Thanks to our Sponsors Set Sail with a Purpose! Melissa Pianalto National Alumni Association Board Member

Set Sail with a Purpose! Determine an Itinerary Prepare Documentation Plan Excursions

What is the Purpose of an Alumni Group?  To promote and increase alumni participation, engagement, alumni/students’ interaction opportunities and membership Is your group “All Aboard?”

What’s Your Itinerary? Clarify the purpose of your organization Prioritize your resources Analyze your environment Deal with changes & transitions Set out in a clear direction Set Goals

Prepare Your Documentation (Developing a Plan) 1.Who Should be Involved? 2.Where are we Now? To plan for the future, understand the present. Analyze the External & Internal Environment

Strengths Threats Opportunities SWOT Analysis Worksheet Weaknesses EXTERNAL Environment INTERNAL Environment What are you good at doing? What are you already doing well? What don’t we do well? What isn’t working? What events or trends are favorable to the organization? What events or trends are unfavorable?

Secure Your Documentation 3.Where are we Going? Use the S.W.O.T. to define needs, priorities, problems and opportunities. Create a 3 -5 year plan using each element of the S.W.O.T. Update every year Limited in number of objectives (4-6) Clear in Direction Measurable

Plan Your Excursions! Gauge your audience against the possibilities to plan the most effective events  Evaluate previous events  Focus groups, surveys, etc. Talk to the NON-attendees  Get Your Plan in Place  Cross-Plan  Follow a Communication/Marketing Plan

Arriving in Port What will be done? Who is responsible? How will it happen? What resources are needed? Human, physical, financial What will success look like?

Don’t Rely on your Memory Evaluate your programs formally Keep records Review when planning for future events

What’s In Your Passport to Success?