A Passing of the Baton
February 2, 2013 § 5 Comments
I type this post with a profound sadness because, after a year and a half, it will prematurely be my last, but yet with a deep sense of pride in what was accomplished by the SU National Alumni Board during my term as its President.
On Tuesday, January 29th, in a letter to Chancellor Cantor and Board of Trustees Chair Dick Thompson, I resigned as SUAA President and as a member of the SU Board of Trustees. For those of you who know me, it was a difficult, if not painful, decision, but a necessary one. Without going into details, I resigned because I felt as if the decision not to invite a member of the National Alumni Board (not I, as I would have declined because of my other commitments) to serve on the New Chancellor Search Committee, and the failure to include the Board in the development of the Post-Campaign Plan for Regional Councils, with which our efforts are closely intertwined, or to even provide us with notice of such plans, were simply unacceptable. I know that those who made the decisions had their reasons, and I respect them; I just could not disagree more. I always promised myself that when a volunteer leadership position like this became more frustrating than fun and rewarding, it would be time to move on. Now is that time.
I am humbled by the overwhelmingly positive responses I have received thus far from so many people. As they say, it’s times like these when you realize who are your real friends.
Perhaps my resignation will stimulate a healthy discussion of the future and role of the National Alumni Board as representatives of the alumni community. Much progress has been made. With University staff oversight, the Board revised its by-laws and became smaller, yet made sure it remained diverse and representative of the entire alumni body. It took the lead on instilling a culture of philanthropy and adopted a Strategic Plan for Alumni Philanthropy that has been well-received and is being implemented. It coordinated its efforts with Generation Orange to make sure that our youngest alumni remain connected with SU and to serve as a platform for future engagement. It screened and recommended worthy recipients for the Arents Award, Eggers Award and Orange Circle Award. It achieved its goal to connect with numerous other constituencies both on and off campus. And, most importantly, it met its challenge to become the second most important Board at SU besides the Board of Trustees. I am proud of the Board for all of its efforts, and will miss working so closely with its members and OAR staff.
Now it is the time to look forward. I could not think of a more qualified person than Laurie Taishoff to take the reigns of the Board as it continues on its mission. I have had a chance to see Laurie develop into a true leader, and I am confident that she will do an outstanding job. As I have assured her, despite my resignation, I still love SU and will be available to provide her with assistance as she faces and tackles the challenges ahead. I also know that the other officers, committee chairs and members will fully support Laurie in her efforts.
I also want to thank the entire SU community, including the faithful followers and guest writers of this blog. It has been an honor to serve as Alumni President and to provide you with my “News & Views” on a monthly basis. I will cherish the memories of what I consider to be the experience of a lifetime.
And, for the last time, Go Orange!
Brian
Brian.
You did a great job. Very sorry to see you go. if I were in your shoes, I would have resigned as well.
I know that there are alumni on the Board of Trustees and on the Search Committee. They are not members of the Alumni Board of Directors.!
The fact that by over-site, neglect, stupidity, vindictiveness or other unacceptable reasons Chancellor Cantor and Board of Trustees Chair Dick Thompson chose not to place a member of the SU National Alumni Board on the New Chancellor Search Committee is a direct slap in the face of the Board and its membership. Indeed, a slap in the face of all alumni!
As you know Brian, I served on the SU Alumni Board of Directors from 2002 – 2009. I was also honored as the recipient of the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award in 2009. I ,as you, love Syracuse University. But some of the decisions made up on “Piety Hill” these days make me wonder some times
Brian, you are a great man and a good leader. As you say, Laurie Taishoff will do a good job. i had the opportunity to speak with her briefly while she was here in San Diego with her family for the basketball game in November.
let us keep in touch Brian.
Respectfully submitted.
Gregg W. Doherty
Class of 1955
Thank you for sharing Brian, and thanks for all you have done for Syracuse University!
I am appalled at what transpired. Brian, your efforts, blogs, articles etc. kept SU in the forefront of alumni communications. It will be tough to replace you but the positive side is that you help make the North Central Jersey SU chapter stronger.
Thank you from all of us alum!
Bill
What a crazy mess. Embarassing if you asked me, particularly for it to happen to someone like you who has done nothing short of working tirelessly for SU and all of us for many many years (I was there for a bunch of them). You will be missed.
I can’t believe something like this could happen to you. You have done nothing short of promoting this University, championing it …during a challenging time economically and academically. It depresses me that someone like you could be put off by them. You are fondly remembered here (hell, I served with you so many years, it would be difficult to forget!)
Take care and stay in touch.
Jennifer Kronstain
’92