Harvard Alumni - Class of 1961

Dear 1961 Class Members,

To keep you up to date on our plans for the coming year, I am happy to submit to you our Class Committee meeting Minutes of July 13^th. 

In addition to reports on the Video Documentary production, continued Diorama Video Fundraising, and the Class Awards Dinner, we are planning a Choral Performance and Video Streaming for a 2022 In-Person Class Celebration. 

To be consistent with the important change in the Class name, initiated by Peter Ellis, and in order to confirm the Vice Chair as a Permanent Class Officer position, we have revised the Class Constitution.  It is submitted for your review below the Minutes.  It will now replace the Red Book’s Class Constitution on page xxii.  Please take the time to review this document.  If you have any questions, please contact me.   

The Class Committee wishes to erxpress our gratitude to certain Members who have contributed greatly to the vibrancy and spirit of our Class.  

• Newell Flather, for dreaming up the concept of a Class Awards Dinner and the idea, with help from Renny Little '60 for seeing the potential for the Diorama Restoration as a Permanent Gift.
• Todd Lee, for becoming the Video champion, who with John Hancock, selected an outstanding production company in Boston Digital Productions.  
• Ruth Scott, for her efforts to heal the divisions between Radcliffe and Harvard, leading to the change of the Class Name.
• Peter Ellis, for getting all the Permanent Members to agree that this name change was timely and necessary, and putting feet to the fire until we did it.  

Respectfully, 

Minutes for Meeting July 13, 2021, 2 pm to 4 pm

1. Welcome.  Tom Blodgett convened the meeting and greeted everyone.  Kim Delahanty helped us adjust for gallery view and reactions: Raise Hand.  We agreed that it would be OK for a minority view to oppose a motion or suggest rewording.     
    
2. Attendance.  Attending the meeting were 34 Class Members. 

3. Minutes from November 18, 2020 Meeting.  Tom Blodgett recapped elements of past 2021 In-Person Planning that will now be carried forward to 2022 In-Person Planning, namely special focus on inviting widows and widowers.  There was one change to the vote to approve In-Person Celebration Co-Chairs.  Nat Coolidge will replace Ben Cox as Co-Chair.  Upon a Motion, the Permanent Members approved the Minutes as written. 
4. Appointment of New Members.   We are grateful to Ruth Scott, Joan Hutchins, and Jane Hoeffel Otte for nominating new Radcliffe members, and to Newell Flather and Greg Downes for nominating new Harvard members to the Class Committee.   
   
   Upon a Motion proposed and seconded, the Permanent Members approved Nat Coolidge, along with Bill Gallagher, Doug Lind, Joan  Hutchins, and Carmen Gentile as 2022 Celebration and 65^th Reunion Co-Chairs. 
   
   Upon a second Motion proposed and seconded, the Permanent Members approved the entire slate of At-Large Members as members of The Harvard-Radcliffe Class of 1961 Class Committee for the 2021 to 2026 Term.  The 13 (out of 18) Permanent Members and 21 At-Large Members present voted to approve the entire list of 35 At-Large Members. 

5. Class Constitution Amended.  Initiated by Peter Ellis in the Reunion Committee, consensus was reached to change the name of the Class.  In drafting the Amended Constitution, Tom Blodgett stated that he also removed the ambiguity as to whether the Vice Chair position was designated to be a Permanent Committee Member.  Greg Downes confirmed that this was the intention.  It was clarified that when only five Class Members remain, the Class 501(c)3 fund reverts to Harvard, to prevent any personal use of these funds.  
   
   Following a brief discussion, upon a Motion duly proposed and seconded, the Full Class Committee voted unanimously to approve the Amended Constitution as of July 13, 2021 (Amended Constitution follows). 
6. Full Diorama Video Documentary Production.  Todd Lee began his report with a summary of the completed work on the Diorama Restoration by Harvard Campus Services, with a special Harvard Fund.  He then outlined the scope of the 22-minute Full Video Documentary.  Spencer Jourdain offered to assist in script development to include the role of students of color, beginning with the Native Americans, through the Abolitionists, through 1936 history.  Todd Lee enthusiastically welcomed that assistance.  It was further assured that sufficient funding for extra costs would come from the Diorama Fundraising beginning in August.   
   
   Upon a Motion, proposed, seconded, and carried unanimously, the Committee voted to proceed with the Boston Digital Productions Full Program contract. 
7. Diorama Video Fundraising.  Josh Young expressed optimism that the  $130,000 goal would be met by raising an additional $23,800, beginning August 1, 2021.  Tom Blodgett reinforced Josh’s comment, stating that this effort might result in $10,000 to $20,000 of additional funds, and thus increase funds available for Video Streaming of the In-Person Celebration and fund any extras needed for the Video Production.   
   
   The Motion to continue the Fundraising on August 1, 2021, was proposed, seconded, and approved unanimously by the Full Class Committee.   
   
   Tom Blodgett clarified that gifts to the Class Treasury, while tax-deductible, are not gifts to Harvard.  Rather, after the Video is completed, the Class will gift the Video ownership and rights to the University. 
8. Class Awards Dinner.  Since this will be the third Biannual Class Awards Dinner, in a format originally designed by Newell Flather, we have a clear picture of after-dinner speakers reading Citations to Honorees, followed by a Reply of about equal length by the Honoree.  With a projected audience of between 40 and 60 guests, the costs can be almost entirely recovered, and the Class Treasury will pay the difference.  This projection is realistic.  
   
   This Year's Dinner will be at the Four Seasons.  For those who need hotel reservations, they will be discounted for our Class, from $600 to $400 per night.  
   
   The Motion to proceed with plans to hold the 1961 Awards Dinner on November 13, 2021, was proposed, seconded, and approved unanimously by the Full Class Committee. 
9. Choral Performance.  Nat Coolidge expressed his support for the musical selections, and supported Spencer Jourdain’s proposal to add diversity, with Swing Low or Goodbye Old Paint,  or Climbin’ up the Mountain, to be determined.  Peter Strauss and Mark DeVoto spoke in support.  Note, the Vivaldi Gloria can be done without the solo parts.  Tom Blodgett mentioned the idea of joining the Class of 1971 for this Dinner, as an option, to recruit more singers.   
   
   The Motion, was proposed, seconded and approved unanimously by the full Class Committee that the Choral Performance should be included in the 2022 ‘61 In-Person Celebration, if enough singers can be recruited, and a Conductor is available. 
10. Celebration Co-Chairs and Video Streaming.  There was some discussion of:  the Memorial Service components, including an Anthem and organ Prelude and Postlude, how Streaming might be arranged, either live or recorded and streamed later, reserving a block of hotel rooms, etc.  HAA will refer us to a qualified Video Streaming vendor.  
    
    A Motion was proposed, seconded, and approved unanimously by the full Class Committee, that we should engage a Video Streaming Service to share the experince with those who cannot attend the In-Person Celebration.  
11. Treasurer’s Report.  Dave Larkin presented a summary of Class Treasury funds from January 2020 to the present.  From a beginning balance of $28,611 increased now to more than $83,000, to which will be added the additional pledge of $26,000, and the new Fundraising about to commence.  The balance is easily expected to exceed the goals set to pay for the current Video Production project of $86,500, with a balance left for Video Streaming in 2022, and other Class events. 
12. Pre-Celebration Event Ideas.  There is a great interest in an event hosted by John Lyden in Tarrytown, the possibility of a NYC event at the Harvard Club, a luncheon with Jerry Jordan in Palm Beach, and perhaps an afternoon event with Tom Bartlett in Palo Alto, as well as a wine party in Cambridge after a Class Committee Meeting. 
13. Other Business. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:03 pm.  Thank you all for attending. 

The Harvard-Radcliffe Class of 1961

            Article I — Purposes (1985 Amendment)

The Harvard-Radcliffe Class of 1961 voluntary association is organized and shall be operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. In furtherance of such purposes, the class shall foster a spirit of fraternity among graduates and former students of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges; serve in extending knowledge of the aims and achievements of Harvard University in general, and Harvard College in particular; promote the interests of all alumni and alumnae  in the academic and extracurricular activities of Harvard University; and generally do all things to promote and encourage communications between Harvard College and its alumni and alumnae in the Class of 1961; provided that no such activity may be undertaken which is not charitable or educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 2021 as amended (the “Code”). 

            Article II  Membership

All women and men who have been classified either by the College Records Office or the Director of Alumni Records as The Class of 1961, whether or not they hold any degree from Harvard University, shall be the Members of the Class.

            Article III — Governing Body and Members

Section I: Class Committee and Terms of Office 

The Governing Body of the Class shall be the Class Committee. Permanent committee members shall include one Harvard Class Marshal, the Radcliffe Class President, two Vice Chairs, two Secretaries, and two Treasurers (one each from the Harvard and Radcliffe classes), the Head Class Agents (one each from Harvard and Radcliffe) as well as the Chairs of the Fiftieth, Fifty-fifth, and Sixtieth reunions. (The Harvard and Radcliffe Class Secretaries and Treasurers are automatically members of the Association of Harvard College Class Secretaries & Treasurers [AHCCS&T]).

At such times as it shall seem necessary, and at any time between Reunions, the Committee may add to its membership by appointing, after a majority vote, those members of the Class whose services will be valuable to the Committee. Those non-permanent “At-Large” members appointed shall serve as members of the Committee for the period remaining up to the Permanent Members’ Conference after each reunion meeting and may be reappointed for a succeeding term at the discretion of the permanent members.  In effect, the Class Committee is reduced to core membership after each reunion meeting, but it can be expanded immediately to ensure membership continuity.

Section II: Duties

Class Committee: Within one year following a reunion meeting, the permanent members will meet to select committee and reunion chairs for the next reunion.  The new Reunion Chairs will replace the longest serving past reunion chair members, assuming the new candidates are not already current permanent members.  For example, the classmates accepting the Sixty-Fifth reunion posts will replace the Fiftieth Reunion Chairs.  

If a vacancy occurs in the permanent membership, a classmate will be selected and appointed by the remaining permanent members to fill the vacancy at the earliest convenient meeting called by the Secretaries or any of the Chairs.

Chairs (and Vice Chairs): If feasible, it is the intention of the Class that the male Co-Chair be one of the original Harvard Class Marshals and that the female Co-Chair be the President of the Radcliffe Class.  The Chairs will preside at all meetings at which they are present and will be responsible for the effective functioning of the Class Committee and of class affairs.  

The Class Committee shall also appoint from its membership Vice Chairs of the Committee, who will preside at meetings in the absence of the Chairs, and who will assist the Chairs in carrying out their responsibilities (see under discussion of past Reunion Chairs for likely candidates).  

In the event of a vacancy, the Chairs shall be elected at the meeting of permanent members and the Vice Chairs shall be appointed at the same or succeeding class committee meeting.  Each will serve in their respective capacities until resignation.  

Class Secretaries shall keep the records of the Class Committee and shall be custodians of the records of the Class and, subject to the discretion of the Class Committee, shall be responsible for publishing class reports on the occasion of reunions and to perform other duties as are customarily incident to the office of Class Secretary of a Harvard College Class. In addition, as they are in a position to know from class records which classmates are qualified to act as  Reunion Chairs, they will present the candidate(s) to be confirmed for appointment by the Class Committee at the next permanent members meeting following a reunion meeting.

Class Treasurers shall be custodians of all class funds and shall, subject to the discretion of the Class Committee, perform such other duties as are customarily incident to the Office of the Treasurer of a Harvard College Class. They shall give a financial report at each meeting of the Class Committee and publish one in each reunion class report prepared by the Class Secretaries. 

The Head Class Agents shall represent the class in the solicitation of contributions to the Harvard Fund and shall, subject to the discretion of the Class Committee, perform such other duties as are customarily incident to the Office of Head Class Agent of a Harvard College Class. In effect, through his or her representation as a permanent committee member, any Class Agent will have a voice on the Class Committee.

The Current Class Reunion Chairs shall be in charge of running the business and festivities of the next scheduled Virtual or In-Person class reunion, and will represent at Class Committee meetings the Reunion Committee selected and appointed and perform other duties as are customarily incident to the Reunion Chairs of a Harvard College Class.  The Reunion Committee is not vested with the powers of the Class Committee.  Their functions are separate and distinct. 

The Past Reunion Chairs shall fill the remaining slots on the Permanent Class Committee. Because of their involvement in class affairs they should be able to offer advice and wisdom in aiding the management of class affairs. It is the intention of the Class that the Vice Chairs of the Class Committee shall be chosen from these members.

The Class Committee (besides the one mandatory meeting of the Permanent Class Committee after each reunion) shall meet at such times and places as the Secretary or any of the Committee Co-Chairs or Vice Chairs shall call a meeting.  

Ten of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.  The affirmative vote of a majority of the members present in person or by telephone and voting on any matter shall be necessary and sufficient to effect any action thereon. In the absence of the Secretaries, the Chairs or Vice-Chairs shall appoint a secretary pro tem to keep the minutes of the meeting, or keep the minutes themselves and publish to the Class Committee. 

            Article IV — Reunion  Meetings of the Class

Starting with the Fifty-Fifth reunion meeting of the Class in Cambridge in 2016, there will be successive Reunion meetings at five-year intervals. 

            Article V — Class Funds

When there are only five surviving members of the Class, The Harvard-Radcliffe Class of 1961 Association shall be dissolved and all remaining class funds shall be transferred as unrestricted funds to the President and Fellows of Harvard College (“Harvard”), provided it is then exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, and if it is not, or if Harvard is not then in existence, or if Harvard is unwilling to accept the assets, then to, and only to, such one or more organizations then exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, as the Class Committee may by vote determine.  No part of the net earnings of the Class shall inure to the benefit of any member, director, officer or other private individual except that the Class shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes stated in Article I. No substantial part of the activities of the Class shall consist in carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Class shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Nothing contained in this Constitution shall be read as authorizing or permitting the Class to operate other than exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, and no amendment of this Constitution shall authorize or permit the Class to be organized or operated other than exclusively for the aforesaid purposes.

            Article VI — Amendment

This Constitution may be amended at any time by a majority of the votes received from the Class, voting by mail or in person under the supervision of the Class Committee, or by at least a three-fourths vote of the Class Committee.

            Article VII — Initiation

Any petition bearing 100 signatures of the Class shall automatically require that a vote of the entire Class be taken on the subject of the petition, which may be an amendment to the Constitution or a referendum.  The vote of the Class shall take place within six months of receipt of the petition, which shall be passed by a majority of the votes received from the Class voting by mail or in person under the supervision of the Class Committee. Related costs of the petition and vote will not be borne by the Class as a whole but by those classmates who sign the petition. 

            Article VIII — Adoption

This Constitution, as amended, was adopted by at least a three-fourths vote of the Class Committee on July 13, 2021.