Rationale

The Alumni Association exists because of its members, and one of its strengths is its history of providing quality services and programs to these members. While this plan endorses the continuation of "traditional" programs such as reunions, regional clubs, class activities, and other social and cultural events, it also acknowledges that there are many other ways in which the Association can serve the diverse needs of its members.

To some extent service comes in the form of direct programs, such as career services or spiritual programs. There are also ways in which the Association can help address other, more developmental needs of members, for example through programs that provide opportunities for leadership development and through specific efforts to ensure that all members feel included.

As BC alumni become increasingly diverse, it will be important to find ways to ensure that there are opportunities for involvement for a wide cross section of people with different skills and needs. Specific approaches to new and changing constituencies may be needed to build involvement and develop future leaders.

Strategies

1. Be inclusionary: reach out to new people, develop strategies to get people involved, and represent ALL alumni.

An important goal of the Alumni Association is to represent and involve all alumni. As the diversity of alumni increases, more focused efforts can help broaden participation. These include:

• Actively encourage participation by AHANA alumni, people from the graduate and professional schools, and other diverse constituencies in both planning and carrying out Alumni Association activities.

• Encourage all constituency groups to include recent graduates in leadership roles as appropriate.

• Target increased resources to ensure that the Alumni Association is reaching the rapidly growing alumni population outside of the Boston area, both nationally and internationally.

Regional clubs provide an important link to the Association and the University for geographically dispersed alumni. As more alumni leave the Boston area, the clubs' importance will increase. Clubs will need enhanced administrative support, increased communication, and more direct contact with representatives of the University. Regular visits by University administrators and key faculty can provide a strong focus for a regional club and increase members' sense of identity with Boston College. As partners with the Alumni Association and the University, the regional clubs can also enhance BC's identity and recognition throughout the country.

3. Develop the leadership skills and abilities of alumni in key positions to ensure the continued success of programs.

Continuity of programs is key to success, and programs depend on having a cadre of prepared leaders. Specific activities might include:

• Foster increased collaboration among alumni leaders and Association staff by targeting specific communication resources tailored to the needs of alumni leaders.

• Encourage all alumni groups to develop leadership succession strategies and build them into their structures. Groups should be assisted in developing leadership succession plans that meet their individual needs to ensure their future success.

• Provide leadership development opportunities (such as the November 1996 leadership training session) for leaders of clubs, classes, and other parts of the Association structure.

• Charge the leaders of classes, clubs, and other groups with mobilizing alumni around specific programs, activities, and issues.

• Support and develop young alumni groups as training grounds for building future leaders.
  

4. Increase the use of communication technologies to stay in touch with alumni and link them to the Association, the University, and each other.

Technology can be an important tool for increasing alumni's sense of connection, particularly those who are outside of the Boston area. Specific programs might include:

• Using the web site and other communication technologies to stay in touch with alumni, especially those who are geographically distant from Boston, and help them feel connected to the University.

• Increasing the amount and types of information provided about alumni to other alumni, thus facilitating communication among individuals and encouraging increased networking.

• Developing a network with the growing number of international alumni to link them closer to the Association and the University.
  

The Alumni Association has long provided spiritual programs for alumni. As interest in this area appears to be growing, it is appropriate for the Association to examine how it might best continue to serve these needs. Specific strategy elements include:

• Assess current spiritual offerings and determine how they might be replicated through clubs or classes.

• Evaluate potential new spiritual programs that could be offered, both in Boston and through the regional clubs.

• Partner with other Jesuit alumni groups through regional clubs to increase spiritual offerings.

• Provide spiritual programs that recognize the needs of both Catholic and non-Catholic alumni.

• Provide access to University resources to support alumni as they pursue their own spiritual work in their parishes and communities.
  

Over the past few years the career services program has been growing in importance to BC alumni. As environmental and lifestyle changes continue to make career changes more common throughout one's professional life, these services will become even more important and additional efforts and resources will be required. Specific services tailored to alumni at different stages of life will best meet their diverse needs.


7. Expand opportunities for alumni to learn about and share in campus life.

This may include programs such as symposia where the University shares current scholarship with alumni, or issues discussions on topics from cultural and artistic subjects to basic values. In addition to campus-based programs, the Association should seek to expand offerings outside of the Boston area through regional club programs, visits from Boston College faculty and administrators, videotapes, on-line services, and other media.

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