OFFICERS ELECTED BY ELECTRONIC BALLOTING
TO BE INSTALLED AT SATURDAY MEETING

By Lynne Lott Schneider, '91

Mississippi's First Alumnae Association’s 2009-10 Board of Directors and Executive Officers have been announced, following groundbreaking changes in the association’s voting procedures.

The new procedures allowed for electronic or paper ballots, making the association’s elections more accessible for MUW alumni who want to participate in the process of choosing leaders of MFAA. These changes are just one of many successful efforts toward greater diversity, communication, and transparency in the original and historic association.

“In restructuring our bylaws and board in 2008, we challenged our organization represent and seek participation from a broad and diverse range of alumnae and alumni,” said Neely Hunter, association secretary and chair of the elections committee. “The change in our elections process - to allow any activated member the opportunity to vote for our board members regardless of participation in Homecoming - is a giant step forward for our association. More votes were recorded this year than ever before."

This inaugural election was a great success, yielding more tabulated votes for officers than have ever been recorded for the association. A total of 143 ballots were entered during the voting period from February 15 to March 15, with 133 ballots cast by electronic means and 10 paper ballots cast. Rebecca J. Fortune, Esq., of Lynn & Fortune, LLP, certified the election results.

"Electronic voting was a huge change in the Association's elections process. I am thrilled that the new election process went so smoothly, and has been embraced by our members,” said Kym Gore, association president. “It is gratifying to see our efforts toward greater inclusiveness and communication are paying off.”

Those elected to office, by a majority of ballots cast, will be installed at the annual spring membership of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Wesley Foundation.

2009-2010 officers include:
President -- Anghaarad Teague, ’95, Mobile, AL
President-Elect -- Lillian Harris Wade, ’68, Columbus, MS
Immediate Past President -- Kym Golden Gore, ’97, Tampa, FL
Vice President -- Neely Woods Hunter, ’95, Brunswick, GA
Treasurer -- Deborah Stockman Hodges, ’90, Mobile, AL
Secretary: -- Barbara White, ’75, Clinton, MS
Board of Directors: Augustus “Gus” Argrett, ’02, Madison, MS; Barbara Austin, ’63, Jackson, MS;
Jane Dearing Dennis, ’80, Little Rock, AR; Ricki Rayner Garrett, ’83, Clinton, MS; Kimberly Griffin, ’93, Jackson, MS; Lenore Shields Griffin, ’70, Ackerman, MS; Del Oehms Hamilton, ’84, New Orleans, LA; Jimmie Meese Moomaw, ’58, Avondale Estates, GA; Thomas “Mack” Spencer, ’97, Calhoun City, MS.