[sticklist] - 2 AABOD Members Resign

[Richard Forno]

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All,

In the past 48 hours or so, 2 of the newest members of the AABOD have  
resigned for similar reasons.  I have enclosed their letters below as  
FYI material to the Sticklist.   I join with others in thanking Joel  
and Dave for their willingness to support the Forge and trying to make  
a difference in the current and future state of our Alma Mater and our  
Alumni community.

Cheers,  Rick '90 '92C

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From: Joel Gruenke - Your Realtor [mailto:JoelG at LNF.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 3:02 PM
Subject: My Resignation
Importance: High

Gentlemen,

It has been truly a pleasure serving my alma mater these past few  
years and I hope that my input over my term has helped enhance the  
association.  It has been great getting in touch with my roots and I  
was pleasantly surprised to touch base with so many of my old  
classmates.  But recently, starting with the precursor to Alumni  
Weekend, I have to say that I have been very concerned with the recent  
activities of the association.  I feel that the focus and mission of  
the AABOD is transforming and that my values and yours are drifting  
apart.

To just speak my mind, I think that it is important that I outline the  
decisions of the AABOD that I am having trouble with:

·         The AABOD taking a stance against our fellow alumni  
brothers.  This is a situation that we should have tried to stay  
neutral on.  Administrations come and go but our alumni brothers will  
always be there.  The perception that was given by sending the email  
out by the President of the AABOD and then endorsing the lawsuits is  
that we support the administration and not our alumni brothers.  Right  
or wrong, we just should not have taken a stand.

·         My Saturday night event on alumni weekend.  It has been  
decided that we will not ever charge anything for this event.  This is  
a sponsored event paid for by an alumnus and it would just be  
insulting to charge a cover charge on top of the donation.

·         The instructions from the AABOD to restrict membership to my  
Regiment.  This is just not acceptable.  Regiment events were supposed  
to be just a social club.  I will not now or ever not let anyone come  
to an event because of some disagreement with the administration.

To this end, Effective immediately, I am resigning from the Valley  
Forge Military Academy and College Alumni Association.  I am also  
resigning my post of Regimental Commander of the Sanelli Regiment.     
Please do not take this letter the wrong way.  I just respectfully  
disagree with you.  I really enjoyed working with all of you and look  
forward to working with you more in the future.  I just believe in an  
alumni association that is more accepting of everyone, no matter what  
their positions are.

Sincerely,

Joel Gruenke
Realtor
215.962.4326
http://www.linkedin.com/in/joelgruenke

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From: David Welsh [mailto:davidtwelsh at gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 6:52 AM
Subject: Re: My Resignation

All,

I agree with and support the views of alumni brother Joel Gruenke '86.

We all have our personal principles and ideals that should not be  
forsaken.

The members of the board each have their own goals and ambitions that  
they work diligently to attain. The efforts are obvious, respected and  
appreciated.

My own is that the efforts put forth should be strictly in the benefit  
of the alumni.
To develop the social and business network that can provide a mutual  
benefit to
as many alumni as possible. I have no requirement of loyalty, no  
expectation of donations.
Fundraising already has a department of qualified persons employed to  
execute the task.

Therefore, a conflict exists.

Rather than cause any more disruption with your own efforts and  
distract you with further idle debate, I will respectfully excuse  
myself from the association.

I, David T. Welsh, hereby submit my resignation of membership to the  
alumni association board of directors.

Please consider this to be effective immediately and in good spirit.

I will continue my efforts in the benefit of the Alumni and the Academy.

On My Honor,

David T. Welsh '87

A note: Alumni may be more willing to contribute on their own volition  
if there were a sincere effort to reach out to them as brothers  
instead of bank accounts.
  
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