Howdy Ags,

 

First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone for participating in this year's reunion.  It was a great one!  It was good to see old friends and meet new ones.  My name is Kenneth Robinson ('93) and I am writing this email as one of the first efforts in organizing the Black Former Student Network. 

As discussed at the reunion, we are in the initial phases of forming a black former student organization that will ultimately function under the Association of Former Students (AFS).  The AFS and the President's Office are in full support of our efforts and aims.

 

Having talked with officers of the AFS, our first goal is simple... ORGANIZE OURSELVES.  The AFS stated that they would like to see us organized with our own elected officers, constitution by-laws, etc.  It was noted that it would be an easier process to bring in a group that already had clearly defined goals, objectives, and elected officers.

 

In brief, I would like to summarize what our objectives will be for the next 3 months.  A formal calendar with meeting dates/times, deadlines, task assignments, etc. will be published by next week at the latest. 

 


Tasks/Objectives

1. Constitution and By-Laws.  Most of our efforts and discussion will be here.  We will need to define our purpose and goals, outline our structure, etc.

2. Communication.  Keep Black Former students aware of what is going on via the Newsletter and website.

3. Board and Committee Appointments.  The first board and committee members will come from this group.

4.  AFS Relations.  Work with the AFS to define consolidation steps; and receive input for our committees’ organizing process.

 

Noting the above objectives and considering the number of persons (29) that have signed up to assist with the effort, I am recommending that we form the following subcommittees (each having a sub-committee head):

 

1.      Constitution and By-Laws Sub-Committee.  Responsible for the drafting of the first Constitution of the organization.  All suggestions and recommendations related to the committees' structure, rules, regulations will be submitted to this committee for their evaluation and inclusion in the final constitution.

2.      Communications Sub-Committee.  Responsible for keeping records/minutes of all meetings and disseminating all information, meeting times/dates, updates, and news to the committee and the greater body of black former students via email, the newsletter and website.  Also responsible for organizing and setting up meetings and conference calls on designated meeting dates.

3.      Consolidation Sub-Committee.  Responsible for working with the AFS in defining the steps to consolidate our committee with the greater Association.  Because this is new for the AFS, they wanted a group of black former students (from our committee) to assist them in setting the precedent for all organizations to follow.  This committee will also keep the AFS abreast of our progress, issues and concerns during the next 3 months.

 

Our intent is to have each and everyone of you assist in some area (depending on your time and availability).  If everyone could reply with the following information it would help us get things going:

 

Name:

Class:

Daytime Phone:

Evening Phone:

City, State:

Available for Travel to Dallas??

Available for Travel to Houston??

Available for Travel to College Station??

Occupation:

Specific Area of Interest where you would like to work:

Would you like to be a sub-committee head?

What day and time is good for conference calls for you:

Are you available during business hours for calls, meetings, etc??

Are you available on weekends for travel, meetings, calls?

Any additional comments/suggestions/concerns:

 

 

 

 

 

Planning Committee

Here are the names of persons who volunteered to assist in our efforts of forming the new committee:

 

Kevin D. Williams

Schenita Byers

Al Scott

Chris Brown

Rene Scott

Erick Jones

Paul Stafford

Jermon Tillman

Sherette James

Richele Howelton

Tracy Butler-Calloway

David Butler

Kellie Butler

Sombra Davis

Karen Talton

Stacci H. Moore

Reginald Mahadeo

Kimshi Hickman

Dana Smith

Vivian Warmly

Dr. Jackie Dansby

Chris Henderson

Rodney Pennywell

Eric Watson

Anthony Edwards

Connie Johnson-Bennett

Cynthia A. Gay

Vergel L. Gay, Jr.

Keisha Henry

 

Please forward any names that may have been omitted, ASAP.

 

Please feel free to call me anytime with any concerns or questions.  I am open to all input and suggestions, but let's keep things positive and flowing.  I look forward to working with all of you.  Look for a schedule of tasks and deadlines to be released by the end of next week.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Kenneth Robinson

972 263 6140 Home

972 237 0695 Office

972 237 0443 Fax

214 244 7982 Cellular