Alumni Association of the Rensselaer NY School District
Minutes
March 4, 2025
Attendance: Phil Foust; Mollie Shook; Michael Stammel; Patricia Stevens; Dawn Brown
Officers: Denise Roberts Wright, President; Tracey Stock, Vice-President
2 online - Tracy Boniface Foust included
Meeting was called to order at 6:27pm
Approved the February minutes with no changes/additions – motion made by Mollie Shook, seconded by Patricia Stevens. Motion was carried.
Motion was made by Michael Stammel, seconded by Mollie Shook to accept the February treasurer’s report. Motion was carried.
Tracey Stock resigned as the Vice-President - motion made by Phil Foust to accept Tracey’s resignation and seconded by Dawn Brown. Motion was carried. Denise appointed Tracey Stock as the interim Treasurer. Phil Foust made the motion and seconded by Patricia Stevens. Motion was carried. Denise appointed Mollie Shook as the interim Vice-President. Patricia Stevens made the motion and seconded by Michael Stammel. Motion was carried.
Treasurer: Our operating account has $61,420.04; petty cash is $100.00; Centennial/TD account is $41,258.88, after the $25,000.00 transfer for the Auditorium Enhancement Initiative; membership is 87 members, with 5 renewals and 2 new members. Going to Key Bank tomorrow to change everything to our legal name. $289 approved to be spent on the website hosting was not spent as it turned out it was a solicitation and not a renewal bill for our website.
IRS forms/paperwork update – taxes were done on paper and we received a letter in September that our taxes were not done. There were several things that transpired with the taxes “supposedly” not being complete - treasurer’s name was wrong, getting Brad Endres’ name off the paperwork, lack of paperwork we have to fix - 5 different names, Rensselaer Alumni Association also belonged to RPI. We now have to pay a $600 penalty. Patricia Stevens made a motion to pay the penalty, seconded by Mollie Shook. Motion was carried.
Correspondences:
Received an email from Science Olympiad with the students in their shirts. Picture was posted on FB.
Letter from the City Clerk asking if anyone was interested in participating in the Memorial Day Parade. Let Denise know.
Rensselaer Girls Softball asking for a donation – motion made by Phil Foust to donate $100.00 and seconded by Dawn Brown. Motion was carried.
Email received from a 1996 graduate looking for her pictures because she lives in California. Denise just came into the library, snapped the pictures and emailed them to her. She was appreciative.
Another graduate reached out looking for yearbooks from 2006 & 2009 - he will send in a donation of $40.
President:
Denise has been working on advertising for the Craft Fair, painting signs , coordinating with the judges for HOF, contacting inductees, arranged audit of 2024 books, worked on HOF flyers, letters, menu. Be aware that we have a scammer out there for the Craft Fair - they have been reported. (HOF dinner reservation forms, HOF flyers, Craft flyers - on front table - please pick up and distribute)
Old Business:
Veterans memorial update – Tracey will reach out tomorrow; Gerald O’Neil post, Anthony Nardacci have offered to help with whatever we may need
Solar Lights –
Auditorium Enhancement Initiative – been in contact with Andrew Higgs to find a time to arrange the order; working on a date & getting together with Mark
December membership drive - 87 members, didn’t attend the Farmers Market this year so we are thinking that is why the number is somewhat lower than last year
Craft Fair set up – we will need help setting up on Friday afternoon @ 3pm and help on Saturday beginning @ 8AM, especially at the raffle table
Hall of Fame – Saturday, April 26th @ 5pm, we need raffle baskets; if you can make one, please email Denise. We have 11 inductees, 2 from last year receiving their awards
Website - looking for a potential website company; look at companies to develop a website and let Denise know if you see anything worth looking at
Centennial Award - all seniors have been given the applications; decisions will be made in late April, early May
Apparel sale - what type of hat did you decide on? Blue with white lettering, velcro back; t-shirts? YES Motion made for the set up fee for the hats for $50 by Dawn Brown and seconded by Patricia Stevens. Motion has carried.
Graduation gowns - allotted $400, Tracy Foust will check on ordering them
Brick program - it will take place after the Capital Project if finished and Joe wil meet with the architects to figure out the best place and format
New Business:
Webmaster reimbursement for SSL certificate/hosting - Phil Foust made a motion to reimburse Tom Mulyca, Webmaster, $92.85 ($61.12 for web hosting renewal, $31.73 for SSL Certificate renewal), Patricia Stevens seconded the motion. Motion was carried.
Survey: Zoom meeting 84% yes, 16% no; $150 a year; members present at the meeting felt zoom is not needed at this point
HOF Dinner selections: Cocktail hour (cash bar) with hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner including a carving station of Roast Top Round of Beef, Chicken Marsala, Filet of Sole with crabmeat stuffing, Rigatoni with Vodka Cream Sauce, Salad, and dessert bar
HOF - April 25, 2026
Senior Breakfast - Friday, May 2nd
Digital copies of Yearbooks - library does not have a server; not sure where we would keep them
Social Activities - Valley Cats Game (more adult oriented); Day @ the Races; Trivia Night @ a local restaurant?
Next meeting Tuesday, April 1, 2025
A motion to adjourn was made by Mollie Shook @ 7:33pm and seconded by Patricia Stevens. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Boniface Foust