Take a Virtual Coffee Break NAADA offers a valuable resource through a series of member-only conference calls entitled “Virtual Coffee Breaks.” These Virtual Coffee Breaks are an opportunity for you to connect with your colleagues across the country to discuss issues of specific importance to NAADA members. More Virtual Coffee Breaks will be announced soon.
“The opportunity to network with NAADA colleagues outside of the annual conference is a great benefit! The virtual coffee breaks allow us to “beg, borrow, and steal” once a month! What a great chance to reenergize and connect with others as well as share our best practices! I can’t wait for the next opportunity!”
Tina Veal
Director of Alumni Relations, University of Illinois
“The virtual coffee breaks are a great way to connect with colleagues between conferences and to refocus on big picture issues which impact my work in alumni relations and career services.”
Cathy Herren Carr
Dir., Alumni and Career Services
Univ. of Florida, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
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September 23, 2008: Return on Investment for Events
These files are in follow up to the September 23 virtual coffee break. The powerpoint and the Dean's script for both the Kansas City and St. Louis events are included to show people how we edit the comments for the
location. They are intentionally kept (the slides) to a minimum in order to move this portion of the activities along. It usually lasts 15 minutes or so. Ideally it would be no more than 15 minutes.
October 30, 2008: Coordinating Efforts with Student Professionals
The Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences hosted this virtual coffee break featuring Andy Zehr, director of marketing, as he shared how bringing development officers and student professionals together can invigorate donors and increase student opportunities. Attendees learned how this collaboration has resulted in private funds to support marketing efforts that improve the visibility of the College. Andy demonstrated how incorporation of student professionals in development efforts has helped identify new and creative fundraising opportunities.
UGA CAES South Campus Tailgate Sponsorship Process
Other Alumni Events that Use Sponsorship Dollars
What other gift-in-kind items do you get sponsored at your events?
Ways to entice Sponsors?
Ideas for Keeping Your Event Sponsors Happy
Conclusion
February 24, 2009: Developing and Maintaining Facebook Groups for Maximum Impact
Participants learned how to create, maintain and market their Facebook groups for maximum benefit. This NAADA Virtual Coffee Break was hosted by the University of Missouri. Ginger Berry, Development Specialist, and Genevieve Howard, Web Specialist, led the interactive discussion.
January 8, 2010: Career Fairs – Tricks of the Trade; Are You Using Them to Their Fullest Potential?
Paula Beecher from Clemson University and Carol Stier and Jill Cords from Michigan State University sharde different career fair formats. At Clemson, career fairs are planned within the College and at Michigan State they are planned by the University career services office with assistance of the college’s field placement director. Conversation focused on how each institution recruits the employers and sets up the fairs. In addition, conversation touched upon how development, recruitment and alumni relation personnel can use the fairs strategically to strengthen relationships.
Febrary 25, 2010: Career Fairs –Extension Development Work - Beg, Borrow and Steal
Development officers, Merrit Royal, University of Arkansas, Kristi Hughes, University of Georgia and Matt Musel, University of Minnesota facilitatde an open dialogue about the experiences as development officers for Extension.
Participants asked questions of the panel in relationship to best practices in Extension Development. This Virtual Coffee Break established a dialogue among all NAADA members who do development work for Extension, with the hope to surface ideas for successful development practices unique to Extension work. In addition, the call helped expand the network among those whose work assignments include advancing the programs of Extension through development efforts.
March 4, 2010: Career Fairs –Working with your Departments/Units and Schools – Purdue’s Model
Increasingly, successful alumni relations programs are rooted in interest groups or shared student experiences at the departmental level. The Purdue Ag Alumni Association began working with college departments to host targeted reunions in the late 1990’s. Several departments now hold annual reunion activities, and most are also hosting alumni events at their professional societies. Departments have taken initiative to host “special” reunions, some for graduate alumni and others for special anniversary celebrations. The Ag Alumni Association has assisted with planning and facilitating both the annual and one-time events, working with departmental staff who design activities that will appeal to their alumni. Each department has designated one or more staff members to represent them on the college-wide alumni relations council that is convened twice a year by the Ag Alumni Association.
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