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Maximize Your Bandwidth to

Engage Alumni and Fulfill Your Mission

Presenters: Michael Christiaens CC’00, RBS’05, President-elect

Mari Boggiano RBS’04, President

Alumni Organization: Rutgers Business School Alumni Association (RBSAA)

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

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History

• 1948: Founded as a business fraternity– To promote the welfare of the school, foster the interests and friendship of

the members, and advance the cause of higher education

• 2004: Name changed to Rutgers Business School Alumni Association (RBSAA)

• 2007: New mission– Connecting alumni to extend the value of our Rutgers Business education

• 2010 / Post-RUAA: New structure, new leadership, different rules of engagement

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

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RBSAA: Our goals and challenges

• Five RBSAA 2009-2011 Strategic Plan objectives1. Build partnerships

2. Increase awareness of RBSAA presence, mission, and services

3. Make an impact on our constituents

4. Increase alumni participation

5. Set and manage to short- and long-term financial goals

• Challenges– Mesh RBS alumni interests with our mission– Increase alumni participation in RBSAA events– Decrease workload and optimize limited Boardmember and volunteer

bandwidth toward event planning– Grow # of volunteers

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

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Case studies1. NJPAC reception during

Newark Homecoming Weekend (April 2011)– Piggybacked onto RUAA event– Used creative concept “String

Trio Negotiaion” to appeal to RBS alumni

– Leveraged opportunity to launch RBSAA Career Resources Survey

2. RBSAA Annual Meeting: NB Reunion Weekend (May 2011)– Hosted “open” annual board

meeting• Guest speaker from MDE Group

on financial investments• Boardmember election• First annual Volunteer rewards

and recognition• Wine and cheese reception for

RBS alumni– Manned table at parade

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

RBSAA Annual Meeting / Guest Speaker /

Volunteer Awards / Reception

NJPAC reception: String trio negotiation

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NJPAC reception: String trio negotiation• Opportunity

– Partnership with RUAA on NJPAC event during Newark Alumni Weekend festivities 4/16/11

• Approach– Teamwork / Collaboration / Negotiation exemplified by string trio

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

Meet the Musicians: A Reception and Concert with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra / A Salute to the Music of John Williams

• Planning and Promotion– Committee: Bill Downey and Michael Christiaens (RBSAA) and Bonnie

Kenselaar (Alumni Relations)– NJ Symphony had existing program they could adapt and promotion began– Promoted event in RBSAA and RUAA websites (including LinkedIn, Facebook),

calendars, email, and mailings– Planned to maximize event and outreach by launching our

Career Resources Survey at the event

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NJPAC reception: Results• ~ 80 alumni attended reception

– Cross-school and cross-campus

• 2 student leaders recognized and welcomed as RBSAA guests– Expressed interest in volunteering for RBSAA

post-graduation– Relationship built with Dean’s Advisory Council

• Career Resources Survey launched– 805 total participants by time of survey close

• Event photo and mention in Rutgers Magazine

• Receiving REAL Award 10/11 for creative programming excellence

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

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RBSAA Annual Meeting: NB Reunion Weekend

• Opportunity– Piggyback on large, well-publicized alumni event

• Approach– Move our annual “open” meeting to the Reunion Weekend – Engage alumni and volunteers via Guest Speaker, Awards, and Reception

• Planning and Promotion– Booked Red Lion Café at Student Center to facilitate large meeting and

reception– Arranged guest speaker from our financial advisor– Promoted via aforementioned means– Coordinated first annual Volunteer Recognition event

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

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RBSAA Annual Meeting: Results • Results

– Attracted ~15 participants in addition to the Board– Guest speaker was well received; reinforced our partnership with MDE– 15 Volunteers and 2 organizations/partners recognized and rewarded

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

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Lessons Learned & Tips• Create an annual plan and academic year event calendar

– Provide as much lead time for planning and promotion as possible

• Seek co-promotions or co-sponsored events as much as possible– Piggyback onto 4 prime RUAA alumni events, eg, Homecomings and Reunions

• Try to maximize your event to achieve multiple objectives (eg, Career Resources Survey)

• Implement a multi-pronged promotional campaign– RUAA resources– Electronic resources and websites, including professional sites like LinkedIn– If budget allows, don’t forget about snail mail!

• Take photos for future promotional efforts– In slide decks, in brochures, online

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

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Summary

• You can maximize your bandwidth through partnerships and piggybacking on RUAA events

• We at RBSAA continue to seek new partnerships– Let us know if you’d like to work with us!

• Facilitate achievement of your mission by gathering feedback from constituents through multiple ways– And offering an incentive for feedback works

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

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Thank you! Any questions? Email: rbsaa1@gmail.com

Alumni Leaders Conference October 14, 2011

rbsaa.org

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Backup

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Other accomplishments• Career Resources survey using reward as benefit (iPad)• Speaking event• Facilitating board participation

– Skype / NK facility AV and conf. call capability– Rotating and expanding meeting location

• Engaging administration and Dean’s office• Partnerships

– RU Club of NYC Happy Hours– Lerner Center for Pharma Studies co-sponsorship of seminars– EMBA Homecoming

• Basketball and Hockey events• Launch of own organization website and Facebook site• Enhancement of LinkedIn site• Ensuring content submitted to monthly RBS Alumni Newsletters• Sponsorship of Pharma Club mixers