Alumni clubs and societies can learn a lot by sharing ideas on everything from innovative programming to routine procedures. This page is your gateway for best practices that can guide your group's activities or serve as a basis for your next brainstorming session.
CULTIVATING STUDENT LOYALTY
The New Mexico Alumni Club members connect with students when in Columbus for vacation, taking time out to have lunch with their ASP recipients.
College of Medicine sponsors a forum where a distinguished alumnus is invited back to talk about their work with students, faculty and alumni.
Los Angeles Alumni Club offers an interactive Web page that allows students and alumni to network and ask for professional assistance.
College of Veterinary Medicine hosts pizza parties at the Varsity Club following midterms for the first and second year classes.
School of Allied Medical Professions sponsors a student tailgate in conjunction with Make-a-Difference Day; admission is a canned food item.
The Charlotte alumni club sends a personalized letter to all incoming and current students with information about the local club, including contact information, and an invitation to upcoming events.
College of Biological Sciences gives alumni the opportunity to sponsor a student player at the annual golf outing.
Civil Engineering hosts 75 students at an OSU Men’s hockey game and pre-game pizza dinner.
Marion County Alumni Club hosts a very successful ‘Juniors’ Night’ where high school juniors mingle with alumni and discuss Ohio State.
New Mexico, Central Florida, and Mercer County alumni clubs put a new twist on the student send-offs. These clubs hosted a pool party for incoming and current students.
FUNDRAISING
Auctions. At its fall event the College of Veterinary Medicine has a large silent auction with more than 70 items and a raffle where you buy the raffle tickets and then place them in the bowl for the prize you want to win. Last year they raised $16,000.
Golf outings. Many groups now sponsor a golf outing to raise money. Civil Engineering does a great job raising about $10,000 a year, mainly by securing hole sponsorships. The money donated into their fund qualifies them for Presidents Club membership allowing them to raffle off these football tickets to raise more money.
Merchandise. Many groups sell products through Marketplace. Unique items with a local flair make good sellers. Any item bearing a university mark should be registered with the trademark and licensing office. For more information about Marketplace contact Craig Little or Kimberly Lowe.
Specialized events. Consider an event tied to your group's identity. The cheerleading society hosts a competition for area cheer squads in February. The marching band alumni perform throughout the state and all money goes to their scholarship fund.
Beat Michigan Week. Many groups hold successful fundraisers during Beat Michigan Week. Groups should consider a special event, auction at your game watch party, or another project.
Donations. Game watches and tailgate parties can be a great place to "pass the hat" to collect contributions. Many alumni clubs including Detroit, Logan and Mahoning counties include a line for scholarship donations on event reservation forms.
FINANCES
Scholarship funds should be maintained separately from operating funds. Donations to a 501(c)(4) are generally not tax deductible but donations to the club or society’s scholarship fund are tax deductible if those accounts are maintained through the development office at Ohio State. Donors should designate the scholarship name or fund number on the memo line. E-mail holmes@ohiostatealumni.org for your fund number.
Prepare a budget for each significant event or activity to keep track of funds used and any profits made from each individual event.
Utilize www.nonprofitbasics.org, a Web site offering advice on efficiently running your non-profit group. The site contains information on maintaining financial stability for your 501(c)(4) organization.
Invest in financial software such as Quicken or Microsoft Money to effectively manage your group’s budget. If these products are new to you, utilize the software’s step-by-step tutorials.
Your group should take time to shop around for a bank that suits your needs. Consider banking fees, minimum balances, interest, overdraft protection, convenience, and the bank's reputation when making your decision. Be sure to find an FDIC-insured institution.
GENERAL
These best practices reflect just some of the things that clubs and societies are doing to create valuable programming and further the Alumni Association's strategic plan.
We will be the gateway through which alumni connect with Ohio State and with each other and serve the university.
New York City alumni club members participate in a variety of team sports including softball, volleyball, and flag football. These teams are organized and coordinated by the club. For details contact Kevin Ma.
Some societies offer continuing education programs to keep a close connection to alumni.
The College of Medicine Alumni Society held an event where female physicians and medical students were matched up for mentoring and networking.
The Los Angeles alumni club coordinated a tour of the Tolerance/Holocaust Museum for its members. Carrie Smith has details.
The African American Alumni Society co-hosted an event in conjunction with the MLK Jr. celebration at a Cavaliers game attracting alumni from Columbus and Cleveland.
Clubs participate in a variety service events in conjunction with local grade/secondary schools. For ideas contact Bruce Carr or Dick Smith.
We will cultivate student loyalty to the alumni world by visibly contributing to their campus experiences.
When visiting Columbus on vacation, members of the New Mexico alumni club take some time out to have lunch with their ASP recipients.
The Richland County alumni club created exam goodie bags with soda, snacks, and information about the club for students living on the OSU-Mansfield campus. Many societies and clubs take part in calling projects to reach prospective students.
Each quarter the Williams County club awards $5 phone cards to students from their county who make the Dean's List.
The Sorority and Fraternity Alumni Society sponsors an annual workshop for undergraduate-alumni chairs of each chapter to increase involvement.
Many societies have invited a student to serve on their boards.
The Alumni Club of Triangle North Carolina hosted students participating in alternative spring break.
The marching band alumni sponsor an end of the season pizza party with over 100 prizes for band students.
The Civil Engineering Alumni Society sponsors a free pizza party and OSU hockey game for students.
The Stadium Scholarship Alumni Society helps support an annual alterative spring break for a group of students from the SSD program at Mack Hall.
Minority Engineering Alumni Society 100 x $100 Scholarship program. The MEAS board is working to raise $10,000 by simply asking 100 alumni to donate $100. The installment plan makes it that much easier as alumni can choose two payments of $50, four payments of $25 or 5 payments of $20.
We will become the biggest dues-support alumni association by demonstrating exceptional service and indispensable value.
The Washington, D.C. club created special interest groups (young alumni, business networking...) that offer a wide range of activities based on interest. To learn more contact Bill Fox.
Providing professional development and career seminars is a great way to provide valuable service to your members. Kevin Ma can provide information on activities held by the New York City club.
The HSMP Alumni Society has an extensive salary and benefit survey and access to the executive search services network for its dues-paying members.
Each year the Young Buckeyes of Central Ohio send an electronic survey to all members; programming is shaped by the responses. Contact Dawn Mericle to see a sample.
Club and society officers are required to be members of the Alumni Association.
The Mechanical Engineering and Nursing alumni societies created their own strategic plans. Download the PowerPoint presentations to start your own planning process.
Mechanical Engineering presentation
Nursing presentation
The OSU Alumni Club of Tuscarawas County sent a membership recruitment mailing sponsored by a local business. The campaign yielded 97 members and $390 in scholarship contributions. As an added incentive local businesses contributed gift certificates to be randomly awarded to the new members. The end result was 12 lucky new members walking away with scholarships and the eight participating local businesses get publicity as sponsors.
We will develop a virtual alumni organization accessible to alumni all the time.
The Sarasota-Manatee club has downloaded a utility that allows visitors to translate their site into five different languages. To get the tool visit http://www.altavista.com/help/free/free_searchbox_transl
Looking for a job? Several alumni clubs host job boards on their Web sites. Contact Matthew Robbins for more on the San Francisco club's board.
Both the Men's and Women's Varsity O Alumni societies utilize e-mail blasts for event announcements.
We will give alumni the tools to influence public opinion about Ohio State around the world.
On January 31, 2009, the OSU Alumni Club of Southern Arizona gave their 17th Annual Excellence in Education Award to Carol Crockett of Willcox High School. The club honors and recognizes area teachers for outstanding performance as an example of what OSU Alumni find valuable in a mentor of young minds.
OSU Alumni Club of Darke County- During their “Make A Difference Month” the club worked with local area residents to donate their used, but in good condition, videos, CDs and DVDs to provide entertainment to residents of the Veterans’ Administration Hospital.
In an effort to raise funds for obtaining children’s books for those ranging rom toddlers to teenagers, The OSU Alumni of Southwest Florida worked together with Barnes & Noble Booksellers by hosting a book drive and book fair at the Fort Myers store. The theme was to Make a Difference on National Make a Difference Day on October 25th.
Marion County- Socks for Soldiers program and Article in the Marion Star.
The GLBT Alumni Society hosts town-hall meetings to educate local citizens about equal rights.
The Nutshell is packed with information about the university and Alumni Association. Consider forwarding to your members.
The College of Medicine Alumni Society has created its own advocacy program to work with state legislators.