The Storm King School Alumni Council

September 21, 2024

Meeting Summary

The Storm King School Alumni Council met on the above date in person and via Zoom.  President Steve Bluth ‘83 presided, and Secretary Lynn Crevling ‘72 served as secretary.

The following Alumni Council members were in attendance in person: Steve Bluth ‘83, Scott Cantor ’73, Lauren Ferrara ’97, Jim Perlberg ’70, Michael Pock ‘94, Ross Sober ‘92, and Lisa Veyka ‘83.

The following Alumni Council members were in attendance via Zoom: Richard Bailey ‘02, Jaime Cunningham ’16, Jodie Gerson ‘91, Jordan Golding ’20, Paul Jerry ’69, and Dominique Manpel ’79.

The Council member not in attendance, Jack Liu ’11, was excused due to his training schedule at the LAPD Academy.

Alumni in attendance in person were Richard Broughton ’54 and Dan Natchez ’61, with Dick DeRosa ‘61 and Monifa Tarjamo ’90 on Zoom.

Sarah Fulton ’09 and Head of School Lisa Shambaugh represented The Storm King School.

President’s Opening Remarks

President Bluth called the meeting to order at 12:20 pm and welcomed members and guests.  He asked everyone to share a special moment since the last meeting. Moments with family, special events, mentoring, and campus connections were shared.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Bluth presented the minutes from the last meeting on May 15, 2024.  Dr. Gerson made a motion for the approval and the motion was seconded by Dr. Jerry.  Mr. Bluth called for discussion, changes, or corrections.  Hearing none, a vote was taken and the minutes were approved unanimously.

Meet SKS: Head of School Lisa Shambaugh

Mr. Bluth welcomed new Head of School Lisa Shambaugh who shared slides introducing herself, her personal theme of  “community” for the year; top priorities and goals for 2025, and regional events scheduled to meet the community. Slides are attached.

Development and Alumni Update

Director of Annual Giving and Development Coordinator Sarah Fulton shared a presentation, attached.  She reported on the gifts to The Storm King Fund to date and fundraising both completed and planned.  A listing of regional events and of on-campus events was also shared.  Ms. Fulton highlighted the third annual Trivia Night and that it would be great to grow alumni participation to include more than one alumni table.  Trivia Night income is designated for improvements to the cardio room in the gym.

Nominating Committee Report

Nominating Chair Dominique Manpel reported that the Nominating Committee had met and had a preliminary conversation about updating/amending the Alumni Council Constitution after its first five years of operation. Among the amendments under consideration are a possible additional two-year term for officers; eliminating the cap of number of alumni serving on the Council; and updating the terminology “Headmaster” to “Head of School”.

Committee member Ross Sober referred members to the statement of interest in serving on the Alumni Council submitted by Symeon Braxton ’94 that had been sent to Council members.  Mr. Sober read the statement of interest and made a motion for Dr. Braxton to join the Council, effective this year. The motion was seconded by Jim Perlberg.  Michael Pock ’94 commented that Dr. Braxton was highly regarded as a student leader at SKS and that he is a great choice to join the Council.  A vote was called and the motion passed unanimously.  Dr. Braxton will serve on the Nominating Committee.

There are still vacancies on the Council for representation in 1960-69; 2000-2009 and 2020-2024.

Outreach and Development Committee Report

Committee Chair Lauren Ferrara reported on the recent meeting of the Outreach and Development Committee and also pointed out the listing of alumni outreach and engagement events in FY 2024-2025.

The summary of comments from the survey of Reunion 2024 attendees was discussed.  The comments were almost entirely positive.  As a result of the survey comments from the 2023 and Council feedback, the awards program was presented in the theater (as opposed to Ogden Hall in the several years prior).  This was considered to be a positive change.  The awards program was also combined with the “alumni conversations” and “state of the school” presentation.

Ms. Crevling observed that there were no questions or conversation at this past reunion’s awards/alumni conversation and state of the school program, compared to a prior alumni/state of the school program when there were questions, comments, and meaningful and thought-provoking conversation.  Council members discussed options to involve participants to make the meeting more involving and interactive.  One option was to separate the alumni conversation/state of the school from the awards program again, but the downside would be a highly scheduled day.  Ultimately, it was decided to keep these three topics together, but to reverse the order to start with the awards and end with the state of the school presentation and alumni conversation.  The emcee would allow time for and facilitate questions and conversation.

Pricing of reunion weekend was also discussed, with the goal of the event priced to break even, at least.  Suggestions that the price be kept down by alumni sponsorship of events were made.  Sponsors secured for the Friday night Hudson cruise these past two years have kept the price down.  There were suggestions to have a fund for subsidizing alumni who can’t pay the full price.  Ms. Fulton has been working with anyone for whom the cost is an obstacle, in addition to offering a low cost for young alumni.  Asking for alumni gifts at the reunion is a topic to be considered.

Jordan Golding and Jaime Cunningham spoke about the planning underway for the January 9, 2025 college/grad school-aged alumni to come to campus to speak with students about the college experience.  They are trying to work out their schedules to attend and participate in the conversation, in addition to recruiting young alumni.  Incentives for students to attend this optional conversation were discussed.  Ms. Crevling indicated that, after having a conversation about this with staff at the school, the students will be encouraged to attend solely by attracting them to the event — with the alternative being going to study hall.  Ms. Ferrara mentioned event name options proposed for the January 9 event and Ms. Cunningham indicated that she’d like to call it “What’s Coming Up”.  Mr. Cantor praised the initiative as exactly what he had hoped the Council would do: building relationships between alumni and the current school community.  Ms. Shambaugh relayed that the last two schools were she worked had similar events and suggested that the young alumni answer the question: “I wish I had known XYZ”.  Responses to this question would be of value to students and to faculty.

Ms. Ferrara reminded Council members of the importance of giving to The Storm King Fund as alumni leaders.  The school/fiscal year is almost through the first quarter, with three of 14 Council members having made a gift thus far this year.  She shared a video of her eight-year-old daughter talking about giving and making a gift to Storm King Fund from her allowance.

Awards Committee Report

Awards Committee Chair Paul Jerry reported that the Awards Committee had met and discussed information about a Sports Hall of Fame nominee who looks promising as a 2025 inductee.  He also noted that there is a candidate for the Alumni Humanitarian Award who looks like a very promising recipient for 2025, and that there are deserving Alumni Arts Award candidates for 2025, also.  The volunteer arts advisers have been invited to the Committee’s meeting on January 4, 2025 to share their expertise for consideration of candidates for the Alumni Arts Award.

New Business

Mr. Cantor expressed support for upgrading of the cardio room, as mentioned as the beneficiary of Trivia Night’s fundraising.  He encouraged Council members to make an additional gift in excess of regular annual giving to help with this project.  Attending or sponsoring Trivia Night is a fun way to do so.

Mr. Cantor also commented that the Alumni Council President is an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees and that he thought the position should able to vote, be in Executive Sessions, etc.  Mr. Bluth said that he would follow up on this.  Mr. Natchez said that the Alumni Council President joined the Board of Trustees as an ex officio member in 1965-1966 when he served on the Board.

There was discussion of alumni homecoming events, and Ms. Crevling and Ms. Fulton cited the many times that Homecoming was offered with few attendees.  A thorough response with details on homecomings had previously been prepared and is available upon request.

Adjournment

With no further business to come before the SKS Alumni Council, Dr. Jerry made a motion to adjourn and Ms. Veyka seconded it.  It was approved unanimously, with adjournment at 2:17 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn Crevling ‘72

Alumni Council Secretary