Greater Chicago Chapter Board Minutes

Saturday, May 13, 2000
Harris Bank, Libertyville

Present: Maria Andriola, John DeWolf, Marty Egna, Cindy Elliot, Andrew Roth, Jerry Utt, John Wenaas, Charles Carter, Dave Hart, Phil Gresh, Heather Gaw, Bill Rzasa, Peter Schallmoser

Absent: Robyn Young, Gina Razum, Emmett Moore, Karen Watson

Jerry Utt called the meeting to order at 9:15. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved as written.

Jerry opened the meeting with the distribution of the Board of Directors address/phone listing.

AAAO - No Report

AAC - reported by Jerry Utt

• Eight college fairs were done this spring.

• Holly Robertson will be leaving her post as our Alumni Admissions contact. Her replacement has yet to be determined.

• Michelle ("Mitch") Kirsch will be coordinating a Prospect Reception (new concept this year) for prospective students and their parents. Approximately 75 people will be attending. Michelle would like current students and their parents to attend this reception. Gina DOES need alumni volunteers for this event to mix, mingle and share experiences. The reception will be at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg from 6-8 p.m. PLEASE let Gina know if you will be able to attend.

COMMUNICATIONS - reported by Heather and Marty

• Maria will be working on the next newsletter. All information to be included should be to Maria by the end of May.

• Very little activity in the mail or over the voice mail line.

• Marty reported an average of just over 200 visits on the website every month. So far, this is up significantly since last year.

• We will receive $1041.54 for this summer's newsletter mailing; Peter will get in touch with theUniversity for labels for local students' families.

COMMUNITY SERVICE - reported by Andrew Roth

• Had 12 volunteers for the WTTW Fund Drive. The shift raised $42,000 for WTTW.

• PSU Service Week was held in April. Our service activity was held in March at WTTW.

• A new location was decided on for the American Heart Association Heartwalk. It will be held on Sunday, September 17 in Lake County. Andy and John DeWolf will work on coordinating this event.

MEMBERSHIP - reported by Cindy Elliot

• The two-year rolling membership is 510. Current (1999-2000) membership is 366, with 144 members brand new this year to the Chapter.

• Cindy received 320 labels from the University. These include new addresses that the University received or alumni that may be new to the area. Cindy is comparing those labels to her database and will be included in the newsletter mailing. A special invitation to these people will be included in the newsletter.

• Cindy is starting to transition Membership Chair activities over to Janeen Paradise.

PARENT/STUDENT INTERACTION - reported by Peter Schallmoser

• $500 has been allotted for the Student portion of the Garden Party. Peter and Charlie are working together to plan the event.

SCHOLARSHIP - reported by John DeWolf

• John is transitioning Mary Beth Zlock to the Scholarship Chair.

• Thank-you notes from students receiving scholarships from the Chapter were shared among the Board Members.

SOCIAL PROGRAMMING - reported by Jerry Utt

• The Air/Water Show will be on August 19. University of Minnesota alums have expressed interest in joining us this year. Robyn is still in communication with U. Minnesota. A special mailing will go out this summer for the Air/Water Show and Garden Party.

• The Big Ten Conference in March was an interesting event that Charlie Carter and Jerry Utt attended. Learnings were shared that other Chapters are emphasizing younger alum involvement as well.

• The Garden Party will be held at Rolling Knolls Country Club in Elgin on July 29. Emmett Moore is communicating with Allstate to potentially underwrite a portion of the Garden Party this year (as he did last year). Jerry has been communicating with other members of the Chapter to encourage this type of involvement to help defray the costs of the Garden Party. Another option is the potential of applying for a grant from Penn State. The Chapter has received a $500 award already for this type of activity, however it will not be received until November at the Awards Ceremony. The Board unanimously voted to borrow the $500 from the Chapter Treasury and replace the funds when the award is received from the University in November.

• The Wine and Cheese Party on 4/15 was a success, with 35 people attending. Bill Rzasa, our host, expressed interest in making this an annual event at his house.

• The Chapter helped raise over $600 for local charities at the Big Ten Benefit. Between 30-35 PSU alums attended

• A good time was had by all at the Cubs game on May 4. All 40 tickets were sold.

• The Rock ‘n’ Bowl will be cancelled since Gina has received no checks or inquiries.

SPORTS PROGRAMMING - reported by Dave Hart

• Football game tickets have been requested for the Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota games. Dave is checking into bus prices.

2. Nominations Committtee - Reported by Bill Rzasa

• The committee met on 2/26 and is currently contacting Board Members and identifying potential new candidates for the Board.

• The most recent Treasurer’s Report was distributed and discussed.

Next meeting: Saturday, June 17, 2000 at 9:00 AM, either at the American Heart Association in Westmont or at ITW Hi-Cone in Itasca.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00.

Submitted by: Cindy Elliot