ETHS Class of 1974 Reunion Association
Minutes of the 2021 Annual Meeting
In attendance via ZOOM call:
Kate Morand, President
Robert S. Gold, Vice President
Maria Svolos Gebhard, Secretary
Ellen Byrne, Logistics Chair
Jada Robitaille
Kathy Kline Moore
Diane Altshuler Hermanek
Carolyn Krause
John O’Connor
The meeting was called to order at 1:04 pm CST by Kate Morand.
Kate Morand welcomed all in attendance.
Jada Robitaille offered a motion to approve the agenda as published in the notice of the Zoom meeting, The motion was seconded by Ellen Byrne with no ensuing discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Ellen Byrne offered a motion to approve the minutes from the 2020 Annual Meeting as posted on the ETHS1974.com web page. This motion was seconded by Jada Robitaille. There were no questions and no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Executive Committee Report
Bob expressed deepest sympathy to Wendy Wefler Oldeen on the loss of her mother tragically to covid, and that Wendy’s absence from today’s meeting is being noted with the sorrow and understanding of the group.
Bob noted that the last year was uneventful to the association.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer’s report was given by Bob Gold, as member of the Association. Bob Gold will clarify with Wendy Oldeen that one of the bank accounts previously open has been closed. Bob Gold also reported that the sole liability of the association is its unsold T-shirts and that $401.00, part of the balance in the checking account, is earmarked for those who request and/or require financial assistance with admission to the reunion. Bob reported that the balance in the bank account agrees to the penny with Wendy Oldeen’s report. The motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Jada Robitaille and seconded by Ellen Byrne, There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Membership Committee Report
Kate Morand asked for someone to take over the responsibility of handling membership notifications and membership committee leadership. Jada Robitaille nominated Diane Hermanek to chair the membership committee. The motion was seconded by Ellen Byrne.
Bob Gold reported that the association has 463 members per its website; 406 members on its Facebook Group; and 655 known alumni who have not joined the website. Bob Gold noted that there is no precise overlap of the website members and the Facebook Group members.
Discussion followed about address changes for members. Bob Gold reported that members log in to the ETHS Class of 1974 website, where they will be offered two options: The “Details” option is the place for contact information changes and the “Profile” option is the place for social information. He remarked that, in the future, all who belong to the Facebook page also be registered on the website as notifications to class members will be done via the website.
Bob Gold and Kate Morand agreed to assist Diane Hermanek in assuming the role of Membership Committee chair.
After discussion and numerous expressions of thanks to Kate Morand, the motion passed unanimously.
New Business
1. Bob Gold opened discussion on the possibility and feasibility of virtual mini-reunions. And noted that the if the idea is popular it might entail the Association procuring a Zoom account and assigning administrative roles to support the mini-reunions. The virtual reunion tool might promote and facilitate growth of the Association and the 2024 Reunion Committee. Much discussion followed which also highlighted the importance of inclusion in the values of the Association.
Bob Gold suggested that he and Kate Morand craft a statement from the Association to say that the Association is here to help promote mini-reunions. This statement would be presented to the Executive Committee for approval and to be issued. After lengthy discussion, Jada Robitaille moved and Maria Gebhard seconded that Bob Gold’s suggestion be made a motion. There being no discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
2. Kate Morand reported that the current Constitution and ByLaws of the Association were due for a review. John O’Connor made the motion that a subcommittee be formed to review the Constitution and Bylaws and propose modifications to be be voted on at the 2022 meeting of the Executive Committee. After additional discussion, the motion was seconded by Maria Gebhard and it carried unanimously.
Open Discussion
Kate Morand called upon Bob Gold to invite topics for discussion from those attending the meeting,
Bob Gold invited the group to present additional topics for discussion in an open forum.
John O’Connor addressed and Bob Gold assented to the expression of feelings of a number of attendees concerning the historical racial and religious exclusivity of the venue of the 2020 Reunion: The Evanston Golf Club. Bob expressed his wish for leadership diversity and thanks to John O’Connor for readdressing the topic and the Association’s efforts to promote inclusivity.
Discussion followed on ideas for a future venue to allow for maximum inclusivity based on race, religion, and gender and also on financial accessibility to participate in the reunion. John O’Connor volunteered to assist wherever needed. When asked by Bob Gold to take on the responsibility of the golf outing portion of the reunion, he agreed.
Maria Gebhard suggested the Evanston Historical Society and/or the park outside of it as possible neutral and affordable venues. Bob Gold suggested that new Robert Crown Center be viewed by a group this summer as a possible venue. Ellen encouraged early discussions and “feet on the ground” efforts in Evanston by all who are able.
All were reminded by Kate Morand that ETHS property is not available for hosting of reunions.
Maria Gebhard, Carolyn, Krause, John O’Connor and Diane Hermanek volunteered to join Bob Gold in visiting possible venues over the summer and fall of 2021 and share ideas for and gather information on possible venues for the 2024 reunion with Ellen Byrne, chair of the Logistics Committee.
Ellen Byrne encouraged fresh eyes and avowed to always add to the strength of the group going forward indicating that her travel over the next year was going tome limited.
After more discussion, the group agreed unanimously that the goals of the 2024 Reunion would be for it to be 1) inclusive, 2) affordabie, and 3) interesting.
Bob Gold suggested the tentative date of January 16, 2022 1:00 pm CST for the next meeting of the Association.
There being no other business, Bob Gold made the motion to adjourn the Meeting at 2:07 PM CST. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Maria Svolos Gebhard
Secretary, ETHS Class of 1974 Reunion Association
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