Advisory Board or Alumni Director? Which comes first?
So, in reading through the content of the first module, there seems to be dual suggestions - one that you need to set up the Advisory Board first, or two that you need to hire the Alumni Director first, and one of his/her responsibilities is to set up the AA?
Which is recommended, preferred, better?
My scenario is that we are starting from scratch, with no formal structure in existence at our institution?
Melissa,
Great thoughts! I really like your idea of starting initially with a smaller group from your departments that will have buy in.
June Gudeman
We will be stating from scratch as well. I think one thing to look at is the structural dynamics of your college. In other words, who will are the key staff/executives, and what type of buy in will you need to obtain to get the association off the ground.
My initial idea would be to form a smaller "initial" Advisory Board that includes just college staff from departments or in positions that I know are crucial. From there, that board can make initial decisions relating to structure, funding, and criteria (if any) for graduates, employers and community persons who will be involved later.
Once this board has a rough idea of the college's goals with the Alumni Association then they can develop a job description for the Alumni Director and begin the hiring process.
Once the Alumni Director has been hired, they and the initial Advisory Board can begin the process to bringing in the graduates/employers and community representatives.
Bradley,
I think if you're starting from scratch and are able to hire an Alumni Director, I would recommend that first. This would allow your new director to have ownership and provide some direction and vision as they put together the advisory team. If you have a director in place, you have someone to recruit an advisory board and to keep things 'moving'.
June Gudeman
