The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Hoover - while I want to take to heart what you are saying, you come off as hyper-sensitive and rather unwilling to find the good. Your cryptic tone is off-putting.

What input do you want to give to WMU regarding alumni relations? There are several people on this board that are in touch with (even work for) WMU on multiple levels.

'Several years ago...' was under which President? How is that relevant today? What do you see as the limitations of the Alumni Association? How do you want to be engaged? You and 'your friends', as you say, obviously have serious problems with how alumni have been engaged (or not engaged, as it were). Let's work on finding a new path rather than cryptically complain about previous problems.

Well Bronco Fan, I don't know where your from, but if you'd been in the "loop" in southwestern Michigan, you'd know there's no working with the Alumni Association.
The problems are not previous, they've been ongoing for at least a decade, and seem to be continuing.

I also have contacts back in Kalamazoo, who seem to thing nothing will change, because of a lack of interest and/or ability.

You are also not aware that the people in SW MICHIGAN who have been "involved", to the extent possible, have frequently been dealt with in a most condescending manner, despite their efforts to become engaged.
Further, their opinions and input have not been solicited, and if they are asked, though highly improbable, will probably be ignored.
If all those persons "in the know" with all those "contacts" are reading this, LET THE INFLUENCE BEGIN!"

It's really amazing how much advice I've been given.
Perhaps this advice should be directed towards those with the power and influence to make meaningful changes.

Broncofan, I second your post here. As I sit here and watch I hear about suggestions, that are not acted upon........yada, yada, yada.

What we need are "willing volunteers" that are wishing to take an idea and run with the idea by offering to get into the arena and see that it succeeds. If anyone here thinks that a Grand Rapids golf outing that draws 300 golfers each year to one of the best golf courses in West Michigan is planned, organized and worked by a "paid staff" at WMU they are crazy. We have a committee of 25 persons that meet monthly or semi monthly for over 9 months of the year seeing to every detail of the event. All are committed WMU alumni that our proud of our university. There is no room in the group to sit around in "pity circles" and talk about all of the things wrong with WMU, we are working to make things better and WMU a better university. A better WMU begins with all of us and our attitudes.

When I look at other university alumni groups I see the same sort of commitment from its graduates. If all you do is to find fault and expect that your ideas need to be implemented, please tell me how you are "making things better". Walking around with a chip on your shoulder and talking in a negative manner about WMU helps out the school in what way. There is plenty of room for you to help the university, and don't think that your attitude can not be infectious I see it every day in Grand Rapids and when I started I thought that I was the lone wolk. Why do I do it, because I saw what a couple of dedicated professors that became life long friends and mentors did for me, and I committed to give back the their loyalty to me. My attitudes are judged by all of those that I come in contact with, if I'm negative they will observe that I did not enjoy my time at WMU that includes graduates of other universities, young people and all that I talk to.

Keep being positive and be a "unpaid" ambassador.

Always proud to be a Bronco.

Hoover - you are aware of the monumental shift over the last year in Development and Alumni Relations, right? If you aren't happy with the way things were, now is the time to put forth any ideas you have with the new regime.

What is this the Spanish Inquisition? (lol)

See post #37, re: the departed Mr. Small

Thought of the Day.........

The value of academic achievement is often diminished by a lack of education.......

Fot those of you that are cryptically challenged, hire a cryptographer!

(01-06-2012 07:13 PM)JHoover Wrote:  Mr. Acer, after a decade of Chapter meetings, gatherings, presentations, Gary Fund, season tickets.........
As a twenty year former resident of Kalamazoo, former University employee........
I doubt that I would be nominated to the Board, and would never get by "you know who " for an anointment.
I'm not attacking you, but you've been more than presumptuous, "you must get into the arena".
The ten items/suggestions I e-mailed to someone who recently left Kalamazoo, I'm sure did not wind up on "The List",
but landed in the circular file.

I'm not complaining. I'm stirring the pot.

Mr. CD has a good plan. Maybe an even "Excellent Plan"!
Let's do it!! I'd vote for it, if I had a VOTE/VOICE.
If he is a person of prominence and a Major Donor maybe it could be seriously considered.

Why aren't we having this discussion at a Chapter meeting, special committee meeting, etc........

Person of prominence, influence, a major donor? How about hated rabble-rouser, does that count? If not then trash my plan as well.

(02-12-2012 06:55 PM)JHoover Wrote:  What is this the Spanish Inquisition? (lol)

See post #37, re: the departed Mr. Small

Thought of the Day.........

The value of academic achievement is often diminished by a lack of education.......

Fot those of you that are cryptically challenged, hire a cryptographer!

So...you don't want to actually engage in sharing ideas, only complaining about what you perceive as the ills of or alumni association. Got it, moving on.

I've already done that, you pea brain.
Who are you to pass judgement on me.

Apparently, you don't read well. lol

OK, I vote for Mr. CD's plan. Besides he's got a 72 rating.
Broncofan1, only rates a 12. Not very impressive.
My rating is 0, which denotes my level of influence, despite the criticism, and advice.


Can Academic employees become institutionalized ?...............
Probably............

Conspiracy Meeting

For those of you that did not receive an e-mail notice, or missed
the previous web notice-

Your invited to join the Western Michigan Alumni and friends and
enjoy watching the Western Michigan vs. the University of Illinois
football game at:

24 Seconds Bar & Grill
3071 Twelve Mile Road
Berkley, MI

11am to whenever

THE REAL BOTTOM LINE

"It's All About the Money" advocates are apparently sailing the ship, and are in total control.
My contacts back in Kalamazoo tell me that all is not well aboard the Development and Alumni Relations boat.

The recent national survey noted that WMU students think the school administration is "out of touch".
One could expect that most young people would think that most
"old people" are "out of touch".
Interestingly, many Alumni, who are "old people" also think that the
school administration is "out to touch".

The Real Bottom Line is the collateral damage and lack of respect for alumni relations, that is fostering a lack of trust in school administration.

A new fiscal year is almost here.
Perhaps the "BIG PLANS" promised last fall, will be released.

What ever happened to the guy who thinks he speaks for the University?

You can delegate authority, but not responsibility.

Remember............?

Maybe not...............

Oh he'll be around spinning it soon.

NOTICE

There will be no Conspiracy Meeting this Saturday.
The Chapter President will be out of town.

Did anyone hear anything about the "BIG PLANS" ?
Has anyone spoken to President Dunn about this ?

(09-12-2012 12:10 PM)JHoover Wrote:  Has anyone spoken to President Dunn about this ?

Have you? I wouldn't know what to ask, but I'm curious about his response to you.

Nice try Broncofan1

Where have you been hiding/lurking?

You're going to have to do better than that.
I can believe your confused about what to say.
Are you really an employee?

As we used to say, back in the day........

If you want to cross swords with me,
you better bring a whole whit, not a half-whit.......

(09-13-2012 10:07 AM)JHoover Wrote:  Nice try Broncofan1

Where have you been hiding/lurking?

You're going to have to do better than that.
I can believe your confused about what to say.
Are you really an employee?

As we used to say, back in the day........

If you want to cross swords with me,
you better bring a whole whit, not a half-whit.......

No hiding - working.

I don't know what "Big Plans" were promised last year, so I don't know how the President would respond if you asked him.

I do remember a lot of excitement around campus about the new leadership, but then Jim Smalls left and we haven't heard much around here.

So, back to your question about asking the President - I don't know what to ask. Have you asked? Has he responded?

I seriously feel like I need some tin foil to be in this thread

(09-13-2012 07:39 PM)SilentStryk09 Wrote:  I seriously feel like I need some tin foil to be in this thread

Hanson reference?

"BIG PLANS"

Earlier this year, on a past posting, I also asked the rhetorical question,
What about the "BIG PLANS"?
Well, we were not informed as to what these PLANS entailed, at the meeting last fall with Mr. Small and other WMU staff.
However, we were told that there were BIG PLANS.

Was it a matter of National Defense?
Are the Canadians breaking in and stealing things again?
OR, could it be.....THERE ARE NO PLANS AT ALL, and the truth of the matter is....."We're still trying to think of something."

Standing up in a room full of loyal Alumni, and attempting to fool them into believing that someone is in charge, and knows what their doing, didn't fool everyone.

Given the results of the debacle, the Alumni Alienation continues.

As far as speaking to the President, take your best shot.
I'm here and you're there.
I'll just e-mail the whole thread, which I've done before.