As with any organization, there are always plans and dreams for future additions, improvements and changes to make things run more smoothly, serve the members more effectively and generally make the organization one you would be proud to be a part of. 

Just in the past few months we have published the 2010 Alumni Association Directory – a first for us.  And you are looking at our newly designed website which has many more capabilities (you can now pay your Association dues on-line, for instance, and add photos and news from your last reunion) to make it more up-to-date, appealing, readable and user-friendly. 

We are excited!

Many of our fellow Heights grads have had a role in bringing the Alumni Association from its beginnings to the point where it is today.  But we recognize that, to remain vital, we must also always be thinking about the future of the organization. 

We have accumulated a list of suggestions or “dreams” – from small and simple to large and grandiose. 

The list is just a list.  Priorities move around, enthusiasm for certain projects fires up or wanes, people come and go.  Any dream on the list must spark the interest of folks and become important enough to them to move from just an idea to a special project to a reality.  We hope you find something(s) on the list that will light your fire…and add to the list with your ideas for us. 

• Publish a monthly e-mailed newsletter, perhaps to Association members only
• Host websites for each class from our Association website
• Set up a world map on our website that provides a visual look (dots) at where our alumni are living
• Sell ad space or links on the website
• Set up Alumni Connections all over the world (could be electronic, could be in person)
• Set up a Class Rep System for keeping up with and helping Reunion Committees
• Offer pay-on-line capabilities for Reunion Committees for registrations
• Provide a Mentoring Program to students at AHHS which matches students with individuals and perhaps even with alums’ businesses (think about internships, “look-sees,” hands-on experiences)
• Continue to add to our website section “Remember When” and provide archives of old photos and memories, copies of old Jacket Journals and so forth
• Establish an actual Museum of AHHS artifacts (Example: football jerseys, awards, yearbooks, etc.)
• Establish a “Remember When” blog on our website
• Establish class blogs on the website
• Organize a meeting/gathering for folks who graduated over 50 years ago – maybe a catered lunch at AHHS on a Saturday and tour of AHHS – and explore making this get-together a regular meeting of this “Club” of special graduates
• Organize an All Class Party – maybe even each year around Homecoming?  It could be a fun-raiser and/or even a fund-raiser for the Association and the school. 
• Find someone to serve as a permanent Director for the Alumni Association.  This person would:
  • Provide continuity, keep up with daily “stuff” and be a resource person for officers and volunteers (therefore making officers and volunteers easier to recruit).  We are discovering a need to have one person “in charge” as officers change every two years and volunteers come and go.
  • Organize others to help the Director so it would be more fun and less work for allTake care of mail, phone and e-mail inquiries and direct information to appropriate officers
  • Keep track of the Association’s calendar and reminders
  • Manage the database
  • Maintain files and archives
  • Plan and organize meetings with appropriate officers
• Establish a permanent office space which could
  • Provide an office for the Director
  • Provide facilities for files and archives
  • Provide a “permanent address” instead of a post office box and a phone line that is answered by a “real person”
  • Provide facilities to house a Museum of AHHS artifacts (Example: football jerseys, awards, yearbooks, etc.)
  • Provide a meeting room for small groups of alums

If you have questions about any of the suggestions, contact us. If you have suggestions to add, contact us.  If you (and your friends/classmates, too, maybe) would like to offer your talents and energy toward making a suggestion a reality,contact us.  This is your Alumni Association and your input is valued!!!