June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Challenges to Setting Up an Alumni Association Website

Christian, Creating and maintaining a website definitely takes a level of commitment, both financially and in the area of personnel needed to manage it. That being said, it is a fantastic method for communication. Often schools spend an incredible amount of money trying to find and maintain contact with their graduates. A website that includes Alumni Profiles where grads can update their personal and employment info accomplishes that same thing. In fact, graduates will find YOU via a website rather than you attempting to find them. Some schools are using Facebook to accomplish many of the same things an individual… >>>

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Advisory Board Membership

Christian, Have you thought about including some of your alumni on your advisory board? June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Benefits to Offer Your Grads

I'd like to encourage you to think as a graduate. What would "benefit" you? Continuing education is a great example. Think beyond that. What, for example, would draw you to an alumni website? What would make you want to be involved in an alumni association? We tend to think of things from the perspective of what would benefit our institution. Our "relationship" with our alumni needs to be a mutually benefiting relationship. June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Barriers to setting up an Alumni Association

Francis, It sounds like you have a clear idea of your barriers - and they are all common ones. Your next step is looking at a way around or over your barriers and, perhaps, coming up with some creative/out-of-the-box solutions for your particular institution. June Gudeman

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Your First Event

Francis, I believe one of the key elements to planning an alumni event is asking the right questions - Why would a graduate want to come to my event? What will draw them? How can I make them feel appreciated? How can I communicate what's in it for them? Good luck on your next event! June Gudeman

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Challenges to Setting Up an Alumni Association Website

Francis, Finding former students is always a challenge - especially ones who have been out of contact for a long time. If you can put together an alumni website (stand alone or as part of your current site), you'll be surprised how many graduates will find you all on their own! In today's world, it's very easy for them find you with very little effort. (Be sure to give them an opportunity to update their information on your site.) Great ideas using success stories in whatever ways you can. Your alumni success stories are a tremendous source of advertising for… >>>

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Mission Statement Development

Francis, I like the idea of a hybrid - taking the current direction with a twist down the path of your alumni association direction. June Gudeman

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Public Relations Opportunities

Chris, Very good thoughts! Have you thought about using the Alumni Success Stories you're gathering via Facebook and getting them out into the community via newsletters, posters, booklets, etc.? June Gudeman

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Your First Event

Chris, That sounds like a good start. As you plan details, remember to think like an alumni. Why would your grads 'want' to come? What would draw them in? What would make them leave feeling valued by your institution? How can you involve our alumni in the planning to help them begin to take ownership and assist in getting the word out? How will you evaluate the effectiveness of the event? June Gudeman

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Challenges to Setting Up an Alumni Association Website

Chris, After hearing your challenges, it sounds like you've done a great job of using Facebook to creatively manage and communicate with your grads. You are doing with Facebook what many schools spends thousands of dollars to accomplish via their website. Kudos to you! I encourage you to continue to creatively address the needs of your alumni. June Gudeman