The newly elected members of the 1997 Executive Committee met for the first time yesterday to plan for the their class' future in the first five years after graduation.
Planning and organizing Class Day will be one of the committee's first responsibilities, though they are also responsible for planning mini-reunions and establishing trust funds throughout the next five years.
Of the committee's 21 members, which were announced late last week, 17 are women. Cara Abercrombie '97 described the group as "dedicated." But, she said, "I'm a little worried we don't represent the class in terms of gender."
Jill Hunter '97 said the group's immediate plans include preparing Class Day and the class logo, as well as helping out with suggesting graduation speakers and faculty members to honor at graduation.
Yesterday's meeting served primarily as an informal introduction to one another and their duties -- the group plans to meet weekly and to elect their officers on Feb. 28, then appoint other positions on March 7.
Acting Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Bindi Rakhra presided over the meeting to help the new members understand their responsibilities.
During the next five years, one of the committee's most important responsibilities will be fund-raising for Alumni Magazine subscriptions and other projects approved by the committee. Most of the fund-raising is completed through class dues and gifts.
Members of the committee said they joined for a variety of reasons.
"I've been involved with the College all four years and I thought this would be a great way to continue to serve," Theresa Ellis '97 said.
Ellis said she is interested in seeing how the College maintains its ties with students after they have graduated.
Dorrie Bright '97 said she sees the committee as a way to "give something back to the College." She said she was particularly interested in working on the class newsletter.
Chris Saccardi '97 said he looks forward to working on the committee as a way to "keep in touch with Dartmouth."
In addition to their traditional responsibilities, other committees have branched out to other activities -- such as the attempted start-up of a new tradition three years ago.
The 1994 Executive Committee attempted to start a new Class Day activity of breaking clay cups in a ceremony at the Bema. But the ceremony did not become a tradition, primarily because a number of students were injured by clay shards from the broken cups and the practice was discontinued.
