By Cheryl Posey

The Brewer Exes’ Association held its annual business meeting last Thursday to mark the beginning of the Homecoming festivities. Every decade of graduates was represented at the meeting, from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The only decade missing was the 2000’s, and the group present agreed that in time those younger exes will join as well.

Just the next evening during the Homecoming game several members of the classes of the 2000’s joined the organization and signed their name in the official exes’ book of membership. It was a historic date to see those 2000’s going into the book!

At the meeting, the group decided to organize a membership drive committee to help raise funds for the scholarships to be given out in May. The committee is comprised of Brewer Exes from each decade. Their goal is to get at least 100 members from each decade to join within the next few weeks. President Elect Frank Molinar is leading this group, and he has challenged them all to a competition that he believes will be won by the 80’s decade. Winners of the competition will be treated to a prize.

The group also voted to raise the membership dues from $5 to $10 per year starting at Homecoming 2009. These will still be some of the lowest dues of any organization of this type.

The members also voted to begin selling lifetime memberships for $100. Exes who purchase this membership will be given a Lifetime Membership Card and will never have to be reminded to pay their dues again.

Members also discussed allowing associate memberships to be offered to individuals who did not attend Brewer but would still like to support the Exes’ Association. However, this agenda item was tabled until next year after much discussion.

Also discussed at the meeting was the probability of moving the Exes’ social historically held on Saturday night after Homecoming to a new location. Members voted to allow the officers to look for another venue. The social has been held at the White Settlement VFW Hall for the past few years.

Other agenda items discussed included making better use of the website created by Raymond Forsythe. The web address is cfbrewerexes.org. Mr. Forsythe was present and addressed many questions about possible uses for the site. Many would like to see this site used as a database for names and addresses for all ex-Brewer students. This could greatly benefit reunion organizers in the future.