The Board of Director’s Meeting was held on Wednesday, September 22 via a Zoom/In-person Hybrid. The in-person portion of the group met at the Bank of Ann Arbor conference room. Club membership on August 31 was 241 Active members, plus five Honorary members and twelve Inactive Emeriti. Attendance for the month’s four meetings was 27%. Average attendance at each meeting was 66 members plus twelve others. Our Engagement Ratio for the month was 48%. The board unanimously approved to accept Cyril White as a transfer club member (transferring from the Chelsea Club).
The Operating Fund Balance on August 31 was $44,047. The Club’s Endowment Investment market value was $3,023,242, a 2% increase from the previous month.
As it currently stands, in person meetings at the Union will commence on October 6. A meeting of Union staff and RCAA tech crew took place September 23 to run a dress rehearsal for Zoom hybrid meetings. We are required to poll membership regarding attendance to the Union staff every week. Attendees will also be required to complete an on-line self-reporting survey for each week they plan to attend. All attendees will be required to mask up except while dining. Buffet lunches will be available for the same price. The board motioned and approved to require anyone attending in-person meetings at the Michigan Union to be vaccinated for Covid-19.
A STRIVE report was provided from co-chairs Andrea Bare and Daphne Schalbetter for mentoring seniors at Pathways High School to attend Washtenaw Community College. RCAA funding has averaged about $20,000 per year giving an average of $1,200 per student, with a few additional named scholarships. In May, the chairs reviewed the program to date in order to plan a good path forward. While the WCC team indicated strong interest in working with the RCAA STRIVE to increase success rates, the actual results have been disappointing. Findings from discussions with stakeholders and comparator organizations support the following changes to the current program:
- Funding – allocate more money to fewer individuals and change to full scholarships for 3-5 years. Roll small donor contributions into a larger effort for more impact. Screen applicants to make sure they are truly on the college path. Join the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation pooled scholarship approach (STRIVE will work students through this process).
- Programming to improve impact – Start the program earlier (junior year), assist with part-time job needs of students, award a completion certificate, provide more practical and hands-on mentoring.
The board approved for the STRIVE Program to have a detailed discussion with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and report back when they have more information on how it will work.
This year’s Golf and Tennis Outing was successfully held on September 13, 2021 at the Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center. There were 21 foursomes for golf and over 150 for dinner. There was also a successful silent auction raising more than $12,400. Net financial numbers are not yet available as of this report.
