Regional Volunteer Training

Office of College and Alumni RelationsApril 13, 2010

It is our hope that regional Grinnell events will build connections and promote goodwill among the College, alumni, parents, students, and friends. Regional events provide opportunities for the extended Grinnell community to come together for educational and recreational pursuits, networking and support, and interaction with College faculty and administrators. Regional events also allow alumni to participate in the life-long learning and intellectual exchange offered by Grinnell College.

PROMOTE FOSTER

CREATE and INSTILL FACILITATE

Hold at least two (2) planning meetings yearly to plan local events of interest.

Monitor the planning, publicity and implementation of local events and keep the College informed by designating a contact person for each event.

Make phone calls and send emails to publicize events and recruit other volunteers to help.

Provide material, leadership for regional website.

Assist in planning attractive and well-attended events

Rosters, invitations, and websites

Attend planning meetings and events, and assist with network activity and committee recruitment

Provide general staff and event support

A well-organized regional network structure, supported by many volunteers, builds successful community.

Avoid the “one man show” syndrome. Generate active participation by involving different people on a regular rotation.

Constantly recruit new members; conduct leadership changes at suggested intervals; keep former committee members involved.

What are some of your most successful events ?

What challenges has your committee overcome?

Loggia, emails, updates, Plans, tweets, feeds…

Email Listservs Facebook LinkedIn Plans The Loggia

Peer-to-peer Range of connections Ephemeral (“What are you doing right now?”)

Dozens of sites ◦Facebook, LinkedIn, Plans, etc.

Third-party user community ◦ 400 million active users worldwide◦ About 70% of users outside of U.S.

User centered communication◦ Your share with your friends (updates, links,

photos)◦ Portable content (Web, Email, Mobile)

Potential to integrate with The Loggia Dozens of Grinnell groups

65 million members in over 200 countries Focus on career, professional networking Active Grinnell College alumni group

(1,200+ members) No active geographic focus at this time

Third-party user community ◦ Grinnellians only (alumni, students, faculty, staff)◦ Messages by user “tags”

Younger demographic (90s-00s) Text and links only Existing regional pages

◦ Over two dozen city Plans and 11 country Plans, including [chicago], [dc], [desmoines], [losangeles], [twincities]

Email Subscription-based High control for sender, low control for

reader Older demographic (70s-90s) Existing listservs: [chigrin], [dcgrin], [lagrin],

[minngrin]

Mission Statement:

The purpose of The Loggia is to foster connections between Grinnell College and the Grinnell diaspora – alumni, students, faculty, and staff – through web-based content and applications.

Email◦ Direct communication

Social Media (Facebook, Listservs, Plans)◦ Peer-to-peer◦ Meaningful connections◦ Reinforces other messages

Loggia ◦ hub for information, transactions

Family Outings

Summer Picnics

Educational Events

Service Events

Better chance of attracting many different alumni, parents and friends

Resist temptation to settle for “the regulars”

Seek convenient settings. Rotate event locations within your area. Alternate the day of the week. Contact new people, especially Recent graduates. Recognize and warmly welcome everyone to the event. Use a phone and email tree. Thank guests for their attendance.

As volunteers, you are one of the

many reasons why Grinnell College is

the place many still call home.

THANK YOU!

Grinnell