My Letter to Penn Stater

[kgilbert78]

Some may recall that I sent a letter to the Penn Stater regarding the takeover of the Alumni vote by the BOT. It was not published in this issue (or the previous one). Given deadlines (I used to be in publishing, and some in my alumni chapter could never understand just how far in advance you had to get chapter notes to them), it could still appear, but I am not holding out much hope. I'm sure I was on their "naughty list" this year....

 

[step.eng69]

I'll be watching for the piece kgilbert....

 

[kgilbert78]

I'll be watching for the piece kgilbert....

If it isn't published next issue, I shall post it here. FWIW

 

[Psumatt85]

If it isn't published next issue, I shall post it here. FWIW

Considering they have letters that reference the most recent last edition, I wouldn’t hold my breath

 

[kgilbert78]

I'm not. But th

Considering they have letters that reference the most recent last edition, I wouldn’t hold my breath

I'm not, but that just goes to show how disconnected the Alumni Association is--especially from people who "aren't like them".

For context, back in the day I was chapter president of an award winning chapter. Mind you, that was the result of the hard work of a lot of good chapter members and volunteers. Our chapter is still in that category, but the recent changes that make it very difficult for the chapters, especially those outside PA, to fund raise for basic chapter expenses may mean that the chapter won't be around much longer. Specifically, the AA made all AA members automatically members of the local chapter, who then is not allowed to have a local membership fee. I understand why, and I don't completely disagree, but that made it a lot tougher for non-PA chapters to be viable. The AA also has taken over all of the pre-game parties and stuff that was also used as fundraisers. Again, I understand why, but it does make it really tough to run anything on a local basis without any money.

 

[Catch1lion]

No Alumni Association calendars this year either .

 

[Bwifan]

I'm not. But th

I'm not, but that just goes to show how disconnected the Alumni Association is--especially from people who "aren't like them".

For context, back in the day I was chapter president of an award winning chapter. Mind you, that was the result of the hard work of a lot of good chapter members and volunteers. Our chapter is still in that category, but the recent changes that make it very difficult for the chapters, especially those outside PA, to fund raise for basic chapter expenses may mean that the chapter won't be around much longer. Specifically, the AA made all AA members automatically members of the local chapter, who then is not allowed to have a local membership fee. I understand why, and I don't completely disagree, but that made it a lot tougher for non-PA chapters to be viable. The AA also has taken over all of the pre-game parties and stuff that was also used as fundraisers. Again, I understand why, but it does make it really tough to run anything on a local basis without any money.

AA Chapters....

 

[Bison13]

I'm not. But th

I'm not, but that just goes to show how disconnected the Alumni Association is--especially from people who "aren't like them".

For context, back in the day I was chapter president of an award winning chapter. Mind you, that was the result of the hard work of a lot of good chapter members and volunteers. Our chapter is still in that category, but the recent changes that make it very difficult for the chapters, especially those outside PA, to fund raise for basic chapter expenses may mean that the chapter won't be around much longer. Specifically, the AA made all AA members automatically members of the local chapter, who then is not allowed to have a local membership fee. I understand why, and I don't completely disagree, but that made it a lot tougher for non-PA chapters to be viable. The AA also has taken over all of the pre-game parties and stuff that was also used as fundraisers. Again, I understand why, but it does make it really tough to run anything on a local basis without any money.

Definitely agree with you about how bad of a decision it was to put themselves in charge of all local chapter game parties and assignments of alumni members to a specific chapter. My wife and I are both alums here in Maryland and would sometimes choose to go to the Baltimore city or Central Maryland watch parties instead of going to the Annapolis one since they were all about the same distance away. Each one had their own unique style and fundraisers and they AA should not have control over what each group wants to independently do.

 

[Psumatt85]

I'm not. But th

I'm not, but that just goes to show how disconnected the Alumni Association is--especially from people who "aren't like them".

For context, back in the day I was chapter president of an award winning chapter. Mind you, that was the result of the hard work of a lot of good chapter members and volunteers. Our chapter is still in that category, but the recent changes that make it very difficult for the chapters, especially those outside PA, to fund raise for basic chapter expenses may mean that the chapter won't be around much longer. Specifically, the AA made all AA members automatically members of the local chapter, who then is not allowed to have a local membership fee. I understand why, and I don't completely disagree, but that made it a lot tougher for non-PA chapters to be viable. The AA also has taken over all of the pre-game parties and stuff that was also used as fundraisers. Again, I understand why, but it does make it really tough to run anything on a local basis without any money.

They don’t care. They only want people that will follow them and write checks

 

[kgilbert78]

Definitely agree with you about how bad of a decision it was to put themselves in charge of all local chapter game parties and assignments of alumni members to a specific chapter. My wife and I are both alums here in Maryland and would sometimes choose to go to the Baltimore city or Central Maryland watch parties instead of going to the Annapolis one since they were all about the same distance away. Each one had their own unique style and fundraisers and they AA should not have control over what each group wants to independently do.

No, the AA is NOT in charge of the TV watch parties. I was talking about the pregame parties both the night before and at the game for road games in the city of that local chapter. I understand why they want to give the alums a consistent experience--but I'm willing to guess that the party the night before makes a fair bit of cash for the AA (they are not cheap). The unfortunate thing about that is that it cuts out the local club from an important sources of revenue.

 

[kgilbert78]

BTW, the Penn Stater this month DID have a one page ad about nominating and voting for the BOT. Needless to say, the page kinda "buried the lede". They noted a "Skill Set Inventory Report" to "ensure a diverse range of knowledge and professional expertise among board members" and that "Candidates who receive 50 nominations, submit all required documents, and are qualified will have their names placed on the election ballot". Of course, the sticking point is who decides who is qualified--and what the required documents are.

Nomination info will be sent out on Tuesday, January 21 and due back by February 4.

 

[SleepyLion]

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference....

We are talking about AA meetings, right?

 

[BobPSU92]

Before folks jump to conclusions, remember Occam’s Razor. The most likely explanation is that it’s all just a misunderstanding.

 

[ChandlerPearce58]

Nothing will change until donations drastically decline....or someone has video of the BOT attending a "Diddy" party.

 

[Psumatt85]

Nothing will change until donations drastically decline....or someone has video of the BOT attending a "Diddy" party.

No! You’ve got me picturing Karen peetz at a diddy party