BEST PRACTICES

These best practices reflect just some of the things that clubs and societies are doing to create valuable programming and further the Alumni Association's strategic plan.

We will be the gateway through which alumni connect with Ohio State and with each other and serve the university.

  • The OSU Alumni Club of Sacramento hosted a show-and-tell mixer which allowed alumni to bring a mementos and share memories of days on campus.
  • New York City alumni club members participate in a variety of team sports including softball, volleyball, and flag football. These teams are organized and coordinated by the club. For details contact Kevin Ma.
  • Some societies offer continuing education programs to keep a close connection to alumni.
  • The College of Medicine Alumni Society held an event where female physicians and medical students were matched up for mentoring and networking.
  • The Los Angeles alumni club coordinated a tour of the Tolerance/Holocaust Museum for its members. Carrie Smith has details.
  • The African American Alumni Society co-hosted an event in conjunction with the MLK Jr. celebration at a Cavaliers game attracting alumni from Columbus and Cleveland.
  • Clubs participate in a variety service events in conjunction with local grade/secondary schools. For ideas contact Bruce Carr or Dick Smith.
  • Each year the Triangle, NC club gathers for the Taste of Columbus, an event featuring food from local restaurants. To learn more contact Jeff Cousins.
  • The OSU Alumni Club of Hilton Head enjoyed the sweet sounds of success at a recent cultural outing. The group of 30 Buckeyes enjoyed cocktails at the club president's home before enjoying a night with the Hilton Head Symphony.  The club was one of seven alumni clubs from various schools at the concert.

We will cultivate student loyalty to the alumni world by visibly contributing to their campus experiences.

  • When visiting Columbus on vacation, members of the New Mexico alumni club take some time out to have lunch with their ASP recipients.
  • The Richland County alumni club created exam goodie bags with soda, snacks, and information about the club for students living on the OSU-Mansfield campus. Many societies and clubs take part in calling projects to reach prospective students.
  • The Richland County alumni club created exam goodie bags with soda, snacks, and information about the club for students living on the OSU-Mansfield campus.
  • Each quarter the Williams County club awards $5 phone cards to students from their county who make the Dean's List.
  • The Sorority and Fraternity Alumni Society sponsors an annual workshop for undergraduate-alumni chairs of each chapter to increase involvement.
  • It isn't easy to make the transition to college life. To help incoming freshmen the Summit County club invited a speaker to talk about packing for college, making the most out of a cramped dorm room, and taking advantage of all that campus has to offer. Gloria Dallinga can provide information.
  • Many societies have invited a student to serve on their boards.
  • The Alumni Club of Triangle North Carolina hosted students participating in alternative spring break.
  • The marching band alumni sponsor an end of the season pizza party with over 100 prizes for band students.
  • The Civil Engineering Alumni Society sponsors a free pizza party and OSU hockey game for students.
  • Save those cell phone minutes! The Williams County club provided $5 phone cards to local students who earned Dean's list honors. To learn more contact Cathy Rubel.
  • The Stadium Scholarship Alumni Society helps support an annual alterative spring break for a group of students from the SSD program at Mack Hall.

  • Minority Engineering Alumni Society 100 x $100 Scholarship program.  The MEAS board is working to raise $10,000 by simply asking 100 alumni to donate $100.  The installment plan makes it that much easier as alumni can choose two payments of $50, four payments of $25 or 5 payments of $20. 

We will become the biggest dues-support alumni association by demonstrating exceptional service and indispensable value.

  • The Washington, D.C. club created special interest groups (young alumni, business networking...) that offer a wide range of activities based on interest. To learn more contact Bill Fox.
  • Providing professional development and career seminars is a great way to provide valuable service to your members. Kevin Ma can provide information on activities held by the New York City club.
  • The HSMP Alumni Society has an extensive salary and benefit survey and access to the executive search services network for its dues-paying members.
  • Each year the Young Buckeyes of Central Ohio send an electronic survey to all members; programming is shaped by the responses. Contact Dawn Mericle to see a sample.
  • Club and society officers are required to be members of the Alumni Association.
  • The alumni club in Richmond partnered with a local grocer to allow points accumulated through customer loyalty cards to be donated to the club's scholarship fund. Matthew Fahy can provide details. 
  • The Mechanical Engineering and Nursing alumni societies created their own strategic plans. Download the PowerPoint presentations to start your own planning process.
    Mechanical Engineering presentation
    Nursing presentation
  • The OSU Alumni Club of Tuscarawas County sent a membership recruitment mailing sponsored by a local business. The campaign yielded 97 members and $390 in scholarship contributions. As an added incentive local businesses contributed gift certificates to be randomly awarded to the new members. The end result was 12 lucky new members walking away with scholarships and the eight participating local businesses get publicity as sponsors.

We will develop a virtual alumni organization accessible to alumni all the time.

We will give alumni the tools to influence public opinion about Ohio State around the world.

  • OSU Alumni Club of Darke County- During their “Make A Difference Month” the club worked with local area residents to donate their used, but in good condition, videos, CDs and DVDs to provide entertainment to residents of the Veterans’ Administration Hospital.  
  • In an effort to raise funds for obtaining children’s books for those ranging rom toddlers to teenagers, The OSU Alumni of Southwest Florida worked together with Barnes & Noble Booksellers by hosting a book drive and book fair at the Fort Myers store.  The theme was to Make a Difference on National Make a Difference Day on October 25th.
  • Sarasota- Manatee Alumni Club - participated in the 3rd Annual Big Ten Tailgate in Sarasota where all the Big Ten Alumni Clubs gathered to sing their fight songs and enjoy fellowship in the Big Ten Spirit. 
  • The Richland County Alumni Club collected food and household items to be donated to the Catholic Charities food pantry in Mansfield for "Make a Difference Day".
  • Marion County- Socks for Soldiers program and Article in the Marion Star. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080804/NEWS01/808040308/1002
  • The GLBT Alumni Society hosts town-hall meetings to educate local citizens about equal rights.
  • Keep your alumni up-to-date on club activities by sending a weekly electronic newsletter with information about your group and its activities. Kevin Ma can provide samples.
  • The Nutshell is packed with information about the university and Alumni Association. Consider forwarding to your members.  
  • The College of Medicine Alumni Society has created its own advocacy program to work with state legislators.
  • The OSU Alumni Club of Southwest Virginia commissioned a painting paying tribute to the victims of the April 16, 2007 tragedy at Virginia Tech. The piece was presented to the Virginia Tech Alumni Association where it hangs in the organization's reception entry.   

 


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