August 9, 2008

The Executive Council met in Orlando, FL, on August 9, 2008.

The Council enthusiastically voted Tau Beta Pi Resolutions of Appreciation to retiring advisors of the collegiate chapters and a Superior Service Award for Brain Tickler Judge, Howard G. McIIvried III, Ph. D., PA G ’53.

The Council reviewed a list of frequently asked questions about the Tau Beta Pi National K-12 Math & Science Initiative and adopted a new name for the program: MindSET. The Council reviewed the Association's top funding opportunities and long-term needs and established the Tau Beta Pi K-12 Math & Science Initiative Fund with $100,000 bequeathed by Dr. Charles E. Reed, OH A ’34.

The Council allocated a special gift of $3,520,00 from the Vincent A. Stabile Foundation to the V.A. Stabile Scholarship Fund and increased the budget to provide 234 Scholarships in 2008-09. The Council allocated a special gift of $15,000 to the Cleveland & Ruth Campbell Scholarship Fund and a bequest of $5,000 from Virginia and John P. Stechmeyer, OH E ’48, to the Tau Beta Pi Scholarship Fund and will name Stechmeyer Scholars in 2009 and 2010.

Executive Director J.D. Froula reported on the status of the 2008 Alumnus Giving Program and the status of information-technology updates: his fourth-quarter report of the fiscal year had been sent to the Council and was received, along with his annual report. A resolution was approved to add a sweep feature to the main checking account. Mr. Froula reported on the addition of a new Communications Specialist to the Headquarters staff and reported that the TBPCONNECT online community exceeded 2,200 participants.

The Council revised its Alumnus Giving Program Matching Gifts Resolution to permit matching gifts to be allocated to both the Fellowship Program and the Scholarship Program. Council revised its policy for reimbursing the travel expenses of Executive Council Slate candidates by increasing the total reimbursement pool from $3,000 to $5,000.

President L.A. Simonson led a discussion of criteria for the Tau Beta Pi Distinguished Alumnus Program. The Council discussed updates to the Tau Beta Pi Integrated Action Plan.

The Council reviewed arragnements for the October 23 meeting of National Officers and Directors and reviewed and modified plans for the 2008 Convention to be held in Sacramento, CA, on October 23-25. Dr. E.P. Gorzkowski III was appointed to the TBP 125th Anniversary Convention Committee.

Lisa C. Gascoigne, NY N ’97, and David E. Dale, NY P ’06, were appointed as District 4 and 7 Directors, respectively, to terms ending in June 2011. Councillor N. Pih reported on a planned meeting of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Futures Planning Committee in Kansas City, MO, on August 23.