The word Alumni is quite a familiar one and maintaining active Alumni Relations has been a multi-way street benefiting the students, Alumni, and the institution simultaneously. The opportunities that Alumni relations bring with, can be best captured with the help of an Alumni Association. An Alumni Association is typically an independent organization formed by graduates that bring together Alumni of a specific educational institution, such as a School, College, or University with the primary purpose of maintaining a connection between the institution and its graduates, past and present, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement within the Alumni Community.
Alumni Associations are focused on improving connections among alumni, providing networking opportunities, organizing reunions / Alumni events, and promoting a sense of community among graduates. They might also be involved in fundraising efforts to support the institution and its students. Alumni Associations often have their own Board of Directors, Bylaws, and Strategic goals.
Forming an alumni association is a rewarding endeavor that helps connect and engage former students with each other and their alma mater.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to form an Alumni Association that helps you reap the maximum benefits.
Define Goals and Values
Understand the institution’s core values, vision & mission and outline your Alumni cell’s mission and goals accordingly aligning with the institution’s. Clarify the key focus of your Alumni Association – it can be networking, professional development, fundraising, or a combination of all. Have a well-defined mission and goals to help guide the activities and attract members.
Form a Core Team
Assemble a team required to fulfill the objectives, engage key stakeholders, and seek support from your educational institution, faculty, administrators, and interested alumni who can champion the cause. Define the structure of the association. A typical structure is past alumni, current students, and recognized members associated with the institute for a long time.
Identify Potential Members
Determine who would be eligible to join the association. The association’s membership may be open to all alumni and students/faculty or graduates of specific classes, programs, or departments. An annual fee may be charged for the same at the discretion of the core team.
Select a Legal Structure
Decide on the legal framework of the association. Alumni Associations are usually registered as a not-for-profit organization or a “society” under the Societies Registration Act, of 1860 as it’s simple to register and for record-keeping with fewer regulations. Also, it comes with an exemption from tax due to the charitable nature of operations. Draft a Constitution/Bylaws outlining the internal governance like the association’s purpose, membership criteria, officer roles, decision-making processes, and any other needed details.
Create an Action Plan
Formulate a plan in various functional areas to achieve the goals. Different functional areas can be Communication, Alumni Activities, Fundraising, Career Assistance, and Alumni Coordination. Periodically review the association’s achievements and challenges to ensure you’re meeting alumni needs effectively.
Encourage Engagement
Take active steps to promote alumni engagement. Maintain communication, promote involvement, and offer membership benefits and career support to keep Alumni engaged. To learn more on how to engage Alumni effectively, read the article HERE
Forming an Alumni Association can be both enriching and challenging at the same time. It requires dedication, effective communication, and coherent efforts. The multitude of benefits that derive from it prevail over the challenges it may have and by building a strong community of engaged alumni, An Alumni Association can contribute positively to the alma mater and foster lasting connections among graduates. Remember that big things often have small beginnings. Start small and gradually build momentum for long-term success.
Here is a checklist of legal requirements for forming an Alumni Association as per the Societies Registration Act, 1860 – Click Here
Interested in understanding what a Constitution and By-Laws for an Alumni Association look like? Write to us at hello@vaave.com or reach us at +91 9666 131 555