A training manual for volunteer fund-raisers is presented. The technique of soliciting is described and an interview with top volunteer Jerome Stone on fund-raising is included (MLW)

College reunion success depends on careful planning, including (1) starting early; (2) documenting all planning efforts; (3) motivating, including, and communicating with volunteers; (4) using formal and informal meeting time effectively; (5) providing a program highlighting events planned; (6) freeing staff to be volunteer-reliant; and (7)…

College/university fund-raising phonathons can be more effective if the script is appropriate to the prospect, the caller's role in the institution is explicit, benefits to the prospect are clear, requested donation and what it will accomplish are mentioned, reasons for immediate giving are offered, payment/fulfillment procedures are specific, and…

Suggestions on how to write a handbook for alumni volunteers are presented. Before putting together a handbook for volunteers, two points need to be defined: the purpose of the handbook and who will read it. The contents should cover the volunteer program, activities and how to run them, etc. (MLW)

Most college fundraising volunteers are uncomfortable asking for money. A training technique designed to help volunteers overcome these fears takes three hours and addresses attitudes about money and requesting it, good and bad solicitation, and the elements of effective solicitation. A program schedule and practical exercises are offered. (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…

Using a system of alumni class agents for college advancement can be effective, but common problems include weak class identity, large class size, overburdened staff, and poor class communication. Institutions can help by offering on-campus training for class agents, communicating regularly, and recognizing agents' contributions and successes.…

Four experienced college alumni volunteers offer information and opinions on how and why they became volunteers, how they serve, amount of time spent volunteering, what the alumni office does that is most helpful, how to keep volunteers from feeling overburdened, how to reward volunteers, and working with a spouse. (MSE)

Eight planning essentials for a successful college reunion are outlined: starting early; selecting enthusiastic and reliable volunteer leaders; training volunteers; balancing the budget; containing costs without sacrificing quality; publicizing; anticipating the unexpected; and evaluating the experience. Anecdotal evidence is offered that planning…

Five tactics used by the University of Massachusetts to make alumni operations effective with minimal cost include assuring the campus administration's commitment to alumni club programming, training chapter volunteers on campus and through regional visits, controlling mailing costs, planning events in a cost-effective manner, and deciding whether…

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)

Volunteer fund raisers for colleges bring enthusiasm, perspective, motivation, and influence to the task of soliciting gifts. They stretch staff time, fill out the fund-raising team, and cost little. Careful definition of responsibilities, recruitment, training, and monitoring and rewards for good work are essential to getting the best results.…

Advice is offered for making college alumni reunions successful fund-raising events, illustrated with ideas used by several institutions. Suggestions include long-range planning, leadership by complementary cochairmen, recruitment of committed volunteers, flexible structuring of class committees, continual coaching of volunteers, and establishing…

Strategies for recruiting and keeping alumni for college volunteer programs address specific issues: demands on personal time; length of assignment; accommodating spouses and divorced alumni; generation gaps; advancing technology; economic climate; occupational and geographic mobility; and competition with other organizations for volunteers' time.…

The bottom line of a reunion is increased alumni support of all kinds--including monetary. Planning requires the combined efforts of both staff and alumni leaders. A training plan for alumni reunion leaders is described. (MLW)