March 20, 2020
Dear Alumnae Council Members:
Our in-person Alumnae Council Meeting scheduled for April 18 has been canceled due to our concern for your health and safety and in conjunction with the government’s restrictions following the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. This extraordinary situation has forced the AADC to reluctantly suspend our spring events, including our treasured AADC Alumnae Reunion Weekend on June 5-7, which was announced on March 18 via email. We will be exploring all options to reschedule this special event. You also may be aware that Rutgers University has suspended its spring events, including all commencement ceremonies and Rutgers Day.
In addition, our annual AADC Celebrates Founders Day luncheon and the presentation of our prestigious alumnae awards on April 18 have been postponed. New dates for the luncheon and awards ceremony will be announced as soon as restrictions on gatherings have been lifted and we can determine availability of facilities and location on campus. Anyone who had already registered and paid for the luncheon has been or will be contacted about getting a refund.
You may recall that in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 we were forced to cancel our Fall Alumnae Council Meeting. Instead of conducting a meeting, the materials that would have been discussed at the meeting were sent to Council members by mail. Today’s extraordinary circumstances will force us to use that alternate means once again.
The Spring Meeting is when we hold our election for six new Board members and new members of the Nominating Committee. According to our By-laws, we must accept nominations from the floor. Therefore, we have provided an online Nomination Form that will be used only to make nominations “from the floor” for these positions. Instructions on the form explain the process. Submit the form only if you have a nomination to add and please submit it by April 3.
Click here
for the form.
Your nominee must provide written consent indicating that she agrees to be nominated and that she is an “active” member of the AADC (defined as someone who has donated a minimum of $40 or more in the fiscal year in which the contribution is made and for the following fiscal year). Nominees may submit written consent no later than April 3 to the AADC via email at douglassalumnae@douglassalumnae.org, or by USPS to AADC at 181 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
A ballot, which includes the alumnae previously nominated by the Nominating Committee as well as any nominations received from “the virtual floor,” will be sent to active Alumnae Council members in the near future. The completed ballot must be returned to us by email or by mail by April 21.
You will receive another message in the next few weeks that contains meeting materials and reports that would have been handled verbally if the meeting were held in person. That message also will include the results of the election and the Alumnae Council Survey you were asked to complete earlier this year.
Thank you for understanding the changes we must make in our normal in-person meetings. We will miss seeing you in person and enjoying our luncheon and camaraderie.
While we all are staying home and taking the precautions of social distancing and good hygiene, it is a perfect time to check in with your alumnae friends to see how they are doing. Please stay safe, healthy and connected.
Helen Galt ‘69, Acting President
Associate Alumnae of Douglass College
