AAIM Moscow – August 2012 Signature Programs Workshop – AIESEC Alumni First Thursdays (AAFT)

Contents AAFT Definition What is Good Room for Improvement The Name Issue Opportunities Next Steps

Definition Imagine that no matter where on earth you may be, you can join fellow alumni AIESECers the first Thursday of every month to network, to have fun, and to have impact. Already today, alumni meet on regular basis in a number of cities around the world, and we know that many more would participate if they knew when and where to go. During a brainstorming session at AAIM 2012 in Hungary, we discussed an idea to elevate these meetings into global program. Peter Mandl and Fabian Tschan, AIESEC alumni leaders in Austria and Switzerland, respectively, demonstrated great initiative and entrepreneurship in launching and growing this effort!

Definition We invite YOU to get engaged in this global effort in your city on the First Thursday of each month. To find out which cities are already participating and to get more information, visit this Facebook page and ‘Like it!’ Every AIESECer is welcome to join us… alumni, students, trainees and our corporate partners. If there is no event in your city yet, we encourage you to organize one. We will be happy to help. We are as many as one million strong, and our potential “to the power of AIESEC” is huge! Let us unleash this potential together on the First Thursday of every month in as many cities worldwide as we can. This is a great channel for us to learn from one other, create synergies and have impact.

Definition, in short When: Monthly meeting Who: AIESECers (Alumni, students, trainees, partners) What: Meeting Where: Every city where Alumni is Why: Networking (social, business) reconnection, fun, drinks

What is good 6 months in a row, and growing. August with more than 60 events in 5 continents Many cities with different approaches: Just social, just business, LC meeting and party, coaching, “Blue Economy”, etc. In some countries, the event is organized by Alumni and students together Skype videoconferences among events (same time zone) Interaction among Alumni, students and trainees

What is Good Sharing results / best practices Many reasons to attend: Friends Fun / Parties Contact with AIESEC Business Networking Still young

Room for Improvement If we don’t deliver value, the inititative might die Set a monthly theme (international, regional, national, local) Urgent need for regional/national coordinators Event coordination and responsibilities among Alumni, MC and LC Timing, the event is set up on a very short time frame, so is not properly communicated Creation / communication of the events on Facebook

Room for improvement Many reasons not to attend: Lack of interest No proper communication No one to coordinate it Not relevant Same people / few people To frequent AIESEC is not any more for me

The Name Issue “FIRST Thursdays” does not reflect the event it self. In many cities the event is not host on the first week neither / or on Thursdays. Some cities still use the previous name: “First Thirstday”. Even though is highly valuable to host the event worldwide on the same day, it is more important to recognize needs and wants of each city.

Opportunities To attract Alumni from all generations Worldwide brainstorm for new Signature Programs by AIESEC Start point for Alumni Associations To set a common name that suits everyone’s needs

Next steps Set a suggested 6 month “list of topics”, that should be covered during each AAFT; e.g. : AAIM / IC results Alumni Association (creation, development). Regional, National, Local. Leaders List (End of September; Hugo Preciado, Kuba Karlinsky, David Epstein) Select a new name for the initiative, e.g.: AIESEC Alumni Monthly Meeting The Monthly Gathering Etc. (End of October; Hugo Preciado and all the AAFT coordinators)

Next Steps Encourage AIESEC students (IC, MCs and LCs) to promote the initiative and to collaborate with the Alumni on this (On going; David Epstein, Andrew Rowe with the IC and each coordinator with their MCs / LCs) AAFT Homepage improvements: List of coordinators by cities Sharing / creating the events (End of September; Hugo Preciado and IT person from AI / AAI)