1. Communicating effectively with alumni
A guide to building strong relationships with advisors, headquarters staff and general alumni.

2. Advisors Role they play Expectations Communicating effectively
Meeting Vanderbilt Fraternity & Sorority Standards

3. Headquarters Staff Supporting VU Standards Role of staff
Headquarters expectations
Communicating with staff

4. Headquarters Staff
What role does headquarters staff play in your chapter’s daily operations?
Know the difference between staff and volunteers!
Headquarters exists to support the organization’s chapters.
Role can vary from chapter to chapter.
In most cases, relationship is largely based on chapter actions.
Strong relationship gives you a knowledgeable team that is on your side.

5. Headquarters Staff
What expectations does headquarters have for your chapter?
Be on time and thorough with basic financial and reporting expectations.
Keep staff aware of chapter news, events and accomplishments.
Communicate any emergencies promptly. We’re here to help you in times of need, not just punish you.
Our organizations, and ultimately jobs for staff, rely on the success of our chapters so we want to work with you to succeed.

6. Headquarters Staff
How can your chapter be sure it is effectively communicating with headquarters?
Find out the different staff positions for your organization and how they exist to serve you.
Introduce yourself and chapter leaders to relevant staff members to initiate a strong relationship early on.
Be sure to cover all the basics.
Do what you can to stand out in a positive way.

7. Headquarters Staff
How can a strong headquarters relationship help your chapter succeed on the Vanderbilt campus?
Staff provides chapters with educational materials addressing all areas of Fraternity and Sorority Standards.
A strong relationship ensures a higher chance of financial support.
Many organizations offer technology resources for chapters.
Organizations provide members with many leadership training opportunities and financial support for those.
Staff can support chapters in identifying alumni volunteers.

8. General Alumni Role they play Expectations Communicating effectively
Meeting Vanderbilt Fraternity & Sorority Standards

9. Alumni What role can alumnae/alumni play in your chapter’s success?
These men and women have the potential to be your best advocates and your best marketing tools if their perception of your organization remains positive
You share an important detail on your resumes! Alumnae and alumni can teach you how to tell the story of your Greek experience
Your alumnae and alumni can be a top source of support for your chapter for both financial and non-financial needs
Important to point out here that advisors and headquarters staff may also be alumni so this is a very general section for which I concentrated mostly best practices for those members of your organizations who are not active in your groups in other ways

10. ALUMNI THE 3 Cs What expectations do your alumni have of your chapter?
Your alumni expect to be….
C-onnected to your chapter happenings and plans
C-elebrated for their support and service to your organization
C-ounted on for their time, talents and ideas

11. Looking at the first c…. Connect
What are your best communication strategies?
Your organization should connect with alumni and alumnae consistently
Choosing your timeline
You catch more fish with a larger net…
Hard copy
Electronic
Face to Face
Work smarter not harder
Is there an alumni or alumnae component to your upcoming events?

12. Alumni How can your alumni help you meet your standards?
Technology and communication standards
These standards of excellence should motivate your organization to continuously improve your relationship with alumni and alumnae and the way you connect with them via your website, social networking, and other mediums
Hosting an event for alumni or alumnae
Ensure that meeting this standard opens doors for ongoing contact with the alumni or alumnae attending. Showcase your successes and keep records of who attends
It all goes back to working smarter and not harder
Include alumni in your philanthropy projects or consider utilizing alumni support for facilitating educational programming