MEETING NOTES

WNUR Alumni Organization

Provisional Executive Council

Minutes of First Meeting - July 19, 2000

In attendance:

• Stephen B. Rudolph

• Helen Kriz Marshall 

• Jonathan Lehrer 

• Robert F. Rodenkirk, Jr. 

• Rick Morris, ex officio 

• Drew Pounds, ex officio

Those present called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Following a wide-ranging discussion, the group determined that a larger attendance was required to form and approve a permanent structure for a WNUR alumni organization. Naming itself the "WNUR Alumni Organization Provisional Executive Board," the group chose Steve Rudolph as chair. Steve introduced a draft constitution, which the Board reviewed and agreed to consider at a future meeting.

Jonathan discussed the affiliation choices the organization faced: NU alumni office, School of Speech, or completely independent, noting that each offered distinct advantages and disadvantages. Most discussion favored a loose affiliation with the School of Speech with a high degree of independence. Steve mentioned that many WNUR alums had little interest in the rest of NU and that a nominally-independent Board with Speech ties might generate more interest than the other choices. The Board tabled the issue for a discussion at a future meeting.

The Board's involvement in fundraising and the possibility of charging members a nominal dues amount were discussed. Rick said that Board activities would have to pay their own way, but that funding future Reunion activities would be open to discussion and could possibly include School of Speech or WNUR participation. Jonathan indicated that the Board could be operated very inexpensively, with activities run on a "pay-as-you-go" basis and communication handled by email and an alumni website.

Helen asked how the Board would solicit membership, suggesting that a broad appeal to all WNUR alums was in the group's best interest. The group's consensus was that a Board of 40 members was too large and would be difficult to recruit. Steve said that a larger Board would assure that at least 15 or so members would participate actively at any given time, and that '50's alums should be actively pursued because those who are retired might have more time to give.

The Board decided to draft an invitation letter to all WNUR alumni who responded to the 50th Anniversary invitation, whether or not they attended the reunion events. The list contains approximately 300-400 names with email addresses. Jonathan composed the letter, with all members contributing to its content. Rick indicated that he would obtain the email list from Mary Kate at the School of Speech and have it sent in the next few days. Responses would be emailed to Steve at a special WNUR email address.

The Board approved Thursday, August 10, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. as the date for the next meeting, to be held at Annie Mae Swift Hall, Room 100. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Subsequent to the meeting, Jonathan Lehrer and Rick Morris created a WNUR Alumni Organization website, containing the invitation letter to potential Board members, a listing of provisional Board members, the draft constitution, and other items of interest for WNUR alumni.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen B. Rudolph, Provisional Chair