There is a lot of pride in associating with your former school at whichever grade. Alumni relations office and officers are tasked with keeping this relationship alive. Remaining in contact benefits the students and institution alike. However, it takes a lot of hard work to keep former students interested in their former school and participating in activities that are organized. Here are some of the tricks that keep the relationship active.
All students must be regarded as valuable. There is a tendency to view some as more valuable than others because of their social and financial status. However, fortunes change with time. This means that you could ignore a member who ends up being crucial in your plans in future. Work with all of them because each contributes depending on his or her capability. Even the socially and economically endowed could lose their influence, be overtaken or unavailable for future engagements.
Organize regular activities for the former students. In fact, it is advisable to create a routine that allows them to participate in school activities or events organized exclusively for the former students. Do not tire them with too many activities though. One or two activities in a year are enough to keep them interested in the progress of their former school.
Work with individual years instead of gathering them together. There is greater warmth and interaction when people of the same year are involved compared to bringing all former students together. The memories they shared bring them closer together and are happy to interact. When they come from different years, their interaction is trained because they feel like strangers.
It is not all about the school- consider their concerns. There is a common notion that alumni organizations are formed to aid schools in their projects. However, former students have needs that need to be addressed. They require linkage with employment organizations, recommendation letters, mailing of certificates or other documents, and such other concerns. Work to make it smooth and easy for them. They reciprocate by supporting your activities as well.
Modern technology and communication channels will make it easier to get in touch. The phone numbers they issued while in school could have belonged to older siblings and parents. New media is a convenient way to keep in-touch and update them on what is happening in school. It is cheap and reaches all students in the shortest time possible. Students also embrace such channels when communicating. This makes it easier to reach them.
Involve the former students in planning your activities. They come with ideas and resources that make the events enjoyable. They no longer want to feel like students who have to be told everything. They are excellent in mobilizing their peers to join your activity because they want to meet again. Their mobilization skills and network will make it easy for you to achieve your desired goals.
Think beyond your locality when tapping into the alumni network. Students spread to all ends of the world upon graduation. By focusing on your area only, you will be leaving out a very big chunk of them. Consider activities and involvement of these former students in areas away from the institution.
All students must be regarded as valuable. There is a tendency to view some as more valuable than others because of their social and financial status. However, fortunes change with time. This means that you could ignore a member who ends up being crucial in your plans in future. Work with all of them because each contributes depending on his or her capability. Even the socially and economically endowed could lose their influence, be overtaken or unavailable for future engagements.
Organize regular activities for the former students. In fact, it is advisable to create a routine that allows them to participate in school activities or events organized exclusively for the former students. Do not tire them with too many activities though. One or two activities in a year are enough to keep them interested in the progress of their former school.
Work with individual years instead of gathering them together. There is greater warmth and interaction when people of the same year are involved compared to bringing all former students together. The memories they shared bring them closer together and are happy to interact. When they come from different years, their interaction is trained because they feel like strangers.
It is not all about the school- consider their concerns. There is a common notion that alumni organizations are formed to aid schools in their projects. However, former students have needs that need to be addressed. They require linkage with employment organizations, recommendation letters, mailing of certificates or other documents, and such other concerns. Work to make it smooth and easy for them. They reciprocate by supporting your activities as well.
Modern technology and communication channels will make it easier to get in touch. The phone numbers they issued while in school could have belonged to older siblings and parents. New media is a convenient way to keep in-touch and update them on what is happening in school. It is cheap and reaches all students in the shortest time possible. Students also embrace such channels when communicating. This makes it easier to reach them.
Involve the former students in planning your activities. They come with ideas and resources that make the events enjoyable. They no longer want to feel like students who have to be told everything. They are excellent in mobilizing their peers to join your activity because they want to meet again. Their mobilization skills and network will make it easy for you to achieve your desired goals.
Think beyond your locality when tapping into the alumni network. Students spread to all ends of the world upon graduation. By focusing on your area only, you will be leaving out a very big chunk of them. Consider activities and involvement of these former students in areas away from the institution.
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