volunteer leadership summit what inspires you to make gettysburg great? ashlyn w. sowell associate...
TRANSCRIPT
Volunteer Leadership Summit
What Inspires You to Make Gettysburg Great?
Ashlyn W. Sowell
Associate Vice President for Development &
Campaign Director
Background and History
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Why?
In 2007, Gettysburg College used a consultant to conduct a feasibility study in preparation for a comprehensive campaign
The consultant recommended that we needed to engage and educate our key volunteer groups of alumni, parents and friends in advance of the campaign to ensure success
This was also a great opportunity to showcase our new leadership and campaign priorities
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Our Purpose and Goal
Objectives: Inspire volunteers to share in the vision for the College
and be active participants in achieving that vision
Strategies: Strengthen the College’s volunteer base Show appreciation to volunteers Share information Promote camaraderie and a sense
of unity as a community of volunteers
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What?
Volunteer Leadership Summit (VLS) We had done similar events about every
five years, but never this comprehensive - a three day weekend with over 400 participants
Opportunity for education and communication, because engaged volunteers are more philanthropic & invite others to participate
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Key Messages
Volunteers are the College’s key insiders and stakeholders
They do vitally important work that makes a difference and that work is appreciated
They are important advocates and spokespeople for the College
There is a bold vision for the College’s future
Their expertise, energy, and financial support are more important than ever before
Current and future students depend on them
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How?
Our division of development, alumni and parent relations (DAPR) led the charge for the college
Specifically, the department of donor relations and special events organized a campus wide committee over a year and a half in advance
The president and board of trustees (BOT) invited the volunteers and most other leadership boards met that weekend
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Who?
Invitees included BOT, Alumni Board, Parents Board, O&B, BOLD Council, Magazine Advisory Board, all volunteers and COF members
Campus partners included the president’s office, provost’s office, admissions, the career center, marketing & communications, faculty, athletics, and student life (just to name a few)
We also worked closely with dining, facilities, the campus schedulers, the print shop, and IT
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College Website Promotion
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VLS Program Sample
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When?
September 22-25, 2011, a busy fall weekend!
Worked well since we held most board meetings at that time
Connected to many existing campus events, like athletics contests, Majestic Theater, etc.
Also created many interactive events for volunteers to see our students, faculty and staff in action
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More Details
Marketing materials
Involvement of our campaign communications firm in the weekend
Special Events
Rolled out the red carpet with great food, videos, live presentations featuring faculty, students and volunteers and dancing!
Budget (estimated about $150,000)
Outcomes
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After the Fact
Post VLS communication plan was initiated
Survey was seny and data collected and reviewed
What would we do differently?
Discussion/Questions?
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Post VLS Communications
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Post VLS Communications
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Your Turn!
Break into small groups and discuss the following:
1) Has your organization ever done something like this and was it successful?
2) If not, what kind of event/volunteer training might work at your organization?
3) Spend a few minutes brainstorming for one school in your group about plans and report back
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