Moderator: Kristyn M. Dyer, College of the Holy Cross Dianne E. Harrison, College of the Holy Cross Tory Leeman, Boston College Jessica Viner, Fairfield University

1. REVITALIZING YOUR
REGIONAL PROGRAMMING
Moderator: Kristyn M. Dyer, College of the Holy Cross
Dianne E. Harrison, College of the Holy Cross
Tory Leeman, Boston College
Jessica Viner, Fairfield University

2. SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE
Fairfield University Holy Cross Boston College
•41 000 alumni
•41,000 •Over 30,000 alumni
30 000 •157 000 alumni
•157,000
•8 active Chapters •30 active Clubs •56 active Chapters
•Events per year: 57 in •Events per year: 104 •Events per year: 280
FY10 in FY10, 115 in FY09 in FY10, 217 in FY09
•Staff members devoted •Staff members •Staff members
to Chapters: 3 devoted to Clubs: 1 devoted to Chapters: 4
professional staff (1 90% professional staff (40% professional staff, 1
of job; 2 40% of job) of job) and 1 assistant program assistant & 2
(30% of job) work studies

3. FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

4. FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
HISTORY OF THE REGIONAL CLUB PROGRAM
Started with local Connecticut clubs reflecting early alumni
population.
60’s & 70’s: Clubs formed in NY, NJ, and MA as Fairfield attracts
more students from NE region
region.
80’s & 90’s: Increase of regional clubs outside of the NE (Chicago,
Atlanta, San Francisco).
, )
Late 90’s and early 00’s: Club activity drops off due to a lack of
volunteer leadership succession. Young alumni groups formed
and organize social events.
d i i l t
Today: 8 regional chapters in areas with our largest alumni
populations. A focus on a formal leadership structure and
expansion into regional locations outside NE.

5. FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTION’S GOALS FOR THE PROGRAM
Create meaningful opportunities for alumni to
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reconnect with Fairfield University and one
another.
Expand chapters into areas where there is a
large concentrations of alumni and in areas of
strategic importance for the University.
t t i i t f th U i it

6. FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
3 Alumni Relations staff members oversee the
regional chapter program with assigned chapter
territories.
Staff support to volunteers includes:
Chapter Handbook
Ongoing leadership training
Monthly conference calls
Regular staff visits to meet with team and recruit
new volunteers
Programming funded by the University and the
Alumni Association.

7. FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
CURRENT STATE OF THE PROGRAM
Chapter structure:
President
Admissions Chair
Career Development Chair
Lifelong Learning Chair
Service & Spirituality Chair
Programming goal: To organize at least 1 event in
each programming category per year.
Communication:
University – Invitations/e-blasts, online
registration, website promotions
Chapter volunteers – Phone calls and additional
email promotion

8. FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
CHALLENGES
Having volunteers take on an increasing amount
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of responsibility
Capturing volunteer enthusiasm while balancing
with capacity and budgetary realities
Keeping volunteers engaged

9. COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS

10. COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
HISTORY OF THE REGIONAL CLUB PROGRAM
Began as a p
g product of the Holy Cross Alumni
y
Association
The Holy Cross Club of Connecticut was the first
regional club, founded in 1869. The HC Club of
Worcester followed two years later in 1871.
Growth continued until the 1980s, with the
system in tact now
In 2008, the Regional Club system was given an
overhaul and paired down from 45 to 30 clubs

11. COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
INSTITUTION’S GOALS FOR THE PROGRAM
Provide a chance for our alumni to meet, network
,
and build relationships with alumni from their
area
Give our alumni a chance to reconnect with Alma
Mater
Create opportunities for alumni to “give back”
through volunteerism

12. COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
1 professional staff member and 1 assistant, who
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spend about 40% of their time focused on
Regional Clubs
Websites available for clubs through the College’s
Online Community
The College handles all mailings/e-mails and
membership lists for the Clubs
Support also comes from volunteers on the Holy
Cross Alumni Association’s Regional Clubs
Committee

13. COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
CURRENT STATE OF THE PROGRAM
31 active clubs
17 clubs (56%) held 2 or more events in FY10
9 clubs (30%) held 1 event in FY10
4 clubs h ld 0 events i FY10 d to lack of volunteer
l b held t in due t l k f l t
leadership
Looking to diversify programming for high
activity level clubs
Always searching for new volunteers in the Club
Al hi f l t i th Cl b
areas

14. COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
CURRENT STATE OF THE PROGRAM

15. COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
CHALLENGES
Retaining and recruiting volunteer leadership for
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the Clubs
Young Alumni’s involvement
Alumni s
Monetary and staff support of the Clubs

16. BOSTON COLLEGE

17. BOSTON COLLEGE
HISTORY OF THE REGIONAL CLUB PROGRAM
Transitioning Clubs to Chapters in 2003
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Setting expectations and goals for both alumni
and Boston College
College.
What we have learned
Evolving a national program

18. BOSTON COLLEGE
INSTITUTION’S GOALS FOR THE PROGRAM
Support the Light the Work campaign
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Support the initiatives of our internal colleagues
Academics
Admissions
Administration
Athletics
Mission and Ministry
Support our alumni community

19. BOSTON COLLEGE
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
Full time staff
Work study assistance
University Budget
Online Services
Online community
Online event system with payment options
Expectations to develop relationship with all
university colleagues and departments

20. BOSTON COLLEGE
CURRENT STATE OF THE PROGRAM
Volunteer leadership
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74 Leaders
46 Committee members
Diversifying Events
Diversifying communication vehicle
Maintaining excellence in difficult economic
times
ti
Looking to the future

21. BOSTON COLLEGE
CHALLENGES
Social networking sites, finding the next
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Facebook
Budgets
Leadership training and succession

22. OPEN DISCUSSION