end of fiscal year

This is the last business day of the 06-07 fiscal year. This marks the official end of the Guild's first year in its new structure. We have learned much. We will learn more next year. Even with the blunders and missteps, this has been a year of growth and renewal for the Guild. Anticipating where we are financially, it appears that through member contributions and fundraising, we have "raised" as much - and possibly more than we did in the past several years (with fewer, but possibly more committed members). God has had his hand in watching over us this year many ways and many times. I'm thankful for the faith that Guild members have shown in the Guild.

President Harre

On Tuesday, President Alan Harre announced that he will retire at the end of the 07-08 academic year. As University President for the past 20 years, he is the only VU president I have ever known. Though there were tumultuous early years, it has rewarding to see his vision unfold. The University is better than when I enrolled due to his leadership and the hard work of his administration. It is so easy for us to look back and reflect on where the University has been, but I like to consider where Valparaiso University will be in 20 more years.

fighting fires

There are days when the work of several days or weeks comes to a head and suddenly several projects can be pushed out the door. This is one of those days. But, for every project that is complete, two new projects are added. Summer is flying by!

$$$

Today is the day when we start the final analysis of our fiscal year. 80% of all funds contributed/raised will be transferred to the Guild Endowment Fund's principal. 20% stays in the Guild Endowment Fund restricted account to use for operating and seed money for member-originated activities. It has been a year of catch up where for the first time the Guild will raise funds in one year and spend in the next. In the past, the Guild raised and spent the funds in the same year saying prayers and crossing fingers that there would be enough money to pay the bills and meet our project commitment. It will be exciting to see how much closer we are to our $1 million endowment by 2010 goal.

Whew!

FOCUS is over! What a great group the class of '11 will be. As I introduced the Guild to parents, I felt even more confident that what the Guild does is so important and sound (I always feel this, but sometimes I gather energy from telling others). I said, "Members make contributions to the Guild Endowment Fund which is how we support our philanthropy on campus." THAT makes sense. I would add that members have the opportunity to direct what is supported through an annual election (eyes lit up because parents liked hearing that they could have ownership). Some members, I said, chose to support the Guild with their time which may include fundraising to further bolster the endowment or coordinating activities that support students. I added that "We recognize how the next generation is comfortable connecting online so we are beginning to dip our toes into various technology. For example, we hosted our first webinar last fall to give an update on the new Union being built." This + the grants + the scholarships + how we are open to everyone (alumni, parents & friends of Valpo) really sunk in. They like the cake idea, too! We rock!

goodwill

In an effort to nurture students' wellness, I will be delivering two Guild cakes to the Orientation Students as a token of goodwill. They work so hard and are on the final stretch. Lots to do today because tomorrow, the first day of summer, Robby and I are starting a new tradition of having a "day of fun". OK, we're going to the dentist...but we'll also meet Rick for lunch and do lots of fun stuff. The movie Helvetica was awesome.

Whew!

The board bios are at the printer. It wasn't easy! At one point half of the office was huddled around a computer trying to save some fonts. We've tried to improve the look of the Annual Commitment Plan mailing this year...and we'll probably make even more improvements next year. One step at a time. Great parents at FOCUS last night. Tonight I hope to go see the movie Helvetica.

A pressure cooker

After several consecutive days of hot, there is a chance of rain that may cool things off. It is a big day filled with deadlines. Ideally by this time tomorrow, all of the Annual Commitment Plan mailer pieces will be off to print, Guild summer gathering invites will be ready, menus will be set for the LCMS reception in Houston, the monthly e-update will be ready and FOCUS session III will be complete. A pressure cooker, indeed!

four eyes

I'm getting new glasses today! I may wear them tonight at FOCUS II. Long day ahead!

From an IT guy?

Dennis Trinkle, the University's Chief Information Officer for Information Technology, has this as his e-mail signature line.

Success will be attained if you:

Risk more than others think is safe.
Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical.
Expect more than others think is possible.

That about sums it up, folks!

1000

Today I will complete 1000 small tasks that have been hanging over my head. Really!

new load

The incoming students appear to be a good group of kids. At the parents reception last night, one mom shared the advice of intrusting the college bound with independence while they are still in high school. Allow them to manage their own money, have them do their own laundry, etc. This builds their confidence in a safe environment and is one fewer challenge during the first year away from home. My parents did this.

This reminds me of the first time I did laundry on campus. I blocked out an entire Thursday afternoon in Lankenau's Laundry Room. I loaded one washer, waited for it to end, loaded the wet load into the dryer and started my second load. As I'm folding my fourth dry load, a resident comes down and loads up four washers all at once. I was dumbfounded. We never could do this at home! And, it never occured to me that it was "fair" to hog all the washers and dryers. Quickly I realized this college norm. Laundry always went quicker after that! I also learned that Friday or Saturday nights are the best night to do laundry (before going out, of course).

FOCUS!

New students begin to arrive on campus for the first of four new student orientation sessions. I can imagine what it is like for these students who are excited and nervous about this "first." It is possible that they will meet friends that will last a lifetime during the orientation. They will begin a lifetime relationship with Valparaiso University. They begin to explore adulthood by taking this giant leap toward independence, while for many they still have the safe haven of a parent to go back to. Here is to the class of 2011!

One more thing

FAVOR: The Guild will be able to enhance its webpage by using the CMS I mentioned in a previous post. Could you folks comment on what sites you'd like the Guild site to aspire to be more like? In other words, what are some of YOUR favorite websites. If there are features that you'd like the Guild to add, you can let me know that, too.
Thanks in advance!

Ahhh...

I'll take Robby to school to day so that it is fully a day off. There are hundreds of errands to do, pages of books and magazines I'd like to read, miles that I would like to walk...we'll have to see where the day leads.

A million things

Today I plan to wrap up a lot of projects so I can enjoy a day off tomorrow. Diane and I started thinking through all the pieces that need to go into the Annual Commitment Plan mailing (the first opportunity to renew and complete the annual ballot). Our goals are to make it easier to get through and more professional looking. Last year we pulled it together in record time...without knowing how it would all work. This year we can build on what we did last year.

Anniversary

Rick & I celebrate 9 years of marriage today. We were married on my parents' anniversary. They were married in 1964. My dad passed away in 2003. It would have been 43 years for them. For our anniversary, we plan to cookout burgers and peppers and hang out. Last year we had plans that didn't work out due to a car breaking down and bad traffic - so this year we decided to not make plans! That's marriage!

FOCUS is coming

The Orientation Assistants (OAs) are being trained for FOCUS (new student orientation) this week. The Guild has a slot this morning to update the OAs on the Guild so they are in the know. The OAs work really hard to keep the new students excited about their choice to attend Valpo. We have lots of information in the Parents packet and have included the Guild loves Valpo students notepads in the student packet with a sticker that tells a little about the Guild.

working from home

Robby woke up with a fever, so I worked from home. Fortunately, I had some projects I could work on even as interuptions and distractions arose such as reading board meeting minutes, drafting some letters, cleaning out some files and scheduling meetings. I'm thankful that the Guild and the University is family-oriented and forgiving when these things come up.

Retreat

To plan for the coming year, I am on a "retreat" - out of the office. I will never accomplish all that I'd like to get done, but at least it is a step toward getting organized so I can avoid working as if my pants were on fire in the coming year (as it feels as though I have been doing for the past 2-3 years!). Planning includes deciding what needs to be done, when communication pieces will go out, and setting time aside for actually doing the work. If time allows, I'll begin to draft some of the pieces.