Minutes of the Class of 1958 Meeting - October 18, 2008
at the Friends Meeting House, Lebanon Street, Hanover
Class members attending: Sam Smith, Jack Bennett, Andy Petersen, Ralph Manuel, Dave Bradley, Doug Fusonie, Joe Kabat, Marcia Armstrong, Jane Yusen, Mel Alperin, Jim Sullivan, Walt Vail, John Murphy, Gersh Abraham, Ted Furber, Rick Martin, Bob Downey, Andy Thomas, Pete Kelsey, Roger Bruttomesso, along with 6-8 spouses.
President Gersh Abraham called his first class meeting to order at 9:08 am. Previously circulated minutes of the June 7, 2008 class meeting during reunion were approved.
Class of the Year Award – Following up his earlier letter to the Class, Gersh read the citation of the Class of the Year award given us at Class Officers Weekend in September (see Attachment A). Gersh, John Trimble, Jack Bennett and Norm Sylvester were on hand to receive the award and express our thanks.
Reports
Secretary’s Report. Steve Quickel appealed to classmates for news for his class notes column in the Alumni Magazine, which will run six times a year. Deadlines for are the 20th of each even-numbered month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct and Dec).
Treasurer’s Report. Andy Thomas reported that he had received checks from retiring treasurer John Trimble totaling $84,437 on Sept. 19. The balance as of Sept. 30 was $94,652. Net of outlays for the post-reunion book, class projects and other items he estimated the Oct. 31 balance at $59,447.
Reunion Chairman’s Report. Pete Kelsey reported that the Fiftieth went off with no serious hitches, apart from the brutal temperature at Commencement, and that no “poison pen” letters we received afterward.
Reunion Giving Report. Bob Downey cited Gersh’s Sept. 30 summary of the record-setting 2008 achievements (see Attachment B)—including the $3,585, 858 total (breaking 1952’s mark by $1 million) and the 97.5% participation (topping 1957’s record of 91%). Bob credited “all records” to co-chair Pete Williamson. Gersh said Peter phoned him a week before his June 4 death to report a new contribution and ask for more names to call.
Newsletter Report. John Murphy is back to normal publication frequency after cranking out The Sound & Fury monthly during reunion year. His only regret is that news of our Class of Year award broke after his latest edition went to press.
Mini-Reunions Report. Gersh read an email from Norm Sylvester (who was traveling) reporting plans are afoot for more regional minis. He appealed to class members for ideas of suitable locales.
Head Agent’s Report. Jack Bennett noted that he has “a tough act to follow” given the 2008 DCF records and tough economy. He set a 2009 goal of $350,000 (10% of 2008) with 70% participation (see Attachment C). The record for 51 years out is 68% (class of ’54). The dollar record is $383,000. Both goals were approved.
Alumni Council Report. Dave Bradley reported that the Alumni Council, with a broad membership of 100 alums, is trying “to coordinate” with the Alumni Association after last spring’s election and withdrawal of the Association’s lawsuit, “but it’s not easy.”
Gift Planning Chair’s Report. Mel Alperin reported ’58 gifts of $1 million the past year from IRA rollovers and a 50% rise in Bartlett Tower Society membership (gifts to via wills, insurance policies, etc.). By our 55th Mel aims to double BTS membership to 64 classmates (see Attachment D).
Webmaster’s Report. Andy Thomas reported that the Class Website has had 11,924 hits since it was begun in 1999. Best guess is that 60% of ‘58s have online access vs. 100% for classes after 1980. He plans to institute website forums.
Dartmouth Partners in Community Service Report. Pete Kelsey, our representative, reported that 12 classes (‘44 to ’90) support the DPCS with a 2009 budget of $134,900 to fund student service programs (see Attachment E). A move to up our annual contribution from $3,000 to $4,000 was approved.
Post Reunion Book Report. Steve Quickel reported that a 64-page post-reunion book was mailed to 490 qualified classmates on Oct. 14. Filled with over 450 color photos, most taken by John Murphy, Linda Trimble and Mel & Patty Alperin, it provides a running account of our memorable Fiftieth.
New Business.
Reunion Books. Gersh reported that the class officers had decided to offer the 88 leftover copies of The Journey Continues to the 175 classmates who, after receiving free copies of the book last spring, gave $95 apiece toward its cost. A letter making this first-come offer will be mailed soon.
Class Initiatives. Gersh listed the following new initiatives being considered by the executive committee and invited input from classmates:
Open forums conducted online via the Class Website.
Class-sponsored mutual support efforts (all which received positive comment):
- David Glendinning has volunteered to organize a counseling program
- Sam Silverstein has agreed to set up a medical support program
- Subsequent programs are envisioned in the legal and financial areas
Other proposals under consideration to help pull the class together:
- More mini reunions, including barge trips abroad and visits to national parks
- Class projects to aid the College, in addition to our athletic sponsorship
- More involvement of ’58 ladies in Class events and initiatives
- Building on our special relationship with the Class of 2008
Action Items. Gersh outlined the difference between Class Projects and Class Gifts. The former entail relatively small yearly contributions such as the Athletic Sponsor Program. The latter are gifts over $10,000 which may extend beyond one year such as scholarships. The minimum for a scholarship is $250,000. “I am open to any good ideas,” he said.
Athletic Sponsorship Program. Gersh proposed that we increase our ongoing annual contribution to this program from $3,000 to $5,000. The motion was approved.
Class Gift Ideas. Gersh, noting the ample Class treasury, called for preliminary discussion of class gift ideas. The following were put forth:
- Andy Thomas reported that the Hanover Inn wants to place Shackleford Thomas desks in its lobby and junior suites, each costing $2,200, bearing Class of 1958 plaques.
- Gersh reported for Ralph Manuel (who had left early) that the new baseball field now under construction will need a scoreboard, which would bear the 1958 name.
- Gersh reported the idea of a scholarship honoring retiring President Jim Wright.
Gersh noted that in class gifts the College “gets quite controlling.” Mel Alperin suggested gifting via an endowment fund that grows yearly and we can exercise some control over. Further discussion was tabled for our next class meeting.
Class Dues. A motion to keep annual class dues at $58 was approved.
Executive Committee Additions. Walt Vail’s re-nomination of Frank Gould to the Executive Committee was readily approved. Susan Williamson has joined Marcia Armstrong and Jane Yusen on the Executive Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:29—in time for a short walk to Dave Bradley’s law office for his pre-game hospitality and traditional serenade by the marching band.
[Secretary’s note: The band’s fetching Class of ’12 twirler caught her baton—and appreciative ’58 eyes—better than Buddy Teevins’ lads caught and deflected passes. Holy Cross gained 391 yards passing in their 44-26 win.]
Submitted by Steve Quickel
October 22, 2008
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Attachment A – Oct. 18, 2008 Class Meeting Minutes
Class of the Year citation read by Pres. Gersh Abraham to open the meeting
Dartmouth College
Recognizes With Deep Appreciation
The Extraordinary Achievements of
Class of 1958
2008 Class of the Year
"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody." –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The great Class of 1958 was not sleeping. On the contrary, it was wide awake, thinking deep thoughts about its 50th Reunion; a great milestone. The officers of the class, plus many stalwart volunteers, had some serious goals to achieve and they were not going to let anyone rest until those goals were met. Knocking on the proverbial door, through letters and newsletters, emails, phone calls and personal visits, they wanted nothing less than the best reunion experience of their lives. Happily, their lofty objectives were not only met, but exceeded; bringing glory to the class and to the College they love so welL
Good leadership is the key to success, and the class was blessed with a strong leader in Ralph Manuel. A former naval officer, headmaster and Dean of Dartmouth College, Ralph ran a tight ship. Under his watch, the class held five meetings to conduct its business, including amendments to class by-laws and the establishment of the Class of 1958 Distinguished Service Award, named in honor of Peter D. Williamson. Strong communications were the focus this year, all geared toward building excitement and attendance for the 50th Reunion. Seven class letters, 11 newsletters, six columns in the Alumni Magazine and a much-visited Web Site all contributed to the communications effort. In a burst of creativity, the class produced and sent two DVDs to each classmate, both aimed at maximizing enthusiasm for the reunion. The 50'h Reunion Book--all 496 pages--also helped the class reach its Reunion attendance goals.
The 50th reunion was a stunning event. Forty-two percent of the class returned to Hanover for a fabulous, albeit steamy weekend. The Reunion-giving effort smashed the record with an amazing 97.5% rate; raising $3,585,858! Perseverance that pays off; and yes, there was much knocking on doors and gates along the way.
The '58s inaugurated the first four-year Class Connection Program with the Class of2008. This involved regular meetings with the '08 Executive Committee, culminating with a gift to the seniors of $2,058 with the request that the '08s invest and grow this fund until their own 50th Reunion and challenging that class to exceed the '58s record-setting gift. A healthy competition between the two classes paid nice dividends as the class of 2008 achieved a record 92.5% participation with its own senior class gift.
Never a class to rest on its laurels, the '58s want to build on their great legacy and "work with the current undergraduates to instill in them the moral obligation to ensure that the quality of experience of which they were the beneficiaries is continued on to the [farthest] generation. It is their obligation, indeed it is their duty to do so, and we wish to help them understand that sacred trust which we pass on to them."
Signed by, over the seal of the College:
David P. Spaulding, Vice President, Alumni Relations
Laura F. Mattson, President, Class Presidents Association
James Wright, President of the College
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Attachment B – Oct. 18, 2008 Class Meeting Minutes
Reunion Giving Report by Bob Downey, citing the following Sept. 30, 2008 summary by Head Agent Gersh Abraham mailing to Reunion Giving Committee Members
Thank you for the outstanding personal commitment you have made to Dartmouth and the great Class of 1958 as a member of our 50th Reunion Giving Committee. 461 members of the Class of '58 contributed to the Dartmouth College Fund this year and your efforts were a vital part of this accomplishment.
Together we have shattered all past fundraising and participation records for a 50th Reunion class. A truly stunning achievement considering the difficult environment we all faced: a beaten down market for equities and a potentially divisive Association of Alumni election.
We are pleased to share with you the results of the Class of '58's fundraising efforts. Together we have exceeded our goals, raised the bar for future classes and honored the memory of our beloved Reunion Giving Co-Chairman, Dr. Peter D. Williamson. Thanks to each and every one of you for your extraordinary generosity to Dartmouth and for your time, effort and leadership in helping us to solicit classmates.
Dartmouth College Fund
The funds we raised for the Dartmouth College Fund are for current use by the College. These funds comprised "Check #1" and were given in the form of a giant check to President Wright at the Reunion luncheon on Saturday, June 6.
50th Reunion Record, Class of 1958: $3,585,858.58
(Represents more than 9.5 times what we gave last year.)
1952's former record in nominal dollars: $2,522,553
1952's former record expressed in 2008 dollars: $3,023,017
Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience
Our Class also raised a much larger check in the amount of $40,328,026 designated "Check #2," which represented all funds given or pledged by classmates since the Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience began in 2002. Check #2 included: all of your gifts to the Dartmouth College Fund since that date, including gifts towards Check #1; and all gifts and pledges to the Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience, whether such contributions benefit the undergraduate College, Tuck, Thayer, the Medical School or graduate programs. Many '58s have been very generous with their Check #2 contributions. Six gifts, each exceeding $1 million dollars, deserve special recognition:
Peter and Susan Williamson gave an extraordinary gift to the Dartmouth Medical School and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). The Translational Research Building to be built on the campus of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center will be named in honor of Peter and his wife, Susan, for their extraordinary generosity to the Medical School and Medical Center.
Peter and Virginia Kelsey made a substantial commitment to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at DHMC. The Preston T. and Virginia R. Kelsey Distinguished Chair in Cancer will support the director of the cancer center in his efforts in providing comprehensive care of the highest quality through innovative research, accelerating the impact of scientific discovery to the patient, and cancer prevention initiatives.
Bob and Nancy Downey have also made a substantial commitment to the Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience, but designation of their gift, intended for the undergraduate College, is pending.
Art and Susan Lindenauer made a significant gift to The Center for Corporate Governance at the Tuck School of Business by establishing the Lindenauer Corporate Governance Speaker Series and the Lindenauer Visiting Scholars program.
Bill and Penny Allyn have made a extraordinary commitment of $lM to the MacLean Engineering Sciences Center, naming the "Allyn Large Frame Project Laboratory." The Allyn Lab is home to Dartmouth Formula Racing. Students use this lab to design and build two vehicles, a Formula and a Hybrid car, in which they compete annually with other colleges and universities with similar programs.
Frank and Brinna Sands have made a most generous gift to go toward the construction of facilities for the Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences (CECS) within the C. Everett Koop Medical Science Complex, to be built on the Lebanon campus of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Lifetime Giving
Since our graduation, members of the Class of '58 have contributed or pledged an aggregate of almost $58 million ($57,989,431 to be more exact) for all purposes through June 30, 2008.
Dartmouth College Fund Participation - NEW 50th Reunion Participation Record
We solicited 473 classmates and a segment of "fund omit" classmates - those who had previously requested that we not solicit. Therefore, to appreciate our final results, please consider that no matter how we calculate the participation number, we have set a new 50th Reunion Participation record!
1957 scoring base: 472 classmates. There were 431 donors, including 16 fund omits who made gifts. 1957 Participation Record: 91 %
1958 scoring base: 473 classmates. There were 461 donors, including 17 fund omits who made gifts. 1958 NEW!. Participation Record: 97.5%, on an apple to apples comparison with the Class of 1957 and prior classes.
1958 NEWl Participation Record: 94.1 %, if our scoring base is increased to reflect the 17 fund omits who made gifts.
Thank you to our Reunion Giving Volunteers
We exceeded our goals because virtually every member of our Class made a contribution to the DCF this year. We give special thanks to you, the 88 classmates who joined the effort to make our Reunion goals a reality.
Reunion Giving Committee (RGC)
The late Peter Williamson and Bob Downey, Reunion Giving Co-Chairs Gersh Abraham, Head Agent
Mel Alperin, Hal Bernsen, Dave Bradley, Skip Coggin, Kit Cowperthwaite, Mel Croner, Phil Drescher, Pete Dumo, Bob Eleveld, Clay Freeman, Dick Frisch, Doug Fusonie, Bruce Gemberling, Mike Growney, Pete Kelsey, Jerry Manne, Ralph Manuel, Ben McAdams, Don McCree, Don McIntyre, Trygve Myhren, Dick Pew, Joel Portugal, Dave Pratt, Steve Quickel, Bob Rudolph, Frank Sands, Dick Shanaman, Sam Silverstein, Bill Smith, Sam Smith, Barry Stompe, John Trimble, Walt Vail, Don Voss, Dan Wilder, and Derby Wilson
Leadership Volunteers
Ted Harris, John Murphy, Jim Preston, Jack Stromberg, Norm Sylvester, and Dan Wilkes
Participation Volunteers
Dick Frisch*, Walter Vail* and Don Voss*, Participation Co-Chairs
Tom Amlicke , Bryant Barnard, Philip Bell, Jack Bennett, Frank Blatz, Dave Brock, Edward E. Burns, Jr., Michael Bzullak, Philip Calkins, Skip Coggin*, Michael Cohen, MD, John Coulter, Bill Cutcliffe, Harry Dodds, Jim Fannin, Dexter Faunce, Walt Fogarty, Ben Fuller, Doug Fusonie*, Hoyt Goodrich, Frank Gould, Craig Haines, Peter Herman, Roland Jacobus , Glower Jones, Joe Kabat, John Kavanagh ,John McCloskey, Ed Olney, John Otis, Bob Portland, Dick Portland, Jim Riffle, Richard Roth, Bob Rudolph*, Andy Thomas, Peter Van, Otto Wagenbach, Derby Wilson*, and Phil Wood
Just as we give special thanks to those listed above who joined in our massive solicitation effort, we should also give special thanks to those who made the most generous contributions which enabled us to dramatically exceed our fundraising goal and blow away the record for a 50th reunion gift to Dartmouth. Those classmates, who each gave $5,000 or more to the DCF, are shown in Exhibit B to this letter: "The Class of 1958 50th Reunion Leadership Gifts - First Check." What makes us equally delighted, however, is that virtually everyone in the Class of '58 not only contributed, but stretched their resources to assist and honor our College and each other in one of the most difficult financial periods since the Great Depression, and those 461 classmates are shown in Exhibit A.
Also attached to this letter are two additional documents: Annex A which captures $25,000+ donors to the Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience: Check #2; and Annex B which captures $25,000+ donors for Total Lifetime Giving.
Finally, though this letter is not a report on our recent 50th Reunion, I know that the approximately 250 of you, and the estimated 200 spouses and guests who attended, had a grand time - Sally and I surely did. So let's all plan to be in Hanover in June of 2013 for our 55th•
Gersh Abraham
50th Reunion Head Agent
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Alphabetical list of all classmates that contributed to the Dartmouth College Fund this year to honor our 50th
Exhibit B - Leading donors to the Dartmouth College Fund: "Check #1"
Annex A - Leading donors to the Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience: "Check #2" Annex B - Leading donors to Dartmouth: Lifetime
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Attachment C – Oct. 18. 2008 Class Meeting Minutes
Head Agent Report by Jack Bennett
Congratulations to the Class for the superb 50th Reunion Results
2009 DCF Goals
In setting goals we had to keep in mind two major factors: the superb results of the 50th Reunion where classmates "stretched' to achieve those results and the current state of the economy. Being sensitive to those factors, yet wanting to support Dartmouth, we are recommending the following goals:
Dollar Goal - $350,000 (approximately 10% of last year’s gift)
Participation Goal- 70% which would set a new DCF participation record [1954 currently holds the 51 year-out % record at 68%]
I want to thank those who have volunteered to again serve as Class Agents and for those who have not, you will probably be hearing from me, Dick Pew Pete Durno or Walt Vail to ask you to once again serve and continue your great efforts.
One note on fund raising that you will hear about in a letter from me if you have not already heard is that Congress passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 which extends the IRA charitable rollover, permitting IRA owners starting at age 70 1/2 to make charitable gifts totaling up to $100,000 per year from their IRAs directly to eligible charities.
This will help in giving as donors who direct IRA funds to eligible charities can exclude up to $100,000 in IRA gifts from their ordinary taxable income.
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Attachment D – Oct. 18. 2008 Class Meeting
Gifting Planning Chair’s Report – by Mel Alperin
Class of 1958 Gift Planning Report: Mel Alperin: October 18, 2008
Regarding the overall Gift Planning Program:
Between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, Dartmouth received $8,526,294 in realized bequests. $1,527,965 came in as outside trust receipts. $1,655,201 was the FY08 grand total for donations made in the form of life income gifts to the College (annuities, trusts, and pooled income funds).
Gift Planning received a boost from Dartmouth Donor Advised Funds (DDAF) with $4.7 million added to these funds in FY08, and $2,775,800 distributed from the Funds in FY08.
(Such funds are invested in Dartmouth's total endowment pool with distributions directed to Dartmouth and other charities by the donor. Annually, 5% of the fund's value is to be distributed to Dartmouth, 50% over the lifetime to Dartmouth. Donors make the gift now, take the tax deduction immediately and can determine the ultimate use over time. During the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2008, individual funds invested in Dartmouth's endowment portfolio experienced a small increase in market value reflecting low positive investment returns. It was a time of capital preservation. The total return on the College's endowment was 0.6% for the fiscal year. The market value of the endowment was $3.66 billion on June 30, 2008. The annualized return on the endowment portfolio over the past three years ending June 30, 2008 is 12. 6%, and past jive years: 14.3%. The securities markets were quite turbulent in fiscal year 2007-2008. For example the S&P 500 Index lost 13.1 % for that fiscal year.)
93 Gifts-in-Kind (artwork, tangible gifts, etc.) were received at a total of $I,821,417 for FY08. .
Bartlett Tower Society membership (BTS) has more than doubled at the College in the past two years, which is a very positive sign going forward. 109 new BTS members were inducted in FY08.
Dartmouth has received over $630 million in planned gifts in the last 57 years, from 1951, when the Gift Planning Program began, through FY08.
Between August 17, 2006 and December 31, 2007, over $4.3 million came in to Dartmouth via the IRA Charitable Rollover Provision, which has just been extended through December 31, 2009. Many sent their Minimum Required Distributions (MRDs) to Dartmouth via an IRA Charitable Rollover, and subsequently were not taxed on this money.
Specific to the Class of 1958:
Of that $4.3 million donated via IRA Rollover, $1,049,633.14 of it came from the Class of 1958. $875,698.14 of that total was dedicated to the 50th Reunion First Check.
The Class of 1958 over the years has left two bequests for Dartmouth (Pauline Portland, a parent, in 2001, and Thomas Towse in 1995). 1958 and is ranked 36th among all classes for realized bequests to the College. The number one class is 1930 with an aggregate of 52 realized bequests.
The Class of ' 5 8 is ranked 40th amongst all classes in realized bequests with an aggregate of $60,503. The number one class is 1944 with an aggregate of$27,520,193.
Over its history, the class of 1958 has established a total of nine life income plans (annuities, trusts, pooled income funds) at the College. Our class is ranked 30th amongst all classes in this category. The number one class is the Class of 1934 with an overall total of 101 life income plans established to benefit the College. Our class is ranked 3ih in total dollar oflife income plans with an aggregate of$457,113 in book (initial gift) value. The number one class is the Class of 1934, again, with an aggregate of $13,859, 198. (This is a number we can control, unlike realized bequests!)
We increased Bartlett Tower Society membership in the class by an impressive 50% in FY08. Our current class total as of today is 32 members. Our overall class goal is to have 58 living classmates in the Bartlett Tower Society by our 55th Reunion in June 2013. Right now, the class with the most living BTS members is 1953 with a total of 61 members---our goal is in line with '53's results.
Final Thoughts:
The Gift Planning Office also works with people on gifts of life insurance, restricted stock, . closely-held stock, and gifts of real estate.
If you are a member of the Bartlett Tower Society, thank you very much. If you are not, and would like to be, or you would like to learn more about anything I have spoken of today, please let me know after the meeting.
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Attachment E – Oct. 18, 2008 Class Meeting
Dartmouth Partners in Community Service Report - by Class Representative Pete Kelsey
12 Classes support DPCS: 1944, 1947, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1967, 1977,1979, 1986, 1987 and 1990.
DPCS Board comprises of representatives of each class. They screen applications, interview and approve/ disapprove. 85% of applicants approved this year.
Annual Budget: Fiscal Year 2009 (7/1-6/30) Estimate
Endowment $ 37,211
College Subvention 20,030
Gifts Individual & Classes 77,389
Total $134,900
Fund Balance 7/1/08: $135-140,000
Most of this gets used in the summer term in which most of programs occur.
Academic Year 2007-08 33 Students approved and funded
Summer of 2008: 27 students approved and funded
Fall/Winter/Spring 2008: 13 students Estimated
2007-2008 the Class of 1958 contributed $3,000
Recommended Class Contribution for 2008-08: $4,000
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