X-Message-Number: 10657
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 21:37:38 -0600
From: Linda Chamberlain <>
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Alcor_President=92s_Report?=

President’s Report  

 

 

For the September 13, 1998  Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of
the Alcor Life Extension Foundation  

 

This last year has seen a lot of  “forward motion”.  We have attempted to
keep as much balance as possible when setting priorities, rather than
focus exclusively on one area or another.  The result has been steady
improvements across the board without allowing some projects to dominate
others.   

Since Membership confidence is the most meaningful yardstick we possess,
we are gratified by the fact that feedback from Members tells us that
their confidence in and commitment to Alcor as their choice of cryonics
organizations continues to grow.     

Membership Services and Growth:  Emphasis has been evenly divided into two
areas:  (1) holding onto current members (through improved membership
satisfaction, designed to decrease the number of cancelled memberships),
and (2) converting an already sizeable flow of inquiries into an improved
membership growth.  To improve member perception of the services they are
receiving as Alcor Members, an extensive “Member Handbook” has been
distributed, in a custom loose-leaf binder.   A quarterly follow-up system
is under development to improve the conversion rate of inquiries to
sign-ups.   (See also Promotion, as these areas are very interrelated.)  

Promotion:   A very successful conference was held in April, at which
notables like Marvin Minsky and James Halperin were key players.  Major
cosmetic improvements have been made to the Cooldown Bay (to improve the
image of Alcor and heighten the impression made during tours of the
facility).  The improved format and content of Cryonics magazine and
coverage in the Alcor Phoenix (of the many advances taking place within
Alcor) both serve as a important marketing tools to sell Alcor over its
competitors as well as resulting in  heightened membership awareness and
enthusiasm.   (See also Patient Security, as these areas are very
interrelated.)  

Domestic CryoTransport Readiness:  Four (basic level) courses for
Transport Team Members were held, and three more courses are scheduled
before the end of the year.  Videotapes and tests for (basic level)
refresher training are being distributed (emphasis in 1999 will be on
advanced training).  BioTransport, Inc. was formed and is now an Alcor
Contractor, with immediate goals to: (1) pursue registration of a public
offering, (2) perform critical tasks for Alcor and (3) develop research
approaches to evaluate existing suspension methods and explore
alternatives.    

A detailed consulting and coordination trip laid the groundwork for
suspensions which might take place in or around Laughlin, NV.  A (basic
level) training course for full time employees (EMTs) of Don Laughlin has
been negotiated and scheduled, and will result in the deployment of a full
set of cooling and medications kits, as well as a new HLR.  This is a
“first”, in any individual member’s preparedness for cryotransport.  

An Alcor standby was held in which outside technology was brought in, from
21st CM (for a fee.)  Although no long-term contract has yet been
negotiated for access to 21st CM technology, exchanges and leases of
equipment for consulting and the certification of Alcor Members by
Biopreservation, Inc. have opened a doorway once closed to the prospect of
cooperation and access to new technologies that could be developed.   New
field washout equipment under development by Alcor was refined and tested
in conjunction with Mike Darwin’s course, as part of an animal research
procedure.  

Foreign CryoTransport Readiness:  A relationship has been developed with a
large international mortuary shipper located in London.  This makes
servicing of our European members  more realistic.  The U.K. group has
become reinvigorated by the prospect of a course this coming November, and
is recruiting attendees from among Alcor Members in Europe as well as the
U.K.  At an earlier time this year, it appeared that the Alcor U.K.
building (which was purchased and equipped some 10 years ago) might be
sold.  This potential loss of facilities now may be reversed, largely as a
result of new enthusiasm and confidence that the U.K. and Europe can have
a viable program.  

Research:  A baseline air-transportable perfusion (ATP) system has reached
the stage of being ready for “manufacture” (in small numbers).   Full
documentation for validation testing of the cooldown/crackphone system is
progressing well.  Initial breadboard measurements of bioimpedance in
living tissues have begun, as part of the planning process for Alcor and
BioTransport research.   An intensive literature search and initial
studies are in progress.   

Patient Security:  Eight video cameras for monitoring critical security
areas at Alcor were installed.  A seven-day video recorder was acquired,
permitting 24-hour recordings of four of the cameras (sequentially and in
“quad-view”), including those in the Patient Care Bay and the Cooldown
Bay.    

Concerned Directors launched a “Y2K” preparedness effort, which may lead
to Alcor’s acquisition of LN2 conservation, reliquification or generation
equipment.  An emergency generator was acquired, and is being installed. 
A renovation project for the Patient Care Bay is underway, with painting
of the interior doors, new paneling for the cooldown cabinets to give them
a more modern, medical equipment look, and planning to improve both the
security of the exterior walls and general appearance of the area.  A
highly detailed study of liquid nitrogen consumption was completed, and
the consolidation of samples has substantially reduced LN2 costs.  

Organizational Strength:  Three additional Directors joined Alcor’s Board,
filling vacancies and bringing it to full strength.  The Board is pleased
to add the talents of Ralph Merkle, Ph.D. (researcher), Derek Ryan (web
master) and Gary Meade (attorney).    

Carlos Mondragon (taking a well-earned leave after serving Alcor for
eleven years, some of which were the most demanding and trying years in
Alcor’s history) has retired from his position as a Director, but retains
his title of President Emeritus, and remains on the Alcor Board of
Directors as an Advisor.  We are also fortunate in the fact that Carlos is
remaining as a Board Member on the Patient Care Trust.    

Scientific and Medical Advisory Boards:  Alcor has asked a number of
members (physicians and scientists) to serve on the new Scientific and
Medical Advisory Boards.  Almost all that were invited have accepted;
their willingness to support Alcor publicly will help Alcor to gain still
more participation from other professional Members, as well as supporting
Alcor through their direct advisory support.  An article introducing the
Scientific and Medical Advisors will appear in the January issue of
Cryonics and on Alcor’s web site.  

Longer Range Planning and Summary  

A “vision” statement is under development by the Alcor Board, Advisors and
Staff.   This should give us an improved picture of how Alcor needs to
develop over the next decade.    

In summary, Alcor is maintaining its balance and breaking ground in many
new areas, as well as planning for the long term.  

Respectfully submitted,  

Fred Chamberlain President/CEO  

Linda Chamberlain () CryoTransport Manager  

For information about a thriving,  life affirming cryonics organization: 


Alcor Life Extension Foundation Non-profit cryonic suspension services
since 1972. 7895 E. Acoma Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale AZ 85260-6916
Membership Information: (877) GO-ALCOR (462-5267) Phone (602) 905-1906  
FAX (602) 922-9027  for general requests  

 

http://www.alcor.org  

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