In the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, we’ve witnessed businesses, organizations, economies, health care systems, individuals, and more suffer on a global scale. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has cast a grim outlook on almost everything, many are still committed to doing good deeds. Take for example New York veterinarians donating ventilators to hospitals in need, or Disney executives taking salary cuts to sustain employees’ wages. These days, you don’t need to be a billionaire to make a difference. Whether you lead an organization or are simply an individual looking to do your part, online tools can help.
Ways to help with online fundraising
Coordinating an online fundraiser is one way to aid an organization or individuals in need. Online fundraising utilizes payments technology that makes it convenient for donors to give when they want, where they want, and how they want. For example, someone could give by accessing a donation website while sheltering in place using their credit card. Consider some of these different types of donation campaigns: Day of giving: A giving day is a one-day donation campaign that raises funds in the span of 24 hours. The GivingTuesday organization recently announced May 5, 2020, as #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity in response to unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The organization is known for launching #GivingTuesday during the holiday season, however, its partners and leaders are actively galvanizing supporters to step up in any way they can right now. Giving days are successful for a variety of organizations and causes because concerted promotion efforts are focused on one day, usually on an anniversary. Examples of a day-of-giving campaign include a Founders’ Day for fraternal organizations, Pi Day (3/14), and #GivingTuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving holiday). Note: memberplanet users can log in to use a #GivingTuesdayNow template. Peer-to-peer fundraising: Also known as crowdfunding, this type of campaign leverages the reach of an individual’s relationships. Fundraising is personal; people donate because of their connection to an organization, whether that exists in the form of membership or someone they know who is affiliated with the organization. Usually, those who coordinate a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign will enlist the help of ambassadors – a volunteer or supporter – that can champion the fundraiser using their personal story on behalf of an organization. Utilizing social media, video, and photos help to drive the emotional connection with donors. Online auction: In an effort to replace traditional jog-a-thons and live events that had to be canceled due to social distancing restrictions, some organizations have gotten more creative. Live online auctions can be facilitated using a technology solution that incorporates streaming or real-time updates, however, a silent online auction is a much simpler coordination effort that can be just as effective. One would only need to utilize a survey form to auction off merchandise, gift packages, and other items that can be delivered to winning bidders. Ongoing donation campaigns: These types of campaigns can last for a few days, a school year, or continue indefinitely. To keep promotion efforts going over an extended period of time, it helps to tie in a theme to a fundraising initiative. Examples include Greek week, Autism Awareness Month, or a year-long centennial celebration. Organizations can increase their chances of receiving larger donations by offering installment payments. This allows donors to pay a sum of money in smaller parts over a fixed period of time. For a longer lasting donation campaign, installment payments are all the more appealing to both donors and charities. Other ways to give Giving monetarily is just one way of helping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some individuals have taken it upon themselves to create DIY face masks or organize grassroots efforts to create enough to donate to shorthanded hospitals. Even one of memberplanet’s team members put her sewing abilities to use to create face masks with HEPA filters to donate to a local hospital. Another team member is utilizing Nextdoor, an app that allows him to connect with neighbors and do grocery runs for the elderly and others who are at higher risk for COVID-19. Others are also donating snacks, food, and writing thank-you letters for their community hospital staff.
Whichever way you choose to do your part, whether it’s by donating money, goods, your time, or just sheltering in place, modern technology has a way of making it easier. memberplanet can simplify online fundraising efforts for organizations of all sizes. Fraternal organizations can utilize the Funds Multiplier, a fundraising solution for fraternal communities to manage campaigns, engage supporters, and grow donations. To learn more, schedule a chat with our team.
About Matt ArnoldAs our Vice President of Business Development, Matt is dedicated to serving member-based organizations and small to mid-sized associations. With over 10 years of experience wearing various leadership hats as an Alpha Tau Omega alumnus, Matt specializes in all fraternal organization matters. Whether a group is challenged with growing membership or struggling to engage members, he's got a solution.
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I’m used to working from home – and I’m fortunate that my work provides this opportunity – but many organization and association leaders are still getting accustomed to this new normal. Given that social distancing guidelines have recently been extended to fight the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), non-essential employees could be working from home for quite a while. I’ve compiled a few tips with resources and personal recommendations, especially for association leaders who’ve realized that teleworking has its own set of challenges.
1. Assign a separate tech lead for virtual meetings
Every organization is different in the way it conducts meetings, whether by video or phone conference. If you are meeting with more than five or six people, it’s easier when those who are facilitating assign someone to manage technical tools. This doesn’t have to be an IT professional, but anyone who is familiar with the tools you’re using. When the facilitator is freed up to not worry about technical aspects, he or she can focus on leading with strategy, Associations Now points out. When leading a conversation, it’s critical to understand who’s engaged as well as be strategic in engaging others to give feedback. 2. Establish a regular routine, but be flexible Distractions can run rampant when working from home. Limited childcare options might mean you have young children to take care of while you work. There may be times when your next-door neighbor is doing some noisy yardwork. Whatever the case, setting boundaries and following your regular routine as much as possible will help minimize distractions and be more productive. Communicating your routine to others in your household, as well as to other colleagues if necessary, will help you stay the course. When you do find yourself derailed by an unexpected distraction, be flexible (with your colleagues as well). Everyone is acclimating to this unprecedented situation in different ways, so it’s OK to cut yourself some slack. 3. Set up a workspace Working from an in-home office is ideal, but if you don’t have that option, consider making a space for yourself where you’ll have some privacy and a desk or table that is well lit. I would not recommend working from the bed or couch – places that are less likely to be ergonomically friendly when you need to be in front of a computer – and it’s too tempting for our brains to be in relaxation mode in those areas. Designating a workstation for yourself will help you increase productivity and maintain a better work-life balance, Forbes suggests. 4. Build trust with transparency If you’re managing staff, checking in occasionally is fine, but overdoing it can be counterproductive. How do you know if your staff isn’t bingeing on Netflix’s “Tiger King” all day? Inc. says the opposite is usually true – people tend to work more from home because it’s harder to “leave” work. To build trust, lead by example. Exhibit the work ethic you expect from your staff and promote transparency by openly sharing information. 5. Strengthen rapport My last tip is essential to foster meaningful connections with your staff and colleagues. If your organization hosted regular activities to encourage camaraderie among coworkers, carry that over to virtual events. Not every activity has crossover characteristics, but you can still recognize birthdays and host virtual happy hours (memberplanet recently had its first virtual happy hour, too!) while practicing social distancing. Friendly banter in chat channels can also work to spark creativity. Consider designating a few channels for coworkers to have conversations that would usually take place at the water cooler.
We’re all still adjusting to the new normal amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and now that many people across the United States are hunkered down, sheltering in place, you’ve probably done some thinking about what to do about your upcoming association event later this year. There are still a lot of unknowns about the new coronavirus, including how long this pandemic will last. If you’re considering canceling/postponing your event or going virtual, we summed up a few of the best resources widely shared among event organizers for you. (You can peruse them as you enjoy your beans.)
Postpone or cancel your event
Bevy’s CMX Hub comprehensive list: This 9-minute read packs plenty of links to resources and advice from reputable sources. We love how this list includes force majeure language and real examples of communication sent to communities regarding COVID-19. World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations: This is helpful as a follow-up after a COVID-19 outbreak has ended in your community, and the downloadable document lists must-do tasks: Designate a liaison to establish communication with local and national public health authorities, conduct risk assessment, and more. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: General guidelines and resources can be found here, including recommendations for businesses, schools, and institutes of higher learning. As the situation develops, we expect more info to be posted regarding large events and mass gatherings. Go virtual Associations Now tips: The article recounts how a major organization canceled its international annual summit, then offered its members a two-day virtual event that addressed business continuity topics in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Associations Now also offers tips on how to get meeting participants more comfortable with virtual events. Virtual’s key considerations, part 2 of 3: The association management company’s three-part articles detail the decision process in deciding whether to go online, how to create an engaging experience, and how their staff transformed their annual meeting into a virtual event. Hootsuite’s virtual events how-to: The guide takes you through multiple social media tools to help boost interaction and engagement on social, and also lists different webinar, livestream, and conference platforms with descriptions. Key takeaways Overcommunicate – some people may get annoyed with an influx of COVID-19 emails, but if they paid for a ticket to your event, this is not the time to be skimping out on details. If you haven’t decided whether to postpone or cancel, at the very least, let them know through multiple channels (mass email, your website, etc.) that you’re still deciding as the situation continues to develop. Promote with caution – If your event is farther out than the Olympics and you’re confident you’ll be able to host your event as planned, survey the situation so your promotion efforts remain tactful. With technology (much of it free) at our fingertips, event organizers find that going virtual is one of the easiest ways to stay connected and still host their event during these uncertain times.
In business, the repeat or returning customer is crucial to the overall health and growth of the business. Annual alumni events are an element of your “business”; your alumni chapter leaders should approach them with the same focus. There are a vast number of event-related factors that determine the success of your annual event. Not all factors are out of your control. This means that those details that are within your power to control – absolutely should be included in your event planning. The following key factors are essential to a successful event that contributes to the growth of your alumni chapter, year after year.
Select a suitable venue
Location, location, location. It’s everything. Not because it literally frames your event, but because without a locked-in venue, very little else can be done in terms of preparation and promotion. Try to select and book your location as early as you can, sometimes even six months or more out, if that’s what it takes to ensure you get just the right space. Try to find something with a memorable feature such as a city view or a ballroom with ambiance, anything that helps create unique memories for your guests. Set up an actionable timeline Six months in advance is an ideal timeframe to begin planning everything you’ll need to do prior to the big day. Develop your promotion plan: Initial invites, follow-ups, and RSVP checks should all have set dates on your timeline to maximize your guest attendance. Including planned publicity and promotion, like social media blasts and flyer handout sessions, are great ways to ensure that your event promotion stays on track.
Identify and utilize volunteers
Take time to find volunteers within your alumni chapter, and not just those who check a box, but also those who are committed to the chapter and will help do more as a willing advocate. These are the people who will actively look to notify people from their era or age range and help them attend the event. They will enthusiastically share your message without being tasked to. For example, if your event is focused on the ’80s find someone within your target audience who will help champion your event effectively. Since people almost always bring a plus-one to events, it helps if your volunteers are well known and have clout within their social circles. Build a rock-solid communication strategy There may be more to event promotion than flyers and word of mouth nowadays, but don’t let the classics fall to the wayside when defining your communication strategy. Take advantage of a multi-channel approach. This includes using social media, both your alumni chapter’s and your members’ social media. Text messages are great for reminders and event updates because of their fast delivery and high open rates. Flyers and mailers may be considered traditional promotion materials, but they remain effective among older demographics. They can broaden your reach with some members who rarely check their email or may have moved off of social media. Be sure your alumni chapter leaders are engaging in a multi-channel communication plan because there is no such thing as too much awareness for your event. Use online event registration Allow attendees to register online for the event; in addition to offering offline registration, this will help ensure everyone who wants to attend can conveniently register on any mobile device. Whenever a potential attendee hears or reads about the event (through your website, social media post, email, etc.), they can immediately access the online registration link and complete the form. Limiting the chances for people to forget to register, or forget about the event overall, is much simpler now that the registration process is a few clicks away. Online registration also helps alumni chapter leaders and event organizers because it gives them a clearer picture of actual attendance. Having a number of expected attendees can help save money on food, beverages, and other related controllable costs; alumni chapter leaders can also monitor member attendance and nudge those who haven’t yet registered.
Keep attendees engaged with other day-of activities
Encourage event guests to arrive early and keep them engaged during other lulls in the event by planning smaller activities around the main event. You can create social media challenges, happy hour specials, raffles, or party-type games like a golf putting contest. This helps build a well-rounded event that keeps guests constantly entertained. Fun equals repeat attendance, and it helps create more pertinent memories for the event, leading attendees to create buzz that increases turnout for the following year. (Need event ideas? Check out 10 Customizable Event Ideas for Alumni Chapters.) Take advantage of the fundraising opportunity Your event is the time to take advantage of face-to-face interactions you’ll have with attendees. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote a worthy cause and strengthen relationships while encouraging members and guests to donate. Make sure to identify a strong purpose to donate and communicate that to attendees. There are big financial benefits if alumni leaders have the capability to collect funds on location. Collecting funds right away whether via cash or credit card payments, allows alumni leaders to not only send customized, automated thank-you emails, but also acknowledge donors for their contribution during the event. Consistency is a foundational element to a successful annual event. Set a consistent bar of professionalism, preparedness, and focus in the months leading up to the event and you’ll see results year after year. Trust in the rewards of the work you put in. Implementing a chapter management solution for your organization can cut down on time spent on manual tasks, especially for event planning. The memberplanet platform helps alumni officers grow event success year over year with multi-channel communication tools, online event registration, and reporting to track event and transaction data. Set up a chat with the memberplanet team to learn more. About Matt ArnoldAs our Vice President of Business Development, Matt is dedicated to serving member-based organizations and small to mid-sized associations. With over 10 years of experience wearing various leadership hats as an Alpha Tau Omega alumnus, Matt specializes in all fraternal organization matters. Whether a group is challenged with growing membership or struggling to engage members, he's got a solution. Whether you’re the leader of a fraternal group, a religious group, a nonprofit, or any other type of organization, there’s a good chance that the beginning of the quarter or the change of seasons will mean a time of transition in admins to a new guard. Or, it could just mean that the calendar will be a lot busier, and extra hands will be needed to execute your group’s plans. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for the departure of your current group of seasoned officers, or the necessary addition of other capable personnel to the mix – but really, all you need to do is remember a few important things. 1. Plan ahead, and then plan earlier As any good recruiter will tell, the first step to give your group the most optimal chance of continued success is to give everyone the widest possible space and time to not be caught by surprise. Observe who’s currently doing what for your group at each level of the organization, and then project into the future who’ll be serving in those functions in both the short and long term. While there’s a good chance that folks will already be chomping at the bit to volunteer for new positions of responsibility, you should always be ready to actively look for someone to fill the spot(s). Recruitment-wise, build in enough time to find and prepare your successors before they’re on the job. Whatever time you think will be necessary to cover the basics and beyond, add in a bit more of a time buffer to the duration just in case. 2. Know the idea, and the ideal Use your own experience to guide the creation of your own actual list of requirements – yes, a written down list – of what’s needed for the position. What’s worked for your group in the past? What hasn’t worked? What do you wish you would have known before starting your role? As the person who’s been performing these functions over time, you’re really the best suited to know the “idea” of the role. Keep in mind, too, your sense of the “ideal” candidate. While no one may completely fit that bill (truth be told, probably no one does, or should be expected to… but they can come in varying degrees of close), you should seek someone who possesses the key traits. Are they good verbal and written communicators? Are they timely in performing tasks? Are they problem solvers and innovators? Do they understand the group’s immediate and future goals? 3. Choose players who’ve played, and played well The best lead players for your group’s game likely already exist in the group. They understand the dynamics from the inside out, and they’ve also seen how your leadership has played out and helped further the group to reach its goals. Using your organization’s own members and many of the functionalities on the memberplanet platform, you’ve also got some key advantages. You can gauge who’s interested in assuming a leadership position via volunteer sign-up. You can launch an email campaign to announce positions that will be vacant. You can also survey your members about their interest in upcoming leadership positions. And just as importantly, you can analyze your members’ involvement through the organization’s activities, such as who RSVP’d to an event. Chances are high that the best next officers for the organization are members who have been involved in a lot of the group’s efforts, and that will be reflected in a concrete way in their participation. Log in to check it out. Updated since original publication on 2/5/2018.
One thing that's always on the mind of component relations professionals (CRPs) is how to boost chapter performance. After all, improving chapter performance or helping a struggling component benefits the association as a whole, including the membership experience.
In my video, which is just two minutes and 30 seconds, I offer two helpful pro tips and go into some detail on how you can accomplish these: Pro Tip 1: Stay in Touch with Struggling Chapter Reps
Pro Tip 2: Empower Your Chapters with the Tools They Need
Take a look at the full video below and let me know what you think!
It’s a point of pride to be recognized within your own community for three consecutive years! memberplanet earned second place in the Tech Tribune’s 2020 top five ranking of the best tech startups in Torrance, CA. We’re proud to be recognized for our dedication to our clients’ growth and rewarded for our focus on simplifying membership management.
We strive to continuously improve our platform by utilizing input from our clients and the challenges their administrative users face. That enables us to deliver solutions based on real-world situations. We’re incredibly proud of the fact that our platform is customizable to your workflow processes, which allows us to serve a wide range of organizations and associations across multiple industries – it’s what makes us different. We’re always excited about the local recognition and look at it as a confirmation that we’re doing something right. Ready to take your organization to the next level? Schedule a demo with our team to learn more about our powerful platform.
Updated since original publication on 04/24/18.
Does it feel like your organization loses momentum with every new leadership transition? Here are four ways memberplanet helps you manage officer transition: 1. New leaders won't have to recreate the wheel Your organization's account is continuous, even as its leadership changes hands. This means that all previously created content is available to be copied, customized, and reused. Leadership will have an easier time making use of your organization's templates as your group builds up a cache of fantastic, branded content. Additionally, all form responses, payments, and member notes will remain in your organization's reporting, making historical information accessible to new leaders and admin users when they need it. 2. Accomplish administrative tasks all on one platform The learning curve for new leaders is steep, especially if you’re utilizing different software platforms for every task. However, if you’re using memberplanet, new administrative users will have much fewer programs and apps to learn. We purposefully designed our various modules to have similar workflow. Once you’ve learned how to build a form or event, building a donation site or anything else on memberplanet will be a breeze. And, of course, admins will benefit from automated membership features; they can spend more time providing value to the organization instead of on mundane tasks. 3. Share the load by delegating The platform allows you to add an unlimited number of administrative users to your group account - free of charge. Other membership management software will charge you per admin user, and sometimes per member. memberplanet allows you to share administrative access with one or more incoming leaders without relinquishing your own admin capability or sharing login credentials. So go ahead, share the workload with others. The platform was built with your organization's growth in mind. 4. Keep sensitive data private with admin role management
Adding unlimited admins is convenient, but we also have tools in place to ensure your organization's data and funds stay secure, even among admins. Full-Access Admins have the capability to restrict other leaders’ view and/or edit access to different modules. For example, you can create an admin role for a user to manage your online events without giving accessibility to view or edit your organization's bank account info (and we absolutely recommend you take advantage of this feature). Leadership transition is one of the many organizational challenges leaders face. Fortunately for you, our team is committed to simplifying all things membership management, including officer transitions. Simplifying membership is our constant focus! You can check out more tips on officer transition here on the blog. We at memberplanet take security seriously. Protecting your data – both personal and payment information – is our top priority. We continually update our security measures to ensure that your information is kept safe against loss, misuse, unauthorized access, unauthorized disclosure, manipulation, or destruction. In addition to trusting us with your data, you should feel that you have complete control over the information you provide online, and so should the people in your group. The GDPR – a term you’ve probably heard before – is meant to empower European Union citizens, but we see this as being relevant to all our customers, regardless of where they reside. Here’s what you need to know, the choices your members have, and what to expect. What is the GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new set of data procedures designed to protect and empower all European Union (EU) citizens’ data privacy. UK residents are also included. The GDPR replaces the 1995 Data Protection Directive and is arguably the most significant change in data privacy regulation in 20 years. It’s meant to boost consumer confidence and data transparency in our digital economy and in turn business. When did the GDPR go into effect? On May 25, 2018. Organizations found in non-compliance risk significant fines. Whom does the GDPR affect? The GDPR applies to organizations that collect, share, and/or store the data of EU citizens. For example, if there’s a chance your U.S.-based organization collects personal data of EU citizens, you may need to adjust and demonstrate that your methods of collecting, sharing, and/or storing that data is compliant to the GDPR starting May 25, 2018. These terms define whom the GDPR affects in relation to the data collected: Personal data: any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person Controllers: people or organizations that determine the purposes and essential means of the processing of personal data Processors: people or organizations that process personal data on behalf of a controller Processing: any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction In relation to the GDPR’s definitions, memberplanet is considered a processor – we process personal data on behalf of controllers, which are our customers, groups, clients, and organizations that use memberplanet even on a free subscription plan. What is the penalty for non-compliance? The maximum penalty for organizations in breach of GDPR is up to 4% of annual global revenue or €20 million (whichever is greater). There is also a tiered approach. For example, a company can be fined 2% for not having their records in order, not notifying the supervising authority and data subject about a breach, or not conducting impact assessment. At the EU level, Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) are empowered to monitor compliance. Fines apply to controllers and processors, so this is something you don’t want to ignore. How does the GDPR affect memberplanet customers? The GDPR details the following key procedures and rights of EU citizens, and if you collect their data, you are obligated to comply with these: Consent Get clear consent to process data. Terms and conditions must be easily accessible with the purpose for data processing attached to that consent. Use clear and plain language. Also, permit withdrawal of consent. It must be as easy to withdraw consent as it is to give it. Right to Be Forgotten (Data Erasure) Erase personal data if the data subject asks. Data subjects are entitled to have the controller erase his or her personal data, cease further dissemination of the data, and potentially have third parties halt processing of data. Exemptions include if the data is needed to exercise freedom of expression, a legal obligation to keep that data, and reasons of public interest, such as public health research purposes. Right to Access Let people access their data and receive confirmation as to whether or not their personal data is being processed, where and for what purpose. You’re obligated to provide an electronic copy of their data to them - free of charge. Data Portability Data subjects have the right to receive their personal data in a common machine-readable format that allows them to give it to another company. Breach Notification Inform people of data breaches if there is serious risk to them. You must do this within 72 hours of first having become aware of the breach. For more details on exemptions and key changes to the previous directive, you can visit the European Commission’s website. What choices do my members have regarding their personal data? Members may request to view, update, or delete their information by submitting a request for info or deletion or emailing us at compliance@memberplanet.com. Please note that some information may remain in our records, for example in our archives, after a request for deletion of such information. We may use any aggregated data derived from or incorporating members’ personal information after they update or delete it, but not in a manner that would identify them personally. Please also note that comments posted publicly on our website properties, such as comments on our blog posts, will remain visible to the public. Important to note:
The information in this article is not meant to be a substitute for legal advice. Only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice appropriate for your organization’s particular situation. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/info/index_en Updated since original date of publication on 05/24/2018.
The networks created within higher education last longer than the standard four years it takes to earn a degree. People can recognize a fellow alum anywhere in the world through Greek life apparel. A perfect stranger becomes an instant colleague because of the shared experience at a university.
Alumni chapter leaders should develop events that elevate and deepen this network, concurrently inspiring alumni to donate and support the mission of their fraternal organizations. If you’re struggling to come up with fresh ideas to fill your calendar, we’ve got your back. Here are 10 popular and easily customizable event ideas for alumni chapter leaders to better engage their alumni community.
1. Sporting events
It’s a crisp fall day, and thousands of people in matching jerseys and sweaters enter a stadium. They all know the same songs and cheers for their team. Alumni chapter leaders can easily tap into sports fandom. Find events that your members would already attend and promote your own event or get-together while they’re there. For example, a lot of organizations have events at Wrigley Field, and the Chicago Cubs hosted HBCU Day there in Sept. 2019. It would be easy to find out what events the university is hosting there and piggyback on it to have your own alumni event included. 2. Golf scrambles Break out those plaid sweaters and trusty clubs! If golf is a shared interest among alumni chapter members, you can host a golf scramble to 1. get friends together, and 2. raise money for a cause. In a traditional scramble, attendees group together in teams of four. Each team member has a chance to tee off, but everyone plays from the spot of the best shot. This format takes the pressure off the individual score and allows forgiveness for frustrating shots into the sand trap. It all ends up being a lot of fun and enables your members to give back at the same time. 3. Happy hours What could be easier than organizing an alumni happy hour? This low-maintenance activity is perfect if you’re looking to get your first event set up for your alumni chapter. If your members live in different cities around the world, pick a location that’s in proximity for the majority. To boost attendance, identify people from different eras or generations to act as event sponsors and encourage more people to come. Maybe ask the bartender to provide a signature drink in honor of your alma mater and promote the gathering on social networks to broaden your reach.
4. Homecoming
Homecoming weekend can be much more than one event. With current and former students returning to campus, alumni leaders can capitalize on a large membership base all in the same place at the same time. Work with the university ahead of time and coordinate your alumni chapter event with theirs — you’ll get a lot of freebies in terms of promotion, such as inclusion in the university’s alumni magazine, event calendar, email newsletter, and any other items they send out. Another idea is to find out what’s happening at the chapter house (if you have one) and piggyback on that event. Make sure that, among the football games and parades, alumni chapters have their own smaller events for members to relive memories with friends from their era. 5. Chapter events Most Greek communities and honor societies have longstanding events and ceremonies in which current and former members can share. Whether they’re initiations, galas, or graduations, it’s important to remind and invite alumni to return and participate in the customs and rituals of their communities. In the busy day-to-day of post-collegiate life, alumni chapter leaders can help increase member attendance by providing early notice and an annual calendar of major events. 6. Founders Day and anniversary celebrations Founders Day is always a big deal whether it’s the 150th or 25th anniversary. Plan a special gathering to honor founders’ ideals and celebrate the continued commitment of membership. You can also tie in a fundraising campaign to benefit the undergrad chapter. Whatever you plan to do, make sure to invite headquarters and have someone attend and do a short presentation as a representative of the international organization. Kick event promotion up a notch by getting a steering committee together to get the word out through social media, emails, and calls. Anniversary celebrations for special dates should be hosted on location; reunion weekends can incite older members to return to campus and see how their legacy thrives. Small events can really decorate an anniversary celebration — i.e., a silent auction with campus memorabilia or a meet and greet with undergrad members.
7. Social media contests and holiday events
Holidays are great opportunities for alumni chapter leaders. The theme and décor allow for eye-catching festivities! If holiday decorating is popular among members, plan a photo submission contest – members can submit entries through the chapter’s social network. Featured finalists can be posted on your alumni website and everyone can vote on a winner. This also gives you the opportunity to boost social engagement and followers. Make sure you have an awesome incentive, and if you do decide to host an elaborate contest, post official rules beforehand. Planning for colder weather? In-person events can include ski weekends, religious services, or maybe a polar plunge. 8. Super Bowl/March Madness Beyond campus sporting events, national teams garner strong ties and enthusiasm. Would a friendly March Madness pool or Super Bowl bet be of high interest among your members? These are typically free to organize and need little effort to manage. Alumni chapter leaders can easily promote engagement among members without needing to host an event. A pool could act as an online fundraiser as well. If your members would like to meet up, coordinating watch parties for the big games is also fun and highly engaging. 9. Fantasy leagues Continuing along the vein of sports-related activities, alumni chapters can participate in their own fantasy leagues. These are simple to set up and have built-in leaderboards and discussion boards for some friendly squabbling. Moreover, members can participate no matter where they live. Even those with busy schedules can usually take advantage of auto-draft functionality and mobile apps.
10. Feature alumni speakers and artists
It’s essential to celebrate the successes of alumni chapter members. Inviting them to speak or present can be a great way to honor them, inspire current members, and get more of their communities involved. Whether this is part of a larger event like Homecoming weekend or a standalone event, alumni have a chance to gather to celebrate and learn from one of their own. Encourage speakers to highlight how their experiences on campus and as alumni have augmented their achievements. Artists can showcase at a gallery-like event with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. After the event, consider posting a recording or pictures of highlights from the get-together on your website and social networks – leverage past events to garner buzz for the next ones. Planning engaging events for your members helps keep them active and entices others to join your alumni group. All of the aforementioned events can be tied to your organization’s mission, fundraising goals, networking initiatives, or celebration of member accomplishments. Try out these events or use them as a springboard for more ideas for your alumni chapter. About Matt ArnoldAs our Vice President of Business Development, Matt is dedicated to serving member-based organizations and small to mid-sized associations. With over 10 years of experience wearing various leadership hats as an Alpha Tau Omega alumnus, Matt specializes in all fraternal organization matters. Whether a group is challenged with growing membership or struggling to engage members, he's got a solution. |