1958

This month, the column breathlessly awaited by '58's and their families everywhere will not be composed of the type of material which normally occupies this space. Instead, this epistle will be devoted to a treatise on the minutes of the Class Executive Committee meeting held in Ithaca, N. Y., on November 14, 1964.

Since most official class action which develops between reunion meetings either originates with or flows through your Executive Committee, we felt it would be desirable to inform you of the activities with which these dignitaries have been occupying themselves. I am certain that if any comments, questions, or criticisms should arise from your perusal of this report, any and all of the committee members would be happy to hear from you. Don't write the Secretary, however, unless you insert a minimum of one news item into the text of your message.

The meeting consisted essentially of four reports, portions of which are quoted below in the order in which they were given.

SECRETARY'S REPORT (Ken Prouty)

Three basic issues were presented for discussion: 1. An evaluation of the column as it has appeared during the past year was requested. 2. Two possibilities for augmenting the supply of news available to the Secretary for his monthly endeavor were advanced. The first of these embodied some form of direct news solicitation on the part of the Secretary. The second involved the appointment of assistant (probably regional) secretaries whose responsibility it would be to report information on a specific number of classmates each month. 3. The suggestion was made that separate and distinct ground rules be established for the Class Secretary and the Class Newsletter Editor to provide a more diversified approach to the reporting of news of significance and to preclude the publication of repetitious information.

Assuming that it is deemed desirable, to continue the present format of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE column, it was decided to include with the mailing of the bills for class dues some form of request for news. It was further decided to explore the possibility of the establishment of regional secretaries. Finally, it was agreed that the Secretary would investigate through the Class Secretary's Association in Hanover the methods which other classes have employed to resolve the problem of providing somewhat different formats for the ALUMNI MAGAZINE and the Newsletter.

TREASURER'S REPORT (Gary Finerty)

The class finished the year with about $950 cash on hand. We had about 69.9 per cent participation in our first full dues drive (approximately 520 out of 744).

Recommendations: 1. Distribution of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE should be discontinued, after June, 1965, to members of the class who fail to pay their annual dues, after proper notification that such action would be forthcoming as a result of failure to do so. The cost of the MAGAZINE is borne by the class and is based on the number of copies distributed. Consequently, dues-paying members subsidize those who are delinquent in this respect.

2. Class dues should be kept at their present level, at least until the fifteenth reunion. At that time we will be in a better position to define our operating expenses and long-term goals.

3. Since we presently have a surplus, $50, or possibly $100, should be provided annually for both a reunion and a scholarship fund. The reunion fund, by defraying a portion of the costs, should, hopefully, increase the attendance, thereby increasing the unity of the class.

ALUMNI FUND CHAIRMAN'S REPORT (Herb Swarzman)

In the 1964 Alumni Fund Drive the Class collected more money and achieved higher participation than in any previous year. The total amount collected was $8,683.50, and participation in the 1965 Alumni Fund participation was 75 per cent. Particularly contributors were added to the list of contributors during 1964. Even better results in this area are expected in 1965.

The remainder of the report was devoted to the detailed discussion of Herb's results in 1964 and his plans for the upcoming drive. This will be discussed in greater detail next month.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT (Dick Stoddard)

Consideration of the following items was requested: 1. Establishment of an annual executive committee meeting at a permanent location. 2. Establishment of an annual class "informal reunion" and possibly several regional gatherings of this nature. Reunion Chairman, Dick Frisch, was appointed chairman of a committee established to investigate this matter. Most likely, the informal reunion would be scheduled to coincide with a football game. The results of the deliberations of the committee are expected this spring. The first get-together will probably be slated for the fall of 1965.

3. Establishment of a permanent award to the most outstanding assistant class agent in the annual Alumni Fund Drive. The award would probably be in the form of a set of Dartmouth glasses or a Dartmouth chair. Also, continuation was recommended of the type of award (certificates of achievement) presented this year to outstanding agents.

The committee decided to vote on the following issues: 1. Establishment of a regional secretary arrangement. 2. Cancellation of ALUMNI MAGAZINE subscriptions of non-dues-paying members. 3. Continuation of the present dues level through the 'fifteenth reunion. 4. Provision of an annual amount for scholarship and reunion funds (separate votes). 5. Time and location of an annual executive committee meeting. 6. Establishment of an annual award to the most outstanding assistant class agent.

Since all members of the committee were unable to be present at the meeting, Chairman Stoddard elected to solicit the vote in the form of ballots mailed to the home of each member. The results of the vote will be announced in a subsequent issue.

Attending the wedding of Ellen and Tony Dingman '57 on the Wheaton College campus were Arthur Ray bin '58, Charles Dingman '31 (groom's father), Tony and Ellen,Dr. Charles Dingman '54 (groom's brother), Prof. George Schoenhut, Mary BethDingman (a '63 Summer Term "alumna") and Larry Dingman '60 (the latter two being cousins of the groom). Ellen is Wheaton's Assistant Dean of Students and a '62graduate of Connecticut College. Tony directs dramatics at the Norton, Mass., college.

Secretary, 289 Marlborough St., #7 Boston 14, Mass.

Treasurer, 102 Hastings St., Framingham, Mass.