FROM THE
PAST PRESIDENT DEAR FELLOW LINCOLNITES:
As I approached the final days of my term as LUAA National President, I was mindful of the support I received during those years. “Support” is the key word because that’s the Association’s purpose: Support to the University and its mission, support to the Foundation and support to the students. Surely, there are things that I will miss about being in office, but more importantly, there are new opportunities to support and serve arising even as I step aside for Rev. Dr. LaJoyce Chatwell Lawton who assumed her duties as National President on July 1, 2015. Tere is good reason to be pleased about
the LUAA Board’s accomplishments during my term: As key leaders, we sometimes feel that we know best how to move forward and improve the status of the organizations we serve. However, it is equally important that we know how to maintain the delicate balance between “persuading” and “pushing” volunteers to do what we believe will benefit the common good. Tree examples come to mind: First was the change in executive policy to travel only
on programmed trips and/or by invitations that came with a commitment to share the President’s travel expenses. In a supportive gesture, the entire Executive Committee, once chose to absorb their own travel expenses to a Mid-Winter Board Meeting during one particularly austere budget year. Secondly, this fiscal sensitivity was followed by a board
decision to forego the practice of convening a yearly national convention in favor of alternate-year conventions. Te need for change had been exacerbated by the fact that attempting to coordinate national conventions from the chapter level had become fiscally untenable. A change in bylaws has resulted in our national conventions taking place in “even-number” years only. During the Lincoln University sesquicentennial celebration in 2016, we will convene in New Orleans, LA under the leadership of the LUAA National Convention Committee rather than a designated LUAA chapter. Finally, evolving changes in other bylaws will continue
to revive and revitalize the organization: Redefining what constitutes a quorum... Streamlining the number and status of standing committees... Routinely reviewing and testing bylaws to ensure that they are a credible reflection of how we want to operate. Tanks to the initial iteration of comprehensive bylaws
changes in 2009, subsequent LUAA administrations have been able to successfully challenge bylaws that did not serve us well. In fairness and transparency, I
acknowledge that a significant amount of work yet remains, and I pledge my continued support to get the job done: (1) Structural realignment of the organization should be considered in order to facilitate operating efficiency and fiscal solvency. (2) Periodic audits by an independent agency are needed to demonstrate fiscal accountability, spur giving to the organization and increase confidence in leadership. (3) Fundraising has been ineffectual in the past and must be improved for our viability in the future. From the beginning, I have attempted to be straightforward
and plain spoken: My mantra, “Action, Collaboration and Transparency”, has been the guidepost for my term in office. Because of ACTION, convening a quorum of the LUAA Board to conduct official business is no longer an issue. Because of COLLABORATION with the LU Foundation, a divisive fiscal impasse was favorably resolved. Because of TRANSPARENCY, the body has been kept well informed and leadership has received needed assistance, valued critiques and constructive criticism in a timely fashion. I leave the Office of National President with an enhanced
sense of dedication to the Association’s purpose, so, naturally, I will remain available to assist Dr. Lawton with the challenges that lie ahead. I also leave with a sense of excitement about having been invited to continue service as a member of the Board of Directors of the LU Foundation when my term as an ex officio member ended in June. However, the most important observation I can make about my change in status, as I leave office, is this: I am leaving office, not service!
Tank you for your support!
Alfred L. Harris, Sr., ‘69 National President, LUAA July 2012 - June 2015
54 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI LINE Winter 2016
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