Resources for Alumni Volunteers

2018 Symposium Presentations

Read President Drake’s talking points (as written not delivered)

View Ohio State sesquicentennial presentation slides

SESSION CATEGORIES

Alumni Group Basics: Sessions that provide a high-level overview of alumni group foundational practices.

Critical Issues: Sessions that focus on a specific topic that many alumni groups encounter, and provide an analysis of strategies, solutions and best practices for addressing these topic areas.

Master Sessions: Sessions that provide an in-depth exploration of topic areas relevant to alumni engagement, the purpose of alumni groups, and how to develop a meaningful, and sustainable, experience for your Buckeyes.


ALUMNI GROUP BASICS

Go Bucks! Managing Game Day Venue Relationships and Attendee Expectations
View presentation slides

Category: Alumni Group Basics
Presenters: Natasha Kanakkanatt, Regional Engagement Officer for the Northeast/Midwest Region; Maggie Sweeney, Regional Engagement Officer for the Western US
Description: It’s game time, Buckeyes! This session will provide an opportunity for alumni group leaders to share best practices around Game Day events, managing venue relationships, and how to create a fun, and safe, experience for attendees.

Money, Speakers & Football Tickets…Oh My!
View presentation slides

Category: Alumni Group Basics
Presenter: Colin Veatch, Regional Engagement Officer for Southern Ohio
Description: Alumni groups have access to various resources through OSUAA. This session provides a comprehensive overview of these benefits, and how you can access them to enhance your alumni group.

It’s Social Time!
View presentation slides

Category: Alumni Group Basics
Presenters: Aaron Green, Regional Alumni Communications Manager; Nilam Patel, Social Media Manager for Advancement Communications; Derek DuPont, Social Media Manager at The Ohio State University; Colin Veatch, Regional Engagement Officer for Southern Ohio
Description: Learn how to activate alumni and friends using social media. Find out how to create and curate content while connecting with fellow Buckeyes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


CRITICAL ISSUES

Admissions Updates on the Class of 2022, First Year Experience, and Beyond!
View presentation slides

Category: Critical Issues
Presenter: Keith Gehres, Director of Outreach and Recruitment for Undergraduate Admissions at The Ohio State University
Description: Learn about the Class of 2022, the current student body, First Year Experience, and more about campus today!

Alumni Group Insurance Q & A
Application for special event policy | Insurance recommendations for alumni groups

Category: Critical Issues
Presenter: Bob Smith Jr., LUTCF, Agency President, Smith & Leavitt Insurances
Description: Ever wondered whether your alumni group needs to purchase insurance? Perhaps for a special event, or to cover your leadership board? Join Bob Smith, Agency President of Smith & Leavitt Insurance Services for an overview of alumni group insurance options, and an opportunity to ask questions.

Buckeye Room: Gaining Input and Recruiting Members
View presentation slides

Category: Critical Issues
Presenter: Lauren Stets, Operations and Administration Manager for Advancement Analytics
Description: Surveying your alumni base or members on a regular basis is a great way to collect important data to help you decide on future planning. Learn about how the Buckeye Room is providing the University with wonderful insight and feedback from over 11,000 alumni.

Communications 2.0: How Audience, Timing and Delivery Method Drive Strategy
View presentation slides

Category: Critical Issues
Presenter: Aaron Green, Regional Alumni Communications Manager
Description: Learn how to develop a robust marketing plan to promote your alumni group events, fundraising efforts, and membership drives by exploring the various marketing tools available to your alumni group.

Dues or Dues Not!
View presentation slides

Category: Critical Issues
Presenter: Craig Little, Director of Societies & Regional Engagement 
Description: An interactive program on considering the benefits of paid dues, current use accounts and other money management strategies.

Engaging Young Alumni through Membership Models and Benefits
View presentation slides

Category: Critical Issues
Presenter: Lindsay Seminara, Assistant Director for Early Alumni Engagement
Description: Learn strategies and tactics on how to attract young alumni to your events, and encourage them to get involved with your alumni group.

The Volunteer Cycle-From Recruitment to Retention
View presentation slides

Category: Critical Issues
Presenter: Craig Little, Director of Societies & Regional Engagement
Description: We all know the saying “many hands make light work.” Come and explore various tactics and strategies for recruiting, retaining and stewarding alumni group volunteers.

Understanding Generation Z
View presentation slides

Category: Critical Issues
Presenter: Jena Pugh, Program Manager for the Undergraduate Leadership & Engagement Office
Description: Generation Z is the demographic group of young alumni who came after Millennials. Learn more about this population, their strengths and various strategies for gaining their interest in your alumni group.


MASTER SESSIONS

Finding Your Why?
View presentation slides

Category: Master Sessions
Presenters: Erin Colburn, Specialist, Strategic Partnership Nationwide Insurance; Jeff Jones, Project Manager-Member Experience Network at Nationwide Insurance; Nicole Ridley, Relationship Manager at Nationwide Insurance
Description: Creating an exceptional member experience begins with taking a hard look at your own organization and asking WHY you exist. As a member-driven organization, your WHY is inseparable from your WHO-your members. Knowing who your ideal members are will help you create the experience they’re looking for.

Focus on Impact: Alumni Group of the Year Winners 2017
View presentation slides

Category: Master Sessions
Presenters: Natasha Kanakkanatt, Regional Engagement Officer for the Northeast/Midwest Region; Kristy Mount, President-Stadium Scholarship Alumni Society; Kelly Winer, Scholarship & Recruitment Chair-Alumni Club of Jacksonville
Description: This session will provide an opportunity for past group of the year recipients to share information on their organizational strategies, events, and/or achievements which earned them the Group of the Year award.

How Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Exploring Alumni Group Collaborations
View presentation slides

Category: Master Sessions
Presenters: Natasha Kanakkanatt, Regional Engagement Officer for the Northeast/Midwest Region; Colleen Pelasky, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement for the College of Nursing; Lisa Frericks, Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations for the John Glenn College of Public Affairs
Description: Let’s work smarter, not harder! Come and explore great examples where clubs, societies and the University have worked together to put on amazing programs for Buckeyes.

How the “Power of Moments” Can Have a Powerful Impact on Member Relationships
View presentation slides

Category: Master Sessions
Presenters: Don Stenta, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Alumni Experiences; Jay Delaney, Associate Director of Donor Experience
Description: Explore the themes of “The Power of Moments” by Chip and Dan Heath, and how you can integrate lessons learned from the book to provide transformative experiences for your alumni group members.