1. Engaging Young Alumni: 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Kourtney Kleine Temple Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni Programs Nicole Kusiolek ‘06 Young Alumni Committee Member

2. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 1.Define who your club considers “young alumni” Alumni Association defines it as 0-10 years out of school Recent alumni is defined as 0-3 years out of school

3. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 2. Highlight the young alumni membership rates in your materials. Alumni Association membership is complimentary for the first year after graduation. 2 nd and 3 rd years out are eligible for reduced dues of $25.

4. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 3. Consider implementing a young alumni discount if there is a fee to attend an event. Even $5 or $10 off the registration fee could be an incentive for a young alum to attend.

5. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 4. If you are asking for gifts, make the giving levels attainable for young alumni. Focus on participation and the impact of every gift, no matter how big or small.

6. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 5. Make sure your online presence is dynamic and up-to-date, including updated contact information for your club or chapter and an updated calendar of upcoming events.

7. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 6. Provide prominent links to any of your social media pages. Social media is one of the top ways young alumni will connect with your group.

8. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 7. If your club or chapter does not have an up-to-date and engaging web presence, consider identifying a young alum to take over the maintenance of these pages. Social media is second nature to young alumni and your request will likely elicit an enthusiastic “YES!”

9. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 8. Keep the lines of communication to your club open. Get back to inquiries about club activities as quickly as possible.

10. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 9. Consider providing incentives to young alumni (or anyone) who updates their contact information with you. This group in particular changes mailing addresses frequently. Many continue to use their parents’ addresses to receive mail for several years after graduation.

11. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 10. Ask young alumni to identify how they would prefer to be contacted. Most will indicate “email” and give you an accurate email address.

12. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 11. Ask for a phone number. Most will give you their cell phone numbers since they don’t have a landline. If they would prefer not to be contacted by phone, they probably won’t even give you a phone number. 11 ½. Don’t forget to share all updated contact information with the Alumni Association!

13. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 12. Remember that young alumni notoriously wait until the last minute to RSVP. They like to keep their options open until the last possible moment. If you need an accurate headcount, make your RSVP deadlines earlier than you actually need that info.

14. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 13. Learn the young alumni language of Facebook RSVPs. It may not mean what you think it means! A Facebook Yes = Maybe A Facebook Maybe = Probably not, but I’m paying attention. A Facebook No = I can’t this time, but keep inviting me! No response = I’m not interested or I’m not even paying attention.

15. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 14. For a free event, count on 50-60% of those young alumni who said yes actually showing up. That might go as high as 80% if they had to pay for the event. If your attendance rises above 80%, you’re doing something incredible!

16. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 15. Consider the lifestyles of young alumni and plan accordingly. Do young people in your area tend to rely on public transportation because it’s too expensive to have a car? If so, make sure your event is accessible to public transit. If parking at the event is not free, be sure to mention that in the invitation or reminder emails. If cash would be helpful to have at the event, let young alumni know. Very few regularly carry cash.

17. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 16. The Young Alumni Committee has seen tremendous success with our Young Alumni Career Workshop Series. Even if the topic is not specific to young alumni, programs that “meet them where they are” are successful. Example: Young Alumni Financial Planning Workshop

18. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 17. Career Networking is huge for young alumni, but they also dread it. Consider hosting a networking event specific to a popular industry in your area. Since most young alumni aren’t “natural” networkers yet, consider adding structure to the event, like speed networking. “Forcing” young alumni to connect with others will ensure they get the most out of the event and are more likely to return for other programs.

19. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 18. Consider reaching out to new graduates or young alumni who have recently relocated to your area with a Terp-themed care package welcoming them to the area. Provide helpful resources for new transplants and invite them to one of your upcoming events to connect with other Terps in the area. Provide contact info for the club if they want to reach out to you. Bonus: This might be a great way to engage a club member who isn’t interested in event-planning!

20. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 19. Engage young alumni through local college fairs or admitted student events in your area. Their experiences are more relevant to potential or incoming students and their presence might help potential students feel more comfortable at an event. More on this in just a moment…

21. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 20. Create structured volunteer opportunities for young alumni. This group is ready to give back with time and talent (and they have plenty of both) so utilize it! Event set-up or clean-up Work an info booth or registration table Run errands before an event to gather supplies But a word of caution…

22. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 21. Don’t assign these roles without first getting buy-in from the volunteer. Otherwise they may feel resentful that the “grunt work” was forced on them. Share with them your volunteer needs for each program and let them volunteer for the job that most interests them.

23. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 22. Inspire young alumni participation with competition. In general, this is a highly competitive group! Consider integrating a challenge component to a program or event. Fundraising challenge Volunteer hours challenge “Bring the most friends” challenge

24. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 23. Include young alumni in key club decision-making. Club leadership should reflect the diversity of the audiences you’re trying to reach!

25. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 24. If you have enough young alumni in your club or chapter, consider starting your own Young Alumni Committee, not to marginalize these young people, but to give them the space and resources to implement their own ideas and initiatives. If young alumni don’t feel supported and encouraged, they might want to break off and start a competing group!

26. 25 Methods in 20 Minutes Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu 25. Most importantly, be authentic. Don’t try to force it. If it’s painful for you, it will be painful for young alumni as well. This group in particular will see right through a phony attempt to engage them. Young alumni will follow enthusiasm. If your events are fun and you are excited to be there, that Terp spirit will reach young alumni too!

27. Questions? Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu

28. Alumni-Admissions Collaboration: Recruit a Terp

29. Admissions Timeline Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu August – November: Nationally: High School Visits & College Fairs On Campus: Open Houses, Tours November – January Review priority candidates for admission and special programs Release decisions by January 31 st January – June Distribute Scholarships Recruit juniors nationally Yield admitted students through on and off campus events Reviewing January 20 th candidates May 1 Students confirm enrollment for Fall semester June –August Summer Sendoffs On Campus Tours & Special Events

30. What is Recruit a Terp? Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu INFO Changing the face of the university Impacting the future of UMD Representing campus in your community Expanding the reach of the university Meeting other alumni Spreading the Terp spirit

31. Why is it important? Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu Increasing the Breadth and Depth of the Applicant Pool more students we meet, more to apply, more to choose from (talent, diversity, etc) Year-round campus connection in your community OUA has limited ability to be in an area (ex: Dallas) Increasing Name Recognition

32. Opportunities for Involvement Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu Alumni are encouraged to attend events year round!. Show your support and share you passion for the University of Maryland! College Fairs Year round participation Local and National Events Greatest number of students in shortest period of time Maryland on the Move The university comes directly to students in their communities Students and families receive publications and presentation on admissions process and academic and social opportunities Maryland Alumni Hosted Events Congratulate admitted students and encourage them to attend UMD! Alumni host, help with registration, greet guests, talk about the University, answer questions, and spread the Terp spirit! TerpLink Write notes to admitted students to congratulate them on their admission (provided by Recruit-a- Terp) Share your passion for the University Registration occurs in fall for February participation

33. College Fairs Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu WHAT HAPPENS UMD attends college fairs year round We meet with juniors and seniors in high schools and their families Participation at fairs can be with an admission representative or alumni only WHAT TO EXPECT 50-100 other colleges Arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the fair Dress in business casual attire, but show your Terp pride with your alumni pin! Don’t know an answer? That’s OK! Pass along our contact information.

34. Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center  College Park, MD 20742-1521 301.405.4678/800.336.8627  alumni.umd.edu  alumni@umd.edu