Texas Christian University Addison & Randolph Clark Society Board of Directors Clark Society Committee Meeting

Transcription

1 Texas Christian University Addison & Randolph Clark Society Board of Directors Clark Society Committee Meeting Friday, November 9, 2012 Brown-Lupton University Union Zeidman Chris Curtin 86, Presiding Present: DD Alexander 82 Jim Barber 54 Chris Curtin 86 Terry Debo 81 Janice Huffman 74 Ellen Klepacki 82 Mike Mullins 69 Jay Scheideman 78 Jon Sparks 71 Marilyn Tanner 84 TCU Staff: Dee Dodson Janine Kraus Samantha Suttle 06 Julie Whitt MINUTES I. Chair Report a. Introductions Chris welcomed the members to the meeting and had everyone re-introduce themselves. b. Accomplishments Chris reviewed the committee s accomplishments since the last meeting during Leadership Weekend last spring. The following was accomplished based on this committee s suggestions: Mary Lee Cruz and Kate Scully Wells successfully planned a Clark Weekend of events, including Boots and Ball. o 250 guests RSVPed for the Friday night event. o 230 guests RSVPed for the pre-game event on Saturday a record sold out event!

2 o We collected 14 silent auction packages for the Boots and Ball event, which will support future Clark Society Scholars. We set new lifetime giving recognition levels and gave recommendations for new awards that guided the staff s selection process this summer. This committee and others on the Board recommended that TCU involve current students in philanthropy and recognize them through the Junior Clark Society. Beginning this fall, students who give the recommended amount for their classification are given student Junior Clark status. So far there are 41 student members, excluding the Senior Class Legacy program! We far exceeded the last strategic plan s goal of increasing membership to 2,700 members. At the close of FY12 (May 31), there were 3,791 members 140 percent of the committee s original goal. This includes 2,662 regular Clark members and 1,129 Junior Clark members. We helped increase the number of members giving at a higher annual recognition level since the beginning of the last strategic plan: o Directors 34% increase since FY08 o Dean s Council 84% increase since FY08 o Chancellor s Council 80% increase since FY08 Terry Debo shared that through Clark Society thank you calling, he was able to help a recent TCU graduate get a job. He said he appreciated that the staff divided up the call list by majors. II. Review Minutes from April 2012 Meeting The minutes from the April 2012 meeting were read and approved. Jay Scheideman asked if staff followed up on the tagline. Julie said that did happen; however, the TCU Marketing and Communications Department thought the tagline was too long and suggested we shorten it. However, Julie said we can still use it as is. Mike Mullins proposed that the tagline be shortened to Leadership Donors Investing in TCU. The committee then voted to drop the word Future and the vote was unanimous. So the new tagline Leadership Donors Investing in TCU, will be shared with TCU Marketing and Communications. III. Old Business a. Marketing Plan Chris shared that the committee made great strides in improving marketing efforts during the last Strategic Plan. He said the committee will continue this effort in the new one. TCU Marketing and Communications will help Donor Relations develop a branding platform that will take us into the next phase.

3 A handout showing the results of the SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) was passed out. Julie briefly discussed the items listed on the handout. Jim Barber asked if we were getting away from the main focus of the Clark Board. Julie explained that the role of the Clark Board is to market/increase membership, provide recognition, help fund raise and to promote the leadership group. Christ Curtin compared the Clark Society to credit card benefits (ex: airline miles, recognition, travel insurance, etc.). Mike Mullins shared an idea he had for spreading the word about Clark Society. He suggested that when a donor makes a gift (at the Clark Society level) to one of the schools or colleges, and then in turn receives a letter thanking him for his gift, the school/college should enclose information on Clark Society membership with the letter. b. New Lifetime Recognition Gifts Chris said that at the spring meeting, the committee agreed upon names for the three new lifetime recognition levels and gave guidance on the selection of new gifts for each lifetime level. Julie Whitt reviewed the handout, located in each notebook, which showed the new gifts from Tiffany & Co. She explained the different proposed awards: Patron bronze medallion (desk item) depicting a horned frog Centurion framed bronze medallion featuring Robert Carr Chapel Sustainer (NEW) framed bronze medallion featuring King Tower Benefactor Tiffany Windham crystal vase featuring Frog Fountain Founder Tiffany Revere pewter bowl featuring Addison and Randolph Clark Pillar (NEW) Tiffany crystal obelisk or prism featuring Sadler Hall column and University seal Visionary (NEW) Tiffany pewter Chippendale or Regency tray featuring TCU seal She explained that because the warehouse was located in the northeast and was affected by Hurricane Sandy, the samples did not make it in time for the committee meeting. But they were present for the general board meeting that afternoon. IV. Strategic Plan Discussion The committee read over the handout listing issues to be included the Clark Board Strategic Plan. The group was tasked with organizing the list and prioritizing the issues. Jim Barber suggested that Advancement staff keep an eye on donors giving and notify them when they re getting close to the next recognition level. Julie reminded the group that the strategic plan items are not issues we re trying to solve now, but ones to keep an eye on going forward.

4 DD Alexander suggested that Advancement staff send donors a lifetime giving statement (like an airline miles report) to help increase ask. Terry Debo suggested that report also include a bar graph, showing giving levels and the climb or descent of giving. Marilyn Tanner suggested the Society involve Jr. Clark members in thank you calling. Jim Barber suggested that we reach out to donors who don t renew. Mike Mullins suggested that maybe it s time to consider raising the minimum giving level for the Clark Society. Jay Scheideman agreed. Jon Sparks asked what is the Society s purpose? He thought we should concentrate on the entry points. He said it s more important to him that donors give consistently at levels they can achieve. Mike Mullins suggested we add the Clark Society logo on acknowledgement letters (for gifts that meet Clark Society minimum giving level). Ellen Klepacki took the notes on a flipchart: Membership/Giving What is working? Bar chart/lifetime giving Thank you call (from faculty, Jr. Clark, students, new members) Review of entry level giving ($1,000 same?) Expanding membership Increase education (in Clark Society and outside) Focus on education of students while at TCU about who Clark Society is Do we have a presence on other boards? Tag-on (visually) Clark branding Rebrand Jr. Clark Logo need to change Improve marketing (ex: AMEX) Social benefits Benefits with card Insider Info, library card Social splash page in TCU Magazine (photos) Committee members then selected their top objectives for the strategic plan by placing dots next to their selections. Results: Membership/Giving: 6 Increase Education in Clark Society: 5 Increase Education Outside of Clark Society: 9

5 Re-branding/Marketing: 5 Clarification of Benefits: 12 Mission: 3 V. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned.