Technology as an Engagement Tool: 25 th Reunion and Beyond Hilory (Federgreen) Wagner Communication Arts, Class of hilorywithano.wordpress.com

Before Media Became “Social” “The Cornell Connection” Cornell Magazine was the main news source –Life happened –“Nothing newsworthy” Reunions presented opportunities to renew enthusiasm and involvement

From “News” to “Conversation” Social media as an alumni engagement tool –Changes the flow of information –Eliminates / minimizes the gatekeeper –Offers easy tools to connect –Lets alumni connect locally, nationally, internationally –Gives an instant, multidimensional sense of community –Provides career and networking benefits –Has enormous potential for strengthening ties and boosting class spirit

Class of 1986 on the Web Focus on class website increased around reunions As 25 th approached, Cornell rolling out new content management tool Opportunity to integrate other web and social media tools

Facetime on Facebook Class of 86 page existed as vehicle for news gathering Created dedicated Reunions page, launched Event from this group

Linking with LinkedIn Started last year, now more than 50 members Emphasizes career /networking Addresses different communities

@CornellClass86 I blame / thank Larry Robiner, ‘86 Launched Twitter handle September 2010 Great potential for communication during Reunion #LearningCurve :(

YouTube: Reunion Kick-Off Video

Virtual Reunion: Blog

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey Snapshot of how alumni are embracing social media tools, January 2012 (23 responses) Level of involvement: –Part of my DNA (Class Officer, employee): 5 –Very active (attend events, donate, encourage/force teens to apply to Cornell): 7 –Supporter (try to stay up to date): 9 –On the fringe: 2

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey How have social media tools affected your relationship with Cornell over the last several years? –Little impact: 4 –Not much of a Facebooker/Twitterer, but thinking about using these to keep up with Cornell: 3 –Somewhat influenced me to be a more active member of my alumni class: 9 –Definitely increased my engagement with alumni class: 7

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey How often do you use Facebook? –A–As little as possible: 3 –N–Not very often – people have commented how annoying it is that I don’t check Facebook: 4 –I–In healthy moderation: 4 –D–Daily – it’s an enriching and positive part of my day: 11 –C–Constantly: at my computer, via Smartphone – if I eat a brownie the world hears about it. Don’t judge me: 1

How often do you use Twitter? –L–Like I need one more excuse to waste time! Ha, I don’t use Twitter: 8 –I–I set up an account and tweeted, “This is my first tweet!” And that was it, pretty much: 4 –I–I dabble now and then, getting used to it: 5 –I–I am on Twitter daily, and love it: 5 –I–I am on Twitter daily, and hate it: 1

Which statement about social media sounds like you? –I–I am soooo busy, I really have no time to invest in any Facebook or Twitter learning curve: 3 –I–I am happy with my current involvement on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so on: 18 –I–I think I might spend some time learning about Twitter and other tools this year: 1 –I–I am absolutely planning to use more social media tools, personally or for my business, in the coming year: 1

Which statement about social media and CORNELL sounds like you? –I–I am soooo busy, I won’t be changing any of my involvement with my alumni class. Don’t take it personally: 1 –I–I am happy with my current involvement on Facebook, Twitter, yada yada, so I’ll most likely keep up the same clip: 14 –I–I definitely want to engage more with Cornell alumni on Facebook: 5 –I–I am definitely going to connect with more Cornellians on LinkedIn this year: 4 –A–As soon as I finish this survey, I’m going to on Twitter: 1

CornellConnect with All Communities

Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference Technology as an Engagement Tool: President’s Council of Cornell Women (PCCW) Facebook Group Presented by Liz Ngonzi, MMH ‘98 Communications Committee, Co-Vice me on

@LizNgonziFollow me on “PCCW is a group of highly accomplished alumnae working to enhance the involvement of women students, faculty, staff, and alumnae as leaders within Cornell University and its many communities.” Website:

Communications Requirements 1.Increase participation of current and new members in PCCW activities. 2.Create sense of community among members beyond attendance at Annual Meeting. 3.Develop communication strategy that keeps members connected while protecting their privacy and respecting their time constraints. 4.Balance dynamic communications needs of younger members with those of older ones. 5.Celebrate and publicize members’ successes and PCCW’s me on

Communications Solutions: Existing me on External Internal Medium-term

Facebook Group Introduction

Facebook Group

Liz Ngonzi SlideShare.net/ElizabethNgonzi lizngonzi.squarespace.com

CREATING EVENTS THROUGH Manage, Promote, and Sell Out More Events

PROBLEM Poor event management Poor event promotions Events don’t sell out Too many people involved s are everywhere Forget to send reminders Messy excel files Collecting money at the door

Simple but Powerful Manage Events Promote Events Sell out your events Free to sign up So easy, even a cat can do it.

NO Simple YES or NO –evite.com Board meeting Just need an RSVP Events where the other party is collecting the money YES Money collected Ticketed event “Sold Out” marketing Cornell Club Examples –Zinck’s Night –Cornell Cares –Lectures –Alumni Events EVENTBRITE USES

CREATING AN EVENT STEP 1: EVENT DETAILSSTEP 2: CREATE TICKET

CREATING AN EVENT STEP 3: PUBLIC/PRIVATESTEP 4: CAPTURE INFO

CREATING AN EVENT STEP 5: APPEARANCESTEP 6: GO LIVE

CREATING AN EVENT STEP 5: APPEARANCESTEP 6: GO LIVE

KEEP IN MIND $ % per ticket. Example: $50 ticket + $3.74 fee = $53.74 total Payment 5 th day after event ends Direct Deposit or Check

PROMOTE YOUR EVENT Social Media + SEO Custom URL –cornellmiamicares.eventbrite.comcornellmiamicares.eventbrite.com Twitter Facebook Crawled by Search Engines –Public Events Only + Website Send 2000 invites/day Links into Website/Blog –registration form –ticket form Custom buttons & links Widgets

MANAGE ATTENDEES Survey attendees after Integrate Eventbrite and Mail Chimp Schedule & send reminders Send an to registered attendees Send free invitations