In attendance for the College:  Norma Curtis, Linda McWright, Martha O’Dell, Don Tuski, and Mark Veich

The meeting was called to order at 3 PM by Dr. Linda McWright who introduced President Tuski.  President Tuski asked the members of the council to introduce themselves and then enumerated a number of ways he felt a parents’ advisory council could help the college including; providing feedback, support for and attendance at parent gatherings, and recruiting students from their hometowns.  President Tuski also spoke about the vision of Olivet College with explanation of how a small liberal arts college is funded. 

Mark Veich, Director of Institutional Development, outlined a number of forms of fundraising that members of the Parents Advisory Council could play an important role in that includes; fundraising for specific purposes like new furniture acquisition (see attached), help with the phone-a-thon (10,000 calls placed annually to help raise funding for our annual scholarship fund), and help with identifying potential sponsors for our annual Leadership Dinner which recognizes Michigan citizens who exemplify Education for Individual and Social Responsibility.  Mark presented each attending member with a special polo shirt to help celebrate their membership on the council. 

Linda McWright, Vice President and Dean for Student Life, reviewed the purposes of the Advisory Council (see agenda), spoke about the construction of a web page, and shared current issues and trends in parent advisory boards (included).

Norma Curtis, Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, shared her personal experiences serving on the Alma College Parent Association (all parents are members of the organization).  The Alma College Parent Board holds two weekend meetings per academic year.  Each meeting was paired with an all college event sponsored by the parent association like a parent day or career exploration day.  Other activities parent board members were engaged in included the following:  assistance with the publication of a parents’ association newsletter, assistance with move-in day for new students, maintenance of a data base of all parents, fund raising, and assistance with career opportunities for students.  Copies of Alma’s Constitution and By-Laws was distributed.

Agenda items deferred to our next Parent Advisory Council meeting include setting short and long range goals for the council, electing a chair and co-chair for the council, and scheduling meetings for the rest of the academic year.

Group members present decided to participate in the 2005 Olivet College Homecoming Parade.  Nancie Gillengerten volunteered her car.  Those not riding will walk beside the car.