Meeting, August 15, 2007

Present: Tom Dillon, Linda Gonzales, Geza Keller, Charlie Goodman, Paul Shoemaker, Edie Steinhoff, Brett Wendt
Associate members present: Carol Lynn Tiegs
Absent: Ray Bellande, Louise Chamberlin, Navid Mojtabai, Joshua Asplen, Earl Eiland

The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. with a roll call.

New members Charlie Goodman, president of the Santa Fe/Los Altos chapter; Paul Shoemaker, president of the Albuquerque chapter; and Edie Steinhoff introduced themselves.

Minutes of the May 2 meeting were unanimously approved on a motion by Paul, seconded by Linda.

On a motion by Charlie, seconded by Paul, it was unanimously agreed to enter the NMTAA bylaws into the minutes as having been electronically approved.

On a motion by Tom, seconded by Linda, it was unanimously approved to hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, October 19 at the home of Judy Oliver Lovelace.

On a motion by Geza, seconded by Tom, it was unanimously agreed to defer appointment of a Nominating Committee until after the AGM.

Discussion of the Distinguished Alumni Award

• The 2007 award will be presented to the family of Larry Libersky at the AGM.
• Tom stated that benefits of the award include the opportunity to communicate about the role of alumni and the association to new alumni and the institution. Board members concurred with Tom that commencement is the best venue, and that the award should be presented by the president of the Alumni Association and the president of New Mexico Tech.
• The AGM will serve as a kick-off for increasing interest in the award.
• Tom suggested offering a stipend of $200-$500 to alumni receiving the award to offset their travel costs.
• Geza suggested the creation of a new subcommittee to consider award criteria.
• Carol Lynn will distribute the current criteria to board members.
• On a motion by Tom, seconded by Geza, the NMTAA president will establish a discussion on the process for giving the award at the AGM, with a goal of completing the process and presenting an award at commencement 2008.

Financial Report

• There is $326,294.51 in the Alumni Lifetime Scholarship Fund. Six scholarships were awarded this year.
• Carol Lynn reported that sales of New Mexico Tech license plates within New Mexico nets $25/plate to the Alumni Activity account. Plates went on sale this summer. To date, more than $2,000 has been generated. The Office for Advancement is also creating Tech notecards. Proceeds from their sale will also benefit alumni activities.
• Geza stated that the Office for Advancement works for the Alumni Association. He has asked Carol Lynn and Cheryl Pulaski for a five-year plan for the Association.
• On a motion by Brett, seconded by Tom, the board unanimously asked that a treasurer’s report in balance sheet form be circulated electronically.

49ers Events

On a motion by Tom, seconded by Geza, the board unanimously requested that Carol Lynn identify 49ers activities that the Office for Advancement is trying to fund. The Association will then consider providing funding.

Electronic Voting Options

• Brett indicated that he had sent an e-mail to board members to check their e-mail browser capability on Outlook regarding a voting button.
• On a motion by Geza, seconded by Linda, it was agreed that Brett would chair this effort.

  Electronic Action Items: Geza indicated that anyone on the board may initiate an action item by letting Carol Lynn know. She will then circulate the item.

NEXT MEETING

Carol Lynn will send an e-mail to board members to set a meeting at 3 p.m. MDT on either September 19, 20, or 21. The goal is to meet prior to the AGM

On a motion by Geza, seconded by Brett, the meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Lynn Tiegs
For Secretary/Treasurer Louise Chamberlin