THE GORE REPORT:

Kym Golden Gore Mississippi University for Women Class of 1997

Immediate Past President Kym Golden Gore shouldered two important responsibilities for MFAeA in 2008-2009. She served both as President of the Association and as the co-counsel who argued our case before the Mississippi Supreme Court. She provides the following as a summary of the year’s activities.

By Kym Golden Gore, MUW Class of ‘97

Reorganization: Mississippi’s First Alumnae Association began its 120th year of support for Mississippi University for Women in April 2008 by adopting a new Board structure, Constitution, and Bylaws

Opposing the Name Change: The Board of Directors first vote took place over the summer. In response to Dr. Limbert’s announcement that she would be seeking a name change for the W, the Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of the University’s current name and promoted the resolution through a press release, interviews with the news media and privately through continued discussion with the University’s administration.

On the Legal Front: For much of the year, the Board focused on the ongoing legal battle over Limbert’s decision to disaffiliate the Association. In April 2008, the Association was still operating as Mississippi University for Women Alumnae Association and held status as one of two affiliated alumni groups. Though Lowndes County Chancery Judge Dorothy Colom originally ruled that Dr. Limbert acted in bad faith in disaffiliating the Association and ordered Dr. Limbert to honor the affiliation agreement between the Association and the University, she later amended her ruling to permit the University to affiliate with an additional alumni group, Dr. Limbert’s newly created Alumni Association.

Meanwhile, the University’s appeal was pending before the Mississippi Supreme Court. Following the submission of briefs and an oral argument before the entire Court, the Mississippi Supreme Court reversed Judge Colom’s ruling and held that Dr. Limbert was permitted to disaffiliate the Association. The Association responded with a press release that expressed its continued commitment to serving the University regardless of its legal status and began to move forward to comply with the Court’s ruling.

As part of its compliance with the Court’s ruling, the Association was required to adopt a new name that did not include the name of the University. After consideration of a number of options, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt the name “Mississippi’s First Alumnae Association,” a name that reflected the Association’s status as the original and historic association, a name that tied the Association to Mississippi, and a name that complemented the Association’s ginkgo leaf logo.

Dues Structure Adopted: For the first time in more than twenty years, the Association adopted a dues structure and began collecting dues to support the Association’s activities. Without the support of the university, the dues structure became vital as the sole source of revenue for the Association’s various projects.

Communication Plan: The Association also began organizing a plan for effective communication with W alumnae/i that included creating a membership database “from scratch.” The Association quickly built a substantial email database that it uses for communication to members and friends of the Association through the use of electronic newsletters (like this one!) and “e-blasts.” The Association continues to rely on grassroots efforts to build this database so that the Association can expand its reach to mailings and other forms of communication with alums.

New Election Procedures: One of the Association’s major projects was a new, more inclusive elections process. This year, for the first time in its history, the Association provided for electronic or mail ballots prior to the annual meeting in lieu of a voice vote at the Association’s annual meeting. This new voting procedure provided alums who could not attend Homecoming the opportunity to participate in choosing their leaders. The Elections Committee created procedures and a timeline for conducting the elections and adopted technological tools necessary to create, disseminate, and collect electronic ballots for the election.

Celebrations: As always, the Association provided opportunities for celebration and fellowship among its alums. In August, the Association sponsored its annual Faculty Reception at the Rosenzwieg Arts Center. This reception provides the faculty with the opportunity to unwind with a casual wine and hors d’oeuvres reception after the hectic first days of campus activity.

During Homecoming weekend, the Association sponsored two events: a reception at the Lee Home honoring the W’s 125th Birthday and the Association’s Alumnae Achievement Award Winners and the ever popular Young at Heart Karaoke Party. The birthday bash was a rousing success, drawing a crowd of almost 300 alumnae/i and guests. The karaoke party was also well-attended and included current students and members as “young” as the Class of 1958!

Annual Business Meeting: The Association closed out the year at its Annual Meeting on April 18, 2009. During the business meeting, the members present ratified the Association’s new name, approved a new chapter agreement providing for formal, informal and echapters, installed new officers, and presented the Alumnae Achievement awards to this year’s winners.