January 31, 2013 Minutes (and The Foss Family Pittsfield Town Scholarship Trust Awards Committee Minutes)

Trustees of Trust Funds
and
The Foss Family Pittsfield Town Scholarship Trust Awards Committee
Minutes
1-31-2013
Draft
Attendees:
Leslie Bergevin, Louis Houle, Ross Morse, Cara Marston, Scott Brown, Clayton Wood, Ely Osborne, Bob Bickford, Harry Vogt
1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the September 27, 2012 meeting were approved with the following revision: Item 4 a: to be revised to read as follows “Consider increasing the amount of individual scholarships to include two scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each.”
2. Revision of By-Laws: Revisions to the by-laws discussed at the 9-27-2012 meeting were reviewed.
3. Election of Committee Chair and Secretary: Ross Morse was elected chair. Harry Vogt was elected secretary.
4. Revisions to Scholarship Application: The following revisions were discussed:
a. Copy of scholarship application is to be placed on the School’s website .
b. Provide applicants with a copy of the evaluation form so they have a better understanding of the criteria for award.
c. Delete reference to “male” under item 7. a. of the application form (registration for the draft).
d. Delete the word “brief” from paragraph titled Essay Question; emphasize goals and aspirations.
e. Have school engage students in conversation about how students can give back to the community. Examples included participation in school meetings via Skype, participation in alumni association or perhaps develop a new sub-alumni association, participation in school advisory committees.
5. Updates to Award Letter and Non-Binding Pledge: Trustees have updated
documents to emphasize the Trustee’s hopes that the scholarship recipients will
contribute to the trust. Non-binding pledge now includes line for recipient’s email
address. Committee suggested adding language that allows trustees to share email
address with other school organizations.
6. Miscellaneous:
a. When sending out scholarship applications, Leslie will ask students to share
their email address with the Trustees of the Trust funds.
b. Leslie will ask Jennifer Kearns whether she will be attending Committee
meetings.
c. Leslie to follow-up with the two students who have not claimed scholarship
funds. 3/1/13 is deadline for accepting funds.
d. A big round of thanks to all the work Leslie has done on the behalf of the
Committee. Leslie’s position on the committee will be filled in the fall by the
School’s Director of Career Advancement and Achievement.
Minutes submitted by: Harry Vogt, Secretary