We invite class members to provide us with their ideas, thoughts and opinions on our budget and the various funds that operate within it.  Several have mentioned the need for more information and for more clarification. 

I want to clarify one misconception I was told about today regarding the Holt-Aguirre family.  Someone was saying that money from our account was used to pay for a trip to Disney World for these kids.  That simply isn't true.

What did happen was that one of the relatives of the surviving kids asked if the class would provide her with the money to pay for the trip to Disney World which she had promised the children.  I e-mailed her and told her no, that we felt it was her responsibility to keep her promises, not ours.  I sent an e-mail to the children's mother about this and asked her to talk to this relative regarding the matter.  I heard nothing more on the matter.

If anyone has heard or knows of any other concerns or rumors regarding the budget, please submit them here or provide them to us somehow and we'll post them for you and discuss the facts of the issue.  As people know from long experience, information passed by word of mouth gets altered no matter how hard people try. 

As Robbie and past Treasurers have said, you're more than welcome to come inspect the books and talk with her and bank officials to see how things are done. 

Second clarification:  I went back and looked at the Finance report Balance sheet sent out in February 09.  No money was paid from the account to the Holt-Aguirre family.  All donations to her family came from private sources.  Those giving her these gifts and donations, told her it was from the class.  When Mrs. Holt-Aguirre responded with a thank you note it was written to the entire class. 

My listing of funds for the family was in error and I apologize for that. 

I am posting this here for Linda Fout Nelson since it pertains to this section:

I am wondering if anyone else besides me might be a little confused on money being collected for the General Fund and money for Commminty Involvement.  If I am wrong, please help me understand.  Share your thoughts too.

I thought I read money collected for the little girl that died came from the General Fund.  What is the definition of our General Fund and exactly what does the General Fund cover?  Helping someone seems like it would come from the Community Involvement fund.  Maybe the Community Involvement was not established when the little girl died.  Others, such as myself did not give through the JT fund.  l deposited money into their account at the bank.  I am sure others did too.

It seems to me there should be guidelines on each fund that is being collected so each classmate will know what they are contributing for.  Some may only want to give for reunions or gatherings -- others may want to give only for the flower fund, etc.  Jake did great on creating a survey for flowers, plants and cards. Maybe the same thing needs to be done on General Funds.  There are all kinds of people that need community help.  I am sure each one of us knows a family that could use funds but this could go on and on and I would think our class could not help everyone.

    On a scholarship -- others need to help me understand this too.  I thought scholarship funds went to a well deserving "John Tyler" student who needed help to attend whatever school he or she desires. I would think this would be a student whose family needs financial help -- I know Jake said this was still being talked about.   We should not think about what school they want to attend -- only the fact "The Class of 68" was helping someone achieve their dream by being able to attend college.  That is a scholarship fund to me.

 Others please help me out -- Am I the only one wondering about these funds that are being collected for. 

Linda

I think our Flower Policy Survey is a good first step in gaining consensus for these expenses in the future....   But I think it will become equally important to have some sort of general business meeting in the near future to gather classmate feedback on a variety of topics such as the General Fund and Scholarship Fund .    Just an idea.