Dear Deerfield Alumni

By PB Weymouth III '83

HERE IS A BRIEF UPDATE on some of the work that the Executive Committee (the "EC") of the Alumni Association has been doing in concert with the Alumni and Development Office. The role of subcommittees within the EC is taking on a new life; these subcommittees currently include Technology, Events, Young Alumni/ae and Nominating. Their input will be vital as we move ahead with a number of projects.

As many of you know, Deerfield alumni/ae have expressed an interest in an enhanced website to link them to one another, and keep them apprised of news and events both on and off campus. Under the capable leadership of Rick Anderson '72 and Sara diBonaventura '01, the Technology Subcommittee created and distributed a survey of other schools and colleges to assess how they use their respective websites. Together with Debra Diemand, Director of Administrative Services for Alumni and Development, they have compiled useful resources that will ultimately be used to create a new web presence for Deerfield.

Another subcommittee is evaluating events and suggesting innovations. This past year we had quite a varied menu of offerings in response to an interesting transition. The days of trying to find one event that appeals to all are over. This year, for the first time, we offered family-focused events and had great success with a circus in Boston, a day of skiing at Sugarbush, a skating party in CT and a multi-school family picnic in San Francisco. If you have additional ideas we would love to hear them! The Events Subcommittee is led by Steven Katz '70 and Cassandra Walters '00 in coordination with the Alumni Office, and they are committed to vibrant and varied offerings, so be on the lookout for news of upcoming events. In addition, because the regional clubs in the West, New York and New England are so active, the Events Subcommittee is also encouraging the Alumni and Development Office to think about expanding the number of regional clubs. Perhaps one day we will do something together with all the clubs, including DC, Chicago and areas that are yet to be determined!

Alumni/ae athletic events continue to be popular; if your sport is not represented yet and you want to get involved, let us know. An alumni squash tournament in the winter of 2009 is under discussion, and there is some early talk about the undefeated football team from 1974 (8-0-0) having a reunion with Coach Smith on Choate Weekend in 2009.

The EC has recently placed an additional focus on young alumni/ae and has assigned Wally Tomenson '95 to lead the charge on making sure that we are fully connected with what interests young alumni/ae and what will keep them meaningfully engaged with Deerfield. Wally and his subcommittee will work closely with the Events Subcommittee to design new events and with the Technology Subcommittee to make sure that we are at the cutting edge with ways to build our online community.

Under the leadership of Bayard DeMallie '80, the Nominating Subcommittee now has a more defined process regarding EC membership, with specific attention paid to geographic and class year diversity, the "passion" one holds for Deerfield, and gender distribution. If you have a strong interest in serving on the Executive Committee, please send us a letter and tell us a little about yourself.

Your input is always welcome. Please feel free to contact Mimi or Carrie in the Alumni Office, or me, and remember, our mission is "to lead and represent the most informed, enthusiastic, involved and supportive alumni/ae body in the world!"

Best regards,
PB Weymouth III '83

President of the Executive Committee