Topic 1: Organizational Building Blocks Presenter: Gloria Wormley UCNB’04 Rutgers Club of Lehigh Valley Alumni Leaders Conference September 11, 2009

Missing Rutgers Relocated from Somerset NJ to Lehigh Valley, PA Missed Rutgers and needed to reconnect to the university No Rutgers Club in Lehigh Valley

Start-up RCLV Club How to bring Rutgers to the Lehigh Valley? –Contacted the team at Alumni Relations, who: Identified other alumni living in the area Sent a blast to alumni –We scheduled our first meeting –RCLV was created! Accomplish goals best by utilizing resources and staying connected to Alumni Relations

First Meeting Success 15 people attended the June 17 meeting –Talked about what activities we enjoy –Decided…“We are going to hit the ground running” Before the end of that 1st meeting: –We volunteered for Habitat for Humanity of the LV on July 19 -Members shared responsibility for promoting the event –a member volunteered to write a press release –Another member organized an Iron Pig’s event for August 25 Common interests and activities can unite, engage, and mobilize Alumni

Facilitating Members’ Interests Be excited and enthusiastic Leaders facilitate and involve participants Listen to members’ needs Help organize diverse activities of group interest: –C ommunity service Habitat, soup kitchens, food drives, etc. –Activities / outings / sports events, etc. –Regional events with other RU clubs –Educational speakers Leaders facilitate, but cannot do it alone… active volunteers MAKE IT HAPPEN TOGETHER.

RCLV Lessons Learned Alumni enjoy the connection to the University Types of members in RCLV –Core members (dependable) –Members who somewhat consistently show up for: OR –“Sideliners” - Those who attend events that sporadically capture their interests and need to be motivated All want to become engaged Starting and growing an alumni group CAN BE DONE!

Successful Results Attendance at “Mixers” increased New happy faces joined events and became regulars Active membership doubled in 4 months; still growing New leadership was fostered Our members are doing what they wanted to do, and, in the process, are energizing the new Rutgers Club of Lehigh Valley