As a result of the telecon last September, small working groups were formed to investigate critical issues in the formation of an Alumni Association. When the November reunion (and subsequently the Boston/Veterans Day Working Group Meeting) failed to happen, things sort of came to a halt.

When I visited Goddard in early December, a group of about 10 of the local academy contingent met at Applebees where we talked about what the working groups had accomplished, generally tried to re-focus a little, and where Brian almost got in a fight with the waiter over a free "birthday sunday". (It wasn't anybody's birthday, so don't ask...)

We discussed a few of the issues raised by the working groups, including just exactly how complicated it will be to incorporate the association as an official non-profit entity, and some questions regarding the administrative structure and organization of the association. Following the meeting myself and several others took actions to address some of the concerns that were raised and to basically complete the tasks that had originally been assigned to the working groups.

We decided to target a proposed alumni gathering over the President's Day week-end (February 15-17) as a major alumni working group meeting. In order that everyone continues to have a chance to give input into the formation of the alumni association, we will plan to set up a telecon so any alumni who can't travel for the meeting will still be able to participate over the phone. There will also be opportunities to give reunion as we will be posting updates.

The proposed sight for this "reunion" is Goddard, but that is still very much up in the air, as all of the logistics for this event have yet to be arranged. I am trying to arrange a telecon for the working group leads the week of January 12th to get ready for the event.

Please check out the "Association News" section of the Newsletter for the most recent information from the working groups. Look for more details around the beginning of February as we will be trying to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to give their input into the formation of this association.