NC Principal Fellows Alumni Coalition
Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2009
NCSU – Poe Hall
7:10pm Gathering Began with Presentations
Welcome by Harry Starnes, Director of Principal Fellows
“The Value of the Principal Fellows Experience” by Patrick Miller
“The Nuts and Bolts of Forming an Alumni Organization” by Bob Kennel
After presentations, the group discussed and came to consensus on the following items:
The group did want to form an alumni group for NC Principal Fellows
The group wants the alumni organization to be a place that provides networking and social opportunities for Principal Fellows as well as possibly be an action group that works with legislative opportunities to make change benefiting its members
The group wants every Principal Fellow that completed the program successfully to be in the alumni organization. Dues would not be a factor. Donations/fees would be determined at a later time.
The group decided to form a “Founding Board” that would govern and steer the alumni group for the first year. The terms of service, exact duties, and type of board would be revisited in one year and all people serving on the board at this time would serve for at least that period of time.
Once the group was formed, the meeting of the founding board was called to order.
Special Addendum to Minutes:
As a fledging organization, PFAC has the support of Dr. Harry Starnes, Director of the Principal Fellows Program and the Principal Fellow Commission. Commission member, Bob Kennel attended our first meeting to provide us with his expertise on how to start an alumni group and develop by-laws; many thanks to Bob and Harry for their continued support. The by-laws are in process and will be shared at our March meeting. More about that meeting as soon as location is finalized. It will be held in Chapel Hill. We are also in the process of developing a FACEBOOK page as well as a website.
Website
Discussion: Dr. Starnes agreed to put up some information about the alumni group on the current PFP website while the group attempts to get a website up and operational with a Webmaster from among our ranks. Several possible people were mentioned, but an actual website and Webmaster has not been decided at this time. Some information will be given to Dr. Starnes for the website temporarily. The possibility of a social networking site, such as Facebook, was also discussed and will be explored further to help make the organization more accessible to all members and to improve communication. Eventually the website could provide information on members, highlight members, mention awards and recognition, etc. There was also discussion about getting NCPAP and NCASA to put links to our website on theirs once it is established.
*No vote
Communication
Discussion: Dr. Starnes will provide the group with the current list of alumni addresses and e-mails to get started. It was discussed that some of that information may need updating. Minutes will be provided to Dr. Starnes to post on the PFP website in the interim as well. Discussion included the beginning of a News Bulletin that might be distributed via email quarterly to all members.
*No vote
Meetings
Discussion: Meeting in person is difficult since members are spread out across the state. It was decided that future meetings of the board will be held on Saturdays to increase attendance and that any alumni member can attend those meetings. It was also discussed that a yearly “meeting” could be held in conjunction with the orientation of new Principal Fellows affording opportunities for alumni to speak to new PF and opportunities for alumni to fellowship and network in a retreat setting.
* No vote
Structure of Group
Discussion: Bob Kennel was very helpful in discussing general structure of alumni groups and will provide a copy of standard by-laws for other NC University alumni groups to use as a base. The by-laws, after revision for the group, will be distributed to the board for feedback and then a rough draft will be distributed/available for all alumni to give feedback. At next meeting, by-laws will be decided on and a vote will be taken.
*No vote
Funding
Discussion: There was a discussion about an alumni group that was started for PF some time ago that has a small amount of money in a bank account. That will be explored to see if it can be found and secured. Bob Kennel also suggested that there might be some funding available through the Council of UNC Alumni. He will advise at a later time.
*No vote
Group Name
Discussion: Several names were discussed for the group.
Motion: To name the group Principal Fellows Alumni Coalition (PFAC)
Seconded
Vote: Passed
Officers
Discussion: A few basic positions need to be occupied, leaving the possibility for more positions to be added at a later time if needed.
Motion: To make Beatriz Jones President
Seconded
Vote: Passed
Motion: To make Patrick Miller a liason with the PFP commission/legislature
Seconded
Vote: Passed
Motion: To make Melissa Costin Secretary
Seconded
Vote: Passed
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the PFAC Board is set for Saturday, March 21, 2009. The board will meet at 11am and then a general meeting of all PFP alumni will begin at 1pm. The location is TBD, but the possibility of UNC-Chapel Hill is being explored as a central location.
Listing of PFAC Founding Board (More may be added by vote at next meeting if needed)
Beatriz Jones (President)
Patrick Miller (Liason with Commission/Legislature)
Melissa Costin (Secretary)
Karen Wood
Jarvis Ellis
Pam Breedlove
Robert Dotson
Stephanie Rivers
Shawn Sinclair-Slakk
Chikilah Hill (Current PF Representative-Class 15)
Motion: To adjourn meeting at 9:10pm
Seconded
Vote: Passed
Minutes prepared by: Melissa Costin, Secretary PFP Class 12
(c) 2012