Topics for Alumni Chapter Training

In this post I'd like to spend some time brainstorming the topics that will be covered in the training module.

First, I'd like to start with an overview of the mission, vision, values and goals of the Alumni Association. This will provide the alumni chapter volunteers with the crucial framework within which their work will exist. It is important to bring the volunteers in to the larger picture of what they are a part of before giving them their tasks, it will encourage them to know that they are part of a larger overall mission.

Second, it is important that the chapter leaders have an overview of each area of chapter maintenance. These are broken down in to administration, events, and communications and can be broadly covered in order for each member to know how their roles fits in to the larger picture.

As a note here- it may be worth covering these broadly, and supplementing each area with documents that discuss each area further in order to provide the entire picture.

Third, a brief run down of my role as the Assistant Director of Alumni Chapters, and the specific resources offered to chapters by our office. These include volunteer recruitment, training, event assistance, marketing assistance, and chapter financial assistance.

Lastly, the module will cover the expectations the Alumni Office has for the chapters. This includes event success, fundraising, regular and appropriate communications, and regular communication with our office.

Other topics that could be included in the training are:

-Succession planning
-Finances (how to pay for things)
-Keeping your team up to date
-Annual Giving
-Staff contacts
-Working with athletics
-Community Service

As I continue to look at the plan for this training module, I will figure out how to incorporate these items in to the training as appropriate.