Describes collaborative efforts among the alumni relations departments of three Maine liberal arts colleges. Discusses how the cooperative effort began, unexpected benefits, the give and take of partnerships, and adding partners. A sidebar provides examples of four other cooperative efforts. (EV)

Many small-shop alumni directors with no-frills budgets have found volunteer alumni help worth the organizing efforts. Some creative ways that colleges and universities have found to inspire new interest among the uninvolved are described. (MLW)

Lifelong learning in the United States is no longer a trend but a way of life. Alumni relations should take advantage of this interest by increasing graduates' chances to learn with alumni continuing education. Six steps to success based on Penn State's experience are provided. (MLW)

Provides advice for small alumni offices on how to sponsor an alumni travel program, focusing on booking a travel agent, deciding where to go, using faculty as tour guides or lecturers, making time for alumni office staff to go along, remembering special touches, visiting local alumni, avoiding overt fund raising, and being prepared for problems.…

One of the hottest movements in banking right now is affinity credit cards. For banks, they mean a new source of credit customers. For institutions and alumni organizations, they can mean an easy, inexpensive way to keep the institutional name in front of alumni. (MLW)

Describes the efforts of various college alumni groups to secure better funding for their institutions or promote other legislative causes. (EV)

The ways in which alumni associations trace missing alumni are described. Methods vary from listing lost names in alumni periodicals to paying credit bureaus to trace alumni by Social Security number. The U.S. Postal Service, which runs National Change of Address, sells access to its database of forwarding addresses. (MLW)

The most obvious reason for publishing an alumni directory is to encourage alumni involvement--both with each other and the institution. Concerns in deciding between low-cost and no-cost directory production are highlighted as are steps in producing a directory on campus. (MLW)

Economic pressure has played a role in most clashes between independent alumni associations and their college administrations. Some pros and cons of independence are provided and some events of the past few years are described. (MLW)

Princeton's alumni magazine stepped into the technological age with a computer bulletin board system. Since February 1984, readers of the Princeton Alumni Weekly (PAW) who have personal computers have been able to receive much of the magazine via telephone modem. A description of this computer bulletin board system is provided. (MLW)

Four direct mail pieces show how alumni associations find their way to reach former students. The schools are Emerson College, Episcopal High School (VA), Emory University, and University of California, Santa Cruz. (MLW)

Provides advice to small alumni offices on how to manage alumni relations and the annual fund campaign, noting that small offices need to develop a flexible attitude, consider the benefits of performing both tasks, work with people they can count on, manage their time carefully, and balance both activities. (MDM)

Oberlin College's alumni association group for gay and lesbian alumni provides a case study in setting up new affiliates. Comprehensive and practical guidelines that any interested alumni group can follow are needed. Groups that develop around sensitive issues raise the toughest questions for alumni administrators. (MLW)

The Senior Alumni Program at the University of Western Ontario is a logical variation on alumni special-interest groups. Currently with 500 members and 400 on the waiting list, the only problem is limited staff and meeting space. The group provides the university with a talented, active volunteer force. (MLW)

Institutions are finding that a campus alumni center can bring a substantial return on the investment, in alumni events, visits to campus, and contributions. Institutions around the country are building new buildings, recycling existing buildings, and restoring historical landmarks as focal points for alumni activities. (MSE)