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EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Friday, January, 1998
10:15 - 11:00 a.m.
East Oval Room, The Rotunda
Committee
Members:
Henry
L. Valentine, II, Chair
John P. Ackerly, III
Charles M. Caravati, Jr.
T. Keister Greer
Elsie Goodwyn Holland
Terence P. Ross
Albert H. Small
Elizabeth A. Twohy
Hovey S. Dabney, Ex Officio
AGENDA
- I.
REPORTS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT (Mr. Sweeney)
- A.
Vice President's Remarks
- Reunion
Program
- Regional
Kickoff Follow-Up Plan
- Restructured
Lawn Society
- Historic
Preservation Fundraising Update
- B.
Philanthropic Cash Flow
- C.
Campaign Progress
- Analysis
of Gifts to Date
- School/Unit
Progress
- D.
Miscellaneous Report
- Report
on University Foundations (Mr. Sweeney to introduce Mr. Sandridge;
Mr. Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr. to report)
- A.
1. Reunion Program
- BACKGROUND:
Plans have been completed for the 1998 Reunions Weekend to be
held June 5-7, 1998. Classes celebrating their reunion include
the Classes of 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1983, 1988, and 1993.
This will be the second year that all nine undergraduate reunion
classes will be returning. Additionally, the Thomas Jefferson
Society of Alumni will be welcoming in the Class of 1948 on May
12-13, just before Finals.
- DISCUSSION:
Last year, Reunions Weekend achieved a 16% participation rate
for all classes, with 3511 individuals attending. The goal of
the Reunion Committees is to have 20% of each class return this
spring. The number in attendance is expected to reach at least
4000 alumni and guests. Modifications in the weekend are being
made to accommodate the larger number of alumni expected to attend.
The Procession down the Lawn, which has become a highlight of
the weekend, is being moved later in the morning on Saturday so
that more members of the classes may participate. Other changes
include adding additional open houses, receptions and academic
seminars.
- The
Development Office has been working through the Reunion Gift Chairs
and Reunion Committees to mount a full Reunion Giving Program
this year. A goal of $3,875,000 has been set for all nine classes.
- ACTION
REQUIRED: None
- A.
2. Regional Kickoff Follow-Up Plan
- BACKGROUND:
Since the national campaign kickoff in October, 1995, 16 regional
kickoffs have been held throughout the country. While initial
efforts have been directed at identifying and cultivating prospects
prior to the kickoffs, attention is now being refocused on post-kickoff
activities. With the recent integration of Regional Development
and the offices of Planned Giving and the Arts under one manager,
the University Development Office is poised to capitalize more
effectively on the momentum of the regional kickoffs.
- DISCUSSION:
Follow-up activities will take place in each regional kickoff
area to ensure that all those attending the kickoffs have been
contacted about supporting the Campaign. These activities will
take advantage of the existing volunteer structure as well as
the relative involvement of the University’s schools and units
in each region. To facilitate follow-up, the schedule for upcoming
kickoffs has also been revised to allow concentration, through
more intimate events, on the most likely campaign prospects. This
report will outline the approach and proposed timeline for post-kickoff
visits.
- ACTION
REQUIRED: None
- A.
3. Restructured Lawn Society
- BACKGROUND:
The Lawn Society was established in 1975 to honor individual donors
with lifetime cumulative giving of $100,000 or more. The Lawn
Society now numbers over 500 members, with the membership growth
rate increasing every year, often with outright $100,000 gifts.
Over 25 Lawn Society members are million dollar donors. In the
past, Lawn Society members have been recognized with a special
Society gift, as well as an invitation to an annual black-tie
dinner on the Grounds or at a house in or near Charlottesville.
Recently, attendance at this event has appeared to be static and,
indeed, an analysis of attendance revealed that only a small core
of members was participating. In order to make the Lawn Society
a more effective donor recognition tool, a new plan of events
and communication has been developed.
- DISCUSSION:
On a trial basis, a series of initiatives have been put in place
to improve the University’s contact with Lawn Society members.
A survey was sent to all current Lawn Society members concerning
their interest in new opportunities as members, and their participation
in University life. New members will now be qualified quarterly,
instead of annually. The single black-tie dinner event has been
replaced with a series of Lawn Society events designed to attract
different segments of the membership, including an activity for
new members, an event for Virginia members, and a regional activity
showcasing the University. A communications plan will develop
a corporate image for the Lawn Society including a new logo and
communication pieces. Lawn Society members will be highlighted
more prominently in existing publications, and will receive a
special annual letter and newsletter from the President.
- ACTION
REQUIRED: None
- A.
4. Historic Preservation Fundraising Update
- BACKGROUND:
The Historic Preservation fund-raising effort received a boost
in July 1997, when the Kenan Trust made two challenge grants,
totaling $1.5 million, to support historic preservation in the
Academical Village. For FY98, the Campaign will focus on two historic
preservation projects: Pavilion VII and the student Lawn rooms.
- DISCUSSION:
The Pavilion VII restoration marks a new phase in historic preservation
at the University, integrating the restoration and furnishing
of a building with the restoration of its adjacent landscape –
the garden, alley and service yard. Since June 1997, the Historic
Preservation office has produced a Pavilion VII case statement,
secured leadership gifts, and formed a development committee to
identify and approach prospective donors. Pavilion VII restoration
will begin in fall 1998.
- Funds
have been raised from former Lawn room residents and others to
fund the restoration of four student rooms (between Pavilions
II and IV). This demonstration project will be used to attract
support for further student room restoration. The goal has been
set at $500,000 to $1 million by October 1998 so that restoration
may proceed every summer.
- ACTION
REQUIRED: None
- B.
Philanthropic Cash Flow
- BACKGROUND:
This report will be a statistical review of fund-raising cash
gifts received for the period October 1, 1997 – November 30, 1997.
Emphasis will be placed on measuring performance compared to the
FY-97 and the previous three fiscal years.
- DISCUSSION:
The most recent audited report on cash flow status, through November
30, 1997, will be used as the basis for the public presentation
by the Vice President for Development.
- The
November report shows remarkable progress when compared with any
previous campaign year. $55.7 million has been received as of
November 30, $25.4 million or 83.4% greater than the same period
in FY-97. While several large deferred gifts account for much
of this growth, nearly all categories of giving are showing 50-
180% increases over last year. With less than half of the fiscal
year completed, the campaign is well on its way to surpassing
FY-97’s record $109 million cash flow totals.
- ACTION
REQUIRED: None
- C.
Campaign Progress
- BACKGROUND:
The capital campaign is the on-going focus of University of Virginia
fund-raising activities. Through November 30, 1997, the campaign
has achieved 79% of its stated goals, with 63% of the campaign
period elapsed.
- DISCUSSION:
Recent audited figures through November 30, 1997, show campaign
progress at $596 million. In addition, future support gifts add
another $54 million to the total. To date, FY- 98 shows that 743
commitments of $100,000 or more have been received. This includes
105 gifts of $1 million or more. A number of schools or units
are running ahead of their goals, with several planning or already
announcing goal increases.
- ACTION
REQUIRED: None
- D.
Miscellaneous Report/Report on University Foundations
- BACKGROUND:
The Board of Visitors approved the Policy on University-Related
Foundations on October 9, 1992. The Policy applies to all foundations
that are established and operated for the University’s benefit
and that use the University’s name and resources. The Policy was
designed to ensure efficiency and accountability of University
foundations, as well as to maintain the foundations’ independence
and integrity.
- The
responsibility to ensure sufficient University monitoring of the
foundations’ compliance with the Policy was assigned to the Office
of the Assistant Vice President for Business Operations. A status
report on compliance with the Policy is provided to the Board
of Visitors annually.
- DISCUSSION:
During the year, each foundation submits to the Office of Business
Operations certain reports specified in the Policy, including,
but not limited to, minutes of board meetings, audited financial
statements, approved operating budget, amendments to by-laws,
and tax returns. The Assistant Vice President for Business Operations
reviews this information, and any questions are discussed with
the appropriate foundation and brought to the attention of the
President and/or the Executive Vice President. In addition, certain
transactions and activities require approval of the President
or his designee, these approvals are coordinated by the Office
of Business Operations.
- The
Policy is fulfilling its purposes. It has improved communication
and the flow of information between the foundations and the University.
Foundations have fully cooperated in complying with the requirements
set forth in the Board's Policy.
- ACTION
REQUIRED: None
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