March 21, 2009

The Executive Council met in Orlando, FL, on March 21, 2009.

The Council reviewed plans for conducting the TBP National K-12 MindSET Program. A special $50,000 gift received in December was designated for the K-12 MindSET Fund, and a grant report and a grant application were reviewed. The budget was increased by $20,000 for a Directorate of Teacher Professional Development to update a 6-12 classroom instructional module and to develop a new teacher-training module for elementary classrooms and to conduct initial "training of the trainers session."

The Council reviewed plans for the 2009 Convention to be held in East Brunswick, NJ, on October 15-17. A proposed logo and plans for the 125th Anniversay of TBP were reviewed.

R.W. Pierce was appointed Director of Engineering Futures for a term ending in June 2011. The Council voted a Distinguished Service Award for Dr. A.M. Brenner, retiring Director of Engineering Futures. Nancy F. Gray was appointed to the Engineering Futures Planning Committee for a term ending in June 2010. The Council discussed the Engineering Futures Program performance status and strategic plan.

The TBP Fellowship Program won the American Society for Engineering Education's Corporate Member Council's 2009 Excellence in Engineering Collaboration award. The Council converted the Spirit of Apollo Fund to provide scholarships rather than fellowships at the request of a donor. Because of trust constraints, the Council decreased the allowed income of new Fellows with stipend to $14,000.

Councillor J.A. Huggins reported on a meeting of the District Program Planning Committee in Atlanta, GA, on January 31. Councillors reported on their attendance at District Spring Conferences with invited alumni and reviewed arrangements for the June 13 meeting of National Officers and Directors in Portland, OR. The Council reviewed a draft TBP Business Code of Conduct.

President L.A. Simonson reported on his plans for meetings with alumni in Orlando, Naples, and Fort Myers, FL, and Atlanta, GA, and on his meeting in March in Phoenix, AZ..

Councillor N. Pih reported on plans for the meeting of the Trust Advisory Committee in New York City on May 11. The Council discussed trust fund restrictions and the status of the 2008-09 Financial Review Committee. Executive Director J.D. Froula reported on the status of the 2008 Alumnus Giving Program, the 2008 IRA special transfer gifts, restrictions on trust funds, amd information-technology improvements at Headquarters. His second-quarter financial report of the fiscal year had been sent to the Council and was accepted. GEICO donated $14,000 in December for seven Scholarships. A bequest of $3,000 from John A. Liggett, MI A '43, was received, and one TBP-Liggett Scholar will be named this Spring. The Council reviewed budget contingencies and noted that spending for programs and general operations continues to be reduced. Headquarter salaries were frozen at 2008 levels until 2010.

Mr. Froula reported on the February 19-21, 2009, ACHS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, and plans to participate in the installation on April 24 of Kentucky Beta's new modern Bent sculpture and monument.

Councillor J.A. Huggins reviewed a tracking document and the status of progress of actions underway to achieve the Council’s strategic goals. The Council heard an update of the TBPCONNECT online community and approved the 2009-10 contract subject to obtaining a discounted annual price.

The Council accepted a proposed web-based partnership with LTC Financial Partners, LLC, for one year to provide discounted long-term health care to members.