Board Notes

The fall meeting of the William & Mary Alumni Association Board of Directors was held in Blow Memorial Hall, on campus, Sept. 18-22, 2019.

New members of the board had an orientation session in the morning on Sept. 18, then the full board convened at 1 p.m. Proceedings began with a welcome to new members, approval of consent agenda items, a report by the executive director on ongoing activities and upcoming significant events, and an update by the president on the increasingly important role that the chairs of William & Mary’s leadership boards are undertaking and on the objectives W&M President Katherine Rowe has presented to them. The Board Development Committee provided a detailed overview of the pipeline development and nominations review processes as it relates to seeking and nominating new board members. In preparation for strategic planning the following day, the board received a presentation from the director of research at EAB on new ways to strategically communicate with and engage alumni.

Thursday, Sept. 19, was dedicated to the Alumni Association’s strategic planning initiative and included committee discussions and presentations. The board also received an update on the university’s strategic planning process from Jeremy Martin Ph.D. ’12, M.B.A. ’17, chief of staff and co-chair of the steering committee.

On Friday, Sept. 20, the board reviewed the FY19 financial audit by the accounting firm PB Mares and reviewed its investment portfolio performance with representatives from the Optimal Group at Wells Fargo Investments. The board reviewed its own giving performance, received an update on the Alumni House expansion and fundraising and discussed meeting agenda and logistics for the September 2020 meeting in San Francisco as part of W&M Weekend.

Following a recap of tasks and assignments, and hearing no further business, the president adjourned the meeting. Other significant discussion and decisions were made on the following actions:

• Approved the according of Associate Alumni status to 33 retiring faculty and staff members.
• Approved the 2019 Annual Review and Accolades awards for W&M Regional and Affinity Networks.
• Increased the board campaign giving goal from $2 million to $2.4 million.

The next regular meeting of the board of directors will be Feb. 6-7, 2020, in Williamsburg, in conjunction with Charter Day Weekend. The Annual General Membership Meeting of the Association will be held on campus in Williamsburg on Feb. 8, 2020, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Sadler Center.

Nominations for 2021 Alumni Medallions

The Alumni Medallion is the highest and most prestigious award given by the Alumni Association and recognizes outstanding alumni for exemplary accomplishments in their professional life, leadership in service to their communities, state or nation, and commitment, dedication and assistance to William & Mary. The award reflects the honor that recipients bring to the university and its alumni through their actions and contributions.

The submission form may be downloaded at https://wmalumni.com/medallion or it can be requested by emailing alumni.ed@wm.edu. Three supporting letters are required and other supporting documents are encouraged. The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2021 awards is April 1, 2020.

Nominations for Alumni Service Awards

The Douglas N. Morton ’62 Alumni Service Award and Young Alumni Service Award are given annually to individuals for their exceptional service to the Alumni Association and the university, often through involvement in regional networks, affinity and identity groups and volunteer opportunities.

You may download a nomination form for this and any other alumni award at wmalumni.com/awards or contact the Office of the Executive Director at (757) 221-7855. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2020.