TCHSAA Annual Meeting 2-3-2025 Meeting Summary

TCHSAA Annual Meeting 2-3-2025

Meeting Purpose

Annual meeting of the Trenton Central High School Alumni Association (TCHSAA) to discuss organizational updates, elect officers, and plan upcoming initiatives.

Recording Link: https://fathom.video/share/YaSageGRVkUibCcbAHKF9_viDjqwiTn1

Attendees

TCHSAA Executive Committee Members:

Jenna Figueroa-Kettenburg(President) , Nicole Stone–McCain(Vice President), Dorris Hollis (Treasurer), Georgia (EC Member) , Karl Flesch (Alumni Litter Patrol)

Excused ECM/School Liaison: Barbara Episale

Non-Committee Members in attendance:

Atiya

Erika D Lively

Latreil Jackson

Timea Matthews

Kimberly Ash

Franklin Smith

Nicolina Contardo

Key Takeaways

• New members showed strong interest in joining the executive committee, signaling potential growth for the organization

• Officers were re-elected for new 2-year terms: Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg (President), Nicole Stone (Vice President), Doris Hollis (Treasurer). no volunteers for the Office of Recording Secretary and the position remains open. Hopefully this position can be filled in the near future.

• The Committee voted and approved a $75 full-page ad for school's Aladdin production and a $100 half-page ad for 2025 yearbook. For both ads, Karl will work on the final design and ask review and approval from the ECM asap so that the ads can be finalized and submitted to meet the deadlines.

• Identified need for more volunteers to help with membership management, fundraising, and communications

• Send out meeting minutes and attachments to attendees and also post on TCHSAANJ.ORG

• President and VP to mail out membership letters to the Paid Lifetime Members

• Invite interested new members to next executive committee meeting for membership interviews

• Interested volunteers and potential members can register at TCHSAANJ.ORG

• Karl to update ad designs for Aladdin program and yearbook, submit by deadlines

• Treasurer to remit payments for approved ad purchases

• Continue efforts to clean up and organize membership database

• Explore options for improving membership management processes and communications

• The team agreed to revisit the bylaws to ensure the Robert's Rules of Order is followed in the future.

• The Committee to look for vendors that can generate and mail customized t-shirts on demand

Executive Committee Updates

• Recent turnover in leadership roles, with Jenna and Nicole stepping in as President and VP respectively

• Working to reorganize and streamline operations after leadership transitions

• Seeking student liaisons to join committee and provide fresh perspectives

• Current bank balance: $5,247.46 as of meeting date

• Alumni Litter Patrol (ALP): Held on October 26, 2024. There were 5 volunteers. The school grounds were relatively clean and it took us under 2 hours to make the rounds picking up litter. We hope to have another cleanup in the spring and have more volunteers.

Membership and Volunteer Needs

• Looking to grow membership base and attract new members, especially younger alumni

• Identified critical needs for volunteers to help with:

  • Membership management and database cleanup

  • Fundraising initiatives and event planning

  • Communications and outreach

• Discussed potential for creating a communications team to handle increased workload

• Will send out membership cards and welcome letters, prioritizing lifetime members first

• Volunteers are needed to work on the yearly initiative to give monetary awards to graduating seniors

Upcoming School Support Initiatives

• Approved $100 full-page ad in program for school's Aladdin production

• Approved $100 half-page ad for 2025 yearbook, congratulating graduating class

• Discussed other ways to support school activities and promote student engagement

• Discussed the next steps to bring on a student liaison ,which the School Liaison is providing guidance to the committee on how to go about this

• Discussed the yearly initiative to give scholarships to the graduating students

Organizational Structure and Meetings

• Monthly executive committee meetings held 3rd Monday at 8pm via Zoom

• Annual meeting open to all members, typically held in January (moved to February this year)

• Considering opening monthly meetings to non-executive members for comments/questions in the future

Alumni Engagement Ideas

• Karl working on exhibit about "Sports Night" tradition (1935-1999) at Trenton City Museum

• Discussed potential for concert featuring school chorus at Trinity Cathedral

• Looking for ways to promote and support current school activities to alumni