Meeting Minutes: April 23, 2026
From: Judie Gorra, Class Secretary
Location: via Zoom
President Elliot Gordon called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm EDT with a
quorum.
Attending:
| Name | Role |
| Barbara Attardi | Class Council |
| Nancy Taylor Butler | Affinity Chair |
| Elliot Gordon | President |
| Judie Pink Gorra | Secretary |
| Janet King | Class Council |
| Ken Kupchak | Immediate Past President |
| John Looney | Class Council |
| Linda Cohen Meltzer | VP, Membership and Treasurer |
| Stan Morgenstein | Class Council |
| Carolyn Chauncey Neuman | Class Council |
| Michael Troner | Cornell Annual Fund Representative |
| Bruce Wagner | Website Community Manager |
| Lenore Weitzman | Class Council |
| Carolyn Whitman | Reunion Chair |
| Cynthia Wolloch | JFK Memorial Award Liaison |
Call to Order (Elliot)
Elliot welcomed everyone and emphasized the need “to do the greatest good”, including financial and volunteering, and reminded us of what we have done.
Approval of Minutes (Elliot)
The minutes of the March 3, 2025 meeting were approved with no changes.
Cornell Settlement with Government (Elliot)
Elliot reported on the settlement Cornell made with the U.S. government. Cornell gave up $60 million and in return received $250 million which had been withheld.
Treasury, Membership, and News & Dues (Linda)
Linda reported on the Treasury, Membership
and Dues. A Treasurer’s Report was available prior to the meeting. Dues
collection has been changed to coincide with the Cornell fiscal year
(July 1 to June 30). A solicitation for dues will be sent out in July. A
class newsletter will be sent in September. Mailing costs for sending to
1,400 people is $3,200. This yielded 231 dues payers last year.
Cindy commented that it seems like diminishing returns. It was suggested
that the website be used for solicitation but believe few classmates
access the website. Everyone was encouraged to sign up for the monthly
Cornelian emails.
As of December 31, 2025 there was a total balance of $277,848 in our three accounts:
Interest Bearing (Operating) account, Long Term Investment account, and
the Class Matriculation account.
By the time of our 80th reunion all the money in the treasury needs to
be distributed. Stan suggested using some of the money in the accounts
ahead of time.
JFK Memorial Award (Cindy)
Cindy provided a written report on the status of the award to officers and council members prior to the meeting. Ariella Asllani is the 2026 award recipient. She is a a Public Policy major in the Brooks School. Her plan is to receive an MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration at Oxford followed by a position with the FBI in NYC. She will be receiving $15,000. Two finalists receiving $500 each are Tae Kyo Lee and Rebecca Herzberg.
We were apprised of an Amendment to the Board's By Laws. It proposes taking 10% of the annual payout for Award -related expenses (e.g., marketing, travel and recruitment). Any part of that sum that is not used in the year it is drawn will be deposited into a separate account. Funds in that account may be used for the intended purpose at any time but the total in the account may not exceed $20,000. If it should reach that level, there will be no further drawdowns from the payout until the funds in the account drop below $20,000.
By 10/1/26, the
Board will know what the annual payout is and will consider raising the
amount of the award.
The Board is now composed of officers and they are working to encourage
more JFK alums to participate.
Ken noted that the Einhorn Center has been asking for money to support
their administrative costs. The Board will continue to resist paying for Einhorn staff time.
Michael Troner asked how long Cindy and Stan are staying on the Board -
three years. He also said he was disappointed that the Board had not
conducted their own fundraising, especially from the JFK alums.
It was
suggested that the award be $20,000 and $1,000 for the finalists. The
Council was reminded that it is up to the JFK Board to make that
decision.
The Council would like the Board to know that we appreciate what they are
doing. Nancy suggested they look into creative fundraising.
We discussed the tradition of Cornell alumni paying
their own expenses while volunteering on Cornell projects. Cindy pointed
out that the JFK Award is a Class of '64 project, and the Board members
are not Class members. Cindy added that Board members were selected by
the Class to act in our behalf, and that the outreach to alumni,
fundraising and recruitment that they undertake are to further the
purposes of the Award.
Ken made a motion to donate $2,000 for coordination of a JFK award
affinity group. The Board will present a proposal for the use of those
funds.
Fundraising
Michael Troner reported that a modest $22,724 was received from Giving Day. $3,550 went to the JFK Award. The class sent out an email to all classmates soliciting donations for Giving Day. A discussion ensued about the difficulty of contributing from an IRA on Giving Day. It is possible but complicated.
Communications
Nancy Butler said she cannot see who accesses our Facebook page but suggested that if you do go on, please respond. Nancy reminded us that the Tradition Scholarship goes to undergrads. There are 2 awards of $4.000 each.
Disposition of the Class Treasury
As the treasury needs to be totally dispersed by our 80th reunion (July 31, 2044), Elliot suggested that a committee be formed to come up with some ideas. Cornell would like a plan by our 65th reunion (June, 2029). Most classes use a percentage and the Class has total control over where it goes. To be considered: JFK Award, Tradition Scholarship, giving money to younger classes. The treasury could be used to pay for reunion as well.
A question was asked regarding the Gary Wood Scholarship. It is given to a football player. No additions recently but the market value has gone up. In addition there are other scholarships which have been established by class members.
Adjournment
Elliot thanked everyone for participating. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judie Gorra
Secretary,
Cornell Class of 1964
