Page 49 - Newsletter Spring 2021

and have fond memories of our alma mater. We all want questioning mind and, as a result, Paul made me think about
to see the HHSAA succeed and continue long after we are things in a much different frame of mind.” I do believe this
gone, and I have learned things from every one of the board is what Patty, Lauren, Jerry, Nancy, and Lorraine were all
members. HHSAA remains successful in great part because trying to explain to me about Paul during their interviews.
of them and their dedication.” Jon continued with a story about Paul trying to get people to
“think outside the box” while discussing financial reports. Jon
Jon’s favorite part of HHSAA has been his work as Co-chair says, “Paul stated, ‘I am in a foxhole in Afghanistan. How
with Jerry on the Fundraising Committee. The successful are you going to make me aware of the financial conditions
Annual Fund drives provide a good portion of the funds of the Association in a quick manner, they are getting ready
for the yearly scholarships along with the earnings from the to shell us and I have to move to a new foxhole?’ That got us
Endowment, which totals more than $50,000 annually. One thinking about developing precise financial reporting to the
project Jon has worked on, which I know has impacted the board. You could disagree with Paul, and quite vehemently,
Endowment fund and will well into the future, is the full but you always went away as friends and respected his ideas.
color Planned Giving brochure which goes out annually to I am the better person for having known Paul and he was
all alums 65 years of age and over. Because of the brochure taken away from all of us much too soon.” Paul passed in
and annual mailing, the Endowment fund has added several January 2015 as HHSAA was planning for the multi-year
named scholarships thanks to some generous bequested from reunion and has greatly been missed and fondly remembered.
alum estates. Have you thought about Planned Giving for
you? Jon’s vision for HHSAA is that they continue increasing
and grow the Endowment to a point where we will be able
to give every graduate a scholarship each year and further
Jon’s favorite part of HHSAA develop training programs like the new “Skills Training and
has been his work as Co-chair Tools Grant” program (see article in this edition for further

with Jerry on the Fundraising information). Jon would also like to see more alum become
involved with one or more of the HHSAA committees
Committee. or programs. As many of us have experienced during the
pandemic, technology continues to improve and allow alums
from away to take part, more easily, in working for the
Jon has worked on many varied and “interesting” projects Association. Volunteers are always needed.
from planning the multi-year reunions, organizing
annual fundraising phone-a-thons, and producing various Current working committee members have been
fundraising informational materials. In addition, Jon is volunteering for years and are starting to get burned out and
the current editor of this the bi-annual North Star News in need of some fresh ideas. There are lots of jobs available
publication which keeps all alum members in touch with that would be of great service from working on the newsletter
each other. Each edition, Jon writes an article about the (writers always needed with stories), planning different events
success of the Annual Fund Campaign, which runs from (multi-year reunions, socials, golf scrambles), taking part
July 1st to June 30th, but that is just a part of his editor in fundraising (writing email/letters, phone calls, new ideas
responsibilities. Jon, as well as members of the Newsletter welcome), public relations, and keeping the website updated.
Committee, work to gather or create articles for the One current need is someone to maintain our website and
newsletter and get them to Jon by a deadline. Jon works with keep it current. This person could work with our webmaster,
the publisher, who creates a draft layout, then 3 members of Fred Grant ’88, to eliminate old content and work with
the committee use the draft for editing and mark up before the board/committees to get new content uploaded for the
sending back to the publisher for the final copy. Jon gets the different sections of the website.
final say before the final copy is released to the printer who
prints and mails the completed newsletter to the addresses on The current board welcomes new members and especially
the HHSAA database. some younger members to help us see how best to stay in
contact with newer alums to “bring them into the fold.”
When asked about a special memory from working on the The members are a great group of alums of all age brackets
HHSAA board, Jon stops to think because he says, “there are and areas of expertise, and all are very professional to work
so many.” Jon then starts with a memory of Paul Porter ’51, with and will make any new member feel welcomed. While
who Jon knew before HHSAA but had never worked on a you might be asked to take part in some committee work,
committee with. Jon is not the first person to speak about there are only 4-6 board meetings a year, so it is not too time
Paul, as many worked on Galas & fundraising/ financials consuming. Please consider this opportunity and let us know
for HHSAA. Jon states that Paul “had a very astute and if you are interested.

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