Association of Catholic Admissions and Advancement Professionals
ACAAP Fall Conference
March 13, 2009
The College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, Massachusetts
Author Archives: Alumni Channel
Building the Case for an Alumni Program
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Building the Case for an Alumni Program By Paul J. Clifford
Copyright © by CASE, 2007. All rights reserved.
Alumni relations is a 19th century practice that has evolved into a cornerstone of advancement operations for institutions of higher education worldwide. Before the car, before the phone and before the light bulb, institutions have placed a value on maintaining relationship with their alumni. In today’s world, nobody questions the relevance of the car, telephone or light bulb, and yet here we are discussing the relevance of alumni relations and how we build a case to convince our institutions of its value.
As a 19th century invention, how can we advance the concept of alumni relations to meet our 21st century needs? American institutions like professional baseball, another 19th century invention, have survived, remained relevant throughout the 20th and into the 21st century for two main reasons . . .
New Profile Fields Available: Post-Secondary Schools and Current Occupation
Two new pieces of data are now available for you when completing your profile. The first is “Current Occupation” and is located at the bottom of the profile screen, under Optional Information. The other allows you to list your post-secondary education (college, tech school, etc.).
Suggestion: Better Listing of the Missing
Submitted by Jeff Chrzanowski of Cherokee High School:
I also thought of something that might be interesting–make a list of people in a class that someone else wants to hear from. I can think of some people from my class that I’d like to find out about and maybe someone who reads the class lists knows the person and can tell him or her that someone was looking for him or her. Not like a forum category–that would take up too much space and most people might not bother reading it. Put something on the home page or on each class page that asks “Who would you like to hear from?” and a registered user can enter a name and class, and that person’s name would be listed in a separate area (missing classmates?) on his or her class page. Maybe someone who knows this person sees the name and tells him or her that someone on the alumni site was asking about him or her and hopefully will get that person to register. Whether the requestor wants his/her name listed on the request is up for debate.
Homecoming/Thanksgiving is the Right Time to Engage Alumni
The fall season is key when trying to reach alumni. Between the upcoming holidays and your organization’s homecoming activities, many alumni are back in town to visit friends and family.
A simple of an idea as inviting past graduates to your homecoming game, parade, pep rally, etc. or to your Thanksgiving weekend football game can help reinvigorate relations between you and your alumni.
| Autumn Promotion
A complete alumni web site for $500/yr, no set up costs, and 45 days free. Offer expires |
Set up an alumni tent at your event and serve coffee and cake (or other light refreshments) and give alumni a place to mingle and hang out with others. Go even further and take a moment at half-time to congratulate all alumni in attendance and ask them to stand for a round of applause. These are small steps your alumni are sure to appreciate and can be the beginning blocks to starting a new alumni relations program.
Ask alumni to sign-in via a clipboard so you can note the names and class years of those attending your welcome event. This will help in comparing attendance at future events. Spend a moment thanking them and telling them about what’s happening in your organization and how well things are going. Finally, don’t forget to publicize your alumni web site so alumni can keep up-to-date with events, news and each other.
106th Annual NCEA Convention & Exposition
106th Annual NCEA Convention & Exposition
April 14 – 17, 2009
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, California
The NCEA Convention & Exposition is held annually the week after Easter Sunday. Anyone working in or interested in Catholic education is welcome to attend.
Approximately 350 sessions are held on all levels of Catholic education: diocesan offices, elementary, secondary, religious education, seminary, boards of education, as well as for pastors and parents.
Total Alumni Surpass 24,000 on The Alumni Channel Network
This weekend the total number of registered alumni across all web sites totaled over 24,000. “Our schools are really doing a great job in promoting their sites and getting the word out for alumni to register,” said Chris Gehringer, owner and founder of The Alumni Channel. Over the last 10 days the following schools have added record number of alumni: Rancocas Valley Regional High School (129), Camden Catholic High School (35), Leesville High School (34), Palmyra High School (33), Mt. Hebron High School (29), Lenape High School (25), Cherokee High School (24) and Modern American School of Mexico City (22).
Rider University Ice Hockey joins The Alumni Channel
The Alumni Association is a non-profit organization with the aim of promoting camaraderie both among the alumni and with the current Ice Hockey team. Events include the annual alumni hockey game and golf outing.
Suggestion: Make alumnus profile pictures larger
Murat Nuri and Lauren Katz, of Mt. Hebron High School, suggest to somehow make the pictures that alumni attach (avatars) larger or “click on” to view them. They are too small and I can’t see them well!
It would be great if it were possible to click on the pictures and they would enlarge. It’s very difficult to view the thumbnail picture next to the profile because it’s so small.
Mercer County Technical Schools sets up Alumni website with The Alumni Channel
We’re pleased to announce that Mercer County Technical Schools has joined with The Alumni Channel to promote and build their alumni association. MCTS will utilize new data collection fields to capture what each alumnus studied while in high school and what industry each is working in now.
In partnership with the educational, business, health care, industrial, cultural and labor communities, the Mercer County Technical School District enables youth and adults to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for career success in the ever-changing technological world.
Visit: http://MCTSalumni.org