Summary of the Fall 2007 Board Meetings
 September 21-22

These meetings demonstrated the exciting early progress in several facets of the Academy’s growth plans. The Trustees were energized by a campus tour of all the facilities and grounds projects accomplished over the summer, including the dining hall renovation and the new college student housing. A list of current campus projects is attached as an appendix to this report. The Education Committee (Gael Coffin, chair and Bob Bradin, vice-chair) arranged for the Secondary Schools Arts Department to talk about the new Senior Arts Portfolio, introduced this school year. Several entertaining student performance and visual arts presentations enlivened the report, where the students emphasized the spiritual and natural dimensions of their work. Clearly, this is another unique Academy program that has great potential for recruitment and student career advancement. The Trustees also learned about the new Secondary Schools schedule, introduced this year, replacing the old block schedule. The schedule is providing greater flexibility and opportunities for different programs, particularly in religion and the arts.

In his Chancellor’s report, Bishop Kline asserted that the General Church is being equally bold in its approach in achieving the core purpose of helping people throughout the world to know and grow closer to the Lord Jesus Christ in His second coming. The “audacious goal,” in development at the time of the Academy Board meetings, envisions the General Church having meaningful contact with a million people in the world in the next 30 years. Chancellor Kline also asserted that the number-one priority of the General Church is the recruitment, training, support and continued development of the priesthood.

In his President’s report, Eric Carswell spoke appreciatively about how the team of administrators in Pitcairn Hall and the Heads of Schools are working together in a strongly cooperative manner. He observed specifically that his working relationship with both Dan Allen and Dudley Davis is serving the uses of the Academy schools very well. President Carswell also reiterated the basic idea in his short article for the Board which was that previous outlooks and policies at the Academy seem to have overly emphasized the dangers and evils in the world outside the General Church. This outlook and these policies are incompatible with effective welcoming and assimilation of people who are new to the New Church. The current commitment to growth does not represent a denial of the doctrine supporting past practices but rather a different balance of these teachings with others the Lord has given the New Church.

Executive Vice President Dudley Davis demonstrated to the Trustees how the current initiatives on campus directly relate to the growth objectives in our strategic plan:

• The facilities and grounds projects are all designed to respond to key educational needs, to deal with deferred maintenance, and to provide better appearance and services for purposes of recruiting and retention.
• Chuck Blair, Recruiting Director for the Secondary Schools, and Dean Chuck Lindsay for the College spoke about their current efforts in recruiting and retention and specific challenges in these areas. Students from current Church members will not be enough to sustain our programs long term. Early results beyond our traditional base are leading to new inquiries and admissions, particularly in the Secondary Schools. The College expects that the current investment in facilities, recruiting staff and retention programs will pay off in increasingly sustainable enrollments for the future.
• Rev. Andy Dibb, new Dean of the Theological School, discussed his vision for Theological School recruitment, for attracting future leaders to the ministry. Bishop Tom Kline also emphasized several components of the General Church’s strategic plan related to this effort.
• Dan Allen presented the cost incurred to date for the campus renovations and new financing arrangements in place to support these projects. He also described the fact that our strategic plan is requiring us to make significant investments with the expectation that these obligations can be covered through growth in the schools and through the future capital campaign. In the interim, it will require greater draws from our endowment.
• Wayne Parker, new Development Director, described his early ideas about structuring a capital campaign. This plan will require a longer period of pledging and fulfillment than was the case with Campaign 2000. It must convey vision rather than “needs.”

After hearing these presentations the Board strongly endorsed the administration continuing with these plans.

Vice President/Treasurer Dan Allen and Finance Committee chair, Alan Elder, reported on the early results for the current fiscal year (2007-2008). Enrollments are somewhat below target in total but dormitory enrollments are higher than originally projected. Student numbers from the Bryn Athyn Church School are dropping, but as previously mentioned, we are seeing results from recruiting beyond our traditional base. With respect to the operating budget for the year, it is still too early to judge whether we are making progress in reducing our planned $200,000 budget deficit. The deficit arises from many new strategic initiatives. The administration continues to work on this.

Boys and Girls Schools heads, Scott Daum and Sue Odhner, spoke about the following points:

• The Secondary Schools Core Purpose: To prepare students for a principled and useful life in this world and the next
• Alignment of the two schools
• Admissions and Growth in the Secondary Schools
• Summer Institutes
• Technology and training for online education and SmartBoards
• Orienting new teachers
• Drama and Music program enrichment
• Factores and Student Council Leadership weekend

Dan Allen reported on behalf of the Real Estate Committee that the B99/Sleepy Hollow land purchase was completed over the summer. This is a significant new addition for the Academy in support of its educational uses and to enhance the program opportunities at the historic buildings (Glencairn, Cairnwood, the Cathedral and the Cairncrest administrative offices for the General Church).

The Board heard reports from Cairnwood on its continued excellent operations – a surplus of approximately $100,000 for 2007 and broad recognition across the region as a premier wedding facility and venue for historic tours. Glencairn also summarized the status of its external museum assessment process, and the Pavilion Board reported on their operations for last year. A new Pavilion manager, Larry Wheatley, was recently appointed to replace Matt Kuhl who sadly passed away recently from cancer.

The Human Resource Committee, now chaired by Jill Brickman and the Joint Benefits Committee, chaired by Jamie Uber, described the administration’s efforts to identify a financial planning firm to assist employees with their retirement and other personal financial goals. This service is expected to be offered as a part of some significant enhancements to our pension and investments savings plan and our retiree medical programs. Retiree medical rates are continuing to increase and the administration is looking for further solutions in this area as well.

The Development Committee chair, Clark Pitcairn, reported that the Fund for the Academy came in less than projected for the year, approximately $60,000 under its target. Largely, this was due to the understaffed situation in the Development Office last year and the focus on the search for a new director. The new director, Wayne Parker, who has been in the job only one month, spoke about his early thoughts on staffing and the program needs in the office.

The Investment Committee chair, Dirk Jungé, relayed the excellent results from our endowment last year. The endowment was up 18.3% for the year and the payout rate continues to trend in a favorable direction. However, it was acknowledged that the payout will need to move much higher in the future as we tackle our strategic needs in advance of school growth and a capital campaign. Also, the New Church Investment Fund is looking at new asset diversification strategies and has recently invested in a private equity partnership.

Resource Committee chair, John Kern and Nominating Committee chair, Phil Zuber, spoke briefly about their work in developing the recent slate of nominees for the Corporation. Also the Board selected Scott Brickman to fill the vacant slot on the Board caused by Wayne Parker’s recent hire as the Development Director for the Church and Academy.

Andy Sullivan, Marketing Director, received comments on recent new marketing campaigns for the Bryn Athyn College and the Secondary Schools including print media. (Links will be provided shortly for two of our most recent print media advertisements).

The Legal Advisory Committee chair, Phil Zuber, has been working on some ideas for potential bylaw amendments that may be required with respect to the recent administrative changes at the Academy. Dudley Davis and Eric Carswell will be coordinating with Phil and Vice Chair, Fred Fiedler, to have a plan in place for presentation to the Board at its February meeting.

Charter Day: Many of you were able to return to the Academy for Charter Day weekend. For those of you who could not, it was an extremely upbeat and successful celebration. Much of the work on campus infrastructure, still in progress during the Board meetings, was completed in time for the weekend, which made the procession to the cathedral all the more impressive. The Rev. Chuck Blair launched an inspiring weekend with a Charter Day Cathedral address on the search for wisdom: “Where Do I Find It?”

There were tours of alumni and reunion classes on Saturday, which left them openly exited about the new direction at the Academy. There were two luncheon events for the Academy-General Church Ambassadors which sent them back to their societies and communities eager to spread the word about all the great things going on at the Academy.

The Bid auction was back and raised more than $70,000 for scholarships, along with $8,000 from the Second Annual Bob Eidse Run and more than $14,000 from the 13th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. This year we attracted a record of more than 150 golfers. The tournament now has raised more than $150,000 for scholarships.

The banquet reversed a declining trend in attendance, with more than 700 people on hand to hear inspiring talks from two students new to the Church and our College – Kristine Medley and Christopher Barber. With an excellent meal catered by Karen Spire and a banquet true to its pledge of ending by 9 p.m., the evening was a winner all around.

The weekend concluded with a powerful Academy worship service in the Asplundh Field House attended by almost 1,000. The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Rose gave a memorable talk on “Thirst” as part of the Journey Campaign, and College singers plus a 60-member Secondary Schools chorale added wonderful music.

The address by Rev. Blair, the banquet talks and student talks at the Theta Alpha luncheon all will be available at www.ancalumni.org. The services by Rev. Blair and Rev. Dr. Rose can be heard at www.newchurch.org and Rev. Blair’s also can be heard at www.brynathyncathedral.org.

Corporation: At the annual Charter Day meeting of the Corporation, the following members were re-elected to six-years terms: Peggy Andrews, Tom Andrews, Emily Bau-Madsen, Scott Brickman, Erin Busby, Mark Elder, Lee Horigan, David Kloc and Nick Rose. Elected to new terms were: Michael Buss, Michael deMaine, Kris Earle, Leonard Gyllenhaal, James Horigan, Suzy Laidlaw, Phil Parker, Thayer Pendleton and Reid Prichett. Marlyn Smith moved to emeritus status. Dr. Gordon Prichett and Gary Tennis retired, with thanks for their years of service to the Board and Corporation.

Daniel T. Allen, Vice President/Treasurer
daniel.allen@anc-gc.org
267-502-2636