Dear Friends,
Rev. Prescott Rogers opened the Fall Board meetings
with a worship focusing on the establishment of the Lord’s
New Church through the increased understanding of His Word and a
life according to that understanding. He spoke about the function
of New Church education in this process, particularly at the Academy.
On Friday, September 16, Board trustees and officers joined the
Education Committee in visiting the Secondary Schools for worship
and classes. Afterwards we were inspired by a Science Department
presentation, under Rae Friesen’s leadership.
Bill Fehon demonstrated how technology is used
in his classes and gave us a wide sampling of student projects,
showing how effective they are in the learning process. Rae had
two Girls School graduates, Katrina Miller and
Lianne Adams, present the major projects they completed
for the Senior Human Body course. Both presentations were impressive
and greatly appreciated. This venue made it possible for the Board
to see the fourth floor of Benade Hall and two of its labs.
President’s Report
Prescott welcomed three new trustees: Bob Bradin
from Oak Arbor MI, John Kern from Mitchellville
MD, and the Rev. Peter Buss Jr. from Glenview (one
of two priests appointed by the Bishop to ensure doctrinal leadership
in the workings of the Board). He also welcomed the representatives
from the faculties: Jennifer DeLuca (Girls School),
Erik Odhner (Boys School), and Dr. Wendy
Closterman (Bryn Athyn College). Prescott spoke about the
spiritual theme for the year: courage.
He acknowledged the initiative shown by Alexis Pitcairn,
Girls School Factores President, and by Dale Zecher,
Boys School Student Council President, in selecting the theme, and
expressed his appreciation to them.
Prescott announced that the governance study for the College, including
the establishment of the College President’s position, will
begin soon and that the governance study for the Secondary Schools
will begin this Winter or Spring. Periodically, each organization,
including the four schools, should conduct such a study in order
to provide effective and efficient governance.
The Board will consider adding guests for the Board meetings from
designated constituencies: the Corporation, parents and alumni.
This is common practice at other institutions. It allows for a more
transparent operation and it allows for better communication with
our important constituencies.
Prescott reported what the Academy as a whole and what individuals
and groups of teachers and students are doing in response to the
disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina. The Board expressed its appreciation
and admiration for Charity
in Action, a group formed under the auspices of Bryn
Athyn Church to help many who suffered, and for the teachers and
students who are directly involved in this important benefaction
of charity.
This past spring each of the Board committees was assessed by their
members. The Resource Committee conducted this process and has summarized
the results. Prescott and Fred Fiedler, Board Vice
Chair, will discuss the results for each committee with its chair,
and then will make sure that the whole committee benefits from the
process. Alan Elder, Resource Committee chair,
Fred and Prescott see great value in this year’s assessment
effort.
Prescott expressed his commitment to assessment, including his own.
He values the input he receives annually, including the constructive
criticism. He appreciates the effort of the Executive Compensation
Committee to conduct his annual review and to help him turn each
review into meaningful goals. Karen Stoeller is
working directly with him on this effort. Prescott will share his
goals once they are determined.
The Academy has long talked about e-learning (electronic education),
and the Board has stated its desire to see effective e-learning
offered at the Academy. This year the Academy will make sufficient
strides in this area in a coordinated effort with educators who
understand the issues involved and with support from the IT department
and outside individuals, notably James Horigan
of Digital Wave. Prescott is determined to have this be part of
the strategic planning process.
Finally, Prescott stated that the Board needs to have an annual
retreat so that it has sufficient time to discuss the very significant
items faced by the Academy and/or its Board, and to provide time
for generative sessions. It has proven useful in other organizations
when their boards, filled with competent, successful and dedicated
trustees, allow for a free discussion of any and all things that
might bring real value to the organizations. This fall the Board
will discuss its full assessment slated to take place in the Spring.
Heads of School Reports
Each Head of School wrote a report for the Board. The reports
provided information about enrollments, new teachers and new programs
for the year. The school heads were available for any questions
arising from the reports.
The Rev. Eric Carswell reported that in the strategic
planning process, the Theological School is not expecting a large
increase in student enrollment based on the projected needs of the
General Church. As the needs change, so will the Theological School’s
response to them.
The student body will likely be less diverse than it is now as theological
programs are established on other continents or in other countries.
Eric spoke about the effort to address the financial needs of men
who wish to enter Theological School, especially second career men.
Eric will bring representatives from both the General Church and
the Academy together to discuss the matter and to help form a proposal
to be discussed by and acted upon by both Boards at their winter
meetings.
Vice Chair Report
Fred Fiedler reported on his regular contact and working relationship
with Prescott over the summer. He is interested in the Academy completing
the governance studies and supporting the strategic planning process.
He presented the nominating committee to help select next year’s
vice chair. Since he is willing to serve another year, if called
upon to do so, the committee will be chaired by Reade Genzlinger,
with Carl Asplundh and Dirk Jungé
as members. The committee will contact each trustee and officer
individually and will present a candidate for consideration at the
winter meetings.
Treasurer’s Report
Vice President/Treasurer Dan Allen announced that
the Academy ended 2005 with an operating surplus of approximately
$315,000. The major reason for this surplus is the recent change
in tuition and financial aid strategies, higher enrollments and
a strong performance from donors contributing to the annual fund.
The surplus will be used for scholarships in the current year budget
and for replenishing the plant funds. The Academy plant funds were
utilized to support operating deficits in 2001 through 2003. Restoration
of the building fund will support future projects. Dan also reported
that the current year enrollments are somewhat lower than projections
and we will need to manage the budget more tightly as a result.
Committee Reports
Bill McCardell, chair of the Strategic Planning
Committee, and Dan Allen presented the draft Academy strategic plan.
The Committee has been working on the plan for the past 20 months
with close collaboration with the General Church and the Bryn Athyn
Church. The master planning firm of Sasaki Associates has been assisting.
The plan includes:
- the Academy’s Charter, Mission and Guiding Principles
- vision statements from President Rogers and Bishop Tom Kline
- long-term and short-term goals
- long-term and short-term financial models using assumptions for
faculty and program additions as well as projected enrollment growth
- a campus master plan from Sasaki.
Ultimately, it will include a fund-raising plan
for a capital campaign.
Prescott Rogers spoke of the reasons for growth which are:
- to further the Academy’s Charter purpose of spreading the
Heavenly Doctrines and establishing the New Church
- to further enhance the quality of an Academy education with more
students sharing in the learning experience
- to become more efficient in our operations and lower our cost
per student.
A presentation of the strategic plan will be given
to the Corporation and to the public in separate meetings at Charter
Day. The Board is expected to vote on the plan at its meeting in
February.
Auxiliary reports for Cairnwood, the Pavilion and the Gladish Tennis
Courts were provided. Cairnwood had a strong operating year in 2005,
generating a $109,000 surplus. The Pavilion also operated within
budget and is seeking a new chair for the Operating Committee. The
Gladish Tennis Courts commenced operations in 2005. They are gradually
adding members and collecting pledges against construction costs.
The Development Committee vice chair Jill Brickman reminded
the Board that the up-coming Charter Day will have several events
in support of the Academy, including a benefit auction prior to
the Charter Day banquet. Board members and the public are encouraged
to contribute items for auction.
There will be several phone-a-thons between now and the end of the
year to ensure that alumni participation remains strong in 2005.
The Academy had nearly 50% of its alumni contribute in the 2003-2004
period.
The new Planned Giving Counselor, Tom Brecht, was
introduced to the Board. He is already handling a number of potential
planned giving opportunities.
The Investment Committee report was given by Treasurer Dan Allen,
who announced that the NCIF had an 8.6% annualized return for fiscal
2005. The endowment basically equaled its benchmarks in terms of
relative performance but the payout rate remains high, just under
5%.
Facilities and Grounds Committee chair Carl Asplundh
reported that many summer projects for the Academy could not be
completed because Bryn Athyn Borough opted out of the local building
code process. This required all building permits to go to Harrisburg
for approval. Six or seven projects are backlogged. The borough
is planning to change this procedure starting in November, and this
should improve the turnaround for future projects.
We expect that current projects such as accessibility improvements,
the entrance and lounge renovations at Grant Hall, the skylight
repairs at the Swedenborg Library and housing additions in the dormitories
will be completed over the current fiscal year. The Academy was
able to complete its electrical and steam line projects over the
summer.
The Facilities Committee is turning its attention to the development
of housing units for College students or faculty across College
Drive from Childs Hall. Housing enrollments remain high in the College
and additional dorm space is needed. This will only become more
of a critical need as the College grows.
The Joint Benefits Committee chair, Jamie Uber,
discussed the committee deliberations on Medicare coverage for Academy
and General Church retirees. Communications will be going out to
retirees in the next several weeks. The Academy and the Church plan
to integrate the current plans with Medicare and provide some assistance
to retirees on out-of-pocket drug expenditures.
The Resource Committee chair, Alan Elder, and the
Nominating Committee vice chair, Andrew Sullivan,
reported on the continued support that the Resource Committee gives
the Nominating Committee to identify candidates for the Corporation
and candidates for the Board. A recent mailing has been sent to
the Corporation about the new Corporation nominees for the upcoming
elections at Charter Day.
The Marketing and Recruiting Committee chair, Andrew Sullivan, updated
the Board on collaboration with the General Church in identifying
a marketing firm to give assistance on church-wide marketing. The
marketing firm will also provide advice to the Academy on marketing
and recruiting matters. For the current year, the College and the
Secondary Schools have put more resources into recruitment and this
is expected to increase in the future.
New Business
Prescott Rogers asked the Board to consider establishing a Board
Information Technology (IT) Committee to help support the work of
the IT Department. This is the only CSS department not to have a
corresponding committee to work with it. A standing IT committee
is common at secondary schools and colleges. Increasingly, IT will
play a major role at the Academy, and it deserves closer attention
from the Board. Prescott also reiterated the need for a CSS department
for marketing, echoing Andy Sullivan’s statements.
Conclusion
During the meetings the following noteworthy things happened:
- The Board granted tenure to Dr. Neil Simonetti in
recognition of his contributions in the area of teaching, scholarship,
student life and committee work.
- The Board acknowledged Dr. Phil Feerrar’s
successful completion of his doctorate program in higher education
research at Penn State University.
- The Board heartily expressed its appreciation for the fine
work done by our teachers
Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Prescott A. Rogers, President
prescott.rogers@anc-gc.org
215-938-2579
Daniel T. Allen, Vice President/Treasurer
daniel.allen@anc-gc.org
215-938-2636
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