Lifelong Class Partnering Spin the Wheelock Update Friday, September 18, 2015 Lifelong Class Partnering Spin the Wheelock Update Friday, September 18, 2015

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” - African proverb shared by Dartmouth College President Phil Hanlon ’77 at his 2013 inauguration. How can we best help Dartmouth classes help each other go far?

Establishes a robust framework for Partner Classes to seek and to offer aid directly. This is an Alumni initiative with a task force that started in Lifelong Class Partnering:

Class Connections Today: Blunt The Class (25 year) Connections Program exists, but most class-with-class work is done on an ad hoc, one-time basis though Blunt.

Lifelong Class Partnering: Blunt Pre-connecting classes for partnering provides a structure for lifelong kinship. The framework creates new opportunities.

How to connect classes? Blunt Connect classes that share the same last digit of class year, much as families or clans connect that share the same last name.

Potential Partnering Programs & Activities Leadership Communication Community Service Improving newsletters, websites, and social media sites. DAM. Share content. Share and direct mail best practices. Service to Dartmouth and community, DCF, class projects, class dues, to other alumni classes, to undergraduates, etc. Careers & Education Family, Home & Life Financial advice, working parent, caring for elderly parents, retirement planning, etc. School and education choices, securing internships, career planning, job search, mentoring, etc. Mini-reunions. Reunions. Programs. Building relationships. Leadership development. Sharing best practices. Succession planning.

Potential Partnering Programs & Activities What do I know today that I wish I had known 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 30 years ago? What do I know today that I wish I had known 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 30 years ago? ?

Partnering Pilot : Dartmouth VOX8 Classes Blunt Completed first-year class partnering pilot test.

Stephanie Lewin1988VOX8 Pilot Chair Bud Munson1948President and Ambassador Ralph Manuel1958Ambassador John Trimble1958President David Walden1968Ambassador Peter Fahey1968President Steve Adnopoz1978Ambassador Todd Anderson1978Ambassador Dave Graham1978President C. Alec Casey1988Ambassador Catherine Briggs1988President Rodrego A. Byerly1998Ambassador Jo Golub1998President Lauren Bennett Conor Frantzen 2008 Ambassador President Mark Winkler Joe Mannes LCP Task Force Co-Chair Jennifer Casey1966aAlumni Relations Director, Class Activities Partnering VOX8 Pilot Test Stephanie Welsch-Lewin ’88 Does it work? Yes Can it improve? Yes Should it continue?Yes

Partnering VOX8 Pilot Immediate Results The ‘58s and 68s consulted with the Class of ‘48 regarding the Class of ‘48’s very successful widows program. These classes are in the process of forming a widows program of their own! The 68’s sponsored a get together with the 18’s in the Top of the Hop during Winter Carnival. The newsletter editor of the class of ‘88 provided structure and guidance information to the class of ‘08 newsletter editor, with the goal of improving their newsletter. The Class of ‘88 guided the Class of ‘98 to improve their DCF participation numbers & they did great things with the info!

Partnering VOX8 Pilot General Sharing of Ideas Class Engagement: How do we get more of our classmates, especially “the big middle”, more involved? Consider surveying your class to determine where your classmates’ interests lie. Offering many opportunities and different ways to engage all seem to help overall engagement. Do what you like!

Partnering VOX8 Pilot General Sharing of Ideas Class Engagement - Mini-Reunions Recruit multiple hosts so more chances familiar name on host list! Have each host call 4 classmates to personally invite them. Give each host a smaller set of responsibilities so work is spread out. Integrate mini-reunions within larger Dartmouth Alumni events (e.g., President Hanlon visit to Boston, football games, etc.) One class had a mini-reunion, led by 10 co-sponsors from the class. Reach out to other classes in the cohort for support! At the event above, both the 78’s and 98’s had mini-reunions.

Partnering VOX8 Pilot General Sharing of Ideas Class Engagement – Days of Service Create an opportunity for classmates to come together around service opportunities. Events which give back to others can motivate a whole new group of classmates to participate.

Partnering VOX8 Pilot General Sharing of Ideas Dues Management How to create an environment that increases the number of classmates who pay class dues? “It takes a village” to collect. Combined efforts of all officers are needed, website w/dues button, newsletter and treasurer effort. Dues are END product, so you have to DO first & collect DUES later. Publicize link between dues and activities. Show your classmates what their money has accomplished; They are sure to give more! Providing an incentive. Express gratitude.

Partnering VOX8 Pilot General Sharing of Ideas Class Projects How do you choose one, and get more classmates involved? What are best practices? Survey your class to see what really matters to them. Choose a project that fills that need (Academic, Outdoors, Scholarship Fund) Formulate a strong fundraising committee to seek out donations before you begin the class wide outreach! Being a part of the way to your goal before you start helps motivate classmates. Set clear timelines to get project done. Use all college resources.

Lifelong Class Partnering Future Ideas Foster connections between students and alumni How do alumni help graduating students hit the ground running both as an alumni class and as alumni? (e.g., How can 1998 & 2008 help 2018? Sophomore summer ’16?) How can undergraduate classes help connect alumni classes with the College? (e.g., How can 2018 campus news be used by 1968, 1978 and 1988, their partner classes?) How can older classes help younger classes? How can younger classes help the oldest classes?

Lifelong Class Partnering A Partnering website has been established with a growing online knowledge base. Inventory of Partnering Examples and Ideas. FAQs.

Lifelong Class Partnering Expanding the circles. 1. Connect Ambassadors 2. Connect Class Officers 3. Connect Classmates Ambassador Class Officers Classmates

Lifelong Class Partnering Suggestions for improvement Have a formal Class Partnering update much like any Association’s periodic updates. Have a lead ambassador for every cohort to drive results. Increase opportunity for informal and in-person interaction among the class ambassadors since that would further improve a sense of cohort community.

Lifelong Class Partnering Next Steps Continue VOX8; include 2018 Start VOX7, VOX9 Recruit for LCP Task Force Start three more cohorts. (tentative) VOX0, VOX2, VOX5 Start Ambassadors Association Start final four cohorts. (tentative) VOX1, VOX3, VOX4, VOX6

“Women and men of Dartmouth, all mankind is your brother - and you are your brother's keeper” - Dartmouth College President John Kemeny. Helping Dartmouth classes to better help each other.

Lifelong Class Partnering…