January 29, 2008
2007 – A YEAR IN REVIEW!
Dear Fellow Alumni:
What a year it has been! We started the year in litigation and we ended the year with a renewed relationship with the leadership teams at Milton Hershey School (“MHS”) and the Board of Managers (“BOM”). This complete turn-around has been accomplished with a unified strengthened MHSAA Board of Directors that has worked very hard this past year with the renewed support from a very strong membership. Through that hard work, your Board has accomplished the following:
· Re-established substantive and meaningful communications with the MHS President and his leadership team and the Board of Managers (BOM) and had regular meetings to coordinate joint projects.
· Committed to a more open and transparent board with the posting of meeting minutes on MHSAA website.
· Committed to financial accountability to membership through consolidation of MHSAA financial resources under control and accountability of MHSAA.
· Established protocols to properly recognize each MHSAA chapter representative, including the honorary chapter, as voting members of the board.
· Officially recognized three new chapters; the Pocono chapter, the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter, and the Florida chapter
· Resolved to make the MHSAA website (www.mhsaa.org) and discussion forums more effective vehicles for communications between the Association and members, and amongst members. You will hear more information about this in the coming months.
· Committed to a complete revision of the MHSAA By-Laws in an effort to modernize our operating structure and eliminate the uncertainties that previously existed, such that all members will be fully represented at all times.
· Induction of six new honorary members. Those new honorary members are as follows:
1. Shirley Reale with 45 years of service;
2. Dr. Joseph Brechbill with 43 years of service;
3. Lynette Waller with 42 years of service;
4. Robert Schelhorn with 39 years of service;
5. Jack Storm with 36 years of service; and
6. Roy Dice with 24 years of service.
· Established a healthy and productive relationship with the MHS Alumni Relations Office through discussion and/or implementation of the following program initiatives:
1. Homecoming Activities
a. Friday Night
b. Hall of Fame Parade
c. Banquet
2. Graduation Weekend
a. Class Day; or
b. Graduation Ceremony
3. Fellowship Weekend
a. Cooperative community service effort
b. Fellowship Olympics
c. Career Day Alumni speakers
4. Alumni/Student Events
a. Student Awards
b. Alumnus of the Year
c. Alumni Achievement Awards
d. Hall of Fame Awards
e. Honorary Membership
f. Board of Managers Nominations
5. The Centennial Celebration Events
· Committed to future collaboration with MHS with the following programs/initiatives:
1. Enrollment Expansion
This can be accomplished with the assistance of the MHSAA’s active participation in, but not limited to, the following enrollment initiatives:
a. Opportunity Fairs
b. Admission Days
c. Ambassador Program training and special presentations
-Transportation Coordinator
-Training
-Special Presentations
2. Alumni Mentoring Program
This can be accomplished by the MHSAA in concert with MHS through the following initiatives:
a. Recruiting mentors from MHSAA Membership
b. Active mentoring for MHS graduates
c. Mentor coordination training
3. Shared Communications
In the interest of providing clear and concise communication to our alumni population in a non-competitive environment and to avoid miscommunication we wish to explore and develop joint communication strategies through the following media:
a. Shared web-based internet sites with effective communication tools
b. Thy Traditions Dear Magazine — MHSAA Section
c. MHSAA Newsletter — MHS President’s Message
d. Website “hotlinks” — Mutual Exchanges
e. Joint Letters from MHS and MHSAA Presidents on Critical Issues
2008 – A FORECAST TO THE FUTURE!
It is against this back drop of successes over the last 12 months that we must develop forward-looking goals to advance the greater mission of Milton and Catherine Hershey through their philanthropy as memorialized in their Deed of Trust. In this regard, this Association can adopt significant goals such as:
A. Increased enrollment of the “right” students at MHS.
1. Mutual understanding of the criteria for the “right” students
2. Mutual understanding of admission policies
3. Utilization of MHSAA resources to assist with recruiting and identifying prospective students.
B. Preservation of Land Assets to Benefit Children
1. Utilization of existing infrastructure for MHS purposes
2. Utilization of existing resources (land) for activities that benefit children
3. Limitation on land acquisition expenditures for purposes that are consistent with Deed of Trust
4. Limitations on sale of land to private interests that is not consistent with the Deed of Trust.
C. Creation of Mutually Acceptable Conflicts of Interest Policy
1. Consistent with applicable federal regulations
2. Consistent with Deed of Trust
3. Inclusive of procedures to identify and resolve potential and/or actual conflicts of interest.
Through these goals and a continuing commitment to conducting ourselves with professionalism and courtesy fostered through a dedication to patience, compassion and understanding for our entire family, this Association can grow to a position of significant influence in the lives of children. When we are at that point, then we will be in a position to work meaningfully to foster the spirit of philanthropy adopted by Milton and Catherine Hershey. This does not and can not happen over night but will take years of commitment and dedication all of which will be worth the reward of actively being a part of the growth of young children to young adolescents to productive and healthy adults, all of whom will be a part of our alumni family.
In summary, there is significant work that lies ahead for the coming year. But the foundation for “healing” has been laid and the “full recovery” for a completely reunited family for MHSAA and MHS is completely within our grasp. We can have a strong, independent and vigilant alumni association while at the same time partnering with MHS and the BOM on many programs and initiatives that will serve to benefit the children of Milton and Catherine Hershey as they mandated in their Deed of Trust.
Many of you have been reluctant to support your alumni association in recent years for various reasons. We are hopeful that with all of the advancements that you have witnessed during the last 12 months that you will join us in rebuilding our community of support for the MHSAA. One way to support the MHSAA is by contributing your time to become actively involved in any number of alumni programs as outlined above that assist the alumni family and MHS students. Should you wish to contribute your time to the MHSAA, please contact the MHSAA office and talk to Jill about how you can help. While it may not be practical for many of you to contribute your time to serve the MHSAA, you can still provide meaningful support through a financial contribution that will go a long way to enabling the MHSAA to continue to manage various programs. To the extent that you can make a financial contribution, please return the enclosed card with your donation as soon as possible. Your donation will be acknowledged with a receipt for tax purposes.
We recognize that your contribution dollars are limited and that you are being solicited by other groups such as “The Heritage Foundation” and another group calling itself “Protect the Children”. We want you to know that your MHSAA Board of Directors is not supporting, condoning or participating in solicitations from you by those organizations. Those groups are independent groups separate and distinct from your MHSAA. As such, the MHSAA does not have any ability to control, monitor or account for your money or how it is being used by those groups. Conversely, the MHSAA is your alumni association and any contribution to the MHSAA will be properly accounted for and applied to legitimate MHSAA programs for the benefit of the boys and girls at MHS and our alumni family. It is your choice on how you share your hard earned dollars and we are asking that you choose to support your one and only MHSAA!
We cannot stress enough the importance of your Board continuing to move in a very positive direction. We are committed to that direction within MHSAA and we are asking for your support in helping the MHSAA continue to rebuild itself to a position of financial independence and strength by sending your donation today. Your Board is more than willing to do the work, and you will continue to hear about those efforts in the months ahead. Your 2007 and 2008 Board of Directors thanks you for your continued support for the MHSAA now and in the coming months.
Respectfully,
Robert C. Heist, President
2007 and 2008 Board of Directors
Milton Hershey School Alumni Association
