The 2006 Election and AOG Governance

 

 

 

 

John Calabro ‘68, the Secretary of the Association, updated the attendees on the election:

 

  • By 15 August, all graduates with email will receive a message from the Chairman regarding an uncontested election to select four directors and six at-large advisors.  An external audit firm will receive the votes and compile the results.

 

  • Those graduates without e-mail will receive proxy materials by USPS.

 

  • The deadline for voting is noon on 12 September 2006, prior to the annual meeting at Herbert Hall the following day.

 

 

 

Ellen Houlihan ‘82, chair of the Governance and Board Affairs Committee covered the following topics.  (See slides.)

 

  • Chairman’s Directive.  Change governance in such a way as to best accomplish the Strategic Plan and support graduates.

 

  • Achieving Mission.  We looked at best practices and compliance with state and federal requirements.

 

  • Achieving Excellence.  We sought transparency in governance to maintain member trust and progress in the future.

 

  • Key Elements.  We now have a small fiduciary board and a larger, representative, non-fiduciary council of advisors with reduced term limits.  The majority of the nominating committee now is composed of neither directors nor advisors, and there are new procedures for nomination by petition.  The President is now the CEO, rather than the COO, and the only employee of the Board of Directors.

 

  • Governance and Board Affairs Committee has completed a draft of the required Standard Practices Manual and will submit it to the Board for approval.

 

Questions and answers:

 

Regarding the assigning of a proxy to a graduate other than the Secretary of the AOG, it was emphasized that if the graduate assigned the proxy does not attend the annual meeting, the proxy cannot be voted.  If assigned to the Secretary, he must vote it exactly as marked.  He cannot substitute his own preferences.

 

The Chairman indicated that in the future the Nominating Committee may chose to interview finalists for slots on the ballot prior to making their recommendation to the Board.

 

The Chairman added that all Class and Society leaders are encouraged to recruit graduates with the passion, time and resources to serve on the Board or on the Council of Advisors.  Especially needed are people with technology and marketing skills.