Brainstorming Session #1
Here are the notes from our first Brainstorming session. We all thought it went really well, there were alot of great ideas that were brought up, now they need to be ironed out on details before they can be put in place. Ask what ever questions you want and we will elaborate on them as this is just an outline of what we discussed. Ralph is meeting with the AA to try and colaborate on some of these ideas. Although Ralph Carfagno will be out of the office til the new year due to some surgery he is having, so if you want to post your questions here, you may but Ralph will be unavailable til next year.
Brainstorming Notes with Young Alumni
Target Audience: alumni ages 25-40
Communication
Podcasts, Online seminars
Relay of non-political information
What are the benefits of being involved 1-10 years out?
What do the students want? (Survey or group discussion with students in all divisions)
Alumni newsletter design and format, to supplement Thy Traditions Dear
The Milt.com
Information from people they know
Eliminate confusion about MHS and MHSAA publications and information
Opportunities with MHS Students
Intended to help establish for the students who MHS alumni are and their role as alumni of the School
Visiting, phone calls, cards, etc. for kids that don't go home
Big Brother/Big Sister type program/Advocate for the students
Mentoring (start when students)
"Real" time with students – dinners in homes, other interaction opportunities
Require clearances/permission from parent/sponsor
Inclusion of Springboard Academy students who are starved for interaction with people beyond Springboard (good place to use non-grads who wish they had stayed at the School?)
Alumni Business' benefiting students, such as Linda Murphy's salon?
Transitions/Life Skills education provided by alumni
Hotline for students staffed by alumni
Fun Activities with Students sponsored by Young Alumni
Holiday Parties
Fashion Show
Carnivals
Barnyard Olympics
Camp Milton Alumni-Student Weekends
Services & Events for Young Alumni
(How Do We Get Younger Alumni Back and Involved?)
Contests
Job Fairs
Networking for Alumni Only
Resource List
Alumni-Run Hotline for young alumni
Alumni Housing
Parties/Social Events
Obstacles to Involvement
Families with children. Family obligations keep many from being involved as much as they would wish. Can families participate in activities?
Costs associated with returning to campus for events, programs
Considerations for Programs targeting students and/or young alumni
Be conscious of the impending issues of intercity culture; i.e. keeping our young alumni out of the drug business.
Part of transitioning is interviewing and resume skills. Not everyone goes to college and even if they do they're going to need to know how to do those things.
Ideas for MHSAA
Rummage Sale as a fundraiser for MHSAA
Fashion Show Fundraiser
Carnival Fundraiser
Chapter meeting times and locations are not convenient for young alumni
That should have been Lewis not Louis - sorry! I tried to edit my post but I couldn't access the edit mode for that specific post.
means little.
unc
What I would like to see is a all inclusive MHSAA. Being welcomed to join. I would like to see more younger alumni involves in the MHSAA election process and in holding office. I would like to see peace coming from all sides. I would like to see alumni contribute to MHSAA. You will never see that as long as it stays as it is now. I want MHSAA to be 100% independent as it should be. MHSAA should be the ones who decide how they will help MHS and alumni alike. I want MHSAA to continue its fight for BOM reform. I want the DOT to be followed and not changed at will like MHSAA by-laws.
The picture I am painting is already done. It is called The Philadelphia Chapter of MHSAA. They do more then anyone. They are united, even though they are not 100% in agreement on everything. They work it out for the best of their chapter.
unc
PS... Linda,Your answer below must be meant for Don as he way talking about ages.
of the notes, because the question of the meeting was how do we get that specific age group involved in MHS alumni affairs. It wasn't meant to disclude any age, it was the objective of the meeting, because this seems to be the age group that is not involved currently.
While I can not speak officially for the MHSAA, I will say that if Bob Heist, the MHSAA President, responded to you, then you were contacted by the person who speaks officially on behalf of the MHSAA. There would be no reason for any other person to respond to you on a specific question if he provided you with a response.
Also regarding hearing information about committees, I do recall Bill Brill posting several posts related to committee involvement and informing alumni that if they wanted to volunteer their services in support of the MHSAA, their help would be appreciated.
Also on the official MHSAA website - there are links to the bylaws which have information regarding committees.
=================================================================
ARTICLE VI
Committees
Section 1: The Committees of the Association shall be either Standing Committees or Special Committees.
Standing Committees shall be:
Executive Committee
Relationship Committee
Finance Committee
Membership/Class Agent Committee
Homecoming Committee
Alumni Senior Dinner Committee
Nominating/Elections Committee
By-Laws/Parliamentarian Committee
Honorary Membership Committee
Alumni Service Award Committee
Memorial Grove Committee
Personnel Committee
Student Awards Committee
Ways & Means Committee
Helping Hand Committee
National Support Liaison Committee
Expansion/Programs/Strategic Planning/Deed of Trust Committee
Hershey Park Family Picnic Committee
Alumni Nominees for Board of Managers Committee
The Board may create other Standing or Special Committee from time to time, as it may require.
Section 2: The Board of Directors shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all Committees.
Section 3: The Executive Committee shall meet pursuant to call of the President, and, in any event prior to each regular meeting of the Board of Directors. It shall be composed of the Officers of the Board, and the Immediate Past President, who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee. The President in coordination with the approval by the Executive Committee shall determine the Order of Business for each ensuing regular meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 4: In the interim between meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee shall have charge of the routine business of the Association.
Section 5: The Executive Committee may refer matters brought before it to a proper committee which it may designate or to the Board.
===================================================================
While some committees may be comprised of specific persons who hold specific assignments on the MHSAA BOD, for most committees you don't need to be a member of the MHSAA BOD to serve.
Additionally Bobby Chalmers, John Beekman and Jim Gould had extended offers for assistance on several occasions supporting various fundraisers. I'm sure if you or anyone wanted to support the MHSAA through volunteering to serve on a committee or in support of a specific fundraising effort, your assistance would be appreciated. I would be amazed if offers to assist were turned away.
Also, I'm sure if you presented your fundraising ideas to the MHSAA BOD, you would receive an audience.
Now with all that I just stated, I am glad that more alumni are becoming involved, and I applaud each and every alumnus, for their volunteerism.
Sincerely,
I meant Linda and not Lori. I was in a meeting most of the day and quickly typed my last post before leaving for the day. I had just had a conversation with someone named Lori who was at my desk.
Anyway, you did answer my question, nobody officially representing the MHSAA was present. Still I think all the support mentioned is good. Hopefully now when Catherine informs Ralph - and in turn - he informs the MHSAA, then the MHSAA will jump on this program.
Relative to my comment about subgroup, if the program is for all alumni then why was it only presented to the 25-40 years old age group? My posts aren't meant to be taken personally, only asking questions related to the presentation of the material that was posted. If the group only includes a segment of the entire group, then it is a subgroup. There isn't anything wrong with being a subgroup, I belong to several. Chapters are subgroups, and perhaps this group could form their own chapter - chapters shouldn't necessarily be established due to geography, I think maybe the Honorary Chapter was established for all honorary alumni without regard to geography. I'm glad to hear that this program will be offered to all alumni. Good luck with your pursuits!
Thank you for the response!
Sincerely,
Getting a group of younger/older alumni together to explain and examine the differences in enrollment criteria, how the School was during those periods as well as an understanding of how to unite those in a multi-generational organization.
I bring this to the table after being approached by a few of the gentlemen from the 1940's who "knew" Mr. Hershey who didn't understand our enrollment criteria nor the way the School was run at the time. Included in this were the ideals of the Lepley "Prep School" kids who to some didn't "need" the School and were there as "ringers" for statistics. In the long-range planning for this AA we need to bring that to the fore and for the future of the AA as a whole. There will not be the orphanage nor "social orphan" mentality with these alums.
Secondary, love the ideas esp the barnyard olympics or carnival which can be done at Homecoming.
Don, I will interject this not as a volley of negativity but as a curious question. You bring up Ralph and the School's side of Alumni Relations. 2 to 1 after I stated what I did at the Business Meeting I've heard from Ralph's office and only have heard, next to yourself, from Heist from the AA side. Little or no communication from these "committee's" are heard of in this forum nor the miltonhersheyforums.com website. How do these people set any of the fundraising activities or expect involvement if active participation isn't given from all sides? Ya know?
Btw...got a few ideas here for you guys with the brainstorm session that are cost-effective YET should/would make the AA money.
Catherine Skena was at the "Brainstorming" session with us. She is the one that forwarded our ideas to Ralph since he was not there. We aren't going to be a subgroup, we threw out the ideas so that ALL Alumni could be involved, and new ideas that could be used to help raise money for the association as a whole.
Oh, and the person that posted the "Brainstorming' ideas her name is Linda, not Lori. 
to Ralph on a speedy recovery from his surgery.
The same goals you mention are part of the MHSAA's mission. Maybe the MHS Alumni Relations Office is coordinating its efforts through the MHSAA, was the MHSAA officially represented at this meeting?
If the MHSAA is not part and parcel in coordination of this new design, then is the MHSAA being written out of the new plan? From what Lori provided it seems as if the ideas will be presented to the MHSAA.
The concerns some alumni may have, rest not with MHSAA infighting, but rather with coordinating the support efforts through the MHSAA. Isn't that whole purpose of MHSAA electing directors; and MHSAA chapters elect representatives, who co-joined elect officers; and elect committee chairs; who in turn organize committees - that eventually do support all of these goals?
Regarding fundraising, The Milton and Catherine Hershey Heritage Foundation Fund was established to raise money to support these very goals. Within the MHSAA, there exist specific committees that support these very goals. How does the 25-40 age group fit into the MHSAA organization? Will they be aligned with the established MHSAA committees?
How was it explained that this subgroup of alumni would be involved in raising money on behalf of the MHSAA? Was it explained that this subgroup would work with the MHSAA established committees to organize fundraising efforts?
I think all of these goals are wonderful, but I think further clarification is needed to relieve some of the confusion.
I'm asking these questions not to create controversy but rather to clarify how this subgroup is going to function within the MHSAA?
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Larry, this meeting that we had wasn't about the current infighting in the MHSAA, it was about how to get more younger Alumni involved, and how we can help the kids at the school, and become more involved with them at the school, and as Alumni have fundraisers, and group gatherings, to raise money for the Association. This wasn't a meeting about Polictics, it was more about what we as Alumni can do for each other, and what we can give back to the children at the school.
None of us younger alumni....who are almost forty anyhow, put that age span there, I think that was in Catherines notes of what MHS's goal was. I would encourage all ages of alumni to participate when any of these programs get set up. Bill E. Just so you know...from what i understand option C. is already in progress, there has been a lot of healing going on this year between the school and the AA and they are currently trying to work together on some things. But we all need to realize that there is no leader or group of leaders that can possibly please every single member.
Brainstorming Notes with Young Alumni
Target Audience: alumni ages 25-40
Communication
Podcasts, Online seminars
Relay of non-political information
What are the benefits of being involved 1-10 years out?
What do the students want? (Survey or group discussion with students in all divisions)
Alumni newsletter design and format, to supplement Thy Traditions Dear
The Milt.com
Information from people they know
Eliminate confusion about MHS and MHSAA publications and information
Opportunities with MHS Students
Intended to help establish for the students who MHS alumni are and their role as alumni of the School
Visiting, phone calls, cards, etc. for kids that don't go home
Big Brother/Big Sister type program/Advocate for the students
Mentoring (start when students)
"Real" time with students – dinners in homes, other interaction opportunities
Require clearances/permission from parent/sponsor
Inclusion of Springboard Academy students who are starved for interaction with people beyond Springboard (good place to use non-grads who wish they had stayed at the School?)
Alumni Business' benefiting students, such as Linda Murphy's salon?
Transitions/Life Skills education provided by alumni
Hotline for students staffed by alumni
Fun Activities with Students sponsored by Young Alumni
Holiday Parties
Fashion Show
Carnivals
Barnyard Olympics
Camp Milton Alumni-Student Weekends
Services & Events for Young Alumni
(How Do We Get Younger Alumni Back and Involved?)
Contests
Job Fairs
Networking for Alumni Only
Resource List
Alumni-Run Hotline for young alumni
Alumni Housing
Parties/Social Events
Obstacles to Involvement
Families with children. Family obligations keep many from being involved as much as they would wish. Can families participate in activities?
Costs associated with returning to campus for events, programs
Considerations for Programs targeting students and/or young alumni
Be conscious of the impending issues of intercity culture; i.e. keeping our young alumni out of the drug business.
Part of transitioning is interviewing and resume skills. Not everyone goes to college and even if they do they're going to need to know how to do those things.
Ideas for MHSAA
Rummage Sale as a fundraiser for MHSAA
Fashion Show Fundraiser
Carnival Fundraiser
Chapter meeting times and locations are not convenient for young alumni
I wish all of you much success in your programs to assist the students and to involve the younger alumni.
What happens to those who initially participate in this group and then 41? [smile]
Sincerely,
should be the goal. If it is achieved then all the things that Linda stated as topics and/or goals can be done. I am not going to get into specific things as beating a dead horse accomplishes nothing.
What I would like to see is a all inclusive MHSAA. Being welcomed to join. I would like to see more younger alumni involves in the MHSAA election process and in holding office. I would like to see peace coming from all sides. I would like to see alumni contribute to MHSAA. You will never see that as long as it stays as it is now. I want MHSAA to be 100% independent as it should be. MHSAA should be the ones who decide how they will help MHS and alumni alike. I want MHSAA to continue its fight for BOM reform. I want the DOT to be followed and not changed at will like MHSAA by-laws.
The picture I am painting is already done. It is called The Philadelphia Chapter of MHSAA. They do more then anyone. They are united, even though they are not 100% in agreement on everything. They work it out for the best of their chapter.
unc
Is the overall goal that you are all working towards a "united MHSAA?" What would the criteria be for success here?
It seems to me, as an outsider, that there is a small group of younger alumni who have decided to get together and "pull in a common direction." Without having been involved, what I have heard is that the current "goal" is to increase the involvement of a younger group of alumni. Granted, that is a short-term goal, but it seems to me to be a good place to start. As more people get involved -- and hopefully continue that idea of "pulling in a common direction" -- I'm sure that the target goals will change. But I'm also sure that, even if a "united MHSAA" isn't a stated goal, it will be a really nice side benefit.
Now, as for "stopping the infighting," you can't stop an argument unless ...
a) one side stops talking on their own, ...
b) one side beats the other side into submission, or ...
c) both sides are involved in working toward a common resolution.
I'm sure that we can all agree that (A) will never happen, and (B) only works on the playground and in the Japanese Parliament; so (C) remains as the only real choice.
very much for clarifying his involvement. By your initial post it sounded a lot different then your explanation.
May I make a suggestion or maybe it is just a thought. I was hoping you younger guys and gals would be having meetings to solve all the bickering amongst ourselves by uniting in a way as to take over the MHSAA. I can dream, right? 
I will stay out of this subject for awhile and let you all do your thing. Thanks for all your input.
unc
Ralph Carfagno was NOT at the meeting.....HOWEVER, he is the one who approached some of us to see if we could get some of the younger alumni involved with the school. This was in fact HIS meeting, well the school's Alumni Relations who is interested in the same things we are. I think we are all on the same page here, so what does it matter....there is no infighting, we are just trying to get more alumni involved. This was not an AA meeting, but he is trying to get the AA involved so we can all work together. Does that make more sense now, Unc? What do you think of the ideas?
say how I feel about this so this thread stays here and not the debate club.
The facts as MHS sees them or the facts as they are for the alumni to see them. I was hoping that our younger alumni would join forces to stop all the infighting. How can this be done when one of the infighters is invited to join in the process? Was this done as a peace offering? Was this discussed and decided it was a good idea? Just what was his input? Will Johnny O. be invited next? How about the current BOD? How will any of this help to unite a divided MHSAA?
unc
I don't think you guys are getting it. MHSAA is suppose to be independent.unc
I know I don't have the history that the rest of you do, but are you saying that good ideas are only good if they come from the minds of certain people -- or bad if they come from certain people?
If that is what you are saying, then it seems to me that you may have "skipped a step" here. If you don't have the first-hand knowledge of what happened during a meeting, it might be better to present your question by ASKING what role Mr. Carfagno played in the meeting, and use THAT information to make your judgments, instead of ASSUMING that he was there in some covert or destructive capacity. It's entirely possible that he was there to help.
I know that it is ALWAYS good to "expect people to be who they are," and to act the way that they have always acted -- but it's ALSO always good to follow the words of my favorite author and "get the facts."
"What are the facts? Again and again and again — what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what "the stars foretell," avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history" — what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts! -- Robert Heinlein"
but for the life of me, "WHY IS RALPH" involed at all? I don't think you guys are getting it. MHSAA is suppose to be independent.
unc
Hopefully we can get some other brain juices flowing and help on expanding these ideas and more!
to younger alumni and their volunteer efforts to assist students at MHS. So if it takes Catherine to kick start the effort then that is the way it is!
Maybe "Get Here" could be changed to "Get There"; "me" could be changed to "them"; "I" could be changed to "We"; "my" can be changed to "our"; and "life" to "lives".
====================================================================
JUSTIN GUARINI LYRICS
"Get Here"
You can reach me by railway, you can reach me by trailway
You can reach me on an airplane, you can reach me with your mind
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just get here if you can
You can reach me by sail boat, climb a tree and swing rope to rope
Take a sled and slide down the slope, into these arms of mine
You can jump on a speedy colt, cross the border in a blaze of hope
I don't care how you get here, just get here if you can
There are hills and mountains between us
Always something to get over
If I had my way, surely you would be closer
I need you closer oh closer
You can windsurf into my life, take me up on a carpet ride
You can make it in a big balloon, but you better make it soon
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man yeah
I don't care how you get here, just get here if you can
I don't care, I need you right here right now
I need you right here right now right by my side
Yeah yeah yeah
I don't care how you get here, just get here, get here
I don't care how you get here, just get here if you can
Get here if you can
[ www.azlyrics.com ]