The October meeting of the Antioch College Alumni Association Board of Directors began with a daylong workshop exploring the changing role of the association as a support to, and influence on, Antioch College. The workshop was conducted by Patrick Masterson ’99 and Ann Caton of the Potomac Group.
One practical action emerging from the workshop was the creation of a board task force to prepare a report exploring the options that might be available to the college for hiring faculty and on issues surrounding the Nonstop Liberal Arts Institute of Yellow Spring, Ohio. The issue of faculty hiring is controversial and the board, like the alumni, has divergent views on the status of the formerly tenured faculty of Antioch College as operated by Antioch University and the role that they should play in the college now that it is independent.
The board feels that there are lingering issues around its initial financial support of Nonstop as a means of “preserving the DNA” of Antioch after the college was closed and the subsequent development of Non-Stop and Antioch College as separate institutions. These need to be resolved so that the board, and the association, can focus on the needs of the college. The task force hopes to present a preliminary report to the board in 30 to 60 days.
This meeting of the alumni board was scheduled to coincide with the meeting of the Antioch College Board Pro Tem to foster communication and cooperation between the two boards. Each board met and worked separately and then shared with the public reports from each of their standing and ad-hoc committees.
Highlights of the alumni board committee reports:
- The Reunion committee announced that Reunion 2011 is scheduled from June 17th to June 19th and its theme is Science and Invention. In response to feedback from alumni, a diverse range of lectures and activities will be scheduled throughout the weekend. After the soaring temperatures of this year’s reunion, the committee is looking for more “keep cool” opportunities, including an air-conditioned thank-a-thon phone bank.
- The Nominating committee proposed, and the board approved, a slate of individuals to run for board seats in the spring. Each potential candidate will be asked to confirm his or her willingness to run. The number of seats to be decided in the election will depend on who is elected president and vice president of the board in March and by how many seats the board decides to fill. There are currently 29 board members, out of a maximum 30 allowed by the association bylaws.
- The Chapters, Development and Communications committees, which all have new chairs since Reunion 2010, are working to coordinate their efforts to maintain alumni enthusiasm and giving in the coming year. The board received fundraising advice from Micah Canal, director of the college’s annual fund. The board committed to continue its thank-a-thon on behalf of the college for alumni who donated between $500 and $2,000 to the fund.
- The Legal committee asked, and the board agreed, to make revising the bylaws to fit the purpose and function of the association the focus of the March board meeting. Several attempts to revise the bylaws have fizzled over the past few years as the association has struggled to redefine itself after leading the fight to save the college.
- This is an exciting time to be active in the Alumni Association. With the hiring of Mark Roosevelt to serve as president of the newly independent Antioch College and the first steps to recruit the entering class of 2011, the rebirth of Antioch College is no longer just a hope, it is becoming a reality – a reality possible only with your participation and support.
- Service on the committees of the board, except the Nominating committee, is open to all alumni. Through the dedication, generosity and expertise of the alumni, the association - and indeed the college - can flourish.