STCC Alumni Board Meeting Minutes

January 16, 2008

Opening Comments

Ric Serrenho, President of the Alumni Association opened the meeting at 4:30 PM. He introduced Kate Tyler as the New Director of Alumni Relations and spoke about being excited to finally be able to kick off new Alumni programs. Mr. Serrenho showed "Not just Business as Usual video." (40- Alumni profiled, was used previously as part of a "Friend-raiser.")

Mr. Serrenho described his background, stated that he feels as though STCC has not up until this point made a good enough effort towards reaching out to alumni, and spoke about the importance of having an Alumni Board and the importance of fundraising and friend raising.
Asked that everyone please review the board list and correct any changes that you may want made with regard to your personal information and asked that if you know anybody whom would like to be a part of the board, please let us know. We need more members on the board and in the Alumni Association.

PowerPoint presentation/handout - Mr. Serrenho went through a PowerPoint presentation about the Alumni Board. It was about BEING AMBASSADORS and making a commitment to the success of the Alumni Board and its programs by supporting its missions and the missions of STCC. He asked that the board members attempt to attend 3 out of 4 quarterly meetings and try to create excitement with regard to Alumni Relations. He said there are a lot of ideas however input and feedback are needed.

Office of Alumni Relations

Kate Tyler introduced herself as the new Director of Alumni Relations and explained why she chose, together with Ric Serrenho to put together an alumni board. She spoke about the common goals of the school and the board members (alumni) and how it will better the college and Alumni Support Services. She asked that everyone "please throw their hat into the ring."

Programs

Annual mailing card was an attempt to touch people and say, "Look, here are our students."
Phonathon has a different structure this year, there will paid student callers, prizes, food, fun and much more in an attempt to raise BIG money this year!
Alumni Website as a link from the STCC home page would allow us to put out a quarterly newsletter with a link from the Alumni web page. There could possibly be a committee to help organize this. In addition, she would like to see a link from the Alumni site for people to be able to donate via internet.
Increasing the Alumni database is important, so if anybody knows any Alumni that are not currently in our database or anybody that has changed their personal info, such as address, telephone number, email address, etc, please let us know so we can have a more current/up to date database with accurate info for constituents. WE HAVE TO BUILD UP OUR BASE OF PEOPLE!
Nursing Mentor Program was a success so far and the concept/idea can be replicated throughout campus for virtually all the majors.
MISSION STATEMENT

What are the benefits of being part of the alumni association? An answer to this should be decided on before attempting to recruit for the alumni association. It would be a way for them to have a voice and give and receive feedback.
We need to come up with 10 things we as a board want to accomplish. Ideally, we would pick maybe top 2 or 3 and DO IT! A decision was made with regard to action that should be taken before the next meeting.
Difference between the Alumni Board and the Alumni Association should be clearly defined and put on paper. We should organize the development of the board and its responsibilities and suggested having an expert come in and talk about the functions of a board and how to develop a productive and successful board.
Engage the alumni and give them a reason to come back to the school.

President Ira Rubenzahl of STCC talked about the challenges that the college faces. (Quote: President Rubenzahl) "We don't make anything tangible here." The students combined with the education makes so much more than something "tangible". STCC makes people, STCC makes lives. President Rubenzahl closed with the thought that we can do more and he appreciates the willingness to help.

We need to talk to our legislature and political figures and tell them of the importance of supporting education.

He told a story about how there was a problem with a program here at the college. A school of health student was having a difficult time and confided in a co-worker. That co-worker was involved in the college as an alumni member and brought the problem to the attention of President Rubenzahl. He and the College then took action to correct the problem. The point being that it is incredibly important for alumni to stay involved with the school.

Pending move to Building 10. It would house the Foundation and Development Offices as well as be an Alumni Center.

Janet Wanczyk VP of Development and CFO spoke about the importance of school, her background at STCC and her ability to relate to the College, the students and the challenges faced by the students, faculty, and staff, the "seeming inferiority" of night students (Dean Bellucci agreed), how STCC has the only business incubator and entrepreneurial institute. She hit on a good point and what seemed to be a common theme, "THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MISSION" and felt that getting to know the students was an important part of the process. "It's not just about supporting the students here; it's about getting the students here." (Quote: Janet Wanczyk) She also made it a point to express her appreciation to all of the board members for their attendance.

Debbie Bellucci, Dean of Continuing Ed, STCC spoke about the importance of continuing education, her background, and family attending STCC. She is happy to sit on the new board because she was on the old one.

Question:

There should be clarification on the difference between the Alumni Board and the Alumni Association.

There should be approximately 20 alums sitting on the board.
Alumni Association is about 29,000 people (alumni).

Bill Kwolek, Executive Director of the STCC Foundation, introduced himself and mentioned how he is not actually on the board, but was there to say hi to everyone and support the board's mission. He talked about how Ric Serrenho is a wonderful asset to have as President of the Alumni Association and Board and on the Foundation board. He talked about how having fun is also important.

Don Coughlin, board member and STCC alum, described his personal history both work and school and spoke of his family members that have attended STCC. He reminded us of some of the excellent services offered here at STCC, for example, the fact that all (most) credits from other colleges will transfer here.)

Dorothy Crenshaw, board member and STCC alum described her background and hardships including family attending STCC. She stated that STCC has, in some way, touched the lives of everyone in the room. She was an ex-offender and STCC opened doors for her after being turned down by other colleges. She works with Friends of the Homeless.

Laurie Littlefield, board member and STCC alum spoke about her background, personal history, and path and about how a tragedy in her life brought her a new mission. She spoke of her interests, helping people, reaching out to the community, and taking people one on one to help them and how she is on her way to her masters degree. She is willing to help with one of the Mentor programs, possibly biology.

STCC sometimes has a bad reputation, because it isn't a big, fancy, expensive, 4 year school and it's location isn't exactly ideal, BUT and I quote her "STCC isn't bad; IT IS SUCH A GOOD SCHOOL!"

Christine Francour, board member, and STCC alum spoke about her school and work histories.

Jeannine Pelchat, board member and STCC alum, spoke of her background and her history of involvement with STCC; she has been a part of many things having to do with STCC, has sat on many boards and remains involved. She mentioned that she came to STCC and stayed due to the dedication of the teachers.

John Kelly, board member and STCC alum spoke of his background and history with STCC and touched on the commitment of the teachers.

Questions for the board to think about...
- What are we trying to do?
- What are we trying to give back to the college?
- Who are we trying to help?

Ideas

Homecoming (Good idea)
Graduations
Take the opportunity to reach out to the graduates at this time.
Reunions
Golf
Travel
Day trips
Overnights
Bus Trips
Sporting events

Red Sox game

Family Alumni Events
Day Picnics

Have a given (donated) location; Ric Serrenho spoke of a place he knew of in Somers, CT. He knows the owner and the owner is willing to donate the venue.

Need volunteers
Need funding
Alumni for Change Event
Fun friend-raising ideas

Sporting events
Possibly in coordination with Vin Grassetti

Getting involved of course can lead to financial commitments (Good for the College and the Alumni Association).
Do friend raising and do not ask for money initially. Through that eventually comes MONEY!
Transition the students to Alumni at graduation.
Board members cocktail parties at there own personal homes.

You would invite 5 or 6 people (personal friends).
You would have the opportunity in a small more intimate setting to make a case for giving to the college.

Training for companies maybe a good program (possibly in coordination with one of the Mentor programs).
Have an Alumni Association table at graduation.

Craft Fair
Last one didn't go as planned, so she has good ideas on how to make it a better and more fruitful event.
It's a big event 500 to 600 people to attend.
It needs a big venue. (It wouldn't be seen from the street if it was on our green.)It will need music.
Laurie Littlefield has experience with craft fairs in the past and knows some possible musicians that may be willing to help with that part.

Programs that start opening doors to students at a young age.
All 40 of the people in Ric Serrenho's "It's not business as usual" video should be contacted as either potential board members or for the Alumni Association.
All of the department heads should be contacted.

It is the faculty and staff that has the closest connections and ties to the students (that eventually become alumni).

Mentor Program for IT program

Ask alumni to come to businesses as a mentor.

Alumni Resources

Giving