|
For Collegians who have taken on the office of Alumnae Chair!
Congratulations! Your first duty is to get a copy of your budget from the Treasurer. And next, unplug your computer and pick your telephone. Then call (yes, that's right! CALL) the president of the alum association! Something along the lines of:
Hi, this is MY NAME. I'm the new Alum Relations Chair for CHAPTER of GLO and I wanted to introduce myself and set up a meeting with you sometime in the next couple of weeks to plan some events with the chapter and alum for next school year. When would be a convenient time and where shall we meet? I'd also love to know what is a good way to keep in touch with the alum and provide chapter updates. Thanks!
* If you have to leave a voicemail and the president doesn't call you back, call back.
Your next duty: meeting with the alum president.
By this time, the alum are crafting their calendar for next year. Social activities abound. Take a look and piggy back onto these to avoid overprogramming. Include the social chair of your chapter in this planning so you can build these sisterhood socials into the actual chapter social calendar.
When you work WITH the alum association, rather than springing an event on the alum with 24 hours notice, you get a better turnout. The alum will also help promote your event to the other alum through their emails, phone communications and newsletter.
Plan on at least one social event in the fall and get the dates for recruitment and initiation from the other chapter officers so the alum can participate, as you know you will want alumnae at those important events! Also, get dates for membership education and enrichment workshops, retreats, new member ed, etc... all are great to invite alum to -- they can share in the events and offer a unique perspective, assistance and really feel a part of the chapter.
Chances are, you have taken office in the winter/spring semester. You have lots of time to prepare your graduating seniors spring send-off tea, or to work with alum to come to your chapter house to give alum ritual. This is typically a standing event. Talk to your outgoing alum relations chair about what worked the prior year and what didn't. Work WITH the alum association to promote and plan the event. When you plan together, everyone wins. Get the alum to help you promote to other alum.
Give your alum president all relevant chapter dates. For example, why not plan a service project or charity event together?
Above all, check in with the alum president 1/4ly. The alum send out a newsletter to their members, so why not email or mail her a blurb of what's new at your chapter. The alum will stay informed and you don't put a penny toward postage.
Need replacement equipment for ritual or the house? Put together a brochure explaining your cause and how alum can assist, and have the alum assoc mail it out with the next alum mailing.
Lastly, always show appreciation in the form of handwritten thank yous and verbal appreciation to alum volunteers and event attendees! Rely on your advisers and past officers for guidance, and have fun! It also makes your office go more smoothly when you build a committee of other sisters to assist you with your events and planning. You could be grooming your replacement for when your office ends!
|