Update from long silent WCA Board
Here is a summary of the “update” from the (now defunct?) Board of the Wells College Association of Alumnae and Alumni (WCA). You can watch the entire event here and learn more about the entire Wells Welcome Weekend here.
As Saturday's breakfast ended at the HWS Wells Welcome Weekend, three people ascended a platform to address our alums: Former WCA Board members Deb Callahan ’85 and Amanda Castleman ’11 with the HWS Director of Alumni/ae Engagement Kristin Cole-Kurtz.
Deb acknowledged that he last two years have “not been easy.” After closure “the WCA went quiet” but that “was out of necessity” because they had “no road map” for what happens to an alumni/ae org after a college closes. They were “grateful for [our] “patience,” and that noted that alums found “new found ways to stay in touch with each other.”
Early this year, she said they gathered to discuss “what comes next.” The WCA has a “new administrative and operational home” with HWS, and a new structural organization that will be “more welcoming,” and offer an “active network” of connection and to “preserve our legacy.”
They “made a decision” that the new WCA would “not be built on a hierarchy,” and there would be “no officers and no chairs,” but would “rely on the power of volunteers” with “no titles.” We were invited to “come on board and help us out.” (Not sure who “us” may be.)
Kristin suggested that we check the WCA Facebook for updates. (Almost nothing has been shared there for 2+ years except “Learning by the Lake” announcements.)
Amanda acknowledged concerns about who selected the new WCA organizational committee. She said it was formed of former WCA (board) members. “It is not a secret board,” but we weren’t told who was on the committee. Nevertheless, they were “not trying to hide things from us.” She said the new WCA will be a lot more open and involve more people.
The Q&A followed, starting at 18’30” in the video.
Afterwards a WLS officer asked Kristin who was running the WCA Facebook now. She did not seem to know, and indicated that HWS could not take it over. When told the WCA Facebook had shared almost nothing, she spoke about them being silenced by NDAs. Please note that there is a “landing page” for Wells alums on the HWS website, which needs updating. But HWS has been very busy getting us this far!
HWS committed a lot of thought, time, energy and financial resources to the Wells Welcome Weekend. If we want to expand and continue the sucess of this initial endeavor, our help will be needed. You can submit a Volunteer Interest Form and also donate to HWS. (We hope there may be an option available someday to designate funds to support the entire Wells legacy at HWS: Archives, Book Arts, Artifacts, Alumnai/ae support, etc.)
