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Minutes of CHS class of 1956 Reunion Committee Meeting, February 10, 2004

Tulsa Central High School Class of 1956
Reunion Committee Meeting
February 10, 2004

Minutes
I.           Welcome – Allen Keenan

Chairman Allen Keenan expressed his appreciation to committee members for attending the first quarterly meeting of 2004 and thanked Jacqueline Slagle Wilson for again hosting the Potluck Dinner.  Attending were Fred Boyd, Charlie Bright, Bob Duncan, Marilyn Miller Gilmer, Judy Keenan, Ardis Arnold Manning, Joniel Foster Russel and Jacqueline Wilson.

Allen distributed a suggested schedule of dates for the Breakfast Club and Reunion Committee meetings.  To encourage greater participation he varied the 

times & locations for the Breakfast Club.  It will meet March 12 at noon at The Green Onion, April 9 at 9 A.M. at The Full Cup, June 11 for Happy Hour at 5 P.M. at TeKei’s, July 9 at 9 A.M. at The Full Cup, Sept. 10 at 12 noon at The Green Onion, and Oct. 8 at 9 A.M. at The Full Cup.  The Reunion Committee will meet at 6 P.M. for Potluck Dinners at Jacqueline Wilson’s home on May 11, Aug. 10 & Nov. 9.  Carolyn Eads McGee will host an Open House on Dec. 9 from 5-7 P.M.

Allen also passed out “business” cards on the Reunion for committee members to take with them to pass out to classmates as they meet them around town.

He again expressed his desire for a “Buddy System” (esp. for himself!) for all major jobs     as tasks become more structured.  An Executive Committee should be formalized in order to make swift decisions as the need arises.       Joniel offered to continue as Co-Secretary since Nanci Thomas Calderwood has been unable to attend the past three meetings.

II.       Minutes – Joniel Russell

The Minutes had been e-mailed to all committee members.  Marilyn Gilmer noted that Alice Fellers Laster’s name was omitted from the listing of the Decorations, Food and Registration Committee.  With this correction, the Minutes were approved. 

III.      Treasurer’s Report – Jacqueline Wilson

Jacqueline reported that $75 had been paid for the Web Site, leaving a balance of $11,899.17.  It was suggested that securing tax exempt status for the Reunion be explored.  Fred Boyd stated that it requires hours of detailed work with many governmental forms.  Joniel offered to check with her husband Harold, a retired CPA.

IV.      Newsletter – Allen Keenan for Tom Summers

The next article from Scholarly Ned has been written.  Allen is working to produce an edition shortly.  Joniel has written an article seeking Volunteers for several specific tasks.

V.        State of the Class Report – Allen Keenan for Dotty Westby & Dick Rapier

Dick issued a plea for class members to notify him when e-mail addresses are changed! (Can we threaten bodily harm?)  The rolls now show 1,053 classmates, 209 with e-mail addresses ( 38 fewer than the last report), 212 lost and 110 known    deceased.  They also have e-mail addresses for five former faculty members. Two of our class are committed Macintosh users.  Because there really have not been that many changes, they will wait until after the second quarter to send out new address CD’s to the Reunion Committee.

VI.      Development Committee Report – Allen Keenan for Bill Bruckner & Chris Seger

Bill Bruckner & Chris Seger met to discuss plans for raising funds.  Janet Ferrill, Dotty Westby & Barry Epperson also had input to the project over the past few Months.  They conducted a preliminary review of the people in our class with whom they have contact & narrowed the list to 125 possible donors.  Of that number perhaps a dozen or so are capable of giving $1,000 or more.  They will be contacted early for support.  Such donations would garner membership in the “Comma” club (there is a comma in $1,000) Then the remaining names on the list will be contacted for a donation of $300, payable at $100 each spring for 2004, 2005 & 2006.  The Committee thinks it can secure $5,000 from early donors, & $15,000 from the remainder of the 125 possible donors.  Chris is eager for any guidance or suggestions on this important task.

VII.          Web Site Report – Allen Keenan for Dick Rapier

More Biographies are needed, esp. from the Reunion Committee members!

The Web Site is completely current & the list of all classmates is now posted.

To secure complete redundancy of the Web Site, Dick will purchase the Front Page software program to install on Dotty Westby’s computer & will transport a copy of the site to her computer, and give her the name & password. Then the Class will be fully protected.  Since both Dotty & Dick already have copies of the classmate data records, the class has redundancy there as well. Allen expressed his appreciation for Dick’s work and generosity.

VIII.      Decorations, Food & Registration Committee Report – DFR Members

Marilyn Gilmer previewed the Decorations plans for us and she reported on options for music.  A Caribbean Steel Band for Friday night would run between $450 - $750.  The “Sounds of  Music” (who play in white tuxedos) would run $1,200 for the Sat. night Gala. She needs to secure two extra 1956 Tom-Toms to cut-up for big blow-ups of events & people to use as poster decorations.  Marilyn reviewed the schedule under consideration:
 
    Registration & Hospitality Suite open on Thurs., Sept. 28; 
    possibly Golf & Tennis Tournaments in the morning on Fri., Sept. 29;
    followed by a Ladies Luncheon at noon and a School Mixer that evening;  
    an Assembly Program at the new CHS on Sat. morning, Sept. 30;
    with the 50^th Anniversary Dinner & Celebration that night; and 
    Brunch and Memorial Service honoring deceased classmates on Sun., Oct. 1. 

This would leave time on Thurs. evening or Saturday afternoon for elementary and junior high school groups to gather together informally as desired, perhaps at the hotel.  Marilyn expressed excitement at all the special things which could be done for this Reunion .

IX.            Roundtable Discussion – All Committee Members

Bob Duncan discussed contract requests from the Double Tree Hotel.  The hotel wants a guarantee of 10 booked rooms at $89 each for Thurs. night and 30 for Friday night, with 500 attending events on Fri., Sat., & Sun. for a total of $25,000.

Bob, Fred Boyd & Dick Gable were authorized to negotiate down the number of rooms & to secure the forgiveness of event room rentals since the hotel will make a good deal of money on its Food Service.  Indeed, Marilyn already has gotten the hotel to forgive room rental for the Ladies Luncheon!

Allen reported that Sonny Gray offered to serve on the Music Committee.

Fred has investigated holding the Golf Tournament at La Fortune Park .  They could tee off at 9 A.M. and finish by 2 P.M.   Presently cart & green fees are $25.

If a Tennis Tournament materializes, it possibly could also be held there.  We will have to commit to La Fortune by Dec. 5, 2005 .

Joniel asked for more ideas for the Assembly.  Items mentioned: 
    Starting with the   American’s Creed, “O Great Spirit,”;
    Scripture & Prayer with all music on the old original organ which  has been installed at the new CHS; 
    a 1950’s Style Show; 
    a Jazz Band; 
    presentation of King Daze’s Court; 
    a final closing dance number;
    an audience sing-along; 
    the recreation of the Ritual Fire Dance; 
    Kent Shacklett & his Tuba Band; 
    Ernest Halley on Bagpipes; 
    organ numbers from Alta Bush Selvey & Gretchen Hotz Ross.

X.      Next Meeting Date – May 11, 2004

Jacqueline again will open her home for a Potluck Dinner at 6 P.M.
XI.               Adjournment

Allen dismissed the meeting by encouraging all of us to bring another classmate to the next meeting.  Many heads & hands will be needed to pull off a GRAND event!

Respectfully submitted,
Joniel Russell, Co-Secretary