WALC

Conference Agenda
[latest version available by clicking on the link
at the left and subject to change]

The program will feature opening and closing plenary sessions,
four workshop sessions and a major exhibition of alumni programs led
by Yale alumni.

8:30 - 9:30 Breakfast In Exhibition Hall
Exhibition Hall will feature booths hosted by Yale alumni and dedicated to various aspects of alumni relations. Conference sponsors and educational institutions may also have exhibition booths to promote special programs and entities of interest to the alumni of these prestigious institutions. Participants can wander about to visit booths of interest to them and collect information about the various activities.
Sample exhibits: Association of Yale Alumni Governance Model

Five Year Class Reunions or "Homecomings"
Class Activities: Dinners, Regional Events and Travel Programs
Regional Club Activities and Organization
Online Courses and Educational Programming
Yale Global Day of Service: Local Community Service Initiatives
Yale Alumni Service Corps: Alumni "Peace Corps"
Yale Alumni Fund: Annual Fundraising Programs
Shared Identity Groups (e.g. Latino, Black, Asian American associations) Affinity Groups (e.g. Yale Alumni Chorus, Yale Football Alumni)
Bulldogs: Student Internship Programs
Student Community Service Fellowships
Career Mentoring
Career Networks
Educational Travel

9:30 - 9:50     Opening Remarks - The Emerging Importance of University Alumni Relations in a Competitive Global Economy

10:00 - 10:45 Session 1: Workshops by Area of Interest
Six different breakout sessions grouped by area of interest and attended by alumni of all universities. Sessions will address alumni relations concepts such as regional clubs, class activities, community service programs, organizational structure, communications, and fund raising - attendees organized by interest

Breakout #1: Steps in Creating an Alumni Association - What are the planning steps necessary to create an effective alumni association? What are appropriate governance models? What is the relationship to the university?
Breakout #2: Engaging Young Alumni - Why would young alumni (under 30 years of age) be interested in attending alumni events? How do they differ from older alumni? What are their needs and expectations? How do you effectively market to young alumni?
Breakout #3: Event Management: Planning a Successful Reunion or Homecoming - What are the steps in creating an event that alumni will want to attend? What are appropriate venues and price points? Who should organize such events - professional staff or volunteers?
Breakout #4: Motivating Volunteers to be Effect Leaders - How do you recruit and motivate alumni to volunteer their time to create and run successful alumni organizations? How do you keep alumni involved for the long term?
Breakout #5: Integrating Alumni Relations and Fund Raising - How can an effective alumni relations program lead to successful fund raising? What are the steps in creating a successful annual fund? How do you motivate volunteers to be effective fundraisers?
Break out #6: Organizing Alumni Activities Around Shared Interests or Identity - How do you create alumni networks based on common interests such as athletics, theater, or music, or shared vocational interests such as law, journalism, finance, or entertainment? How do you find alumni with common interests and get them together?

11:00 - 11:45 Session 2: Workshops Designed Specifically for individual participating Chinese universities
Breakout Rooms to be assigned
Mulitple sessions grouped by university, each limited to alumni from specified schools and IARU guests. Sessions will address topics requested in advance by each partnering university. (All Conference participants will be invited to specific sessions.)

11:45 - 13:15   Networking Lunch (available for purchase or paid by universities) in the Exhibition Hall
Opportunity for alumni to explore the Exhibition Hall, network and discuss ideas.

13:15 - 14-15 Panel discussion

14:15 - 15:15 Session 3: Workshops by Area of Interest
Repeat topics from Session 1 to allow alumni to learn about a second topic (other topics to be added if there is interest)

15:15 - 15:30    Coffee break in Exhibition Hall

15:30 - 16:30    Session 4: Workshops Designed Specifically for each YaleGALE Delegation sponsoring university
As in Session 2, addressing topics requested in advance by each university.

16:30 - 16:45     Plenary Closing Remarks - Next Steps for Alumni Initiatives in China

16:45 - 17:30     Wine and Cheese Reception in Exhibition Hall

Purpose of the Conference

Strong, internationally competitive universities are essential for innovation and growth. In an increasingly complex global economy such universities can no longer rely solely on government support and tuition to remain competitive. Following the U.S. model, world leading universities will increasingly need to develop resources from alumni and other private sources of support.

In recent years institutions in the U.S. have made significant investments in alumni relations, primarily because these universities, both private and public, depend heavily on financial contributions from alumni for operating and endowment support - as well as wanting advice and counsel from alumni. Often, the difference between a good university and a great university is the willingness of alumni to contribute significant resources. Most universities outside the U.S however - because they have been historically supported by governments - have had little need to create or foster alumni associations.

But in this increasingly complex global economy universities now recognize that they too must compete for resources to attract the best students and faculty. As has been evidenced in the U.S., alumni associations are key to successful fundraising efforts - so vital to the long term financial health and growth of our institutions. Alumni also provide critical leadership by serving as trustees and board members, and by giving advice and counsel in their areas of professional expertise - acting as - "consultants" to the management team at a university.

On July 20, 2011 the alumni of YaleGALE will be in Beijing, China to share best practices in alumni relations and explore opportunities for alumni collaborations at the World Alumni Leadership Conference. The purpose of the conference is not only educational - how to create and sustain alumni organizations - but also collaborative. Alumni from leading universities will be able to share the best practices that foster alumni communities, or "friends for life."