Dear Dartmouth ’58 Classmates,

Thank you for asking me to represent you as class president for the next five years.  While I know it will be a challenge to follow in the footsteps of Ralph Manuel, I am confident that we, as a class, will build on the accomplishments of the past.  I am lucky because I know I can call on Ralph, my Sally and Ralph’s Sally when I need some creative assistance or serious advice.

We are fortunate to have a strong team of officers and committee chairman to help in leading the way: Vice President-John Trimble

                            Secretary-Steve Quickel

                            Treasurer-Andy Thomas

                            Newsletter Editor-John Murphy

                            Mini-Reunion Chairman-Norm Sylvester

                            Head Agent-Jack Bennett

                            Gift Planning Chairman-Mel Alperin

                            Web Master-Andy Thomas

I would be remiss  not to thank the outgoing team that provided outstanding leadership for our class during the past five years:

                            Ralph Manuel-President

                            Frank Sands-Vice President

                            John Trimble-Treasurer

                            Andy Thomas-Secretary and Webmaster

                            John Murphy-Newsletter Editor

                            Mini-Reunion Chairman-Frank Gould

                            Gift Planning Chairman-Mel Alperin

                            Webmaster-Andy Thomas

                            50th Reunion Chairman-Pete Kelsey

                            50th Reunion Fundraising Co-Chairmen-Bob Downey and the late Peter

                                                                                                                     Williamson

                            50th Reunion Yearbook Editor-Steve Quickel

Our 50th Reunion was a great success.  Two hundred fifty classmates returned to show their support for Dartmouth, to rekindle long time friendships, and to discover the sense of community we continued to share.  I look forward to initiating new ways our class can build on this upbeat experience in the years ahead as we face new challenges

Listed below are some of the ideas I have gathered that will pull our class even closer together:

-Establish a class website or blog, separate from the official class website, for discussion of important issues related to Dartmouth or the world.

-Expand recognition of classmates-Birthday cards and other special events.

-Establish support groups for classmates as we age.  There is tremendous expertise within the class that can be organized to provide assistance to a classmate in need, whether for a medical reference, a legal reference, a financial reference, or spiritual support.

-Boost the number of mini-reunions, whether they are a simple regional get together, a planned class vacation within the United States similar to the Yellowstone reunion of a few years back, or an extended international trip (perhaps on a barge down a river in Europe).

-Review class projects and class gifts to insure there is an appropriate balance between providing support for community service and support for our favorite Dartmouth activity like athletic programs.

-Increase the involvement of our Dartmouth women, whether they are wives, widows or significant others.

-Continue to build a relationship with the class of 2008.

-Provide positive and efficient communication with the class through e-mail.

I would welcome inputs regarding my ideas and would welcome anyone who would like to work on one of these ideas.  You can reach me by e-mail at sagabraham@aol.com and my telephone numbers are: Illinois 847-433-5122, New Hampshire 603-863-7389 and cell phone 847-370-5122.

My goal is for all of us to have a good time as we age.

Sincerely,

Gersh