Secondary emphases are indicated in parentheses.

PLEASE CONFIRM THE session TIMEs AND ROOM LOCATIONs in the program book you will receive WHEN YOU ARRIVE At the conference.

The Alumni sessions are sponsored by Nelnet.

Sunday 1:30-2:45 p.m.

(Development, Student/ASAP)
Planning Your Annual Event — Again, and Again, and Again
Huron
It's the same crowd year after year. Your boss wants the same menu as last time. It's at the same place. What can you do to NOT make the annual event the same? Amy Leyden believes that if you work in advance, think outside the box, and have a well-thought out plan, your boss may just take a risk to change the annual event making it an experience guests will never forget.
— Amy Leyden, Event Manager, McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota

(Communications)
Successful Secrets of Online Advocacy
Michigan A
Reaching volunteers in today's world is tougher, but more important than ever before. Physically mobilizing alumni is difficult with busy schedules, family time, and career obligations. Learn how the University of Minnesota more than doubled its active support structure in less than one year, while cleaning up a dusty database by simply organizing online. Discuss strategies to educate and involve thousands of alumni in a cost-effective way through creative e-mails and interactive web pages.
— Mike Dean, Grassroots Coordinator, University of Minnesota

Best Practices — Seeing from the Alumni Point of View
Ontario
In your role as an alumni professional, you spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how to infuse your initiatives with renewed gusto, and contemplating how your efforts will result in more benefit to your association. Here's a way to take some of the guesswork out of that process. Join us in this interactive conference session, we will bring alumni opinion about their alma matter to a panel of "experts" who will present compelling evidence that "doing things right" in some fundamental (and key) areas can pay off big time in alumni attitude and engagement! Hear what your colleagues are doing that make them top performers in the eyes of their alumni and learn from them what you can do, to enhance your associational performance.
— Robert D. Shoss , Managing Principle, Performance Enhancement Group Ltd.

Sunday 3:15-4:30 p.m.

Engaging Volunteer Boards
Huron
Ah, board development! Difficult volunteers...engaging board members in a meaningful way...educating board members on being accurate mouthpieces for your group. Don't miss this discussion that will share ways to create a feeling of ownership in a volunteer board that meets two or three times per year, yet serves an important purpose to your university.
— Ralph Amos, Asst. Vice President for Alumni Relations, Ohio University

(Communications, Development)
Technology ... Make Your Life Easier
Ontario
Needing, not just wanting, technology to work for you? Hear about a case study of the successful implementation of an in-house online alumni directory and event registration system to help you in your planning. Bring your experiences and questions to the discussion...the future is now!
— Gordy Taylor, Associate Vice President , Western Illinois University
— Amy Spelman, Associate Director of Alumni Programs, Western Illinois University

Progress not Perfection
Michigan A
Strategic plans have become a staple with Alumni Associations over the past decade, but no one is ever completely satisfied with them. After the initial flurry of activity to develop these plans, some sit gathering dust. Why? Maybe it is because the process is flawed. Setting realistic, but challenging strategies are important for your organization. Come to this session and listen to the experiences of Associations who have gone through the process and survived.
— Kathy Bickel, Vice President, Outreach and Engagement, The Ohio State University Alumni Association

Monday 9:15-10:30 a.m.

(Communications, Development)
Professional Development: Making the Switch
Michigan A
If you're at this conference, chances are you love advancement. Interested in learning about your counterparts, and even more ... learning what's out there that might be right for you and your skill set? Even if you're not in a career changing mode, having an understanding of what your advancement colleagues do in higher education is important. This session will provide all of that! Bob Burgett has built an incredible career in both the alumni and development worlds. He will discuss how to find your place and grow in an advancement career. Plan on an interactive presentation fueled by your ideas and questions!
— Bob Burgett, Director, Special Programs, University of Minnesota Foundation

(Development)
Ask The President
Huron
Learn the thoughts of a recent past president. Use this candid discussion to gain insight into how to best utilize a president, and more importantly, what pitfalls to avoid. Robert Glidden, the 19th President of Ohio University recently retired after a ten year tenure and will offer conference attendees an interactive discussion and answer the questions you were always afraid to ask!
— Robert Glidden, President Emeritus, Ohio University

(Alumni)
Bringing Nationwide Alumni Attitudes to Life
Ontario
Join this session and learn why it's not only important to ask questions of your alumni, but to also let your alumni know what you've heard and what you're going to do with what you've heard. We will look at analyses from the PEG, Ltd. Annual Alumni Attitude Study© (40,000 alumni survey responses from schools across the country) to help participants understand how specific alumni opinions impact loyalty and giving patterns and how these attitudes vary by demographic segments such as generation and proximity to the campus. Schools use this information to target communications strategies and alumni programs so that they maximize their impact on an individual's loyalty, engagement, and propensity to give.
— Robert D. Shoss, Managing Principle, Performance Enhancement Group, Ltd

Monday 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

(Alumni)
What a Club Wants, What a Club Needs
Ontario
It's the ongoing quest of matching services with alumni needs! Steve Grafton and his staff are engaged in continuous research to define what Michigan alumni really want and/or need. This effort translates into how they think about programming, including for and with their clubs. Hear the good, the bad, and the ugly of their discoveries, and share your own secrets to success.
— Steve Grafton, Executive Director, Alumni Association, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

(Communications, Development, Management, Two-Year/Independent Schools)
Personal Motivation, Making and Difference, and the Value of a Positive Mental Attitude
Michigan A
You want energy? You want entertainment? You want answers? Don't miss THIS presentation! At this session you will learn the not-so-secret, secret of individual motivation and how to make your life more productive and enjoyable. You will also discover the value of a positive mental attitude and the importance of making a difference in the world. Back by popular demand ... this session is one of the best you'll ever attend!
— Gordon Taylor, Associate Vice president for Alumni Programs, Western Illinois University

(Development)
Working with Presidential Spouses
Huron
Learn how alumni and development staff can best utilize presidential spouses to meet their pogram and institutional goals. Learn how to match program needs with skillsets of the presidential family. Discover the keys in approaching the family for effective integration of a powerful, yet underutilized resource at your institution!
— Rene' Glidden, First Lady Emeritus, Ohio University

Monday 2-3:15 p.m.

(Senior Professionals, Student/ASAP)
A Peek Into the Minds of Today's College Student — Who They Are and Why You Need to Know Them
Ontario
Our audience changes daily. Now, alumni organizations are focusing on the all important student population. Understanding this group will help make our jobs easier...today and tomorrow. What makes this demographic tick? How do we create a sense of loyalty in students that will translate into a sense of loyalty as alumni?Join this discussion for insights into understanding the influence of this growing and powerful market.
— Pat Sherry, Vice President, 360 Youth

(Communications, Management)
The Art of the Pitch
Huron
Collaborating with other departments saves you time and money. Yet, this often takes a sales pitch with finesse. Learn how to negotiate partnerships on and off campus, and sell your ideas to those around you. All associations are needing to find partners to deliver on alumni expectations and grow programs in times of shrinking budgets. Marketing and alumni experts will discuss stragegies with you.
— Bridget Krage O'Conner, Marketing, St. Norbert College
— Heidi Zoerb, Alumni Relations, University of Wisconsin-Madison

(Development, Management)
Fund Raisers and Friend Raisers ...Why Can't We All Just Get Along
Michigan A
Alumni and development both prosper when they work side by side. But, when it comes to annual giving vs. annual dues and raising sponsorship dollars for programs, that's easier said than done. Hear insights into making this relationship work. Discuss ways that these two can collaborate instead of collide.
— Ray Mock, Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations, Miami University
— Brad Bundy, Associate Vice President, University Advancement, Miami University

Monday 3:45-5 p.m.

(Alumni, Communications, Development)
Lifelong Connection
Ontario
Lifestage and generational marketing are hot topics in alumni work across the country. Understanding how to connect with alumni at any stage of life can help us best identify where our resources and effort are best allocated. Analyzing a "lifeline" for alumni can help you create meaningful programming that fits the the needs of your alumni, at all stages of life.
— Jeff Wendorf, Vice President, Programs and Outreach, Wisconsin Alumni Association
— Cheryl Porior-Mayhew, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Wisconsin Alumni Association

(Development)
The Nuts and Bolts of Corporate Mentoring
Huron
Growing a mentor program takes time, inginuity and money. Create a win-win for your institution, as well as your local business community by taking your mentor program to corporate partners. Help create development opportunities while offering businesses access to your best and brightest students. Discuss the nuts and bolts of this hot strategy.
— Emily Johnston, Director, Alumni Relations, University of Minnesota, College of Biological Sciences

Graduate and Professional School Alumni Relations: Is it any Different Than University Alumni Relations?
Michigan A
A panel of 3 alumni affairs professionals working with a graduate/professional school alumni program at their respective institution will each share pieces of their work. Discussion points will include: how they work with (or overlap, if at all) with the overall university alumni initiative; collaborative efforts between university and professional school alumni offices; successful, and not so successful, strategies for engaging professional school alumni; difficulties of engaging alumni when their undergraduate degree is from a different institution; proudest alumni programming moments. Panelists: Chad Ruback, Director of Alumni and Collegiate Relations, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Jim Corboy, Director of Alumni Relations, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Karen Peterson, Assistant Dean for Alumni/External Relations, Director Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association, University of Wisconsin Medical School
— Martha S. Hicks, Assistant Director, Medical Center Alumni Affairs , The Ohio State University
— Lindsay Knudson, Assistant Director of Alumni and Collegiate Relations, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa

Tuesday 9:15-10:30 a.m.

(Student/ASAP)
Building an Alumni Culture Among Students
Ontario
Join this lively, interactive session and learn more about the role students play in alumni relations. How do we educate students about alumni communities, services, and opportunities? How do we incorporate alumni work into their collegiate experience and way of thinking? Both large and small institutions will benefit from this conversation!
— Becci Menghini, Senior Director of Campus Relations, University of Wisconsin Alumin Association
— Jen Heisey, Director for Outreach and Engagement, Ohio University

(Communications, Development, Management)
Partnerships ... Easier Said Than Done?
Michigan A
The road to collaboration can lead to many rewards but the path is oftern littered with unexpected pitfalls. Learn how the University of Illinois staff recently developed hands-on tools to assist their colleagues in alumni relations when choosing and managing partnerships. Bring your own experiences and words of wisdom to this increasingly important discussion!
— Lynn Marie Chaney, Assistant Director, University of Illinois Alumni Association
— Tara Anderson, Assistant Director, University of Illinois Chicago
— Claudia Delestowicz, Associate Director, Alumni Career Center, Univeristy of Illinois Alumni Association
— Mary Caroline Mitchell, Assistant Director, UIS Alumni Relations, Univeristy of Illinois Alumni Association

(Communications, Development, Management, Senior Professionals)
Juggling on a Tightrope: The Work Life Balancing Act
Huron
"Juggling on a Tightrope: The Work Life Balancing Act" is an interactive session designed to take a closer look at work/life balance, why it's important and how to achieve it. You will learn what the P.L.A.Y. Response is, and ten easy ways to regain balance and reduce stress. Before you leave the session, you will have the opportunity to create your own personal plan to help you achieve more balance in your life!
— Barb Laporte, Owner, Laporte Consulting Services

Tuesday 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Collaborating for Alumni Career Services
Huron
The provision of career services to alumni comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether initiated by the Alumni Association or by career services the key is in the collaboration. The award-winning Alumni Career Center has been serving University of Illinois Alumni Association members since 1987, giving alumni access to one of the most comprehensive employment and career management services in the country. Learn how the University of Illinois has successfully moved beyond traditional career services and facilitated creative partnerships to meet the needs of their alumni. Receive a framework to initiate or strengthen your alumni career services program.
— Lynn Marie Chaney, Assistant Director, University of Illinois Urbana
— Mary Anne Buckman, Vice President, Alumni Career Center, University of Illinois Alumni Career Center
— Julie Hayes, Associate Director, Alumni Career Center, University of Illinois Alumni Career Center
— Claudia Delestowicz, Associate Director, Alumni Career Center, University of Illinois Alumni Career Center

(Alumni)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Building Strategic Campus Collaborations with Faculty and Academic Programs
Michigan A
Are you looking for alumni programming ideas that are cost effective and result in alumni connections that continue long after an event? Have you considered campus partnerships that benefit both alumni relations and the academic mission of your institution? Learning to work collaboratively with faculty and a campus academic program, the University of Illinois Alumni Association on the Springfiled campus (UIS) has discovered a goldmine of resources that reconnects alumni with the university. Opportunities and challenges will be discussed in this interactive session. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences in utilizing faculty and academic units on campus as partners in developing effective alumni outreach programming.
— Mary Caroline Mitchell, Assistant Director, University of Illinois Alumni Association, UIS
— Carolyn A Peck, PhD, Assistant Professor or Human Resources, University of Illinois at Springfield

(Development, Two-Year/Independent Schools)
Engaging Non-Traditional Alumni
Ontario
How do you talk to those alumni who didn't have the typical undergraduate experience? Alumni who were more concerned with their GPA than their school song? Engaging non-traditional alumni can be a challenge at any institution. Learn how these two presenters have worked side-by-side to turn this demographic into success.
— Nikki Hamilton, Alumni Relations, Ohio Dominican
— Albert DiFranco, Assistant Director, Alumni Relations, Case Western Reserve University