Considering running for the MHSAA Board?
Thank you for considering running for an elected Director position on the Milton Hershey School Alumni
Association Board. The following will provide you with general information about the MHSAA Board and your
responsibilities as a Director, should you be elected. Please feel free to reach out to current or former Board
members with any questions you may have. Being an elected member of the MHSAA Board is an honor that carries
with it a certain amount of responsibilities. Please review the following information to better inform yourself for this
exciting leadership opportunity.
Process

Commit to running no later than June 1 of the year in which you wish to be a candidate and
communicate that information to the MHSAA office at (717) 520-2045 or (TBD, Admin, Pres., etc.).

You must be a dues-paying Association member to be on the MHSAA Board.

Be sure that your personal/professional schedule allows you to commit to the meeting schedule. You are
expected to attend 90% of the meetings in person or by phone. Most of the meetings take place on Sundays;
however, pending student-related activities, there are occasionally Friday and Saturday meetings as well. A
meeting schedule for the entire year is published at the beginning of each year. Meetings of the Board of
Directors take place in Hershey, Pa. (Derry Township) and other places as are approved by the Board of
Directors for one or more particular meetings.

Be aware that you will be required to serve on one or more committees and that a great deal of the
Association work is done during those committee meetings. Committees generally meet by phone, but may
on occasion be required to meet at locations in and around Hershey. Board members may volunteer for
committees, but are not guaranteed selection to their preferred committee.
Milton Hershey School Alumni Association Mission Statement
The mission of the Milton Hershey School Alumni Association is to promote an appreciation and pride in our Alma
Mater, a sense of family among all alumni, and a dedication to the educational and other principles of Milton and
Catherine Hershey’s Deed of Trust, with a commitment to the well-being of Milton Hershey School, its students and
alumni.

The Alumni Association’s Mission describes a “dedication to the educational and other principles of Milton
and Catherine Hershey’s Deed of Trust…” As this document may be referenced when discussing strategic
issues for our alumni association and the School, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with it.
(Document copies are available through the alumni association office). Having an understanding of the
roles and responsibilities of the MHSAA Board and its relationship with the School and Trust Board prior
to committing to run for the Board of Directors will better enable you to serve your alumni constituency.
Qualifications & Skills

Considering the Mission of the Association, complete the on-line questionnaire for potential Board
members about why you are interested in being on the Board. This will be included with your picture
(provided by you with your information) in the Homecoming brochure along with the other Board
candidates. The form is self explanatory; however, please consider the following in addition to anything
you may want to add; What specialized or practical skills might you bring to the Board? What human
relation skills (e.g. communication, problem-solving) might you have acquired in your professional or
personal life that will benefit the Board and Association?
Board of Directors – General Information
More detailed information can be found in the By-laws, located on the website at www.mhsaa.org.

Benefits to You as a Board Member: In addition to serving your alumni brothers and sisters, you will be
making a difference in the lives of the students of MHS as the Association participates in various studentrelated activities throughout the year. The lifeblood of any good organization is the strength of its members
and leadership, and your participation and the skills you bring will have an impact on the current Board as
well as the future activities. Your professional experience as well as your affinity for MHS will assist with
effective decision-making skills and increased understanding of group dynamics and relationships which
play such a vital part of the alumni experience.

Term: Elected members of the Association Board serve a three (3) year term. During that period they
may be asked to take on an Executive role which may extend their time on the Board but would not impact
the original three year term.

Meeting Schedule: The Board is required to meet at least six (6) times each year, but often meets more
frequently. The meeting schedule is set by the incoming President and generally follows this pattern:
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January
March
April (Alumni-Senior Fellowship Dinner)
May (following Alumni Student Awards Brunch 10:15 a. m. – 12 Noon)
July (as necessary)
August
September - Homecoming Business Meeting - Founders Hall at 9:15 a.m. (Group Picture)
November – Saturday & Sunday (Dates TBD) MHSAA/MHS Programming Session – For
Executive Committee and others as advised.
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are expected to begin at 12 Noon.
Conflict of Interest Policy Statement
Board Members owe a fiduciary relationship to MHSAA, they are required to disclose any real or apparent conflicts
of interest, and are required at all times to demonstrate loyalty, confidentiality and good judgment in the furtherance
of MHSAA's mission.
Board Structure

The Board consists of an Executive Committee which includes the President, Past President, Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer and any other appointed or elected Vice Presidents to that particular
Board.

The full body of the Board consists of elected members and Chapter representative from the active
Chapters.

There are standing committees which bring issues and recommendations to the Executive Committee
and/or full Board for decision and voting.
President's Note
The MHSAA is first and foremost a fraternal organization for the almost 10,000 graduates of Milton Hershey
School. Supporting our alumni and, most especially, those young alumni graduating in far different and more
turbulent times than even the Hersheys could have imagined, are critical efforts of our organization. Working with
the students and by inspiring and helping them understand that MHS has given them a chance they might not
otherwise have had are cornerstones of the work we do.
However, as MHS is a home first, it is critical that the Alumni Association remains engaged and supportive of the
School, the Board which governs it and, most importantly, the Deed of Trust, the very document which breathes life
into the School’s Mission. That is best done by an engaged, active, supportive and, when appropriate, inquisitory
Association body. The Alumni Association’s ability to maintain a positive, professional and constructive approach
in its relationship with the School, the Board of Managers, the local and state governing agencies and the
community at large are essential to our overall effectiveness and ability to serve our constituency. Thank you for
your consideration and please feel free to contact our office with any questions you may have.