On June 3, the HCF Annual Meeting and Luncheon took place at the Faculty Club.  We were joined by over 130 volunteer leaders, spanning the classes of 1938-2005, Harvard Parents and GSAS alumni.  Read on for some highlights and photos of the event.

HCF Co-Chair Kate Gellert ‘93 and long-serving volunteer Bill Oates ‘38

FAS Executive Director of Gift Planning Peter Kimball and Class of ‘59 Co-Chair Dick Reilly

To kick off the meeting, FAS Dean Michael Smith gave an update on FAS finances and his plans for FY10.  He discussed his approach to cost-reduction within the FAS and the working committees that he has put together to address the budget challenges.  Dean Smith emphasized his ongoing commitment to financial aid and the undergraduate experience, giving some updates on the Gen Ed program and House Renewal.  He clarified for the group the critical role that current-use funds play in the long-term success of Harvard, and affirmed the crucial part that the Harvard College Fund and its volunteers play in the current-use fundraising effort.

HCF Co-Chair Steve Waters ‘68 introduces FAS Dean Mike Smith, who gave an update on FAS finances and his plans moving forward

Next, Carl Martignetti ‘81, Chair of the Dean’s Task Force for Leadership Giving, discussed the work that the group has done over the past year, explaining their mission to improve Harvard’s record in current-use fundraising.  He turned things over to fellow Task Force member and HCF Co-Chair Steve Waters ‘68, who shared some of the implementation recommendations that had been made by the Task Force.

Steve announced that going forward, we will be establishing Fund-wide current-use goals, as well as separate goals for Reunion and non-Reunion Classes.  He also described two new giving societies that will recognize alumni who give current-use funds.  Steve told the group that though these recommendations are still in draft form, they have been approved by Dean Smith and are in keeping with his vision and plans for the FAS.  Further information on the Task Force and its recommendations will be shared soon.

Carl Martignetti ‘81, shares a report from the Dean’s Task Force on Leadership Giving.  Carl chairs this committee that has worked this year to improve our record in raising critical current-use, unrestricted funds.

Steve then brought up Reunion Vice Chair Nick Sakellariadis ‘73, who announced some reunion highlights and thanked everyone for their persistent and thoughtful leadership in what has been a difficult year.

Vice Chair for Reunion Giving Nick Sakellariadis ‘73 shares some reunion highlights.

Next, HCF Co-Chairs Kate Gellert ‘96 and Steve Waters ‘68 acknowledged the Vice Chairs who will be rotating off of the Executive Committee this year.  They include: Bambi Putnam ‘76 (Member-at-Large), Tom Reardon Jr. ‘96 (Vice Chair for Recent Graduates Giving), Katy O’Brien Bordonaro ‘76 (Vice Chair for Participation), Don Wilson ‘70 (Vice Chair for Associates Giving), and Ernie Monrad ‘51 (Vice Chair for Bequests and Gift Planning).  For more details on these exemplary volunteers and their service to Harvard, click here.

Steve Waters and Executive Director of the HCF Charlie Cardillo then took a moment to recognize Kate Gellert, who is ending her term as Co-Chair.

Steve Waters ‘68, along with HCF Executive Director Charlie Cardillo ‘91, thanks his Co-Chair Kate Gellert ‘93 as she ends her term.

Steve announced the new slate of Executive Committee members, including Alan Jones ‘83 (Member-at-Large), William Decherd ‘01 (Vice Chair for Recent Graduates), Joe Fuller ‘79 (Vice Chair for Leadership Giving, a newly formed role), Scott Abell ‘72 (Vice Chair for Bequests and Gift Planning), Sam Lessin ‘05 (Vice Chair for Participation), Rick Smith ‘74 (Vice Chair for Associates Giving), Sandy Edgerley ‘84 (Vice Chair for Reunion Giving), and Gwill York ‘79 (Harvard College Fund Co-Chair).  For more information on these exciting additions to the HCF Executive Committee, click here.

Finally, the Class of 2009 Senior Gift Co-Chairs - Andrew Krumholz, Kathryn McKinley, and Nick Noyer - announced the great success of their campaign, including their record-breaking participation rate of 75% and the fact that they ran the first ever paper-free campaign.  We are thrilled to welcome these three graduates into the community of HCF volunteers.

Class of 2009 Senior Gift Co-Chairs Nick Noyer, Katherine McKinley, and Andrew Krumholz present a campaign recap, which included the first ever paperless effort and record-breaking participation numbers.

Steve Waters, Ed Kovachy and Eva Kampits, members of the Class of ‘68, pay tribute to HCF Director of Reunion Programs E.V. Sweeney, who is retiring this year.