So I want to start an alum. association....this is primarily for my collegiate chapter (we have an active regional association already). We have many active alums, but they are not organized into any particular group, so our goal (3 VERY dedicated brand new alums) is to do that. We have all the information about starting a group from Nationals.
The first step will be to set goals, per a previous PenguinTrax post (thanks!), and set-up a six-month plan in which to set realistic goals but aim high.
- we have a chapter list of over 1300 alums to weed through (not including a list that we need to request from Nationals), so we have some where to start off
- we are going to set out 2 newsletters per year (just to start)
- we are going to establish an alum email list
- we are going to coordinate 2 major events per year
(however, any events that we personally will be involved in will be turned into alum. events- like Race for the Cure, ACS's Annual Walk, etc.- we are aiming for 4 of these)
The second step is to plan 2 activities a year (we have 2 academic semesters per school year), and set up an alum. weekend for Homecoming and probably Founder's Day in the Spring.
Some ideas from previous posts include:
-formal dinner dance
-active/alumnae tea or brunch
-Founder's Day Luncheon
-Philanthropy Day
The third step is to solicit advice from GCers.
The three of us are doing the bulk of the work. I love my chapter to death, but we have never done anything really spectacular for our alums, so it is not realistic for me to expect my chapter to magically change next year.
1. Am I missing something?
2. What were some pitfalls? Is there anything you did and regretted (too costly, not time efficient, etc)?
3. For married alums, are these activities not family friendly (I am only 21, so it is hard to put myself in a mom's shoes) enough? Should we plan more family oriented activities? We have such an age range.....from like 90 year olds to me (I think I am the youngest at 21).
Threads that are awesome:
for all-around information:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=23975
for newsletters (thanks AOX81!):
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=18055
for all my undergrads. (thanks James!):
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...&threadid=2519
THANKS everyone! All the threads pertaining to AAs have been immensely useful.
Sunnygirl
edited because I can't properly insert hyperlinks.....how sad....