USNA Crest

U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association
Central Region Trustee
Leonard R. Wass, CAPT (Ret.)
USNA Class of 1964

 

Subj: December 2005 BOT Meeting Report     

Refer to: Central Region Letter 21-05; December 12, 2005
***
PLEASE DO NOT HIT REPLY TO E-MAIL ME. I WILL NOT GET IT. E-MAIL ME DIRECTLY AT MY USNA ALUMNI CLASSMAIL ADDRESS, len.wass@1964.usna.com
***
Chapter Officers - Please give this e-mail the widest possible distribution among your members and other alumni in your area.

 ****

My apologies for the delay in relaying the events of the 12/1/05 BOT meeting but I’ve been out of town since then.  Here is a summary of the reports/decisions that were made at the BOT meeting.

 

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (Dan Proulx ’82)

·       43 Class Corresponding Secretaries (’34 to ’99) attended a meeting on 11/10 to discuss/exchange views on Shipmate magazine; good meeting; will hold another in a few years

·       Strategic communications plan being refined/updated

 

ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE (Bill Rentz ‘ 55)

·       Captain Karen Fry is the new Director of Admissions at USNA

·       Chapter Academy Awareness Representative point paper developed to describe how this position should function and interface with others, e.g. BGO

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE (Bob Stevenson ’60)

·       More progress in last few months on maintenance & capital improvements on Association property than in a long time

o     Re-roofed Ogle Hall and renovated fence

o     Roof on Cottage and 49 House repaired

o     Much other work accomplished, e.g., electrical in Ogle Hall

·       Planning ADA upgrades to Ogle Hall (e.g., elevator, restrooms, HVAC); working with various approval authorities—expect 18 month process

 

OTHER CHAPTER TRUSTEE SELECTION COMMITTEE (Raese Simpson ’61)

·       Alamo, Columbus/Central Ohio, and North Texas Chapters were selected from 10 applications to be seated as Trustees upon conclusion of the Spring BOT meeting; this is a 30 % increase in BOT applications from Chapters

·       Wass note:  I’m pleased that 6 of the 10 applicants were from the Central Region, and the three winners were from Central; as I member of the Committee I applaud all ten applicants—it was a very difficult decision to choose 3 from 10 excellent applications

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT (Rod Rempt ‘ 66)

·       I will issue a separate newsletter on this report because it is quite lengthy

 

PRESIDENT/CEO REPORT (George Watt ‘ 73)

·       Thanked alumni for support; semi-annual report located at: http://www.usna.com

·       Briefed USNA Board of Visitors on Leaders to Serve the Nation Campaign (fund-raising); BOV pleased with results

o       Gen Chuck Krulak ‘ 64 Chairs the BOV; ADM Snuffy Smith ‘ 62 is a member

o       Campaign goal of $225 million exceeded ($245 million reached)

o       $90 million in direct support of USNA was given during campaign (e.g., Endowed Chairs, Stadium Renewal, Levy Center, Crown Sailing Center, etc.)

·       Post-campaign focus will be to: maintain alignment with USNA priorities for sustained fund raising; grow a culture of philanthropy; lay groundwork for the next campaign

·       June 2006 will be the 120th anniversary of the Alumni Association (formed 6/11/1886)

 

JOINT FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT (Corbin McNeill ‘ 62)

·       New auditors are working out well—getting more experienced auditors than with previous firm—new auditor worked at the Association 5 years ago

·       Gave “unqualified” audit approval—highest level of report—no management letter (first time in 8 years)

·       Good financial footing

·       BOT unanimously approved a gift to south stadium entrance arch (Alumni Arch) and a plaque honoring Bill Busic; cost will be $500,000 payable over two years; we have almost $8 million in unrestricted funds

·       BOT unanimously approved an Operating Manual change to bring officer compensation review procedure up to date and in line with legal requirements

 

JOINT INVESTMENT COMMITTEE (Hank Sanford-CFO)

·       USNA Foundation asset growth to $122 million as of 9/05 (after giving $93 million to USNA)

·       Good investment results-3rd QTR results up 4.6%

·       Investment fund continually watched/improved by JIC

·       Nearing end of search for a new investment manager for main portfolio—down to 2 firms including incumbent—decision by 12/15

 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE (Dan Lear ‘ 68)

·       Approved 20 Associate Members

·       Need to increase regular membership

·       Corporate membership program working well—40 members generating more than $200,000 in annual revenue to the Association

·       BOT voted unanimously to approve Gordon England, SECNAV, as an Honorary Member—he has been a big supporter of USNA (stood in rain at Emerald Bowl with pneumonia)

 

PLAN 2010 REVIEW (Dan Lear ‘ 68 & George Watt ‘ 73)

·       Dan Lear and Perry Martini ‘ 71 are Co-Chairs

·       Some staff assigned, but more to be named

·       Open process—invite all input and concerns

·       Periodic reports planned to BOT with 5/06 Progress Report and 12/06 Final Report

 

COUNCIL OF CLASS PRESIDENTS (Roy Snyder ‘ 50)

·       COCP has matured—have committees that mirror BOT committees (e.g., Communications, Membership, Governance, Class Giving, Wardroom Support)

 

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE (Roy Snyder ’50)

·       After presentations on background & discussion of proposed “strawman” change to BOT composition a role call vote was taken; the “strawman” proposal was defeated by a 17 to 12 vote

o       I’m pleased to report that all four Regional Trustees voted “NO” as did 8 of the 12 Chapter Trustees (all from the Central and Western Regions voted “NO”)

·       Wass note:  Thank you for your input to this important decision; I received hundreds of emails from Central Region alumni with about 10 to 1 against this proposal—your input was acted on.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

·       The Chair indicated that he was disestablishing, without prejudice, the current Nominating Committee because of procedural irregularities; he will appoint a new committee and expect they will recommend a new slate to be voted on by the BOT by January 31.

 

NAVY BLUE & GOLD (Art Bryant ‘ 66)

 

·       The meeting concluded with a singing of our alma mater led by Art Bryant ‘ 66

 

 

****************************************
GO NAVY!! BEAT ARMY!!!

Very Respectfully,
Leonard R. Wass '64
Captain, USNR (Ret.)
Central Region Trustee, USNAAA
len.wass@1964.usna.com
(W) 630-947-0145 x223
Fax: 630-947-0144

USNA 64 Crest

 

***
PLEASE DO NOT HIT REPLY TO E-MAIL ME. I WILL NOT GET IT. E-MAIL ME DIRECTLY AT MY USNA ALUMNI CLASSMAIL ADDRESS, len.wass@1964.usna.com
***
Chapter Officers - Please give this e-mail the widest possible distribution among your members and other alumni in your area.
***
All Central Region Letter's are archived at http://www.wcginc.com/usnaaa/index.htm
***

Central Region:
AL,AR,IA,IL,IN,KS,KY,LA,MI,MN,MO,MS,ND,NE,OH,OK,SD,TN,TX,WI
and the CARIBBEAN, SOUTH AMERICA, & CANADA