From rforno at infowarrior.org Thu Jan 10 19:49:42 2008 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:49:42 -0500 Subject: [sticklist] - Note from the Director of Alumni Relations Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 From: Spano, Frank [mailto:FSpano at vfmac.edu] Gentlemen, My name is Frank Spano and I am a 2001 graduate of VFMC. While at the Forge, I served as a Mid-Year Plebe Trainer, Regimental Training NCO, Infantry Battalion Sergeant Major, and Regimental Sergeant Major (during the period following graduation). Following Valley Forge, I served as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations as an Antiterrorism, Counterintelligence and Protective Service Operations Specialist. I recently separated from Active Duty and am happy to be returning home to the Forge. As you know, I recently began work as the new Director of Alumni Relations here at our Alma Mater and look forward to representing both the Alumni Association and the Institution in a positive and energetic light. I have set three broad target areas that will receive my immediate attention; those being: * conduct and exceed set goals in major gift initiatives * enhance alumni participation and satisfaction * exceed fundraising and support goals In order to effectively engage each of these targets I will focus my energy on the following: * provide timely and accurate response to all alumni inquiries and requests for information/support * identify and solicit major gift providers capable of matching/exceeding present challenges * plan, advertise, and conduct Homecoming Weekend in a manner conducive to greater participation and support from alumni of all ages * serve as the unofficial historian of VFMA&C in an effort to preserve and develop a rich heritage or leadership, customs, and traditions * reinvigorate/revamp/develop current Alumni Regiments in key demographic areas (Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston, Miami, New York, and Puerto Rico) * introduce a culture of philanthropy to current cadets and provide low cost/impact opportunities for continued involvement and development within the Alumni Association * provide a visible, alumni presence on post through planned events and greater opportunities for cadet/alumni interaction * develop and implement continuity plans for major recurring events (Homecoming, Star, 100 Day, and TAC Dinners) * establish an official school presence on social networking programs such as Facebook.com and Myspace.com I have had the great opportunity to work with many of you both as a cadet and an alumnus and I am proud to say I am a member of the Continental Line. I believe that Valley Forge provided me the opportunity to achieve great success in a short period of time; and I have no doubt we will continue to do that for years to come. Each alumnus who shares my passion for our alma mater should stand united in support of our fellow alumni, the current Corps of Cadets, the faculty staff and administrators of this school, and certainly the fine young men and women who will continue the Long Grey Line into the next century and beyond. I look forward to seeing each of you on campus and welcome the opportunity to speak with you regarding how best to realize and exceed the expectations set before us. Have a safe and happy holiday season. I remain, yours in Courage, Honor, Conquer, Fraternally, Frank Spano, ?01C 1LT Frank M. Spano III Director of Alumni Relations Valley Forge Military Academy & College 1001 Eagle Road Wayne, PA 19087 Phone: 610-989-1577 Fax: 610-989-1332 Email: fspano at fmac.edu alumni at vfmac.edu Website: www.vfmac.edu -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBR4Z2yylmcjtvXmz2EQImpACgkHgGJyv+RclppmEJU/lMFjb/r94AoKQA 6Hsb742O+c7wSZXyYLBaA07F =9dHz -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Mon Jan 14 18:00:10 2008 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:00:10 -0500 Subject: [sticklist] - Sticklist Reminder Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Gentlemen -- The purpose of this communication is to reiterate that, contrary to what you may have been told either officially or unofficially, the Sticklist e-mail list is NOT affiliated with, sponsored or supported in any way by Valley Forge Military Academy and College. The Sticklist is an independent broadcast medium that exists outside the influence, ownership, or editorial control of the school or any official VFMAC entity. While the Sticklist may at times repost official communications from the school in the interest of keeping VFMAC alumni informed about VF happenings, to my knowledge the only source of "official" communications from VFMAC is from the school's website, www.vfmac.edu and from authorized individuals or e-mail lists run by various departments there such as the Alumni or Development Offices. Anyone saying or suggesting otherwise is misleading you. For more information on the Sticklist, please visit the Sticklist information page at (https://attrition.org/mailman/listinfo/sticklist) Cheers, Rick '90 '92C Sticklist Administrator -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBR4ui/ylmcjtvXmz2EQLpdQCgvwoXUWH33lPfZo0H9SPHMf9ng6MAn15C r8qxP7GNGk5Yib1hoixeoG2/ =mHyI -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Wed Jan 16 12:14:19 2008 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:14:19 -0500 Subject: [sticklist] - British cadet to study at Valley Forge Military Academy Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 British cadet to study at Valley Forge Military Academy Source: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/13818687.html Valley Forge Military Academy & College has extended a fellowship to a British military student to come to America this fall and study alongside Valley Forge cadets in Wayne. Cadet Graham Sissonswill be the first student of Duke of Yorks Royal Military School in Devon, Kent to cross the Atlantic and attend Valley Forge under this new fellowship. Sissons was personally interviewed by Valley Forge president Tony McGeorge in Britain, and selected for his outstanding academic, leadership and military accomplishments at Duke of Yorks. Sissons will complete at least the fall semester at Valley Forge Military College with his tuition covered by the school, with the option of staying on for the full year. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBR431FSlmcjtvXmz2EQLcngCfcfef7uMGvDuEjmb1AL8tQxr27JMAoLZ2 4aKeJq0sgocoInvLOCmZPdjw =LAvA -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Tue Jan 29 13:27:01 2008 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:27:01 -0500 Subject: [sticklist] - 2008 Homecoming Committee Report Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Gentlemen -- to followup on previous Committee reports posted to the Sticklist in recent weeks, here is the Committee Report for the Homecoming Committee. Before getting to the report, it is with regret that AABOD President John Rapp informs the alumni community that the Homecoming Committee Chair, Bill Smith '61C has resigned from the AABOD and also as Chair of Homecoming 2008. However, during the Executive Meeting of the AABOD on 26 Jan 2008, Walt Mosetter '77C, Art Lambert '60C, and Bill Gans '61C have volunteered to help Frank Spano '01C (the new VF Manager of Alumni) to pull things together as best they can.....all will be working to make this Homecoming as good as it can be. Cheers, - -Rick '90 '92C < - > HOMECOMING 2008 REPORT This year many alumni expressed a desire to hold the Saturday night function off post as it was in the past. I researched this with interviews of three locations. In each, the base cost was very high in that we are not able to accurately predict the attendance. Thus we decided to remain in Mellon Hall. I did receive a breakdown of cost from last year. However, there is little back up of detailed expense incurred. All income was put together. By this I mean that it is not possible to determine those areas that were profitable or where a loss was incurred. A spreadsheet was prepared for use, but was never completed by the Alumni Representative. During Alumni Association discussions it was determined: 1. That gambling did not return a significant return and that we would not have gambling this year. 2. That the 50-50 was not profitable. I did the 50-50 in which we earned about $300.00. We will continue this year. 3. A small silent auction in conjunction with a small live auction should and will be undertaken this year. 4. The Sara Crawford Room will be used for cocktails and a reception area. Many alumni like to have a quiet place to sit and talk. 5. Per Ann Sinatra, the school will contribute to reduce the cost in that homecoming ties in with fund raising. The amount has not been determined. Many Alumni on and off post would like the second mess/luncheon on Saturday to return to the Mess Hall. This gives them a feeling of the past and is close to Price Hall for the band concert. There will be two buffet lines and tables will be reserved for class year recognition. This has been reviewed and approved with Sodexho. The price will be less than having the event in Eisenhower Hall. The 50th Class will have a private cocktail reception at Crossed Sabres and them dinner in Eisenhower Hall. It is recommended that the Saturday Musical Ride be presented just prior to the Regimental Review. The reason being that when held in the morning there are very few in attendance to witness the ride. Also, that it be a ?Ride? not an abbreviated polo match. Many of the above comments were discussed at the varies Alumni Association meetings but are not on record in that the acting Alumni Representative was not in attendance to record the minutes as is his function. The same band as last year will at Mellon Hall on Saturday night. Sodexho has agreed to keep all prices the same as last year. Sodexho expressed a concern as to the consumption of liquor Friday and Saturday nights. That some Alumni drink to much and how to control same -- A suggestion was made to give out tickets and once they are gone, the Alumni can purchase addition drink tickets. I expressed a plan to both Sodexhe and a representative of the administration as follows: 1. As per the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the final responsibility of determining when a customer has to be cut off is with the bartender. 2. That being said, there must be a representative, on the spot, from the school/homecoming committee available to act upon the bartenders decision. 3. The suggestion about addition tickets is not viable. The school does not have a license to serve liquor, we may give it away but it is a violation of the law to charge. This can lead to enormous liability issues. In fact it is not legal to raffle off a ?Basket of Cheer?. 4. Bartenders can handle potential problems by pouring short drinks. 5. This has not been a major problem in the past when handled properly. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBR58pmilmcjtvXmz2EQKKzgCdH92dUl1lVzLuRADbfl5GV69zinQAn1Ol tZPtO2qwT0bLjvlG5+k2Q8oc =XuGE -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Tue Jan 29 17:01:51 2008 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:01:51 -0500 Subject: [sticklist] - Latrine Project Funding Status Update Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Gentlemen, I am pleased to provide you with an update on an important project undertaken by the Alumni Association this year. Under the strong leadership of Walt Mosetter '75, '77JC, the Lafayette Hall Latrine Renovation Project is very close to reaching its goal of raising $339,000 of the $550,000 overall project. The project was started last Spring during Homecoming Weekend. Walt has done a tremendous job and he is to be commended for his hard work and determination in raising the much-needed funds. Taken from the Facilities Committee Report submitted by Walt, the following update information is provided: Amount Collected to Date: $199,373.82 Committed pledges and in-kind donations*: $105,500.00 TOTAL $304,873.82 Minimum balance yet to raise: $34,126.18 Estimated Project Total: $550,000.00 *In addition to the cash contributions pledged, Conrad Muhly '73 has committed his company to handle the demolition portion of the project. Raising the balance needed to complete this important project is an achievable goal. If you have not yet made a contribution this year and are looking to support a project that will improve cadet quality of life, I urge you to consider supporting the Latrine Renovation Project. Thank you to all of the donors who have already supported the project. For more information about the project, go to www.continentalonline.org and look under the heading News Central. There is a thread entitled "Lafayette Hall Latrine Project" that provides information on how to donate, before and after photos, and the schematic. Courage, Honor, Conquer. John R. Rapp '74JC President, Alumni Association -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBR59b7ClmcjtvXmz2EQKWcACfZHHJiMvodf05u4MOKRGnV3a8J/sAoIbi 4gTZbUFkieqkCAulZeSmCg6H =MSxV -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Tue Jan 29 17:02:57 2008 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:02:57 -0500 Subject: [sticklist] - Mellon Hall Volunteer Request Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Looking for a Few Good Men! If you have some time to spare, Al Heyer ? 69 could use some assistance in hanging a few sound-damping panels in the Mellon Hall ballroom. Last year, the acoustical panels were designed and partially installed by Al, George Muller, and Philadelphia Sound Productions. A few panels still need to be installed. If you can lend a hand, please contact Al at ajheyer at hotmail.com. Your help is truly appreciated! -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBR59bcClmcjtvXmz2EQIrcACgmcUxP2IfYv3Nm5myBNFtmkEcAogAni0o 7duysJHtGOVF9bzsD09FngLm =0o5C -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----