Are Chapters Really Worth It?
or
Are Chapters Really Worth It? Heath Bowman Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations | East Carolina University President and CEO | East Carolina Alumni Association, Inc.
Let’s be honest. There’s no secret manual. Volunteers will be volunteers.
I’m no expert, but I’m here to help.
Let’s be honest. Alumni chapters that embrace synergy and align with our mission can be powerful engagement engines. Chapters can also make you feel like you are chasing a rolling dumpster fire downhill.
By the Numbers
Let’s be honest. 68% of associations report a general lack of engagement among their alumni.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Let’s be honest. 33% of associations in North America report that at least half of their alumni/ae live in a different state/province.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Let’s be honest. 87% of associations say they do an inadequate job of connecting with young alumni.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Let’s be honest. 31% of associations don’t know the percentage of young alumni in their database.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
A Shifting Landscape 62% of associations report shifting focus from benefits toward a “social cause” model.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
A Shifting Landscape Only 13% of associations report that benefits offered “have the ability to motivate alumni to join, give or engage.”
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Key Takeaway Today, we [give] [join] [engage] to solve a problem.
A Shifting Landscape 74% of associations in 2016 are oriented toward a nondues paying model.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
A Shifting Landscape
AAs at large institutions (budget > $1M) engage 9% of their alumni through member dues on average.
AAs at smaller institutions (budget < $1M) engage 3.7% of their alumni through member dues on average.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Key Takeaway In order to inspire our alumni to take action, we have to better articulate our WHY.
A Shifting Landscape 67% of associations in 2016 are integrated, or are in discussions to integrate, with development/advancement.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Key Takeaway Alumni chapters have powerful storytelling potential.
Strained Resources 75% of associations report their biggest concern is a lack of sufficient staffing.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Strained Resources 64% of associations have not seen a staffing increase in over five years; 26% have seen a decrease.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Key Takeaway Thriving alumni chapters empower volunteers.
Recap of Key Takeaways Alumni today [give] [join] [engage] to solve a problem.
In order to inspire our alumni to take action, we have to better articulate our WHY. Alumni chapters have powerful storytelling potential. Thriving alumni chapters empower volunteers.
Good News 71% of associations report that chapters, clubs and reunions are the most impactful way to engage alumni.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Synergy (n.) An interaction of elements that, when combined, produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.
Dictionary.com
Embracing Synergy
Parents & Students
Admissions
Alumni Development
Athletics Academic Prestige
Embracing Synergy Alumni today [give] [join] [engage] to solve a problem. How do our chapters solve a problem? Support local students in need Reduce “barriers to participation” Distance, time, money, familiarity Form more personal relationships with the institution “cell effect” Champion higher education
Embracing Synergy In order to inspire our alumni to take action, we have to better articulate our WHY. “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” -Simon Sinek Why > How > What
Cascades from association outward Airbnb - Belong anywhere
Embracing Synergy Alumni chapters have powerful storytelling potential. How can chapters tell great stories?
Happy hours and watch parties are not the future. Nothing moves the needle like digital. Empower storytelling through open lines of communication. Treat your chapter leaders as key stakeholders. Embrace the reality of “constant campaigns.”
Embracing Synergy Thriving alumni chapters empower volunteers. How we can help them to help themselves?
Chapters should be treated as an extension of the association staff. There is a science behind volunteer management.
Recruit Orient/Train Supervise/Evaluate Recognize
A little recognition goes a long way.
You can do this. We’re all struggling with our own dumpster fires – and with a constantly shifting landscape that is out of our immediate control. Turn yours into a rolling dumpster of positive momentum by embracing synergy.
Circle in on your “Why?” – and empower your chapter leaders to help tell stories about how your institution is solving real problems.
Questions?
Heath Bowman [email protected] o: 252.328.1950 c: 479.586.6551
Are Chapters Really Worth It? Heath Bowman Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations | East Carolina University President and CEO | East Carolina Alumni Association, Inc.
Let’s be honest. There’s no secret manual. Volunteers will be volunteers.
I’m no expert, but I’m here to help.
Let’s be honest. Alumni chapters that embrace synergy and align with our mission can be powerful engagement engines. Chapters can also make you feel like you are chasing a rolling dumpster fire downhill.
By the Numbers
Let’s be honest. 68% of associations report a general lack of engagement among their alumni.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Let’s be honest. 33% of associations in North America report that at least half of their alumni/ae live in a different state/province.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Let’s be honest. 87% of associations say they do an inadequate job of connecting with young alumni.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Let’s be honest. 31% of associations don’t know the percentage of young alumni in their database.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
A Shifting Landscape 62% of associations report shifting focus from benefits toward a “social cause” model.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
A Shifting Landscape Only 13% of associations report that benefits offered “have the ability to motivate alumni to join, give or engage.”
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Key Takeaway Today, we [give] [join] [engage] to solve a problem.
A Shifting Landscape 74% of associations in 2016 are oriented toward a nondues paying model.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
A Shifting Landscape
AAs at large institutions (budget > $1M) engage 9% of their alumni through member dues on average.
AAs at smaller institutions (budget < $1M) engage 3.7% of their alumni through member dues on average.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Key Takeaway In order to inspire our alumni to take action, we have to better articulate our WHY.
A Shifting Landscape 67% of associations in 2016 are integrated, or are in discussions to integrate, with development/advancement.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Key Takeaway Alumni chapters have powerful storytelling potential.
Strained Resources 75% of associations report their biggest concern is a lack of sufficient staffing.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Strained Resources 64% of associations have not seen a staffing increase in over five years; 26% have seen a decrease.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Key Takeaway Thriving alumni chapters empower volunteers.
Recap of Key Takeaways Alumni today [give] [join] [engage] to solve a problem.
In order to inspire our alumni to take action, we have to better articulate our WHY. Alumni chapters have powerful storytelling potential. Thriving alumni chapters empower volunteers.
Good News 71% of associations report that chapters, clubs and reunions are the most impactful way to engage alumni.
VAESE Alumni Relations Benchmarking Survey, 2016
Synergy (n.) An interaction of elements that, when combined, produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.
Dictionary.com
Embracing Synergy
Parents & Students
Admissions
Alumni Development
Athletics Academic Prestige
Embracing Synergy Alumni today [give] [join] [engage] to solve a problem. How do our chapters solve a problem? Support local students in need Reduce “barriers to participation” Distance, time, money, familiarity Form more personal relationships with the institution “cell effect” Champion higher education
Embracing Synergy In order to inspire our alumni to take action, we have to better articulate our WHY. “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” -Simon Sinek Why > How > What
Cascades from association outward Airbnb - Belong anywhere
Embracing Synergy Alumni chapters have powerful storytelling potential. How can chapters tell great stories?
Happy hours and watch parties are not the future. Nothing moves the needle like digital. Empower storytelling through open lines of communication. Treat your chapter leaders as key stakeholders. Embrace the reality of “constant campaigns.”
Embracing Synergy Thriving alumni chapters empower volunteers. How we can help them to help themselves?
Chapters should be treated as an extension of the association staff. There is a science behind volunteer management.
Recruit Orient/Train Supervise/Evaluate Recognize
A little recognition goes a long way.
You can do this. We’re all struggling with our own dumpster fires – and with a constantly shifting landscape that is out of our immediate control. Turn yours into a rolling dumpster of positive momentum by embracing synergy.
Circle in on your “Why?” – and empower your chapter leaders to help tell stories about how your institution is solving real problems.
Questions?
Heath Bowman [email protected] o: 252.328.1950 c: 479.586.6551
