Alumni board development: notable trends, strategies for success

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Alumni board developmentnotable trends,
strategies for success

• WSUAA Constituent Presidents Council, January 17,
  2006
• Presenter
• Kim White-Jenkins, manager, membership services,
  WSUAA

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What well cover

• Relevant trends
• Positioning the board
• Importance of strategic planning
• Setting goals

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Adapted from

• Jennifer A. McDonough Bentz Whaley Flessner
• Web seminarDec. 8, 2005

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Trends take note!

• Interdependence with development and
  communications
• Movement away from the social model

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Trends take note!

• Emergence of volunteer opps in the areas of
  admissions, advocacy, career services

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Trends take note!

• Opportunities for finite yet meaningful volunteer
  opportunities

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Trends take note!

• Increased emphasis on and impact of
  e-communications

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Positioning the board Board recruitment
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What are your board recruiting objectives?
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Build your board with this tenet in mind
Ultimately, alumni should be top of mind
within the institutions leadership, goals and
strategies, and your board is an important
conduit.
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Creating the board

• Audit your current/returning members for
  background, skills, interests represented
• Develop a relevant profile for new and
  prospective members

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Creating the board

• Know your mission and vision
• Define position descriptions for board as a
  whole, individuals and committees

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Creating the board

• Articulate expectations for time and involvement
• Involve top leadership in member recruitment, or
  at least in welcoming new members/confirming
  expectations for service

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Setting and defining expectations

• Know your mission and vision
• Define position descriptions for board as a
  whole, individuals and committees

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Formalizing the board

• Set expectations yours and the board members
• Implement orientation and training

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Formalizing the board

• Set up feedback channels
• Formal, annual
• Informal, periodically
• After each meeting

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Formalizing the board

• Define terms of service
• Anticipate succession plan
• Formalize opportunities to engage prospective
  members

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Improving board understanding and performance
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Questions toward board improvement
Is board service worthwhile?

• Responsibilities clear and well-managed?
• Board taken seriously and deals with substantive
  issues?

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Questions toward board improvement
Does the board have a serious impact?

• Are there strategic goals?
• How are goals defined?
• Are the goals complementary to the national
  alumni association and to the school/college?

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Questions toward board improvement
Do we respect members time and talents?

• Are meetings well-structured and time-managed?
• Do we
• listen as well as tell?
• value feedback and input?
• Use board members talent, creativity, skills and
  experiences?

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Questions toward board improvement
Is board service fun?

• Enjoyable?
• Right tone?
• Do board members seem to find relationships with
  peers and the school/college rewarding?

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What should be the alumni boards positioning
within the university/school/college/programadva
ncement plan?
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Development stages of a volunteer
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Relationship to institution
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Expression of connections
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How can my board maximize its profile?

• Develop annual (or longer-term) plans and submit
  them to your dean/program director for
  approval/buy-in
• Maintain visibility in communications vehicles
  (WS mag, school/college pubs, Web)

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How can my board maximize its profile?

• Participate in advocate and ambassador
  opportunities (e.g., Grad Fair, Scholars Day,
  Alumni Day in Lansing)
• Recognize alumni who exemplify the values and
  achievements of the institution

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How can my board maximize its profile?

• Provide regular engagement opportunities for
  members (e.g., special events, continuing ed
  programs)
• Assist in the development plan for your unit
  (e.g., strategic use of alumni awards or other
  programs)

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Questions?