January 2018 Meeting Notes

JW Ligon Class of ‘68 Meeting

January 20, 2018 Class Minutes

Present:

Carolyn Avery McClain; Alice Banks Lambright; Toney Bethea; Michael Corbett; Helen Davis Montague; Esther Delany; Leotha Forte;  Barbara Horton Jones; Janet Howard; Carolyn Lee Bray; Vivian Logan; Glorias McCullers Lee; Clarence Merritt; Geneva Rogers Hill; Rosalyn Swayze Ollison; Gwendolyn Robertson Horton; Fabette Smith; Portia Tomlinson; Clarence Williams; Linda Wright Winston

The meeting convened at 3:05 PM with Michael Corbett presiding.  Michael opened by thanking the members present and

shared with the meeting that due to his health concerns he was resigning as the presider, chair, president, team leader.  He thanked all again for their years of service and dedication to the class.  He also assured the group that he would continue to attend meetings.

Esther Delany also informed the group that her current commitments prevent her from continuing to serve as the treasurer; however, she would forward to the new treasurer and received assessments. To date, she had received no assessments via mail.  She also provided an updated report.

Upon Mike’s resignation and departure, Janet Howard asked Toney Bethea if he would preside, a role he had fulfilled, along with Mike, for the past year.  He agreed.  Janet Howard, also reminded the meeting that Toney was our Assistant Treasurer and asked if he would continue to serve.  He again agreed.

Toney began by addressing concerns he received from some class members regarding officers and spending. Michael Corbett He explained that the group for the past decades has served as a committee with persons volunteering or accepting requests to serve in various roles or positions and that a quorum (minimum of three) represents those present at a broadly announced business meeting. He also added that only expenses from class assessments approved by the group could be spent. Communication to class members is centralized and sent from that central point via email: jwligon68@gmail.com. 

A lengthy discussion ensued with questions, comments and suggestions.  Fabette Smith thanked Portia Tomlinson and Barbara Horton Jones for locating 200 plus class members. Portia agreed to forward these newly located class members contact information for central class database. Rev. Gwendolyn Robertson Horton suggested that the past/current group norms of operation be shared with everyone so that everyone understands how the committee has functioned through the years. Janet agreed to send that information.

The discussion continued regarding the 50^th Celebration Brunch.  The three locations under consideration were the Westing Event Center, St. Augustine’s University Student Center Ballroom and the Thomas Crowder Environmental Center.

1. The Westing Event Center: 2200 Westinghouse Blvd, Raleigh, North Carolina, http://weciraleigh.com
   Contact Westing Event Center  - Site is managed by classmate’s (Carolyn Lee Bray) son. Reduced rate of $400 for 8 hr (typically $175/hr); provides tables, chairs, basic set-up and break down; stage (raised area), dance floor, PA system for MC and DJ; caterer of our choice; decorations of our choice; only remove want we bring; they handle clean up and break down; cash bar available & proceeds revert to Westing.
1. Caterer suggested: When You Gon’ Cook For Me – owners, two AA males – see menus attached
2. Portia Tomlinson suggested another caterer and will bring contact information to next meeting.
2. St. Augustine’s University Student Center Ballroom: Oakwood AV, SAU campus. $500 for 8 hrs; setup and break down; provides tables and chairs, podium w/microphone; awaiting menu from dining manager;
1. Clarence Williams volunteered to visit SAU to get the catering menu.
2. Toney reported that on his visits he was informed that a brunch served on the lower dining room level could be as low as $6/person w/basic breakfast items: sausage, bacon, eggs, grits, beverages, pastries, etc.
3. Thomas Crowder Center: https://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/TGCWoodlandCenter.html  Off Athens DR to rear of Athens DR High School.  Venue determined too small because larger area seats only 90 comfortably and 100 very tight.

Without more details regarding the SAU catering menu, the attendees accepted the following motion from Fabette Smith. ‘The location for the 50^th HS Reunion Celebration be prioritized with SAU first based on the total all inclusive cost and amenities to include, set up, break down and clean up, etc,.”  The motion was seconded by Linda Wright Winstion. The motion carried unanimously.Leotha Forte volunteered to provide a sound system if the SAU Ballroom has none.

Alice Banks Lambright & Helen Davis Montague have planned another fellowship for Sun., Feb. 11.  Details to follow.

NOTE these IMPORTANT DETAILS:

Feb. 11 – Food, Fun and Followship, 2 PM D&S Cafteria, Buck Jones RD, (food Dutch)

Feb. 15 - $100 assessment payment for 50^th Celebration    (Hospitality room, brunch, souvenirs/keepsakes, teacher appreciation, souvenir program, minimum $500 local JW Ligon Class of 1968 scholarship)

Feb. 17, Class meeting at K&W Cafeteria, Tower Shopping Center (alcove in the rear on the left), 3 PM – 4:30 PM; food Dutch.

April 15 – $80 payment of Alumni Association event activities (Sat., night JW Ligon Alumni dinner/dance & Sunday cookout)

Meeting Adjourned - 4:50 PM   Toney Bethea, Presider &  Janet Howard, recorder

 

IMPORTANT January Updates

DATES TO SAVE & IMPORTANT ALERTS

●      Sun., February 11, 2 PM, Food, Fun & Fellowship, D&S Cafeteria - Evite w/RSVP to follow

●      Thurs., FEBRUARY 15, deadline for 50th Class Reunion assessment - bring to February mtg or mail to Esther Delany, 620 Delany DR. Raleigh, NC 27610 (see note below)*

●      Sat., February 17, 3 PM, Class Meeting, K&W Cafeteria, Tower Shopping Center, New Bern AV, Raleigh

ALERTS:

1)     Remember at the last meeting that Janet Howard asked Toney Bethea to preside not to be the Chair, President or any other elected or appointed ‘officer’. Minutes to follow.

2)     Reference our class meeting minutes from the past year to confirm that at each meeting Toney Bethea and/or Mike Corbett presided.

3)     Since the JW Ligon 1968 Raleigh Steering Committee began, Mike Corbett served as the Committee presider (Chair, President, Team Leader, etc.) and treasurer w/the appointment of others to assist (Asst. Treasurer) as needed and requested; consequently, for this group, service as both the presider, chair, president AND treasurer is no anomaly.

IMPORTANT

●      *Even though Esther Delany our treasurer resigned, she has agreed to accept the Class assessments through our next meeting on Sat., Feb. 17. Mail assessments to

Ms.  Esther Delany (re:1968)

620 Delany DR

Raleigh, NC 27610

●      The next class meeting, along with other business, the Committee will receive & approve names, nominations for any class member who wants to serve as presider (president, chair, team leader, etc.) and treasurer. January meeting minutes & February agenda to follow.

●      All Class meeting minutes are on the class blogspot accessible via

http://jwligon1968.blogspot.com/

General Operating Norms - past 40 yrs

●      Functional roles & appointments via self, individual or group nomination

●      Presider (chair/president) served that role & treasurer role w/assistance from co-presider and/or Asst. Treasurer

●      All Budgeting/Expenses presented to and approved by Committee

●      Quorum: those present at a business meeting announced to all classmates in database; minimum three (3)

●      Most decisions made by consensus and documented in minutes

●      Voting on critical issues/concerns via Robert’s rules & documented in minutes

●      Actionable Class of 1968 business items brought to & approved by committee

●      ‘Officers’ have only the authority granted by the Committee

●      Centralized email address, (formerly) mailing address (post office box)

●      Correspondence to classmates re: the Committee & its role must be decided by the Committee

●      Subcommittee charge is requested by the Committee that receives the report to decide an action

●      In town & out of town classmates receive meeting agendas, minutes & all additional pertinent reunion information

●      All are welcome to join and serve

●      All classmates who either started w/members at the elementary, Jr. high or Sr. High level, whether they graduated from Ligon or even in 1968, are welcome and encouraged to celebrate with the Class of 1968.

●      Each confirmed teacher attendee will receive, minimally, a gratis meal.

●      The Steering Committee members are volunteers who work harmoniously together as family to celebrate our graduation milestones esp., on the 5 &/or 10 incremental yrs, eg.10th, 25th, 50th.

●      The Steering Committee members are committed to providing scholarships to students pursuing post secondary education in the amount of $500 minimum. To date the class has awarded a minimum of

Voting Time re: 50th Reunion