Association Newsletter College of the Atlantic November 1983 Vol. 2, No. 2 The College of the Atlantic Association (COAA) is an organization of people interested in COA. It includes former students, faculty, staff, parents, and anyone else who asks to join. It is also the formal alumni association of the college, is incorporated, has a constitution and by-laws, and will soon be granted tax exempt status. COAA was started by former students for three primary purposes: 1. To allow us all to keep track of each other 2. To stay informed about goings-on at the college 3. To help support the college This newsletter is published three times a year to help us keep track and stay informed. This issue is devoted to the changes and progress that have been made at the college since the fire. REPORTS FROM COAA DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS and interested in human ecology. She feels By Greg Stone that others have been intimidated by this and plans on making the application shorter and On October 1st the COAA board met at the col- more geared toward people who do not already lege. The meeting focused on the progress of have an ecological commitment. COA since the fire and how the association can best aid in the rebuilding efforts. The board discussed a letter by John March in which he proposed a forum entitled "Whither Judith Swazey commented on the financial COA?" The board decided it was a good idea, situation of the college and expressed her but not an immediate priority and perhaps concern that the college has had to use a could be combined with a social event later portion of the endowment to meet operating this year. Bill Ginn followed up on this expenses. suggestion by proposing a one week course for alumni to come back and get reoriented to the Catherine Kiorpes reported for an advisory college. committee of faculty, staff and support staff which was formed to address the college's The board discussed class correspondents and financial situation. This group and the decided that their duties could include, 1) entire faculty and staff worked hard to come working on a fundraising telethon in up with guidelines for reducing operating February, 2) helping the Communications costs. After hearing the advisory group's Committee in contacting alumni, and 3) suggestions, the Board of Trustees meeting annually as a group. unanimously and enthusiastically accepted the staff and faculty's offer of voluntary pay Carole O'Donnell reported that donations have cuts. been arriving from alumni since the fire and a complete list of needed items will be Judy Knudson talked about admissions and the compiled and published in a future need to bring the present enrollment of 120 newsletter. No book purchases will be made students to 200 or more. In the past, the for the Davis Memorial until the library student search process and application have staff has processed and inventoried the many been geared toward people already sensitive donations that are still pouring in. REPORT FROM THE GIVING COMMITTEE calling your old friends, please let Bill know. The telethon is tentatively scheduled Bill Ginn for either Boston or New York, and the cost of the long distance calls will be considered Last October 1, members of the Giving part of the campaign. Committee of the COAA met to discuss how to encourage alumni to give financial support to the College in the upcoming year. Discussion centered on both the need to preserve contributions to the general operating fund REPORT FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE of the college, while at the same time, to raise a major amount of money for the Phoenix Nancy G Fund. Members of the Communications Committee have There was strong feeling among committee been scattered across the continent, but we members that alumni support of the Phoenix have managed to meet at odd intervals to Fund will be a crucial element in its discuss the newsletter and other success, not so much from the standpoint of communications issues. total dollars given, but from the perspective of morale and spiritual support. Many The response to questionnaires sent to foundations and potential givers look to the classes of 1976, 1979 and 1982 was scant to college's alumni as one indication of how say the least. Of the 118 people in these 3 committed the community is to supporting the classes, only 16 responded. We hope that college. more people respond to this issue's questionnaires. Classes of 1974/75, 1978, With this in mind, the focus of the drive for and 1981, we want to hear from you. this year will be on the Phoenix Fund. However, the association hopes that the We also need your money! As of the October operating needs of the college can be met at 1st board meeting, only 53 people had paid the same time by utilizing the percentage of their $5 dues. Because of this low showing givers to the Phoenix Fund to match the (perhaps it simply slipped your mind, maybe $10,000 challenge grant which was issued to your August newsletter was lost in the mail?) alumni at our annual meeting last June. That we have decided to send this issue of the challenge grant was contingent upon at least newsletter to all alumni. We hope more of 50% of the College's alumni making a you seize this opportunity to maintain your contribution to the fund. This will require membership in this illustrious organization. an increase of approximately 10% in the Barbara Sassaman has designed a form to make number of people giving to the college over it easier for you. It appears at the end of previous years. Frankly, the Giving this newsletter. The new deadline is Committee hopes that well over 75% of alumni December 31, 1983. If there is a specific of the college will make a special effort to reason why you are choosing to not pay the $5 contribute this year in light of the dues, please let us know. college's urgent needs. We are considering running a personals Alumni with a particular interest in helping column. Any interested people can send ads the Giving Committee should contact Bill Ginn to me at my new address: 109 Ledgelawn Ave, at Hawk Ridge Farm, Pownal, Maine 04069, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. (telephone 207-688-4468). We will need extra alumni power this year because we hope to conduct a telethon fund raising drive in the spring to reach all alumni personally, in addition to the regular mail solicitation efforts of previous years. If you have an interest in spending an evening of fun 2