affinity networking: the most meaningful connections mike avery ’55 ([email protected]) paul...
TRANSCRIPT
Affinity Networking:The Most Meaningful Connections
Mike Avery ’55 ([email protected])
Paul Cashman ’73 ([email protected])
Nancy Sverdlik ’79 ([email protected])
Why Reach Out Through Affinities?
• Most classmates were affiliated as undergrads - 90% of classmates in 15 classes 1970-2002 were in affinity groups
- Each classmate averaged 2 affinities
• Affinities are tight-knit groups - 77% of affinity groups averaged 25 or fewer members
• People respond to people they know
Six Steps To Success
1. Start early and identify an Affinity Group Chair
2. Recruit a cadre of Affinity Group Leaders (AGLs)
3. Give AGLs a program and tools to succeed
4. Manage AGLs via frequent communications
5. Have fun at Reunion
6. Follow up after Reunion
1. Start Early and Organize
• Set participation goals February of the year before Reunion (Year 4 of the cycle)
• Have Affinity co-chairs in place by February or March of that same year
• Useful Affinity co-chair skills- Detail-oriented, strong follow-through
- Excellent communications, especially written
- Good people person
2. Recruit Cadre of AGLs:Identifying Potential AGLs
• Look at last Reunion’s attendees• Ask class officers/council to recruit friends• Ask for volunteers• Use class data available from AAD
- Class affinities spreadsheet
• Email or call them and explain:- What you’re asking them to do
- How much time they will spend, and when
- What you’ll do to support them
- Whether explicit fundraising is expected
- Whether other people are being recruited for a large group
2. Recruit Cadre of AGLs:Signing Them Up
2. Recruit Cadre of AGLs:Timeline
Jan-Feb
(Y. 4 )
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
Compile list of
potential AGLs
Oct
Define contentof AGL kit
Mail letter
to them
Develop and produceAGL kit materials
Email non-responders
Mail kits to AGLs
3. Give AGLs a Program to Succeed
Nov Dec Jan(Y. 5)
Feb Mar Apr May
AGLs send postcards to members
Jun
AGLs get their kits
Reunion packets mailed and online
registration goes live
AGLs send e-postcards to members
Oct(Y. 4)
• Welcome letter to the AGL• Hard-copy and Excel list of AG members• Reunion postcards, stamps, and preprinted
address labels for AG members• Sample flyer for AG-specific Reunion events• Directions on sending e-postcards and posting
events to class web site
3. Give AGLs Tools To Succeed:Participation Kit
• Linked from Class Reunion page• Lists all AGLs with email addresses• Lists AG-specific activities at Reunion• Link to AG pictures from Reunion (participation
tool for the next Reunion)
3. Give AGLs Tools To Succeed:AG Web Page
4. Manage AGLs ViaFrequent Communication
Nov Dec Jan(Y. 5)
Feb Mar Apr May
Kits go out
Jun
“How’s it going?”
Registration call to action
Oct(Y. 4)
Best practices update Post-holiday
update
Registration progress update
Call for AG fundraising volunteers
“Don’t you forget to come
back & give back”
5. Have Fun at Reunion
• Reward successful affinity groups• Identify/expand AGs and recruit new AGLs• Encourage contact with absent classmates• Capture AG moments on film for later use• Listen to the stories, relax, and bask in success!
• Class of ‘73 gave awards for:- Most members registered for Reunion
- Greatest % of members registered for Reunion
- Greatest % of members donating to Cornell Fund
• Patches were prizes• 16 different affinities won prizes
5. Have Fun at Reunion:Affinity Group Awards
6. Follow Up After Reunion
• Make sure all members of winning affinities get their prizes
• Thank the AGLs; get their help to identify pictures of their groups; get pictures on web site
• Send letter/email to all Reunion attendees asking if anyone wants to form a new AG- Doesn’t have to be one that AAD tracks;
they’ll add it for you
• Figure out how to top this next time
To Affinity and Beyond!
THANK YOU!
www.alumni.cornell.edu/CACO