Winter 2003 GEMS Board Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2003
The Fall conference call minutes were approved.
Directors Present: Ray Ban, Jim Beckman, Johnny DeCooman, Fred Franklin, Bob Helkowski, Tony Hutchinson, Tom Kleeb, Chuck Koval, Cynthia Kramer, Amy Lamke, Bob Landis, Dave Michel; Staff: Colleen Swetland
Directors Absent: Barb Arnold, Jose Cowen, Colleen Demark, Mike Starsinic
Alumni Council Report (Amy Lamke)
· Meeting emphasized grass roots nature of committee.
The meeting went well.
Campus Committee Report
· Barb working with New Kensington on presentation
at common hour.
· Tom attended two open houses at McKeesport
and referred interested high school students' names
and addresses to Colleen Swetland.
Career Committee (Dave Michel)
· A presentation was given to high school guidance
counselors from twelve schools in the Monongahela Valley
section of Pittsburgh on January 23. The presentation
promoted EMS careers, scholarships, and the small school
atmosphere of the college. Contact numbers for the college,
EMEX and, Tom Kleeb were left with the attendees.
· Bob Helkowski is working in the East with the
Jason Project, an interactive program in Bristol Twp.
Participation in the project requires training, so we
may be able to use their contacts, but not participate
in the project. Other contacts are being pursued through
Cindy Freeman Fail and others.
· Fred spoke to the Black Student Union at Henderson
High School. The presentation was well received and
the students' parents showed a lot of interest. He also
had a lot of interest at a Chamber of Commerce meeting
presentation.
Executive Committee (Ray Ban)
· Several members of the Executive Committee
met with Dean Barron in DC on December 3 on some issues.
In general, the discussion centered around how the college
can utilize the Alumni Society more effectively. The
Dean also discussed his plans for new student orientation
and assigning alumni contacts to new students.
· GEMS will look at college strategic plan to
match the GEMS plan to support the college.
· Johnny pointed out that the college plan does
not seem to involve the alumni.
Action: Will try to clarify the alumni relationship
in the college plan, which is due in February. Colleen
to alert Dean Barron of our concern and explore the
opportunity to amend the plan and confirm the submission
dates. Ray will also call the Dean to discuss.
Resource Committee (Bob Landis)
· Alumni Achievement Award solicitations will
be going out. We will carry over one of last year's
award, Leonard Konikow. We've received two more nominations
· Board membership positions are OK.
Action: Colleen will circulate information on the two
candidates. The Resource Committee will make recommendation
by July.
Program Committee (Amy Lamke)
· Bob Landis, Joel Meyers, Ed Johnstonbaugh,
and Dave Donahue, are the speakers confirmed. Bob Livezey
is probable. Johnny reports that Joe Paterno will not
be available. It's a low probability that Jerry Sandusky
will be available. He is now checking with the Pa. State
Emergency Management Department to see if they could
participate. John Dutton is now available and maybe
we could find a role for him in the program. If we can't
find a user from the Athletic Department, maybe John
could step into this slot. Ray also has FEMA connections
through the Weather Channel that could be used to secure
a speaker.
· All faculty, staff, and students have been
notified of the conference.
· Jon Merritt will be contacted to promote within
the college. The program will be re-promoted to non-meteo
students with Dana's assistance. Dean Barron will also
be asked to use the prestige of his position to promote
the program. Flyers will be posted around campus.
· An event coordinator at the Nittany Lion Inn
has been secured.
Action: There may be two speaker holes, so Ray will
pursue his FEMA contacts. Program Committee will have
a conference call Thursday, January 30, to discuss the
program. Johnny to try to pin down Jerry Sandusky by
then.
New Business
· The Board decided that participation in the
homecoming parade would not be time effective. It was
suggested that one of the special interest groups (Mat.
Sci, Meteorology, Irvin Hall) might be interested in
taking this on.
Action: Colleen and Cynthia Kramer will investigate.
Subject will be discussed in March.
· Bob Helkowski will take minutes for Tom Kleeb
at Spring Meeting.
· Future Meetings:
Spring - March 27-29, 2003
Fall - September 17-20, 2003
Respectively Submitted,
Tom Kleeb
