For the May meeting of the Board of Trustees, we put together our ‘greatest hits’ list over the last five years. Under the leadership of those alumni boards, especially past presidents Roger Reynolds, Dan Einstein, David Proctor, Valerie Gammage and Jamie Small, and numerous chapter presidents across the country, your Association has been busy and productive.
Dennis Cross, W&L Vice President of Advancement with Jamie Small '8, 2011-2012 Alumni Board Past President
We pause to express our thanks to so many contributors, and we begin crafting our long range plan in order to stay current and to engage alumni in meaningful and lasting ways. We look forward to your active input through our electronic survey in the months ahead. GO GENERALS!
1. Analyzed and created the first detailed written strategic plan for the Alumni Board and the Alumni Affairs Office with goals and deliverables. We have achieved measurable success in our #1 priority of strengthening the chapters where over 80% of our alumni live.
2. Studied, designed, and implemented brand new content and structure for all campus reunions, generating strong attendance and very positive reviews.
3. Analyzed and issued the first detailed plan for broader and better engagement of younger alumni, including the strong 2009 launch of Young Alumni Weekend for graduates of the last 14 years, focused on 5th and 10th reunions.
4. Analyzed and launched the new ‘Five Star Festival’ in 2009 for our senior alumni after their 50th reunion, especially the 55th and 60th reunions.
5. Designed and staged Black Alumni 2009 and began other means of increasing multicultural alumni engagement, including a November 2011 career symposium for students.
6. Strengthened our partnership with Development, including support for the Reunion Giving program, regular attendance of gift officers at chapter events, Alumni Board support of the Speak program for the Annual Fund, chapter leaders’ support of the Annual Fund, 55th and 60th reunion support for the Annual Fund, and Kathekon’s leadership of the Senior Gift Project and Philanthropy Day.
7. Collaborated with Career Services on its January 2011 written strategic plan relating to alumni involvement.
8. Created content for and launched an exciting new website for alumni, including new tool kits for chapters, easy event location and electronic registration, and a useful and growing careers portal.
9. New partnership with the University Store to increase sales and generate funds for alumni programming.
10. Substantial reorganization of Alumni Affairs staff and improved budget management. We increased efficiency and output, dramatically reduced our paper and our overall costs, all with no increase in headcount.
11. In collaboration with the Deans, developed the ‘faculty cadre,’ a systematic and successful way to increase chapter visits by faculty and administrators.
12. Improved the processes for selection and the profiles of Distinguished Alumni Awards and our slate of alumni candidates for the Board of Trustees every two years.
13. Restructured Kathekon, the future alumni leaders group, through a written annual plan to train and inspire them. Applications increased, they are involved in development initiatives, and visibly support the Green Dot program to prevent sexual assault.
14. Partnered with Student Affairs and the Alumni Greek Council to promote positive fraternity behavior and support women’s leadership initiatives.
15. Collaborated with Special Programs to foster Alumni College programs for families and shorter and less expensive trips.
