GWAA CORNER

Message From the President

GWAA Retreat is a Great Success!

On Saturday, August 22nd, the GWAA board of directors held its summer retreat, and it was a great success! The board of directors is the group of alumni responsible for running the affairs of the George Washington Alumni Association and with representing alumni concerns to the University. The board of directors is made up of representatives from each of the University’s schools.

We had two-thirds of the board in attendance. Many of our members came from around the United States to participate, including Stan Grube from California (SPHHS, MBA ’66), Stuart Kassan from Colorado (SMHS, MD ’72), Penn Chabrow from Florida (LAW, JD ’62; LLM ’68), Jay Cohen from New York (CCAS, BA ’73), Alex Barned from Massachusetts (CCAS, BA ’94; MA ’96), and Allan From from North Carolina (GWSB, BBA ’72). MORE

The purpose of the retreat was to take an introspective look at the GWAA and to plan for the future. The morning session focused on examining the association’s current model, looking at best practices, and discussing the results of a market-basket study that was conducted in March 2004. Additionally, the morning session highlighted the relationship between the GWAA and the Office of Alumni Programs. In the afternoon, the board of directors divided into three sessions; each member was asked to attend two of the three. These breakout sessions were designed to focus on critical issues related to the GWAA and to garner feedback for the foundation of a strategic plan.

Breakout topics included:

• Defining the relationship between the GWAA and its constituent organizations;
  
• Recruiting and retaining volunteers for the GWAA and its constituent organizations;
  
• Defining the roles and responsibilities of GWAA Board of Directors members.

The breakout sessions provided extensive feedback and recommendations. To move forward with the planning process, I have appointed a 10-member strategic planning committee, which will present its strategic plan in spring 2005. Members were selected from the executive committee and the board of directors. Alan Nadel will serve as the chairman for this committee and Scott Mory will serve as the representative for the Office of Alumni Programs.

The members of the Strategic Planning Committee are:

Alan Nadel (Chair) (CCAS, BS ’71; LAW, JD ’76)
Chris Young (GWSB, MA ’83)
Richard Crespin (ESIA, BA ’93)
Jeremy Gosbee (CCAS, BA ’98; GWSB, MBA ’02)
Janette Michael (LAW, JD ’75)
Stuart Kassan (SMHS, MD ’72)
Johnathan Pompan (CSAS, BA ’98)
Jay Cohen (CCAS, BA ’73)
Kristy McDonnell (SEAS, BS ’00; MS ’01)
Scott Mory (CCAS, BA ’96; LAW, JD ’99)

This is an exciting year for the GWAA and we are very fortunate to have so many committed volunteers serving on our board. The strategic planning committee will be meeting throughout the year and providing updates to the executive board and the board of directors. A copy of the final strategic plan will be available online in the spring.

I look forward to seeing you at Colonials Weekend in October.

Sincerely,

Kristen Betts (Ed.D. ’98, GSEHD)
President, George Washington Alumni Association