Pomona College Alumni Association Board Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2022 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
Members In Attendance: Aldair Arriola-Gomez ’17, Soren Austenfeld ’15, Michael Bright ’10, Alisa Fishbach, Robi Ganguly ’00, Marcel Green ’90, Jason Howie ’03, Carol Kruse ’84, Jeff Levere ’12, Linda Luisi ’81, Vicki Paterno ’75 P’07, Amy Van Buren Rhodes ’07, Veronica Roman ’95, Josh Rodriguez ’13, Alfredo Romero ’91, Julie Siebel ’84, Andrea Venezia ’91, Dominic Yoong ’88, Nina Zhou ’19
Board Members absent: Andrew Brown ’77, Paula Gonzalez ’95, Megan Kaes Long ’08, Lew Phelps ’681
Representatives Present: Lisa Beckett, Vera Berger ’23, Paola Franco ’17, Dena Negrete, Kristen Romero, Lucy Takahashi
Staff present: Pritina Irvin, Mariam Khwajazada
Call to Order and Welcome: Alfredo Romero ‘91 called the meeting to order at 10:00 am and invited new members to introduce themselves.
Board Meeting Minutes from June 25 were approved unanimously by the board.
Roles & Responsibilities Q&A/Confirmation: Alfredo Romero ’91 confirmed the 2022-23 Alumni Board and answered a few questions regarding their roles and responsibilities.
Committee Reports and Goals:
- Development Committee – Dominic Yoong ’88 provided an update on upcoming goals for the Development Committee, in support of the Annual Giving office priorities.
- Regional Chapters Committee – Julie Siebel ’84 gave an update on travel to regional chapter locations over the summer. Julie also shared data results of the Regional Chapters Engagement survey. The reports presented and shared include communication preferences, activities/events of interests, most responsive class years, and locations (geography).
- Engagement Committee – Andrea Venezia ’91 shared the Engagement Committee’s Mission and Vision statement and reviewed the engagement & action goals the committee has identified for the year, including building a stronger connection with the Senior class and younger alumni.
Special Guest: Art Landerholm ’92 of Gift Planning gave a special presentation on the history of the Pomona Plan, Gift Annuities, and the Life Income program, sharing with the board a detailed slide deck showing the various ways gifts and bequests from our donors are categorized.
Representatives' Introductions & Updates
- Faculty Representative: Lisa Beckett shared her commitment to enhancing communication between the Alumni Board and faculty in general, and asked the Board for suggestions of topics to bring to the faculty. Lisa is a member of President Starr’s Wellness Taskforce, charged with developing ways to spread wellness throughout the community. Lisa shared more about the recently launched wellness grants that were available for Staff this past summer, as part of the “Flourish” component of the College’s Strategic Plan.
- Adv. Comms & Events: Kristen Romero provided the board with an overview of her role as Associate Director on the ACE team. She encouraged (and thanked) the board for their help in sharing campus happenings with alumni to further our engagement efforts and toward increasing participation in special initiatives like the Alumni Attitudinal Survey, which closed on August 16, 2022.
- Admissions Office: Paola Franco ’17 shared with the board that the Admissions office is always looking for alumni volunteers. Admissions is welcoming the class of 2026; the most diverse class in the history of Pomona College.
- Student Representative: Vera Berger ’23 is working with the college on targeted programming to increase awareness of alumni engagement with current students and building casual connections between students and alumni. Vera extended an invitation to have Alumni Board members attend an upcoming ASPC meeting.
Director’s Report: Alisa Fishbach, Director of Alumni and Family Engagement shared upcoming programs that A&FE are preparing for including (most immediately) New Family Move-In Day and Orientation, and Family Weekend in October. She also mentioned two upcoming special Alumni Board sessions/events:
- Alumni Board On-Campus Weekend to be held on October 6-8, 2022. Alumni Board is invited to campus for a series of events throughout the weekend – including the Alumni Board meeting on Saturday, October 8. Schedule and travel information will be forthcoming by email.
- Pomona College Traditions Focus Group, facilitated by Richard Fass: Former Dean Richard Fass is leading a focus group session with the Alumni Board regarding Pomona traditions. A poll will be circulated with the alumni board shortly to identify the best day and time. This focus group will be produced and supported by Advancement Communications & Events (ACE).
New Business: Alfredo Romero ’91 announced that we are identifying Alumni Board member volunteers to participate in the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) which executes the selection process of new Alumni Board members and the next President-Elect (terms to begin July 1, 2023). Members were asked to contact Alfredo if interested in serving.
Adjournment: Alfredo Romero ’91 adjourned the meeting at 1:00 pm.
Next Alumni Board Meeting:
Friday & Saturday, October 7-8, 2022 (arrival Thursday, October 6)
In Person, Pomona College Campus