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Alumni Sessions

Secondary emphases are indicated in parentheses.

Please confirm the session times and locations in the program book you will receive when you arrive at the conference.

Sunday 12:30-1:45 p.m.

(Student/ASAP)

Forging Partnerships With Student Affairs to Impact Affinity

Sheraton I

Many alumni relations programs are missing opportunities to build positive affinity with students. A new standard is needed when thinking about engaging your alumni-in-residence. Explore the results of a nationwide study of collaboration between alumni relations and student affairs. Through in-depth analysis, gain a sound understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and positive outcomes of partnering with our colleagues who engage students on a full-time basis. Appreciate how the field of alumni relations is perceived by student affairs practitioners and vice versa. A new paradigm of serving students is emerging. This interactive session is an opportunity to discover a fresh array of best practices. Jason Simon is a CASE Online presenter and is currently working toward a doctorate in higher education at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

— Jason F. Simon, Immediate Past Associate Executive Director, Alumni and Student Relations, University of California, Berkeley

Using Advanced Research to Develop and Enhance STAT/Young Alumni

Sheraton II

How do you increase the relevancy, and ultimately membership, of alumni associations? Learn how research, using advanced methodologies, can be used to uncover current perceptions of an alumni association, as well as its relevance to student and young alumni lives. This research reveals preferences for products and services and how to build on-going relationships and best communication needs.

— Vince Nelson, President, University of Iowa Alumni Association

— Monica W. Vernon, President, Vernon Research Group

— Bob Woodward, Research Project Manager, Vernon Research Group

Sunday 2:15-3:30 p.m.

Using Volunteers: Engaging Alumni and Parents in the Student Recruitment Process

Sheraton I

Annapolis Educational Institute Director James McCoy and faculty member Annie Seiler will talk about connecting alumni and parents to your institution by utilizing them as effective student recruiters. Learn how to plan and run an effective volunteer effort - and become your school's hero!

— Annie Seiler, Regional Director of Development, Ohio Wesleyan University

— James McCoy, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Planning and Policy, Louisiana State University

If You Build It They Will Buy or Technology @ Work - To Generate Income, Market to and Engage Alumni

Sheraton II

Learn how to build an online store, from scratch, to better serve alumni and friends. Discover the impact the process has on staff, what products to carry, what sells well, as well as marketing and promotion and partnership established. Also discover how a monthly e-mail assists in promoting products and services.

— Jim Harris, Assistant Director of Alumni Marketing and Communications, Ohio University Alumni Association

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

Campus Crisis: Roles and Responsibilities of the Alumni Office

Sheraton II

When a crisis occurs on campus, "first responders" have clear responsibilities for ensuring safety, and communicating with parents, faculty, staff and students. But what is your responsibility to your campus and your constituents? What role should the alumni office play during a crisis and after the dust settles? Find out how these two veterans responded when the unthinkable happened on their respective campuses.

— Joseph Matty, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Northern Illinois University

— Thomas C. Tillar, Jr., Vice President for Alumni Relations, Virginia Tech

Homecoming: What's in it for us? A Look at Best Practices

Sheraton I

How do you transform Homecoming from "an event for alumni" to a community celebration highlighting the best aspects of a campus community? And can you do that with a beer in your hand while tailgating? This session will explore the data that is driving Homecoming in new directions, and a few best practices that are producing the return on investment administrators are looking for.

— Timothy State, Executive Director, Alumni Programs and Special Projects, Lake Forest College

— Stephanie Epp, Executive Director Alumni Relations, Illinois State University

D-I-Y Travel: Creating an In-House Travel Program

Sheraton III

Interesting travel programs provide a valuable opportunity to reconnect and engage alumni. But, do you choose from the wealth of prepackaged travel programs readily available, or do you create a trip that meets the specific needs of your constituency? This session will discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of establishing a D-I-Y travel programs.

— Barb Daus, Assistant to the Chancellor, University of Wisconsin - Platteville

— Kim Schmelz, Alumni Director, University of Wisconsin - Platteville

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

(Student/ASAP)

Creating a Comprehensive Student Engagement Plan

Sheraton I

Discover how to engage your alumni volunteers and work with campus partners to create a collaborative student engagement plan. In this interactive session find out where to start, who to involve, and how to create a student engagement plan designed to build affinity, increase pride, and sow the seeds of "giving back" to your institution from the moment students arrive on campus. Discuss alumni board activity, benchmarking, campus partnerships and idea development.

— Julie Holmes, Associate Director Student & Young Alumni Programs, Bradley University

(Development)

Measuring Alumni Success

Sheraton III

There's an art and science to alumni relations and development work. Glean some tips on how to measure the qualitative and quantitative pieces of our business and effective metrics-based outcomes.

— Tim Simmons, Executive Director and Chief Alumni Relations Officer, Marquette University Alumni Association

Selecting the Best for Alumni Advocacy

Sheraton II

How do you recruit alumni to support your advocacy program? Do you do a broad-based appeal or strategically invite alumni to participate? Learn how to successfully recruit, retain and utilize alumni advocates to advance your legislative efforts.

— Sarah Dennis, Director of Alumni Advocacy, The Ohio State University

Monday 2-3:15 p.m.

Best Practices in the Care and Feeding of Alumni Chapters

Sheraton I

Alumni clubs/chapters are extended university communities. They provide opportunities for alumni to promote the welfare of their alma mater. Clubs create communities of university support and spirit. The keys to a successful club are: excellent volunteers and leaders, active members, well-attended events, solid finances, and a set of goals in line with the needs of the Alumni Association and the University. There is no blueprint or charted course for an alumni club's success, but using some best practices and tips from this panel will assist you in your endeavors.

— Kathy L. Bickel, Vice President, Outreach and Engagement, The Ohio State University Alumni Association

— To be announced

To Due, Not to Due, then Due Again

Sheraton II

Whether or not to support a dues-paying model is a concern for many alumni associations. Learn how Florida Atlantic University went from a dues-paying organization, to dues-free and then back to dues paying.

— Lee Collier, Director, Alumni Relations & Operations, Florida Atlantic University

Alumni Career Services: Why They're Important and How to Get Started

Sheraton III

More and more alumni are coming home to their alma maters to seek help finding a job or career planning. How will you help them? What are some of the best practices in the field? By presenting the models of two different schools that provide career services to alumni, this session will discuss how your institution can establish a career services program and how career services can engage alumni meaningfully in the life of your institution. This session will also share resources and best practices drawn from schools across the county.

— Cindy Petrites, Alumni Career Counselor, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

— Julie Hayes Bartimus, Vice President, Alumni Career Services, University of Illinois Alumni Association

Monday 3:45-5 p.m.

(Communications)

ETSU PRIDE and the Other six Surprising Synergies: Small Shop, Small Budget, BIG Impacts!

Sheraton I

Hear how $500 for some yard signs and a bunch of creative volunteers raised awareness, stimulated involvement, enhanced image, magnified a brand, and gave a renewed perspective for a "directional" school. Sharing and relaxing the usual structure and practices gave way to widespread engagement, opened opportunities, and created partnerships that evolved into a variety of positive reactions leading to a week long celebration - and are now having impact far beyond just alumni and advancement program efforts.

— Bob Plummer, Associate Vice President for University Advancement & Executive Director, ETSU Alumni Association, East Tennessee State University

(Development, Management)

Motivating the Millenials; Engaging Young Alumni

Sheraton II

The Millenials are like no generation before them. They are active, educated, and eager to connect with causes that are important to them. But how do you get them engaged with your institution when 'being their alma mater' isn't enough? This session will look into the demographics, behaviors, wants and habits of the '29 and Under' crowd that is so important to our current success and future growth. We will look into programming ideas for all sizes and types of institutions, and participants will be encouraged to share their own stories, questions, and solutions.

— Jeffrey D. Liebermann, Executive Director of Development, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa Foundation

Ideas for the Web, Social Networking and Online Activities for Alumni Associations

Sheraton III

Markets are conversations. Markets are people, not demographics. Learn some best practices for connecting with your markets, alumni and friends, through Facebook Twitter and LinkedIn. Or even create your own free network with Ning. This session also offers suggestions for working with alumni and friends who establish a page in your name.

— James Ellis, Web Manager, Wisconsin Alumni Association

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

(Development)

The President's Role in Re-engaging Alumni

Sheraton II

The economy is in a downturn and a lofty capital campaign goal looms on the horizon. Alumni support is more critical than ever. How do you invigorate your alumni base, build stronger levels of engagement and prep this important constituency for campaign participation? Better yet, how do you involve individuals at all levels of your organization in the effort? Bradley University President Joanne Glasser has sat at the helm of both public and private institutions. Learn her proven strategies for bringing alumni willingly and enthusiastically into the fold.

— Joanne K. Glasser, President, Bradley University

Competing With Facebook for Alumni Attention - and Winning!

Sheraton III

Chances are you're competing with Facebook and other popular social networking utilities for the attention of your young - and not so young - alumni. Discover how to leverage the popularity and rapid growth of these sites to your institution's advantage. Through open APIs, mashups and other principles of Web 2.0, you can take the unique elements of your school's online community right to where your alumni are already congregating - on Facebook and similar sites. You'll enhance communications, improve data collection and enjoy greater success in your overall advancement program. By going where your alumni are today, you can win them back for a lifetime.

— Glenn Zimmerer, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Harris Connect

— David Johnston, Director of Internet Services & Marketing, University of Kansas Alumni Association

Tuesday 11:00 a.m.-12:15 a.m.

Popular Venues in Other Cities

Sheraton II

So you're supposed to plan an event, somewhere else. How do you find a venue, caterer, event planner, etc. Learn about the services the convention and visitors bureau offer to make yours the best event ever!

— Amy Lensing Tate, Marketing Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Alumni Association

— Doug Neilson, President & CEO, Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau

(Communications, Web)

On the Road with Alumni

Sheraton I

Learn how Wittenberg University connected with its alumni through a unique 8,000 mile, 22-day summer trek around the country. This highly visual session will detail the first-of-its-kind alumni listening tour, which the college called Witt Nation, as well as highlight the rich media components that brought the Wittenberg story to the world.

— Linda Beals, Director of Alumni Relations, Wittenberg University

— Bob Rafferty, Director of New Media and Webmaster, Wittenberg University