Alumni Council Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, October 7, 2006

Welcome—Hope Palmer Bramhall ’56
Hope welcomed the members. She then asked for approval of the minutes for June 10, 2006, which were unanimously approved.

Committee Reports/Updates

Admissions and Financial Aid Committee
Janice Wood Parsons '65 discussed a late November legacy event for Maine students to be held at Falmouth High School, called "Demystifying the College Admission Process." The committee discussed ALANA initiatives for January and retention efforts for the spring. Guest speaker Lucia Whittlesley reported that financial aid decision improves the Class of 2010 statistics, from academics to ethnic and geographic diversity.

Alumni Fund Committee
Jessica D'Ercole Stanton '92 recapped the fiscal 2006 year, in which more than $4 million was raised for the first time—up 8 percent. However, for the first time in eight years, we did not reach 50 percent participation. Also discussed was the Alumni Fund challenge. This has been marketed as a one-to-one match for all new money, up to a $250,000 from an anonymous donor. For fisal year 2007 we have goals of $4.25 million and 53 percent participation. We plan to continue focusing on participation.

Athletics Committee
Christopher Vickers '87 focused on the following initiatives:

1. Mentoring: alumni are to work with coaches and teams both to understand how to take the best advantage of their Colby experience and to help with career focus.
2. Faculty liaisons: 29 of the 32 teams now have them. Alec Campbell (basketball) and Jill Gordon (football) spoke to the committee about their experiences as liaisons.
3. Partnering with development: Debbie Dutton, associate vice president of college relations, spoke about the opportunity to tap into the passion donors have for athletics in order to meet College goals and support the teams.
4. C Club: personal membership group to support student athletes and Colby athletics.

Awards Committee
Chris Sullivan '97 reported that his committee had made their selections but would not be making the announcements public until the January meeting.

Career Services Committee
David Fernandez '89 (vice chair) reported that they would be sponsoring three career-related panels this year:

• A financial panel will be held November 12, 2006.
• Deb Wathen Finn '74 will convene a management consulting panel.
• Franc-Eric Wiedmer '90 will convene a science panel. There will also be a Career Experience JanPlan, which will include resume writing, job shadowing in Boston, housing, and company visits.

Nominating Committee
Peter Merrill '57 reported that this committee will be looking to fill three class representative positions: '89, '00, and '04. In addition, there are three alumni trustee positions that are up for renewal. One of these is not available for renewal, and another must be a young alumni trustee. The young alumni trustee position must be filled by someone who graduated within the last seven years. They will be narrowing the list of 40 nominees down to seven, whom they will interview in person. 

Other Business
Hope reminded the vice presidents/class representatives to send their council letters.

The Alumni Council Executive Committee retreat will be held November 3-4, 2006. This is an excellent opportunity for the chairs to meet and strengthen the committees while looking at Colby's goals, particularly in regard to transitions in and out or Colby.