Statement+of+Purpose


 * National Alumnae Advisory Council (AAC) **
 * Statement of Purpose **

It is a fact that philanthropic support of independent girls’ schools is traditionally lower than that of boys’ and coed independent schools. There are many factors that contribute to this, including the fact that the majority of alumnae who graduated prior to the 1950s did not work outside of the home and have never felt that the family’s earnings were theirs to give. Although this has changed somewhat for subsequent generations of graduates, some women are still reluctant to support their own schools, especially after they have moved to another community. Girls’ day schools, therefore, must face the critical problem of not having significant support from their out-of-town alumnae. Many alumnae do not realize that tuition covers only a portion of the actual costs of educating students today. It costs over $22,000 to educate one GPS student; tuition this year is $18,500 --more than many families in the Chattanooga market can bear. Without significant alumnae support, schools like GPS must depend heavily on tuition-paying parents and grandparents to fill this $3,500 gap each year. When it comes time for a fund-raising campaign to help with capital needs or to fund much needed endowment for financial aid and faculty development, it is difficult to depend only on these same parents and grandparents and to ask them to reach even deeper into their pockets. Increased alumnae support for endowment will greatly help this situation. The purpose of the GPS National Alumnae Campaign Advisory Council (AAC) is to strengthen involvement and support of alumnae who live outside of Chattanooga. The establishment of this Advisory Council will  ·  Engage devoted, involved alumnae in meaningful experiences at GPS, giving the members of the AAC the opportunity to understand fully the goals and challenges of the school today;  ·  Involve the members of the AAC in discussions and solutions related to the challenge of increasing alumnae financial support, both immediate and long-term – a challenge which continues to be significant for all-girl institutions across the country, especially day schools; and.  ·  Involve the members of the AAC who express interest in the campaign in an outreach effort specifically directed to out-of-town alumnae. We have identified successful alums of all ages living outside of Chattanooga who have expressed a sense of indebtedness to their school because of the excellent education and wonderful all-around experience they gained at GPS. Serving on the advisory council entails:  ·  Attending **one** meeting during 2008 (either February 21/22 or April 10/11, immediately preceding Alumnae Weekend). The meeting begins at 8:00 am on Thursday and ends by 1:00 on Friday.  ·  Receiving regular communication including background information of alumnae support and an e-mail newsletter on the progress of the fundraising campaign **//Pursuing Greatness: The Second Hundred Years.//**  ·  Considering involvement in future years in the council and in the campaign.
 * Background: **
 * Statement of Purpose: **