Five suggestions are made for moving the college public relations program toward more personal communication: (1) study the communication successes and strategies of others; (2) reassess current communication methods; (3) begin building a small-scale constituency-relations program; (4) establish a contact database; and (5) put the best principles…

Guidelines offered for working with college alumni volunteers in student recruitment efforts include enlisting local alumni leaders' help; communicating expectations and procedures; requiring up-to-date records on local schools; prompt response to volunteer communications; and recognizing volunteer contributions. (MSE)

An informal survey of college editors via electronic mail (e-mail) found that many felt inter- and intrainstitutional e-mail was an efficient method of communication but also elicited some concerns. Some respondents noted it did not replace face-to-face communication; flaming and overload were also noted as negatives of e-mail. (MSE)

The strategies used by a variety of colleges to involve alumni in student recruitment efforts are described. These include awards programs, scholarships, talent scouting, college nights, interviewing, special events, and communication with prospective or incoming students. The importance of training and communication in the alumni-recruitment…

Successful college and university telephone fund-raising campaigns depend on basic techniques such as asking for larger donations and attaining a high fulfillment rate, but these techniques require careful caller training. Specific approaches include role-playing, encouraging taking time to build rapport, requiring follow-up on pledges, letting…

College and university fund-raising programs should have a written policy to make donor thank-yous part of office routine. Reviewing existing donor files can help codify existing policy and practice. Larger offices may need policies for different gift types and sizes. Innovative ways of recognizing donors, such as special events, gifts, and…

A discussion of successful leadership in meetings looks at differing philosophies about the role of the group leader, the different roles assumed by group members, minimal responsibilities that the leader must fulfill, and specific suggestions for maintaining the group's interest during the meeting. (MSE)

This article outlines reasons why some colleges and universities choose to hire outside firms to manage telephone fund-raising campaigns and offers considerations in selecting the appropriate firm. Issues addressed include finding firms, inviting bids, checking references and facilities, making requirements clear, sustaining the relationship, and…

College and university fund-raisers offer suggestions for successful direct-mail campaigns, telephone campaigns, and fund-raising auctions. Ideas include specific persuasive techniques for different types of donors, motivational and support mechanisms for volunteers, and appealing activities and rewards for campaign participation. (MSE)

Campus activities programmers are offered advice on making the most of what they learn at a convention, including some hints for organization before the convention, suggestions for dealing with agents and other schools and for taking notes, and ideas for follow-up. Special attention is given to cooperative buying agreements schools may make with…

Student activities administrators are offered guidelines for managing others, including being aware of assumptions about working with others; acknowledging that people's views, preferences, and needs do not always coincide with one's own; learning about staff's individual differences and preferences; engaging in dialog; paying attention to…

A former corporate public relations (PR) professional shares strategies for communicating and cooperating with the chief executive officer, and particularly for coping with differences in perceptions of the public relations officer's role. Basic attributes of a successful PR professional are outlined: good communication skills, an analytical…

Outlines training suggestions for college volunteers in fund-raising phonathons: presenting the basics (nature of charitable giving, fund-raising on their campus, the annual fund, and specific reasons for soliciting); using role-playing as a training technique; monitoring and retraining as needed; and keeping volunteers motivated. Use of…

Suggestions for better communication are offered for volunteers participating in college fund-raising phonathons. They include general guidelines for telephone communication, solutions for specific situations, notes on appropriate word choice, an exercise to regulate speech speed, information on personality types that may be encountered, and…

To improve matching gift numbers in fund-raising campaigns, colleges and universities can use these techniques: flagging potential matches during phonathons; broadcasting the matching-gift message on the phone, in pledge reminders, with leaflets, and in publications; focusing on companies that employ many alumni; improving follow-through on…