January 18th, 2023 Minutes

Shamokin Area High School Alumni Association

Winter Meeting Minutes

January 18th, 2023

 

The Winter Business Meeting was held at 6:30pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 7th and Chestnut Streets. – Shamokin, PA - Fellowship Hall, downstairs.  No Zoom call this meeting.

 

17 members and guests were in attendance.

 

President Mary Anne Brennan Stump ’00 called the business meeting to order at 6:30pm.

 

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:  Todd Hockenbroch’s ’97 report was sent over to the President due to him being unable to attend this meeting.  The alumni exam will be held Tuesday February 28th.  The test will be given digitally on laptops again this year.

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT:  Minutes from the October 17, 2022 meeting are on the website for review.  Susan Kropinski Haas ’75 made the motion to accept the report and Jeff Schlader ’73 seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Greg Dwulet ’68 provided a report as follows:

General Fund checkbook balance: $20,758.89

Educational Fund checkbook balance: $40,566.07

 

Mary Anne Pitorak Miller ’74 made a motion to accept the report and was seconded by Erik Anderson ‘97.  All were in favor.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:  Thank you cards from the scholarship winners of 2020, 2021 and 2022 were shared.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Banquet:  Information emailed by Bonny Klinger – Saturday May 27th is confirmed with Masser’s Catering of Paxinos – Banquet Hall.  The menu will be the same as last year - salad, fried chicken, pork chops, buttered corn, mashed potatoes, filling, dessert, coffee, and tea.  The price is $25.00 per person.

 

John Clutcher ’74 to write up a policy and procedure on securing banquet reservations.  The document would include who pays to attend the banquet, the cost per person, who collects the funds and establishing deadlines.

 

Afterglow:  Erik Anderson ’97 will be doing the afterglow entertainment/trivia contest at the Banquet on Saturday May 27, 2023.

 

Entertainment:  Mary Anne Brennan Stump ’00 reported banquet entertainment will be provided by senior members of the chorus.  It's a talented group, including two all-state chorus members.

 

Invitations/Newsletters:  Madison Blackwell ’17 reported she will arrange to see if she can get the seniors’ names in the newsletter.  She has reached out to the main contributors to the newsletter to remind them of their participation and deadlines.

 

Jeff Clutcher ’78 would like to retire and asked Madison if an article can be placed in the newsletter to find a replacement and to work with that person.  He can assist Madison with the article.

 

Discussion was made concerning pages in the newsletter containing the Contributions to the General and Educational Funds and dues by class.  This will be changed to list the top 10 classes.

 

After a floor discussion, Bob Mattis ‘68 made a motion that the cost for the banquet will be $25.00 for everyone except the graduating class, Susan Kropinski ’75 seconded.  All were in favor.

 

Program:  Mary Anne Pitorak Miller ’74 reported that she needs a count of reservations so she can order the proper number of programs.

 

Auditing:  Nothing to report at this time.  

 

Awards:  Nothing to report at this time.

 

By-Laws:  Nothing to report at this time.

 

Class Representatives:  Nothing to report at this time.

 

Educational Fund:  Jeff Clutcher ’78 reported the educational fund committee will meet on February 15th.  The value of funds has decreased over the last year given the downturn in the stock market.

 

Memorabilia:  Nothing to report at this time.

 

Nominations:  We have a need for a female Vice-President for 2023-2024.

 

Publicity:  Jamie A. Hoffman Bordell ’75 sent an email to Tim Zyla at The News-Item.  Noteworthy and Community Calendar posted our meeting.

 

Website:  John Clutcher ‘74 reported the following:

For a historical perspective, the initial alumni webpage was created on April 8th, 1998 using my AOL account.  It relocated to the high school server on February 12th, 2002.  On June 20th, 2011, it relocated to the schoolwires.net server as part of the school district web service.

Routine maintenance, such as email updates, posting minutes/newsletter, graduation/banquet programs, updating “US Mailing Addresses Missing”, posting Class Reunion information, and changing class representatives are an ongoing process.  You can check out the website using the following path:

 

http://www.indians.k12.pa.us/alumni

 

10/18/2022 - Based upon discussion at the 10/17/2022 meeting, added the following new entry to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to give more exposure to checks coming into the association.

Q: What are some considerations for estate planning, specifically the details of processing a request?

A: The alumni association greatly appreciates contributions which come from an estate or other areas.  To properly process, be sure your bequest states Shamokin Area High School Alumni Association and designate if it is for the General Fund, Scholarship Fund or another specified purpose.  Please contact our alumni association treasurer if you have any questions by reviewing the officer's tab.

Also, added the following under Greg Dwulet's (treasurer) name on the main website homepage:

Concerning estate planning - Be sure your bequest states Shamokin Area High School Alumni Association and designate if it is for the General Fund, Scholarship Fund or another specified purpose.

 

10/19/2022 – Added a new FAQ (frequently asked question) to the website.

Q: Who is a contact for the Coal Township Alumni Association?

A: As of 2022, the president of the Coal Township Alumni Association is Sam Weaver - 1148 W. State St. Coal Township, PA 17866.  Telephone 570-644-1005.

 

10/19/2022 – Discovery.  We used “137th Annual Reunion” in both the April 2020 and April 2021 Newsletters.  While we didn’t have a banquet in May 2020 due to Covid, we did meet that year via a zoom call to present the scholarship winners.  Recommend we put 140th Annual Reunion” in the April 2023 Newsletter.

 

Webpage reflects Facebook entry for the alumni association created in the fall 2014.  Current membership is at 308 (same as the October 17th 2022 meeting).

Facebook Group for Shamokin Area High School Alumni Association

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/539207516138422/

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Mary Anne Brennan Stump ’00 spoke on the establishment of a “Wall of Fame” for the alumni association.  She handed out examples of what other schools are doing for this process.  A committee was formed to explore options:

  • Thomas Smallets ‘11
  • Mary Anne Pitorak Miller ‘74
  • Amy Henninger Rachau ‘83
  • Mary Anne Brennan Stump ‘00

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Resolution of Annuity Policy owned by The Alumni Association, giving our treasurer Greg Dwulet ’68 permission to withdrawal and deposit.  Mary Anne Pitorak Miller ’74 motioned to accept with Jamie A Hoffman Bordell ’75 seconded.  All were in favor.

 

Spring Meeting:  Wednesday April 19th, 2023 - 6:30pm - Grace Lutheran Church 7th & Chestnut St., Shamokin, PA.  Fellowship Hall Downstairs.  All committees, representatives and members are urged to attend.

 

COMMENTS:  Nothing at this time.

 

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10pm.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Jamie A. Hoffman Bordell ‘75

Secretary