Suggestions & Deliberations by Musa Freiji First Levant Chapters Meeting Amman Jordan Oct. 11, 2008 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting

WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting Outline Notes and suggested amendments to WAAAUB bylaws Recognition of successful alumni and funding of WAAAUB Solving the dispute with AAA 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting

Notes and Suggested Amendments to WAAAUB bylaws Mission The mission of the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (“WAAAUB”) is to engage all alumni of the American University of Beirut (“University”) in advancing and in supporting the educational, research and service mission of the University. WAAAUB will foster the educational, career and social interests of the University’s alumni and will work to preserve and promote the rich heritage and values of the University. 1-1 Strengthen the ties … Engage all Alumni … Foster … the interests of the Alumni No where in the bylaws there is any mention on how these targets may be realised. 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting

Notes and Suggested Amendments to WAAAUB bylaws 1.2- I suggest that the special committee for amending the bylaws outlines the practical steps for implementation. Once approved, these can be added to the bylaws as an attachment. Status - WAAAUB does not have a separate legal status. - WAAAUB’s governance & administrative structure allow it to operate autonomously within AUB. - WAAAUB is accountable to the BoT on policy matters and to the Alumni on operational matters. 2.1 WAAAUB’s autonomy is limited. 2.2 How can WAAAUB be accountable to its AUB’s Alumni worldwide? What mechanism is to be implemented for such accountability? - 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting

Notes and Suggested Amendments to WAAAUB bylaws Chapters 3.1 Serious consideration needs to be given to the formation of Regional Unions of Chapters wherever possible and agreeable. This facilitates the work of WAAAUB Board via its Committee for Chapters and other standing committees. 3.2 If approved, Article VI of the bylaws should be amended to accommodate this change. Attachment A- Chapter Policies Procedures will have to be amended too 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting

Recognition of Successful Alumni and Funding of WAAAUB As one practical means of implementing WAAAUB’s mission towards the alumni, I suggest the adoption of the following: Widen the scope of responsibilities of the Outreach Committee to include reaching out for all successful alumni worldwide. The Committee to employ capable journalists or engage free lance journalists whose task is to identify and interview successful AUB alumni and publish such interviews in one or more of AUB’s publications. 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting

Recognition of Successful Alumni and Funding of WAAAUB The committee is to classify candidates such as business-men or women, professionals, academics, politicians, etc.. and come out with a minimum fee to be paid to WAAAUB for each profession. The targeted number to be interviewed per year, out of an estimated 10,000 successful AUB alumni, at present, should not be less than 2,000. The estimated yearly income for WAAAUB from this function should be $4-5 million. 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting

Solving the dispute with AAA WAAAUB was established on June 20, 2005 Discussions between representatives of the BoT or AUB president and AAA board has been going on for several years prior to the above and since that date, i.e. over 5 years, with no definitive results. Present AAA president, Mr. Tohmé, is inclined to a accept the following solution: AAA to be the sole alumni association in Lebanon. Lebanese regional chapters to report to AAA AAA to abandon any representation of regional or international alumni chapters. Professional chapters of AUB to be given the choice of reporting to AAA or WAAAUB directly. 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting

Solving the dispute with AAA I believe above solution needs to be adopted sooner than later for the following reasons: The majority of the Alumni are Lebanese. Due to the civil war the percentage of Lebanese graduates is increasing AUB functions will be attended mainly by Lebanese alumni. AUB sits on the Lebanese soil AAA has a history of being the sole AUB alumni association. The on-going dispute is creating an unhealthy atmosphere and confusion amongst most AUB alumni, especially in the MENA region. WAAAUB should get more involved in solving the dispute. 11/10/2008 WAAAUB First Levant Chapters Meeting