NGRHS Alumni Association Meeting - Sunday, 2 October 2005

Present:

Jonathan Crouse, Wendy Looke, Merle Veinot, Robert Blackadar, Anzil Blackadar, Kim Mayo, Florence Wright, Alice Silver, Jennifer Spidle, Bill Bruhm, Franklyn Dauphinee, Glenn Carey, Sylvia MacKay, Merna Cox, Coline MacDonald

Meeting was chaired by Jonathan Crouse.

Minutes of the July 19th were not read because Coline forgot to bring them!!!!!

Treasurer Wendy Looke gave two financial reports:

  1. Report on the 2005 Reunion in summary:
    • Revenues generated (Registration, Luncheon, BBQ, dance, sale of hats and lapel pins and donations) = $9,135.00
    • Expenditures (Lunch, BBQ, Dance, Promotions) = $9,817.57
    • Deficit for Reunion - Lunch = -$370.00
    • Deficit for Reunion - Dance = -$105.50
    • Deficit for Reunion - Promotions = -$348.48
    • Total Deficit for Reunion = -$682.57
  2. Report on end of five year term ending July 31, 2005
    • Revenues (including memberships paid) = $12,312.05
    • Expenditures = $9,974.88
    • Balance as of August 1, 2005 = $2,231.30

It was moved by Jonathan and seconded by Merle that the Treasurer's Report be accepted as read. Motion carried.

Merle Veinot gave a report on the Alumni Website. He informed us that there have been over 2600 hits on the site since its inception in the spring. Following such a hectic spring and follow-up to the 2005 Reunion, a much deserved rest was taken for a number of weeks.

Now that we are back in the swing of things there were several suggestions made by Merle and others for new and updated content for the Website. Merle will begin on that in the coming days or weeks. Some of those suggestions are: make the minutes and financial reports available, update the memorial page, have a Bulletin Board for short announcements such as up-coming class reunions and add a page for pictures that can be changed every few weeks to keep people coming back to the site. In addition, Merle is to telephone Sylvia at the school to get a list of all award recipients at the 2005 graduation so they can be put on the Website.

Bill Bruhm reported that the NGRHS Student's Council has met only once so there has been no chance to get a Liaison Branch started. However, he stated that in speaking with some students about it there should be sufficient interest to revive the Liaison Branch in the near future. In addition to the discussion on the Liaison Branch, Bill suggested our Alumni Association purchase a year book each year. It was moved by Coline and seconded by Wendy that we purchase two year books each year and that from now on that be a yearly standing order. Motion carried.

Coline reported that she sent out approximately forty personal thank-you letters to those who contributed to the success of the 2005 Reunion who were not part of the planning committee. The group unanimously passed the date from the 2010 Reunion which is to be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 3rd and 4th 2010.

It was also agreed that the address for the Alumni Association be changed to:

NGRHS Alumni
P.O. Box 121
New Germany, NS B0R 1E0

Coline brought up the need for better storage for our memorabilia. Robert Blackadar and Jonathan Crouse will each donate a lockable filing cabinet which will be kept in the High School.

Bill is going to check into the legalities involved in having the photos taken by year book staff each year, involving school events during the year, being donated to the Alumni at the end of each school year.

Bill is also going to let the present High School staff know that we are interested in obtaining copies of any printed or filmed projects done by students. He is also going to ask for the cooperation of the librarian in collecting any media announcements or articles related to achievements by students.

Coline reported that an email sent out through our data base asking for interest in a video of the 2005 Reunion and pictures to include in such a video, generated 20 orders. We have added eight orders to that from members present tonight. Also, the Alumni Association will purchase at least one video - a decision will be made at the November meeting.

Shaun Whynacht will be at Coline's on Wednesday, Oct. 5th at 6:30 to look at the pictures collected and discuss the video in more detail. If anyone wishes to be present they are welcome.

It was decided to proceed with a Newsletter. From the group present, Coline, Bill and Glenn C. have volunteered to be on a committee to get the Newsletter ready for typing. Other members will be more than welcome to join up.

Coline presented an idea for raising funds for postage. It was moved by Bill and seconded by Anzil that we ask for students and staff who have small businesses to contribute $10 each and we will list their business name, owner and contact information in a Thank-You page in the Newsletter. Motion carried. As well, anyone contributing, who is not already a paid-up member of the Alumni will receive a courtesy copy of the Newsletter. Otherwise, this Newsletter will ONLY be sent, via snail mail, to our Alumni Membership which is now between 400-500 members.

It was moved by Anzil and seconded by Franklyn that the meeting be adjourned.

Next meeting - Sunday, November 6th at 7pm at the High School.