We're Getting Better All the Time: Alumni Association Update
Posted on Sept. 6, 1986From the University Report (published by the GAA 1970-94)
Q. After four years as Executive Director of the GAA, what significant accomplishments have you achieved?
A. As anyone who has led an organization knows, the organization’s success is the result of teamwork. I have been fortunate these four years to have received the full support of Chancellor Fordham and his administrative colleagues. The Association has selected outstanding and hard-working officers and directors to set Association policies. My predecessor, Clarence Whitefield, provided me with a strong, talented and conscientious staff upon which to build. Working together, much has been accomplished. Let me just highlight a few of our more significant achievements.
1) Membership has grown 44 % and stands today at its highest mark ever — more than 41,000.
2) Life Members have increased by nearly 5,000 to nearly 16,000 — a 50% increase.
3) Our life endowment has increased from $1.3 million to $3.4 million — a 142% increase.
4) All the necessary approvals and architectural plans have been secured for a much-needed Alumni Center. A site has been selected, and nearly one-half of the needed $8.5 million has been committed.
5) We have produced an award-winning sound-slide show narrated by Charles KuraIt, published the most comprehensive Alumni Directory ever, added faculty to some alumni tours and provided educational seminars for our alumni.
6) Our alumni chapters have been strengthened.
7) We have developed needed working relationships with members of the North Carolina General Assembly.
8) A long-range plan has been developed and adopted by the Board of Directors.
9) Working relationships across. the campus have been strengthened.
10) Our publications have improved dramatically, both in content and design.
Q. Is the Alumni Association funded by the University?
A. No. While the University is most supportive of the Association and relies upon the Association’s programs, publications and activities to foster understanding and maintain continuing contact between the University and its alumni, funding for the Association comes almost totally from dues paid by Carolina alumni.
Q. Does the University govern the Alumni Association?
A. No. While the Association works very closely with the University, the policies of the Association are set by the officers and Board of Directors of the Association, almost all of whom are elected annually by the dues-paying members of the Association. They are guided by the Constitution and By-Laws.
Q. Does the University exercise editorial control over alumni publications, such as the Carolina Alumni Review magazine and the University Report newspaper?
A. No. Alumni publications, which go to members of the Association, are intended to reflect the achievements and challenges facing the University as well as news about alumni, and University faculty and staff. They are published by the Association. We invite University administrators to share their thoughts with our alumni, through our publications, and we welcome thoughtful expressions of concern and even “loving criticism” regarding University matters.
Q. Isn’t the Alumni Association’s real purpose to generate financial support from alumni to the University?
A. Not at all. While we are hopeful that alumni will support the University financially, the Association feels strongly that there are other equally important ways that alumni can support the University.
Q. How can I become more active in the Alumni Association?
A. If you are not a member, please join. If you are a member of GAA already, encourage other alumni and friends of the University to join. Become active with your local chapter. (See page 14 for the location of a chapter near you). Local chapters sponsor many projects which benefit alumni and are of great service to the University. Members help identify outstanding students in junior high and high school and encourage them to apply to Carolina. They assist new graduates in their communities with the sometimes difficult transition from Chapel Hill to New Hometown, USA. They are informed advocates for the University and help others in their community know more about Chapel Hill’s public service to the state, region and nation.
Q. Besides publications and chapter meetings, what else does the Alumni Association do?
A. Much more. We have a series of alumni programs — seminars, tours abroad, an alumni family camp, class reunions, a homecoming barbeque and more. In addition, the Association maintains,current mailing addresses and biographic information on more than 160,000 living Carolina alumni.
Q. Is the Alumni Association the same as the Educational Foundation, the Ram’s Club, Alumni Annual Giving, Carolina Annual Giving or the Carolina Fund?
A. No, although we are convinced that many alumni think this is the case. Alumni Annual Giving, later Carolina Annual Giving and how the Carolina Fund, is the University’s development office which solicits much needed private gifts from alumni, foundations and corporations. The Educational Foundation, better known as the Ram’s Club, solicits private gifts to provide scholarships for student athletes. The General Alumni Association finances its many publications, programs and activities from dues paid by alumni. Presently we have 41,000 members, 16,000 of whom are lifetime members.
Q. Must I be a Carolina alumnus to join the Association?
A. No. Many of the University’s strongest supporters are friends who never attended Carolina. Many alumni give gift memberships to family and friends who have become strong boosters of the First State University.
Yours at Carolina,
Douglas S. Dibbert ’70
