Libba Andrews—Associate Director
Mississippi State University Alumni Association—Mississippi State, Miss.
United States
Conferences & Training
Alumni Relations: Building a Lifelong Relationship
Program

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

 

Day 1, Wednesday, January 12

12:30-1:30 PM
Registration

1:30-2:00
Welcome and Introductions

2:00-3:15
Keynote Session
One Size Does Not Fit All! A Lesson in Life Stages
Never before has there been a greater difference between the generations of alumni. Before we can think about how to better serve them, we need to understand each generation. Tammy Erickson, named one of the top 50 global business thinkers of 2009, will share her research on generational values. Laced with humor, her address will describe the Traditionalist, Boomer, Generation X, and Generation Y, how they communicate and what motivates them. Her remarks will set the context for the entire conference.

3:30-4:45
Student Engagement: Start Early and Often
Times are changing. Engaged students become active alumni, and figuring out how to serve these "alumni in training" remains a priority for all universities. How do we meet and connect with students? Develop ways to rethink your current student engagement strategies.

5:00-6:00
Turning Young Alumni into Old Friends
Recent grads can be the greatest resource any institution has, especially from an advancement perspective. Find out what makes this group so valuable, while looking at ways to engage them early and forever.

6:15-7:15
Networking Reception
Mix and mingle with your colleagues at this reception.

7:15
Conference Adjourns for the Day
Dinner on your own

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Day 2, Thursday, January 13

8:00-9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast/Roundtables

9:00-10:15
A Lifetime Investment
Just what does it mean to build a lifelong relationship between alumni and their alma mater? John Feudo will take us through the life cycle of an alumna/us, and offer suggestions on how to develop a complete investment that is mutually beneficial.

10:30 AM-NOON
Building Strategic Campus Partnerships to Diversify Your Alumni Programming
Find out how building strategic partnerships can increase program offerings without adding staff or resources. Working with athletics, the arts, student affairs, and academic departments can add interesting programs that reach a broader range of alumni.

NOON-1:30 PM
Lunch on your own

1:30-2:45
Charting a Course for Success: Affinity Group Engagement Strategies
It does not take a crystal ball to see that university affinity groups are struggling to find their way. In light of busy volunteers, reduced resources and dwindling membership, how do we continue to encourage these groups to continue? Or do we? There is no one blueprint or charted course for success, but join others as we review some best practices and develop some action plans for your institution.

3:00-4:15
Engagement Through Public Service
With most schools encouraging, if not requiring, a public service component to graduate, adding or expanding alumni public service programming serves a dual purpose in engaging alumni throughout their lifetime. First, alumni who have participated in public service in school will most likely continue after graduation. Second, it allows busy alumni the opportunity to connect to the school while serving others.

4:15-5:15
Challenging Issues Forum
The group will split into three sections-based on the size of your alumni office-to discuss challenging issues related to small, medium and large alumni operations.

5:15-5:30
Wrap-Up

5:30
Conference Adjourns for the Day
Dinner on your own

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Day 3, Friday, January 14

8:00-8:45 AM
Continental Breakfast and Roundtables

8:45-10:00
Measurement: How Do We Know It's Working?
This session will look at several different ways to measure alumni relations programming going beyond "number of attendees." Discuss metrics that our institutions want to see and ways to assess relevance to alumni.

10:15-11:30
What Are You Going to Do When You Get Back? A Practical Exercise
Conferences are great for learning and networking, but the key to success is how you implement all that you've learned upon your return to campus. This exercise will help you begin that process. Spend this last session developing several realistic and concrete action steps.

11:30 AM- NOON
Final Thoughts
This is your opportunity to ask the faculty whatever questions still remain.

NOON
Conference Adjourns

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Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

 

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