Black Former Student Network

Texas A&M University – College Station, TX

 

 

 

MINUTES

 

Committee Chair Meeting

March 24, 2001 @ 10:00 AM

(Home of Paul and Telea Stafford, Carrollton, TX)

 

Attendees:                  Niki Bisor, Chantelle Freeman, Sheretta James, Connie Johnson-Bennett, Erick Jones, Ken Robinson, Paul Stafford and Kevin Williams

 

Call To Order: 10:25 a.m. by Ken Robinson

Prayer:                        Paul Stafford

Opening Remarks:             Ken Robinson

 

Member Introductions

 

Committee Reports

Consolidation: Ken Robinson reporting

Chris Henderson and Ken Robinson have been having conference calls and meetings with Sean Miller, Director of Clubs for the Association of Former Students (AFS). In the past the AFS has only recognized geographical clubs, but they have come to see the necessity of ethnic-based clubs. At this point the creation of a constitution and by-laws will take precedence over the consolidation of the Black Former Student Network (BFSN) with AFS.  Sean Miller and the AFS is being kept in the loop during the creation of the constitution is allowed to suggest changes. The BFSN will have an agenda separate from the AFS.  The AFS will only use us as for marketing purposes as well as dealing with other issues deemed significant to the BFSN. Since the BFSN will not be an official part of AFS, we can engage in joint recruitment opportunities with the TAMU Admissions office.

 

Communications: Niki Bisor reporting

During the past month, the communications committee has been engaged in rethinking the BFSN communication strategy.  The thrust of the new communications strategy is to make the BlackAggies.org web site the focal point of future communications.  The email newsletter will be sent less and less and only to highlight issues that needs immediate resolution or attention. In addition, mailing a quarterly newsletter to reach those who are not on email will be uses as well.  The web site is in need of a permanent coordinator to begin to make changes.  There has been some response to fill this position, but no one has been selected yet.  Any suggestions to improve the web site or communication strategy are still being taken by the communications chair.

 

Constitution & By-Laws – Paul Stafford reporting

Meetings and email correspondence has been used to create the first draft of the constitution.  The first draft is already out for review and suggestions on the BlackAggies.org web site.  One of the goals of the constitution is to make it general enough that other ethnic-based organizations could use it as a starting point for creating their own constitution, but specific enough to include the issues related to TAMU Black Former Students.  The second draft of the constitution is due to the BFSN steering committee on 3/26/01.

 

 

Old Business

  1. Texas A&M Foundation BFSN Endowment - Material detailing the benefits of contribution to this scholarship needs to be disseminated. The information will be put on the BlackAggies.org web site ASAP. The deadline for contributing to this endowment needs to be known in order to determine the BFSN's strategy for encouraging its members to participate. As of 3/15, only $1500 had been contributed.  The amount needed is $40,000.
  2. Reunion Finances - The President's Office has agreed to pay any outstanding amounts due for the BFSN.  At first opportunity, the BFSN will need to reimburse the President's office for their generous outlay of money.

 

New Business

1.     Constitution and By-Laws - Discussed constitution, particularly what the following questions: What constitutes a member of the BFSN and What should be the purpose of the BFSN.  Any suggestions or changes to the constitution should be submitted to Paul Stafford or Ken Robinson.

2.     Open Discussion - Discussed whether or not one of the 1st priorities for the BFSN would be to make a big push to endow a scholarship and/or reimburse the President's Office for making the BFSN Reunion solvent.  It was decided that this issue would be determined by what the deadline is for endowing the scholarship.

3.     Actions Items to Be Completed By Next Meeting

·        2nd Draft of the constitution due 3/26/01

·        Determine the Texas A&M Foundation BFSN Endowment deadline

·        Work on web site changes

 

Adjournment - 12:20 p.m. by Ken Robinson