NYC ANTIOCH COLLEGE COMMUNITY CHAPTER MEETING
AUGUST 19, 2008 7:30 – 10PM
AGENDA
1. Set Agenda
2. Update on negotiations – Barbara Winslow and Judy Church
3. Outreach for Non-Stop/Brochure distribution – Robyn
4. Fundraising and the weekend of September 21st
5. Statement from Communications Committee – Michael
6. Chapter Building
7. Set time and place for next meeting
1. AGENDA SET
There is group discussion on importance of talking about “Governance”. Motion to create a meeting sometime in the near future that is devoted only to issues of “Governance”, with members having done homework and other preparation for informed discussion.
2. UPDATE
Barbara Winslow (via telecom) says no news, no deal, but am cautiously optimistic. The idea is to get 10-12 people who will accept college, then begin process to create a board of trustees for the college; their role then will be to hire an excellent president, raise $$$ and provide support to get the college going.
The status of the faculty lawsuit is unknown. Jeff Wood says according to Pete Townsend, Bob Devine is the new point person for information regarding the lawsuit. Judy Church explains (via telecom) to other members present what Plan B is (i.e. potential lawsuits).
3. OUTREACH FOR NON-STOP/BROCHURE DISTRIBUTION
Robyn Rice Lichtig will be the coordinator of where brochures need to go; people should email her how many they want. It is important to distribute brochures in places where young people will see them. Jeff Wood will get the 2 packages of brochures that were mailed to Michael Casselli.
4. FUNDRAISING AND THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 21ST
There is concern for being able to pull an event together with such little notice. Everyone understands there is a sense of urgency, but agrees that there needs to be adequate time (3-6 months) to pull of a successful major event. We must have better communication with the CRF regarding schedule and timeline of events. There is a possibility of planning something in January with a theatrical theme or something more major to attract the general public. However, discussion ensues about the importance of having more frequent, smaller scale events as a part of an on going series. Vanessa McDonnell argues we should not write the 21st off.
Robyn mentions she attended a lecture series of scientists that was very popular and growing. She’s sure there are many Antiochian scientists – we could create a series like this at different cafes. Michael Casselli: Such a series would keep continuity going for Antioch and send a message that the intellectual DNA has not died. Nan would also like to see events that are fun and educational, and that will attract people: we could create a program in New York that is an extension of Antioch/Non-Stop with such a series..
David offers to teach an educational wine tasting event for the 21st: Get more people to come, charge admission. David can contact sellers from his past work, we just need cheap glasses and a venue. RSVP would be needed. Aaron: I love wine, but is this really the image of Antioch? Should it be more inclusive? Jeff: Understand that concern and agree, but this could be part of a series that we were talking about. David: And there needs to be an educational emphasis. Have an intriguing/educational theme; hardcore swirl and sniff event. Geyell (sp?): This event can build an email list for future events; it could be a way to brand the events, which is important.
AGREED: David will do wine tasting event for the 21st, Lynda will get a venue, Jeff will assist in other details, Michael and Gyelle will work on promotional/branding materials.
5. STATEMENT FROM COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Michael Casselli reads statement from Don Wallace concerning items being tossed from the buildings on campus, etc. Michael says Don Wallace will be meeting with Milt to discuss/deal with this issue.
6. CHAPTER BUILDING EVENTS
1. Social events
Election Night Party
AGREED: Robyn and Jeff will work on this.
Holiday Party?
2. Educational Series
On-going
3. Large Scale level fundraising event
John Lithgow @ CRF level (CRF needs to communicate status)
January Event?
Jeff Wood: Our chapter is sorely lacking NY based members of Alumni board. Leadership should be coming from top down to encourage alumni to attend our meetings.
Donald Davidson: Our fist meeting a year ago had 80 some people in attendance, and ever since the numbers have declined. This is an immediate need: to reach those original people and get that original turn out.
Robyn: More social, fun events could be more popular. We need to have access to emails and to be able to tell all of our friends about these meetings.
Michael Casselli: This is a process question.
Janet: Might be good to invite new people in before last 10 minutes. There are insiders and outsiders, larger dynamics at play. I don’t know where we are, what we are raising money for; there needs to be some kind of trajectory to hang onto, though I understand we don’t want to redefine every time for those already on the inside.
Michael Casselli: We need to deal with the levels of information sharing, it’s accessibility, and our own responsibility to this.
7. SET TIME AND PLACE FOR NEXT MEETING
There are internal process questions to be addressed.
Michael’s position needs to be filled.
Next meeting will be on Monday, September 15th. Venue TBD.
Limited Agenda will be set prior to meeting. Someone will be assigned minutes.
