1 Maximize Your Bandwidth to Engage Alumni and Fulfill Your Mission Presenters: Michael Christiaens CC’00, RBS’05, President-elect Mari Boggiano RBS’04, President Alumni Organization: Rutgers Business School Alumni Association (RBSAA) Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

2 History 1948: Founded as a business fraternity – To promote the welfare of the school, foster the interests and friendship of the members, and advance the cause of higher education 2004: Name changed to Rutgers Business School Alumni Association (RBSAA) 2007: New mission – Connecting alumni to extend the value of our Rutgers Business education 2010 / Post-RUAA: New structure, new leadership, different rules of engagement Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

3 RBSAA: Our goals and challenges Five RBSAA Strategic Plan objectives 1.Build partnerships 2.Increase awareness of RBSAA presence, mission, and services 3.Make an impact on our constituents 4.Increase alumni participation 5.Set and manage to short- and long-term financial goals Challenges –Mesh RBS alumni interests with our mission –Increase alumni participation in RBSAA events –Decrease workload and optimize limited Boardmember and volunteer bandwidth toward event planning –Grow # of volunteers Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

4 Case studies 1.NJPAC reception during Newark Homecoming Weekend (April 2011) –Piggybacked onto RUAA event –Used creative concept “String Trio Negotiaion” to appeal to RBS alumni –Leveraged opportunity to launch RBSAA Career Resources Survey 2.RBSAA Annual Meeting: NB Reunion Weekend (May 2011) –Hosted “open” annual board meeting Guest speaker from MDE Group on financial investments Boardmember election First annual Volunteer rewards and recognition Wine and cheese reception for RBS alumni –Manned table at parade Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011 RBSAA Annual Meeting / Guest Speaker / Volunteer Awards / Reception NJPAC reception: String trio negotiation

5 Opportunity – Partnership with RUAA on NJPAC event during Newark Alumni Weekend festivities 4/16/11 Approach – Teamwork / Collaboration / Negotiation exemplified by string trio Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011 Meet the Musicians: A Reception and Concert with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra / A Salute to the Music of John Williams Planning and Promotion – Committee: Bill Downey and Michael Christiaens (RBSAA) and Bonnie Kenselaar (Alumni Relations) – NJ Symphony had existing program they could adapt and promotion began – Promoted event in RBSAA and RUAA websites (including LinkedIn, Facebook), calendars, , and mailings – Planned to maximize event and outreach by launching our Career Resources Survey at the event

6 NJPAC reception: Results ~ 80 alumni attended reception – Cross-school and cross-campus 2 student leaders recognized and welcomed as RBSAA guests – Expressed interest in volunteering for RBSAA post-graduation – Relationship built with Dean’s Advisory Council Career Resources Survey launched – 805 total participants by time of survey close Event photo and mention in Rutgers Magazine Receiving REAL Award 10/11 for creative programming excellence Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

7 RBSAA Annual Meeting: NB Reunion Weekend Opportunity – Piggyback on large, well-publicized alumni event Approach – Move our annual “open” meeting to the Reunion Weekend – Engage alumni and volunteers via Guest Speaker, Awards, and Reception Planning and Promotion – Booked Red Lion Café at Student Center to facilitate large meeting and reception – Arranged guest speaker from our financial advisor – Promoted via aforementioned means – Coordinated first annual Volunteer Recognition event Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

8 RBSAA Annual Meeting: Results Results – Attracted ~15 participants in addition to the Board – Guest speaker was well received; reinforced our partnership with MDE – 15 Volunteers and 2 organizations/partners recognized and rewarded Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

9 Lessons Learned & Tips Create an annual plan and academic year event calendar – Provide as much lead time for planning and promotion as possible Seek co-promotions or co-sponsored events as much as possible – Piggyback onto 4 prime RUAA alumni events, eg, Homecomings and Reunions Try to maximize your event to achieve multiple objectives (eg, Career Resources Survey) Implement a multi-pronged promotional campaign – RUAA resources – Electronic resources and websites, including professional sites like LinkedIn – If budget allows, don’t forget about snail mail! Take photos for future promotional efforts – In slide decks, in brochures, online Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

10 Summary You can maximize your bandwidth through partnerships and piggybacking on RUAA events We at RBSAA continue to seek new partnerships – Let us know if you’d like to work with us! Facilitate achievement of your mission by gathering feedback from constituents through multiple ways – And offering an incentive for feedback works Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

11 Thank you! Any questions? Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011 rbsaa.org

12 Backup

13 Other accomplishments Career Resources survey using reward as benefit (iPad) Speaking event Facilitating board participation – Skype / NK facility AV and conf. call capability – Rotating and expanding meeting location Engaging administration and Dean’s office Partnerships – RU Club of NYC Happy Hours – Lerner Center for Pharma Studies co-sponsorship of seminars – EMBA Homecoming Basketball and Hockey events Launch of own organization website and Facebook site Enhancement of LinkedIn site Ensuring content submitted to monthly RBS Alumni Newsletters Sponsorship of Pharma Club mixers