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)

An audit can give easy-to-understand indicators of how the various parts of an alumni association are doing. Prepare for an audit by: identifying goals and the areas that are most symbolic of the well-being of the organization, and quantify what to measure. (MLW)

Suggestions for improving alumni association membership recruitment and retention, for raising non-dues income, and for keeping records are made based on Kansas State University's experiences. (MSE)

Alumni with drive and influence can help a college alumni organization meet its long-term goals. Prospective donors may be willing volunteers, and regular review of the alumni notes may suggest volunteers. A diverse volunteer group can best represent diverse alumni populations. Challenging, meaningful assignments that tap expertise are the most…

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)

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics has called for reform of college sports. Assistance from alumni in shaping that reform is appropriate and important. Associations can help by opening up discussion, taking a stand, involving alumni, and giving increased attention to sports in publications. (MSE)

Fifty alumni association administrators offer tips on how they save money or make their programs more cost effective in a variety of administrative areas including event programing, staffing, postal services, support of chapters, looking for new sources of revenue, fees for services, publications, planning ahead, and sharing resources. (MSE)

A large part of any merchandising program is picking products that will sell. Sixty alumni professionals were asked about their ideas. Some of the winners included a watch with the institution's seal, a windsock, and athletic shoes. Some of the losers included a sweater and a commemorative plate. (MLW)

Two models of administering college and university alumni chapters--using volunteers or paid staff--are compared, based on comments from alumni directors who have addressed the issues. A flexible club structure, which integrates a fully structured, chartered-chapter model with two versions of predominantly staff-driven models, is proposed as…

This booklet is both a description of activities to organize a General Educational Development program (GED) alumni association and a guide to starting an alumni group. It specifically focuses on "Operation Alumni," a project to establish a local GED alumni organization at Reading Area Community College that could serve as a state model…

A discussion is presented on the problem of declining minority enrollment in higher education, and in particular, teacher education. Poverty is cited as a major factor in decreasing college attendance on the part of minority students. The pressure to raise admission standards and the use of the National Teacher Examiniation to determine whether a…

A national survey was conducted to gather information on the status of alumni programs at two-year colleges. Surveys were sent to 422 two-year institutions, requesting information on alumni program operations, formal alumni groups, priorities for alumni activities, awards programs, and fund-raising. Study findings, based on responses from 166…

This handbook provides students at the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit Adult Education Center with information about the General Educational Development (GED) test, staff, alumni association, programs and services, and rules and regulations. It provides a summary of Adult Center programs, lists rules, and contains practical information on location,…

Based on information culled from alumni questionnaires, this report provides information about graduates of Hampton Institute and their opinions in the following areas: (1) reason for enrolling in Hampton Institute; (2) field of study; (3) highest degree earned; (4) marital status; (5) attendance of family members; (6) attitudes towards the…

An overview of the management basics every alumni director needs is presented, including: staffing, planning, managing money, budgets, and facilities management. (MLW)