Old boys and girls take a lot of pride in their former schools. This is why alumni relations officers work to maintain a vibrant relationship between the former students and their former school. This relationship is mutually beneficial since students benefit the school while the school enhances career and personal progress of students involved. However, it takes a lot of work to keep such relationships working. Here are tips that will keep the association active.
Value all students without paying attention to their social progress or economic status. The most socially mobile and economically endowed persons find it easier to respond to invitations. This is likely to blind you into ignoring those not in the limelight. This causes you to miss incredible opportunities to involve them in your activities. You limit their participation in your future activities when their statuses have also changed.
Plan regular activities where they are invited to participate. A routine is preferred because it makes it easier for them to plan. One activity should be specifically for the alumni while another takes place in school. Be modest with your activities to allow them to participate without failing to attend to work or social responsibilities at personal level.
Cluster the members depending on their years of leaving school. Students who left in the same year have memories to share. It is these memories that they come to reminisce whenever they meet. Students who were not in the same year feel like strangers to each other. This will interfere with free interactions.
Handle their concerns as well. Most organizations focus on pulling resources in aid of the school. However, former students have social and career lives that need the involvement of the school. It could involve issuing of a recommendation letter, release of certificates, recommendation for positions and addressing of social welfare. When such issues are addressed, the relationship feels mutually beneficial.
Communicate with them using modern technology. The internet has made it even easier to stay in-touch regardless of distance. New technology emerges every so often that makes conversations easier to hold. Using the old phone numbers they had issued will leave you stuck in an old era. New technology is far reaching, cheaper and more reliable. In fact, they have embraced this technology and are already using it. It will cost you less to get in-touch using modern technology.
Involve the former students in planning your activities. They come with ideas and resources that make the events enjoyable. They no longer want to feel like students who have to be told everything. They are excellent in mobilizing their peers to join your activity because they want to meet again. Their mobilization skills and network will make it easy for you to achieve your desired goals.
Think beyond your locality when tapping into the alumni network. Students spread to all ends of the world upon graduation. By focusing on your area only, you will be leaving out a very big chunk of them. Consider activities and involvement of these former students in areas away from the institution.
Value all students without paying attention to their social progress or economic status. The most socially mobile and economically endowed persons find it easier to respond to invitations. This is likely to blind you into ignoring those not in the limelight. This causes you to miss incredible opportunities to involve them in your activities. You limit their participation in your future activities when their statuses have also changed.
Plan regular activities where they are invited to participate. A routine is preferred because it makes it easier for them to plan. One activity should be specifically for the alumni while another takes place in school. Be modest with your activities to allow them to participate without failing to attend to work or social responsibilities at personal level.
Cluster the members depending on their years of leaving school. Students who left in the same year have memories to share. It is these memories that they come to reminisce whenever they meet. Students who were not in the same year feel like strangers to each other. This will interfere with free interactions.
Handle their concerns as well. Most organizations focus on pulling resources in aid of the school. However, former students have social and career lives that need the involvement of the school. It could involve issuing of a recommendation letter, release of certificates, recommendation for positions and addressing of social welfare. When such issues are addressed, the relationship feels mutually beneficial.
Communicate with them using modern technology. The internet has made it even easier to stay in-touch regardless of distance. New technology emerges every so often that makes conversations easier to hold. Using the old phone numbers they had issued will leave you stuck in an old era. New technology is far reaching, cheaper and more reliable. In fact, they have embraced this technology and are already using it. It will cost you less to get in-touch using modern technology.
Involve the former students in planning your activities. They come with ideas and resources that make the events enjoyable. They no longer want to feel like students who have to be told everything. They are excellent in mobilizing their peers to join your activity because they want to meet again. Their mobilization skills and network will make it easy for you to achieve your desired goals.
Think beyond your locality when tapping into the alumni network. Students spread to all ends of the world upon graduation. By focusing on your area only, you will be leaving out a very big chunk of them. Consider activities and involvement of these former students in areas away from the institution.
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