PENNINGS
FROM THE PREZ, FMHS56CA
JUNE
2002
Dear
Members of the Class of 56,
It has been an eventful first year for the Class
Association. In the past we have tried to pull everyone together with a melange
of various dues and fees for individual activities. In the summer of 2001
I finally decided that that approach was not financially effective-either
group wise or individually-thus FMHS56CA was born. The “rules” have evolved
as we have progressed, but the end game is still the same—bring the class
together and return a pro-rata portion of your dues to you (after reunion
expenses) post attendance at R2006-our 50th . Beyond that, and any residual funds, I’ll leave
to Association leadership post summer 2006. We complete our first year of
operation with 47 Members (45 class members, two Associates) and as I write
(mid-June), the Association bank account stands
at $1347.24 including Travel Club funds of $90.45 I will be putting most of the Association funds
in a short term CD shortly, per prior e-mail. I’d really like to see 100%
class membership in the Association by 2003.
Yes, that’s a challenge!
Thankfully all members but four have e-mail.
In this day and age, e-mail is
a necessity for staying current with activities of interest.
Accordingly, it is necessary to restate the dues structure here in
the Newsletter: Annual $10. Lifetime
$100. Dues cover the Association fiscal year 7/1 thru 6/30. Thus, dues are
due annually by 6/30 with a 30 day grace period. Married (to each other!)
classmates pay a combined rate of 25% less, ie $15/yr and $150 Lifetime. Check
your membership cards for expiration and adjust accordingly when you pay your
dues. Associates pay $8/year, no lifetime membership is offered. Establishment
of FMHS56CA was coordinated with FMHS in
2001. Inasmuch as they do not have an alumni association per se, they felt
that it was quite appropriate to have a class association. A model for other
classes?, I think so.
The Travel Club is a separate entity. Cost is
$5 to join and $2 per year. Same dues
cycle. We have had two cruises so far, and in 2003 we are planning to go to
This edition of the Newsletter goes to ALL members
of the class-Association Members or not. The December issue however goes only
to Members. Members will also find a new edition of the class roster in their
Newsletter envelope. There have been numerous changes since the 2001 Edition.
Finally, PLEASE keep me up to date with changes
of e-mail, address/TP, marital status, deaths in the immediate family and
all other key personal items of interest . The Association is here to help,
and roster data is only as current as
you make it. Likewise, newsletter items can only be published if
Bev Warner receives some input. In that respect everyone is a reporter. As an
adjunct, the class website, FM56.ORG, is up and running. IT’S GREAT. Todd
Coward is our Webmaster and did a superlative site design job for us. He and I have a bit of a problem keeping data
synchronized, but it will sort out in
the coming months. Check it out and post your notes, comments etc
Now, as to some VERY preliminary info as to R2006.
The reunion will be Headquartered, hotel-wise etc, in Skaneateles-On the Lake
for those out of towners not having somewhere else to stay, ie with relatives/friends.
I’m planning ~4 days (Thurs thru Sun) in late June or so, 2006.
All inputs as to activities from
All for now. Stay tuned and send your thoughts via e-mail
or website—this is THE DOING’IST CLASS of the 50s!!!!!!! (Janet Conklin would never have passed THAT adjective).
Stay
healthy, happy and thanks for your support. Have a great summer.
Jay
PS:
Note that a class momento/memorial for FM is still in order . Your thoughts
are solicited as to WHAT, and HOW MUCH, we might do as part of R2006. We also
may want to have some (a?) faculty member(s) participate in the reunion—especially
as (a) speaker(s)/honoree at the banquet. Whoever
is left J. Think about it and let me know your thoughts.
JRH