1. Tardy Award Presentation
by Emily Boyd

2. Tardy Award
The grant is presented to two alumni relations professionals who have been in the industry for at least 2 years
Must submit a proposal on what you would like to do research on/which schools
Named after former Indiana Alumni Association President Jerry Tardy
Presented by CAAE – Council of Alumni Association Executives

3. Background
Looked at the UOAA “big picture” as well as the Fall 08 Board Meeting
One of the main topics that the board and staff discussed was student and young alumni programming
Took the ideas and brainstorming of the board to narrow down exactly what our challenges were at the UOAA and what I needed to research

4. Our Challenges
Struggle to find the best way to engage our young alumni population
Need to find programming that will entice our recent grads to attend events, stay connected and give back to the university
Lack of engaged Student Alumni Association members has led to disconnect when they become new grads
Need to “re-vamp” our current Student Alumni Association
With record high enrollment numbers, now is a crucial time to engage our students

5. Proposal
Gather research from schools with successful SAA programs and successful young alumni programs
Research best practices of SAA programs, look at the ways they have been successful in the transition from student – young alum
Assess the best way of connecting young alumni back to the UOAA, through membership, events, volunteering, etc…
Find specific programming that will engage our young alumni and recent grads
Research Young Alumni Councils and determine if that would work for UOAA

6. Goal Be able to help implement a successful structure for the new SAA
Develop a strategic plan for new events and programs designed specifically for our young alumni
Explore the option with staff of developing a young alumni council or young alumni reps on boards
Learn more about best practices at each AA

7. Peer Institutions University of Florida Alumni Association
CASE Award Winning SAA programs
Successful Young Alumni Council
University of Central Florida Alumni Association
45,000 alumni under 30 years old
Successful e-communications and
web presence

8. Findings… What makes their Alumni Association’s strong?
Strong Membership Programs
Fluidity between student/new grad membership
Big differential b/w member and non-member rates
“Non-ask” touches (i.e. birthday s, thank you’s, etc)
Co-branding on all materials
Valuable use of Social Networking Sites
Converted groups, profiles, to Facebook fan pages
Set-up Fan Pages for each affinity group and chapter
Maintain some control over pages by being an admin and having chapter members become admins as well

9. Findings cont… Sponsorships
Having Affinity partners sponsor professional/development nights (UCF)
Strong buy-in and support from National Board
Partners/Donors sponsor SAA Events/AA Events

10. SAA Findings…
What makes our peer institutions student programs so successful?
One major theme for both universities…. CO-BRANDING!
All marketing, membership and events pieces have both the AA and SAA logo on them
SAA Members get the same materials as AA members; calendars, membership cards, discounts, etc…

11. SAA Findings cont…. Freshmen Seminars Get Buy-in from Students
Events they are looking for
Philanthropic Tie-ins
Food drive with spirit t-shirts, school supplies drive, etc.
Students only tabling at orientation
Events that students create/implement
Successful Marketing
Recruitment s, tailored to appeal to students
Peer-to-peer marketing
Letters to parents prior to orientation
Solid SAA brochure

12. Young Alumni Findings…
What makes their young alumni programs strong?
Young Alumni Councils or Chapter Rep
National Young Alumni Council – devises plans for chapters
One size fits all events
i.e. Swamp Swap
Strong emphasis on Networking Events/Professional Development
Community Service Events
Tie-in with “University Day” to build connection back to University
Keeping up with current mainstream ways of communication
Facebook
Videos to Young Alumni from other Young Alumni
UCF YAC shooting their own videos
Personalized s from Young Alumni Reps/
Board Members

13. Young Alumni Findings cont…
Synergy with SAA
SAA Membership cards with local chapter listed
Joint networking events
Surveys / Focus Groups
Finding out what is really important to students before they graduate
Synergy with Membership
Keeping rates lower for a longer period of time
Chapters receive a portion of membership dollars for their accounts, helps give them motivation/buy-in
Must be an AA member to be a member of the chapter

14. Where do we go from here…
What can we do now at the UOAA?
Stronger focus on membership synergy between SAA and UOAA
Both UOAA and SAA members will now be receiving same benefits (i.e. calendar, preferred partners, etc)
Membership Cards with UOAA Chapter name on them
Bigger differential b/w member and non-member rate at events
Pre-game parties will be $5 for UOAA Members, $20 for non-members
Stronger focus on sponsorships

15. Where do we go from here…
How can we improve the SAA?
Hired Regan to help revamp
structure/ develop new plan
Hiring student workers to help with tabling at orientation
Spirit T-shirts (i.e. Beat t-shirts)
Tradition Book (i.e. UF’s F Book)
Co-Branding of all materials
How do we do a better job at engaging our Young Alumni?
Stronger Focus on Professional Development Events
Networking Events
Focus on more community service events /University Day
Include a Young Alumni representative on chapter boards

16. Closing Thoughts
Questions? Comments?