24 January 2011

The meeting commenced by teleconference at 2000 EST. Present were Galloway, Stephenson, Voorhees, Schwehm, McNeil, Kehoe, Kovel, Wells and Stevens. Absent were Golden and Gadd. Hatch did not attend, having completed his term with the Association of Graduates as Class Trustee. Galloway expressed the appreciation of the Class for his service.

1. The agenda was reviewed and agreed to without additions.

2. The minutes of the previous meeting, 1 September 2010, were approved.

3. The Board reviewed Rabe’s 2 September 2010 statement of having audited each of the three Class accounts for the period 2006 through mid 2010 and having found them in good order, all expenditures being appropriate. He suggested that regardless of other audits, one be conducted within six months following each reunion because of the volume of activity. The Board agreed.

4a/b. Galloway presented a timeline of four pieces of future reunion correspondence to the Class:

–A letter of announcement in February 2011 by email to those who responded to the initial survey of reunion interest and have agreed to email contact. All others will be contacted through USPS.

–A request for registration fees, plus information on hotel reservations; June 2011 by USPS to all.

–Documents for meal and event sign-up; 15 January 2012 by USPS to all (The information is due NLT 15 March.)

4c. The Board reviewed a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Class and the EMR Agency, of which Joan Emmer is the owner. The Board agreed, with the addition of tour coordination to the list of the Agency’s responsibilities. Additionally, Galloway will clarify with Mrs. Emmer which of the monies collected for the reunion will not be subject to the 7 ½ percentage payment due to the Agency, e.g., the cost of souvenir items.

The MOU notes that Mrs. Emmer will provide personal advance coordination, but onsite support for the reunion will be supplied by other persons of the Agency, understood to be Mrs. Emmer’s sister and a spouse of a senior faculty member, both of whom are known to be experienced in the work.

The Board approved the payment of $1,000 to the Agency as a retainer, per the MOU.

Schwehm noted that for the 50^th reunion, the initial payments had come to him and he passed them to McNeil. Later payments came to Mrs. Emmer. Kovel pointed out that the payments to Schwehm also served the purpose of giving the Board the important information of who was coming to the reunion, the total numbers anticipated, etc. All agreed, and also recognized that we cannot require classmates to send two responses, one for payment and one for attendance bookkeeping.

4d. An updated reunion schedule was reviewed. It was suggested that our intention to open the hospitality suite after the evening welcome reception and buffet be reflected. Galloway stated that the Academy has not yet assigned chapels for the memorial service, thus whether we will use the Catholic or the Old Cadet Chapel is unknown. This affects an opportunity to visit the cemetery. Kovel noted that if there will be a cemetery visit offered, the overall time allocated is too short. That will be corrected if and when the Old Cadet Chapel is selected for us. The fact that some of the buses to the hotel will transit Camp Buckner must also be considered. Additionally, Kovel expressed concern as to whether the names of our deceased classmates are to be read at the ceremony. He also asked about reunion photos, an eight-page booklet similar to the one produced after the 50^th reunion, and whether changes need be made to the previously used memorial service program. Galloway added the items as topics for the next meeting and asked that members think about them.

Galloway stated that the appointment of a nominating committee for the forthcoming election of class officers will be a topic of the next meeting

4e. Schwehm reported that no further planning had been done on tour arrangements, but the West Point and the Hudson Valley (selected grand estates) tours are routine, and Mrs. Emmer has previously coordinated tours to Ellis Island, although from Manhattan, whereas we will be going from New Jersey. Galloway stated he had toured the Rockefeller estate and had a favorable impression of the arrangements.

4f. Voorhees presented two possibilities for ladies’ souvenir gifts, an enameled medallion and a small egg pendant with a class crest. Galloway asked the members to confer with their spouses before the next meeting.

4g. Galloway reported that the Academy has approved the placement of our Class crest on a wall in the coffee shop, limiting the size to 17 inches. It could be of a suitable metal, wood, or plastic. A sample of the general type was provided to the Board, circular in shape with a crest within, but a crest alone could be produced. The cost is approximately $3,000 in metal. One in wood can be procured for about $1,000 and could be used as a mold to manufacture, for sale, multiple copies in plastic. A metal version could be used for the same purpose. The Board agreed that metal is more suitable, and is affordable. Galloway will contact the AOG with a view of getting its officials involved.

4h. Galloway reported that the kiosk project is continuing. In error, an academy crest instead of the agreed class crest has been included in the motif, and is near impossible to correct. The AOG is attempting to obtain smaller crests for addition to the structure. Kovel suggested class crests be placed on the doors. We must decide what to display on the shelves. We have thus far chosen books on ethics by classmates and others, and have obtained an anonymously donated signed copy of MacArthur’s speech. He asked members to think about other display possibilities.

5. Galloway presented for approval two MOUs between the Class and the AOG relating to maintenance of our gifts to the Academy; the fountain, the gym hallway, the honor plaza and the tree in one document and the kiosk in the other. The purpose is to formalize use of the $50,000 previously presented for general upkeep and $10,000 specifically for the kiosk. He noted that responsibility for audiovisual support and upgrade of the kiosk has been accepted by the Academy. He is trying to have the Simon Center assist similarly.

6. Galloway presented for approval a proposal from a local firm relating to design of upgraded lighting in the class’ hallway in the Arvin Gymnasium. The cost of the design work is $750, which the Board approved. Possible means of funding the work itself were discussed.

7. Galloway reminded the regional representatives that, at the previous meeting, he had requested they poll their membership, pro and con, about the desirability of a class group photo after the parade. He expects them to accomplish that and report at the next meeting.

He reiterated previous discussion about improving our support of our class widows. Some classes have extensive survivor support programs. Others have systems of periodically checking on their widows. He asked that the board seek out connections in other classes and determine what they are doing. We will take up the widow issue at the next meeting. Kovel and Kehoe contributed their experience of widows contacting them.

Galloway asked Kovel about progress on memorial articles and he and Kehoe responded, citing A-1 as having published articles on all but one of their deceased, and I-1 making good progress also. Galloway asked for a report at the next meeting on the progress of each cadet company.

Galloway asked for final comments. Voorhees stated his expectation to present suggestions for men’s souvenir gifts at the next meeting, and announced that he had been extended for three years as a Society Advisor to the AOG. Kovel discussed Bullotta’s recent expression of concern on the class net about the selection of an athletic director.

Galloway adjourned the meeting at 2122EST, stating the next meeting would be in early March and that he would distribute reminders of action items established.

Respectfully submitted,