The next Alumni Council meeting is scheduled for April 25-26, 2008.

President's Report
Pam stated that her first duty as president was setting up a meeting with President Gora to introduce herself, renew with her the vision and mission of the group and find out how the president sees the board interacting with Ball State. President Gora had also invited Ed Shipley and Vice President Ben Hancock to the luncheon. She asked Pam about her memories of campus and about Pam's experiences with Purdue. She also inquired about what Purdue was doing to diversify at all levels of the university community.  There was discussion about the history of the Black Alumni Constituent Society and about the reunion and its date. Pam shared the reasons that the date has been used over the years and why it is the best time for this event. (The board understands that students and faculty are scarce on campus during the time of the reunion, but believes it is the best time for alumni to come back). Pam noted that the board was looking for additional times to interact with students and the university and not necessarily during the alumni reunion.  President Gora is normally on vacation during this time of the year but said that she will try to attend a reunion in the future.

The meeting included discussion on the Multicultural Center. The OMA House will remain where it is but is in need of renovating.  Pam reported that there are not state funds for the renovation because it is not an academic building and serves only one part of the student population. Mike was curious to find out how Indiana State funded their Multicultural Center. Pam said she will investigate how Purdue's Black Cultural Center was funded.

Pam concluded her report by saying that the meeting with President Gora went very well and she is looking forward to a productive partnership with the university.

Appointment
Pam appointed Foster to be parliamentarian.

Constitution Committee
Pam stated that the Constitution's bylaws need some revisions and clarification. Topics the society would like to address are vice presidential succession, the clarification of what makes a quorum and who is a voting member. The Constitution Committee is Fred, Carl, Foster and Mike. They will address these issues and bring an updated copy of the Constitution to the August meeting. The society will vote on the recommended changes at the winter meeting.

Reunion 2009  (July 31-August 2)
Committees were selected for the 2009 reunion:
Co-Chairs: Joyce and Keith (as vice presidents)
Awards:  Phil, Teresa, Mike, Joyce and Sue. Phil suggested that the board work on marketing the awards to increase the candidate pool for the committee. Sue suggested that Phil write a blurb that she can e-mail out to black alumni. Joyce would like to have an awards brochure for the July event. Sue will look into this when she gets the text from Phil.
Entertainment: Fred
Publicity: Fred, Charmaine, Phil and Sue
Hospitality: Foster and Allen
Menus: Connie, Jenell, Pam, Charmaine and Teresa. As part of the planning they will arrange a "tasting event" for the board.
Decorations: Charmaine and Pam. It was requested that the decorations committee keep things simple.
Photography: Mike White and Ball State will be asked to photograph the reunion.
Vendors: Charmaine and all. Vendors will be asked to pay for their lunches, but not their table space.
Saturday Dinner Program: Fred, Pam and Nancy. It was requested that the script be written again for the speakers because it was very helpful in 2007. There was discussion on time limits for speakers and on cues to wrap up speaking. Keith suggested that people doing the introductions should highlight the award winners' accomplishments and include the full biographies in the program. Sue suggested that someone create a PowerPoint presentation with photographs and biographies that can air during dinner. Fred suggested that the awards committee set an early response deadline for award nominees so that the PowerPoint can be created in advance of the dinner.

Reunion Discussion
Joyce asked if the board would consider a family activity for the reunion. She noted that including families makes a difference to younger alumni and can impact their attendance. Fred said that a family picnic could be tried again during the Saturday lunch. It was noted that few alumni brought children or responded in the 2005 survey that they were interested in doing so. Pam, Keith and Joyce will discuss the family aspect at their retreat and Joyce will think about potential activities for kids.  Ideas regarding this portion of the reunion will be brought to the next meeting.

A discussion followed about including vendors in 2009 and/or having a silent auction. Keith asked the board to think about one item they could contribute to a silent auction. Sue asked the board to consider a table fee if vendors are used again. Carl agreed and said that the cost of the vendor should at least be recovered. Mike suggested that the cost be the same as the lunch whether the vendors eat or not.  The board decided to eliminate tablecloths (and associated costs) for vendors and include tickets for lunch. Phil noted that outside vendors may be disappointed in their sales unless they have an idea of what the numbers are like at the reunion. It was reported that vendors should be aware of this via the initial letter they receive from Charmaine. Joyce suggested that maybe the vendors should be alumni participants of the reunion. Charmaine will chair this aspect of the reunion, and alumni vendors will be included in 2009.

The board was asked to think about reunion themes for the next meeting. In the meantime, theme ideas can be emailed to Keith. It was decided that the theme could be unknown at the July event. A "SAVE THE DATE" postcard would be effective.

Summer Outing 2008
The board would like to have a fun summer outing that engages alumni and raises awareness for the Black Alumni Society Scholarship.  Mike, Carl, Fred and Foster will look into venues for 2008.  Potential venues include the Indy Arts Garden, Jillian's (casino activity or bowling), or Broadmoor for either a lunch and golf event or a lunch event with optional golf.

Homecoming 2008 - "Red, White + U"
Charmaine will chair the society's Homecoming participation and Carl volunteered to assist. It was decided that cars will be used again in the parade (Carl, Fred, Duke and Charles). Charmaine will register the society for the parade. If the board is interested, Laura can take Homecoming t-shirt orders at the August meeting.

Potential Initiatives
In Ebonee's absence, Sue presented three ideas that Ebonee had emailed to Sue and Pam.  Ebonee suggested that young alumni be surveyed regarding their interest in current and potential activities, that there be a promotion at the Senior Congrats Party (i.e., a table/booth) and attendance at the OMA end of the semester barbeque.  The survey has been done in the past and may be revisited in the future. There was much discussion on how to participate in the Senior Congrats Party. Laura suggested that the best opportunity might involve sponsoring prizes from the bookstore (i.e., alumni merchandise). Currently, StART members solicit donations from area businesses and local organizations. These groups are advertised on the Senior Congrats Party website and at the event. In addition, the donor's name is affixed to the prize that is given away by the DJ.  The board will consider this in the future. In regards to the end of the year barbeque, Joyce will contact Derick Virgil and Charles Haynes about upcoming OMA opportunities, including the barbeque.

Carl suggested that the board needs a planning calendar that includes a timeline for reunion planning, Ball State events, student events and alumni events. Pam, Joyce and Keith will create this calendar at their reunion planning retreat.

Upcoming events:
United Way Breakfast: Saturday, July 19, 2008
Homecoming Weekend: September 26-27, 2008

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Alumni Center.  The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. for lunch.