Young Alumnae Representative
Role Responsibilities
The young alum representative is the primary club contact for our most recent graduates. Recruiting and engaging young alumnae is critical to the continued success of Wellesley clubs and the strength of the Wellesley alumnae network. A strong club will engage alums of all ages and its programming lineup should always include events that are equally attended by all as well, but engaging young alumnae may also require some specific events focused on this demographic.
Typically, young alums are defined as those who graduated within the last ten years, including CE/DS alums who graduated in this time period. Each club can define the parameters for young alums as they prefer.
Primary responsibilities:
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In consultation with the President and board, identify your club’s goals for young alums. Do you want to grow membership? Debut niche programming? Find ways to connect younger alums with older mentors? Produce a young alum newsletter once a quarter? Your club region demographics and previous programming will influence your club’s unique goals.
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Attend board meetings and provide support for club programming.
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Collaborate with the board on young alum communications, including contributions to the club newsletter, email blasts, as well as the club website and/or social media channels.
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Conduct outreach for potential young alum volunteers.
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Plan programs and events specifically for young alums.
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Make diversity, inclusion, and accessibility a part of your planning from start to finish.
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Survey local recent alums to determine their needs/interests and ideas for programming. What would they like to see in your club? What’s keeping them from engaging?
Communications and Social Media
You have the power to connect—and build excitement about all the connections that are possible through the club. Let alumnae learn about upcoming events and share photos of past ones! Add personal touches as you introduce the board—what are their favorite books/movies/Wellesley memories? Or perhaps a spotlight on one in each newsletter—how did they come to volunteer and why?
Newsletters/Emails
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Together with the club’s communications leaders, establish a timeline for regular communications about upcoming programming to the club via email or newsletter.
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Send all club emails, newsletters, and invitations through the club website (alum.wellesley.edu). Training for communications volunteers is available online- please visit our video tutorials and Website FAQ.
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If your email requires additional technological assistance, you may use this form to request an email blast, newsletter, labels, or list.
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The WCAA encourages email and e-newsletters for sustainability and suggests mailing only to alumnae with no email on file. If a print mailing is necessary, be sure to include a way for alumnae to update their information: “Update your contact information at alum.wellesley.edu or email recordupdates@wellesley.edu.”
Website
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Ensure your website has current content on it. Work with your website chair or other board members to post information about upcoming events, add photos of past events, and provide info on how to volunteer to help with events.
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If you and your website chair need assistance, request it here or view our video tutorials and Website FAQ.
Social Media
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Social media is a great way to show off your club’s events! This is often one of the first things potential new members will see when looking into joining your club. Use your channels to demonstrate the range of activities that club members enjoy.
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The WCAA does not own and therefore cannot manage or moderate online groups and pages outside of our official channels. Be aware of the groups your club uses and the discussions taking place. These groups can be a great source of positive connection for your club when used responsibly!
Access to Contact Information
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WCAA strongly encourages use of the online alumnae directory. The online alumnae directory is behind a Wellesley firewall that requires signing in. If alumnae have difficulty logging in, they can call the help desk at 781.283.7777 or email them at helpdesk@wellesley.edu. They can also use the password reset feature.
If you wish to do individual outreach to alumnae to encourage attendance and other participation, you can request a club list here. A club list will include: name, addresses, and phone number. A lost list will include name and last known address. A do-not-contact list will include names only. The WCAA requires the most recent Annual and Financial Reports to be submitted before we will provide lists. For several reasons, we are unable to provide you with email addresses. For more information, please review our email policy.
Program Ideas for Young/Recent Alums
Program Ideas for Young/Recent Alums
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Coordinate with SIG representatives for young alum events.
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Coordinate with the Alum Admission Representative to include young alums in prospective student events and other admission work.
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Plan regular “pay your way” meal meet-ups, including brunch, lunch, and after-work gatherings. Meals and weeknight happy hours are easy to arrange and often well-attended by young alumnae.
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Co-sponsor young/recent alum events with Seven Sisters or other alum clubs nearby.
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Other suggestions include: book group, movie night, visits to local attractions, outdoor activities (for example, picnics, hikes, beach trips), and group exercise classes (for example, spin, barre, yoga).
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Young alums have busy schedules and getting them to commit to attending events in advance can be difficult. Many clubs have had great success with smaller, more spontaneous events, or recurring programs. For example...
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The Chicago Wellesley Club hosts a program called “Around Town,” where volunteers and general members are encouraged to “host” an outing to a local event as an open invitation to all, i.e. “I’m planning on going to see the holiday market and skating rink downtown next Friday evening. If anyone wants to join for cocoa and a stroll, meet at the fountain at 7pm!” These types of events can easily be advertised via social media or in a newsletter roundup.
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Wellesley College Alumnae of Boston have a Metrowest dinner group that meets at a different restaurant each month for a pay-your-own way meal. They also have a Downtown Lunch Group that meets on weekdays, where working alums can meet up mid-day for an easy way to connect.
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The Washington Club has a young alum book club that meets regularly as a small group. This concept could easily be applied to other activities - museum outing group, movie group, art history discussion group, etc.
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Think of ways you can tag on to other events. Performances, town celebrations, and public events in outdoor spaces are easy events to attend as a group. Events that involve small groups, minimal cost, and little advance notice may appeal to young alumnae.