Meeting opened by VADM Mustin at 0750. Administrative matters were dealt with.
- VADM Mustin announced that Victor Delano ’41 had been elevated to Foundation trustee emeritus.
- VADM Mustin recognized active duty members present.
Dave Forman ’98 made a presentation on the COCP Class Presidents Action Group (CPAG). Gave background, overview of recent discussions, and actions taken. Two initiatives are in progress:
- Assist with increasing enrollment in the Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP)
- Improving horizontal communications with Office 365 enrollment and training
Following the presentation, motion was made and seconded to approve minutes of Spring 2013 meeting. Approved unanimously.
Break for Decade Breakout Meeting
Presentation by CAPT William Byrne, USN ‘87, Commandant of Midshipmen
Plenary Session - Reports of Decade Reps
- 30s/40s/50s – VADM Mustin ’55 Elected VADM Mustin as combined decade representative. Group discussed the safety issue posed by the lack of handrails in aisles at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Motion was made and seconded to have Class of ’54 develop and propose a plan to have handrails installed. Approved unanimously.
- COCP members expressed enthusiasm for seeing this important project undertaken, and were unanimous in stressing support for this proposed addition to the stadium that will significantly enhance safety and provide greater safe access to seating for all who attend games. It will also increase the ability of senior grads to continue to support the team. ’54 is to be congratulated for taking leadership of it.
- 60s – Jerry Smith ’61 Discussed that management fee had been increased at previous Board of Trustees meeting; recognized that this had not been communicated well to all classes. Spencer Johnson’63 was elected 60s Decade Representative. Extensive discussion of inadequate recognition of FADM Halsey in the Field House; motion was made and seconded to have Class of ’65 develop and propose a plan for a Halsey exhibit in the corridor at the front of the building. Approved unanimously.
- 70s – Glen Woods ’78 Re-elected Glen Woods to BOT. Requested that future meetings allot more time to the breakout sessions. Discussed Fallen Heroes events; asked that future events and requests for information be made earlier.
- 80s – Tim Disher ’81 Issues discussed: Potential of creating “tailgating zones” to put classes of the same decade near one another, lessons-learned from Classes sponsoring Companies, charters for fundraising within a Class, and best practices for decedent affairs.
- 90s – Dave Forman ’98. Discussed reunion lessons-learned. Gave a demonstration of SharePoint.
Presentation by Chet Gladchuk, Director of Athletics.
During lunch, our sponsors gave brief presentations and held raffles.
After lunch, VADM Mustin introduced the Alumni Association & Foundation’s President and CEO Byron Marchant ’78, who opened the Alumni Association presentations by highlighting the Honoring Fallen Heroes events of the past weekend. He introduced ADM Bob Natter ’67, who detailed his travels and meetings with alumni and supporters of the Naval Academy.
Skip Heyworth ’70, Director of Alumni Services discussed strategic communications, the challenges facing geographic chapters, and the importance of involving parents. He praised the efforts of Run To Honor and Class of ’95 to honor fallen alumni.
Bill O’Connor gave an update on the Foundation. Parents are ~12% of Annual Fund giving. The Foundation is taking action to increase corporate giving, as well as planned gifts. There was an extensive discussion of the rates of fundraising participation among the Classes, as well as methods and lessons-learned to best improve those rates. Acknowledgement of Class of ’63 and their recent gift of $6.3M.
Skip Orr ‘65 advocated for Classes to include the Athletic and Scholarship Foundation in their gift-giving and fundraising plans. They are executing a plan that includes engaging with Classes five years before their 20, 30, 40, and 50 year reunions. Some of this money goes to NAPS to further their physical training mission.
Motion was made and seconded to forward VADM Mustin ’55, Spencer Johnson ’63, Glen Woods ’78 and Murph Murphy ’00 to the Board of Trustees as their respective Decade Representatives. Approved unanimously.
Jim Minderlein ’65 gave a presentation on the ongoing renovations to Halsey Field House and the apparent disinclination to include a suitable display to FADM Halsey. Extensive discussion on this topic.
Steve Comisky ’69 gave a very quick update on the status of the Alumni Mentoring Program. When the program launched, the vendor thought we would do well to have three or four hundred participants; we have over 600 to date. Goal remains 1,000. Recent success in the recruitment of protégés has created a shortage of mentors; he asked for assistance especially in recruiting more mentors for the program. At the next BOT meeting the AMP will ask to advance out of the pilot stage.
Ingar Grev ’89 presented on the topic of horizontal & internal communications. All class presidents have been invited to the Office 365 platform, but less than 50% have signed up. Other class officers and volunteers can be added if desired; see him to get this set up. He also discussed the instability of the ClassMail system, and an impending shift to a new system. This shift will cause some disruption; he is going to use his class as a pilot to identify best practices when making the shift.
Ingar discussed the importance of Sharepoint/Office 365 Training and asked that any class Presidents who knew of such training that could be “piggy-backed” onto let him know so it could be promulgated. He suggested that every member “play” with Office 365 and learn how to manipulate it – it is not all that difficult, but does present its challenges.
On completion of Ingar’s presentation, VADM Mustin reminded all of the motion to have FADM Halsey better memorialized in Halsey Hall, and suggested that he send a letter emphasizing the support of the Council of Class Presidents for this – floor support indicated that this proposal was totally supported by the group, and that the previously passed motion be considered to include such.
VADM Mustin concluded his remarks by reiterating the pledge by CPAG to closely monitor the new initiatives – Stadium handrails and proper recognition of FADM Halsey in Halsey Field House – as well as the action items already under their guidance that were reviewed in Dave Forman’s earlier presentation.
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Approved unanimously at 1508.
Minutes recorded by Patrick McConnell ’02 and Bill Peerenboom ’57
Updated: October 01, 2018
Curator: Ed Moore