information, including an accounting of the money being set aside, to the next meeting.

Constitution
Ben suggested that the society's constitution be revisited and revised by the end of the year.

Committee
Ben would like a "sunshine committee" to send birthday cards, get well cards, etc. as needed. Charmaine will head this project up. The BACS fund will pay for the cards. There was discussion that the board should make greater effort to keep personal contact with award winners. This might be something that this courtesy committee can undertake.

Membership
Linda will be stepping down from the board in December 2007. Sue will contact others with expiring to determine their intentions. Ben will remain on the board to see through the formation of the scholarship. Nominations are being accepted for president and two vice president positions of the society.

Discussion ensued regarding potential new members. The board would like to include a variety of graduation decades and geographic areas.  Letters will be sent to two potential members to determine their interest.  Both members will start out with a one year term as they complete open terms. If the two members are interested, there will be an electronic vote to fill the vacancies effective January 2008.  Other potential members will be invited to visit meetings and to serve on committees for summer outings or help with Homecoming in order to become more acquainted with the board.

Reunion Recap
At Black Expo, President Gora asked attendees to change the Black Alumni Reunion from August to a date when students and faculty are on campus. Discussion included that previous date changes were not successful for alumni attendance and that the first weekend in August is now a successful tradition. Participants know it occurs biennially on this date. The board consensus was not to change the date.

A copy of the survey given to reunion attendees was distributed to the board. The survey had a response rate of 24% and included suggestions for off-reunion year activities.

There was much discussion about the length of the evening's program from alumni in the reunion survey and from board members. It was suggested that verbal introductions be shorter and the remainder could be printed. There was also discussion on eliminating the keynote speaker, having them talk at the Saturday luncheon and reducing the amount of time spent on additional programs/speeches not related to the awards.

Charmaine noted that the awards dinner script was very helpful. However, she would like to have the board go over the script in advance versus the day of the reunion. For this reason, she requested that the last reunion meeting be held a few weeks prior the reunion. Charmaine indicated that she would like to have a prayer before the meal again instead of the moment of silence.

Summer Outing 2008
Due to time constraints, the 2008 summer outing will be discussed at the next alumni society meeting. Foster requested that the board consider alternating cities versus having all events in Indianapolis.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held on December 8, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Alumni Center. The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.