January 25, 2018

Alumni Engagement Strategy

With the move of Alumni Affairs from the Office of Development to the Office of Public Engagement, a new strategic plan is being developed that will provide guidance for all units and campuses of Memorial University. Public engagement is central to Memorial’s vision, intersecting with Research and Teaching and Learning as core priorities of the university.

Public engagement refers to “collaborations between people and groups within Memorial and people and groups external to the University (i.e. the “Public”) - that further Memorial’s mission… with mutual respect and mutual contribution as guiding principles.” To date, Memorial alumni remain involved with the institution through activities such as affinity dinners, reunion events, providing donations, and alumni awards, among others. The new alignment with public engagement provides potential for innovative engagement opportunities that will advance the university’s core academic mission, while enabling alumni to contribute to and benefit from the university and its broader communities in new and exciting ways. Consultation Process Over 200 individuals have participated in-person, and over 3500 responded to an online survey. Three groups that have been involved in guiding the process to date:

• Internal Working Group: Memorial University faculty, staff and students from various units and campuses

• External Local Advisory Group: Alumni participants residing in Newfoundland and Labrador

• External Away Advisory Group: Alumni participants residing outside Newfoundland and Labrador

From the series of consultations with alumni and public participants that were held over a two month period within Newfoundland and Labrador and in various locations in Canada, along with nine key theme sessions involving in-depth consultation in specific areas, the following draft strategy has been developed.

January 25, 2018

Memorial University Alumni Engagement Strategy 2018-2025

Vision: Memorial’s alumni engage actively with the people and work of the University for personal and collective benefit Values: Inclusive, equitable and accessible – celebrating diversities of engagement, creating opportunities and removing barriers wherever possible

Difference-making – fulfilling the special obligation to the people and province of Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond by creating positive change Mutual sense of responsibility – recognizing a reciprocal sense of commitment and desire to give back as members of the university community Pride and spirit – igniting positive feelings that inspire people to become and remain engaged

Goal 1 Mobilize Memorial to engage alumni

Goal 2 Empower alumni to engage with Memorial

Goal 3 Facilitate connections among alumni

Goal 4 Inspire students to become future engaged alumni

Objectives

Sample Actions/ Tactics/ Programs

1.1. Build a culture of engaging alumni across Memorial

1.1.1 Implement robust Information Management Systems

1.1.2 Create programs and supports to build capacity across all faculties and units

1.1.3 Recognize the lifecycle of alumni in building the culture of alumni engagement

2.1 Communicate current opportunities to engage

2.1.1 Connect with individual alumni 2.1.2 Connect with alumni based in

organizations 2.1.3 Share processes to engage with

students in their courses, work terms, and internships

2.1.4 Share information to facilitate alumni and their organizations hiring students upon graduation

3.1 Provide tools and programs to connect alumni with each other (in support of Memorial) 3.1.1 Provide flexible tools for alumni to

connect with each other online and in-person, in networks organized by interest, discipline, region, professional experience, social interests

3.1.2 Build support for the university and province by enabling connection of the diaspora

4.1 Create a shared understanding of what it means to be a lifelong member of the Memorial University community 4.1.1 Leverage existing programs,

activities and student-organized groups for affinity-building opportunities

4.1.2 Create opportunities to build pride, spirit and reputation

4.1.3 Generate increased identity and appreciation through celebration of the arts, culture, athletics and social affiliations

January 25, 2018

Sample Actions/ Tactics/ Programs

1.2 Leverage existing programs and activities across Memorial to engage alumni 1.2.1 Reach out through current

programming to strengthen current relationships and find “lost” alumni

1.2.2 Cross-list opportunities that facilitate student/alumni relationships

1.2.3 Connect alumni to enhance the student experience, provide employment opportunities, and facilitate personal and professional growth

2.2 Create new pathways to engage

2.2.1 Establish a front desk/clear path/portal/liaison

2.2.2 Create digital and physical collision spaces

3.2 Enhance opportunities for alumni to participate in university governance, planning and strategy 3.2.1 Identify additional pathways for

alumni to contribute to university governance and the future of Memorial (e.g. advisory boards, ad hoc committees, Deans’ searches)

4.2 Empower students to make a lasting impact 4.2.1 Utilize data on student interests to

build increased opportunities for leadership and civic engagement

4.2.2 Recognize and celebrate the diversity of student contributions and commitments to social responsibility

Sample Actions/ Tactics/ Programs

1.3 Establish new programs and activities to engage alumni

1.3.1 Explore approaches to establishing mentoring programs

1.3.2 Build a roster of alumni who can be called upon by MUN departments/programs, faculty, staff, students to share expertise

1.3.3 Create avenues for alumni within their companies and organizations to come forward with issues and opportunities to be addressed through teaching and research

2.3 Create and communicate programs and opportunities that reflect diversity of alumni interests and abilities 2.3.1 Offer events, programs, benefits

and services tailored to different groups

2.3.2 Consult with alumni to learn how they would like to engage

2.3.3 Communicate and facilitate opportunities for alumni to engage recognizing different needs and abilities

2.3.4 Create an accessible environment in which barriers to engagement

3.3 Create opportunities for alumni to self-organize

3.3.1 Provide venues for alumni to organize themselves in flexible ways

3.3.2 Leverage existing efforts where alumni are mobilized and actively engaged

4.3. Recognize the diverse and changing composition of Memorial’s student population

January 25, 2018

1.3.4 Establish communities of practice to enable Memorial faculty, students, staff, and alumni to share expertise

are identified and reduced or eliminated

2.3.5 Reach out to marginalized and underserved alumni populations

Sample Actions/ Tactics/ Programs

1.4 Enhance connections between alumni engagement and development 1.4.1 Develop guidelines for

information sharing and collaboration

2.4 Build on existing and establish new ways to recognize and celebrate engaged alumni 2.4.1 Expand the suite of alumni awards 2.4.2 Create special recognition for

engaged alumni who excel in supporting the academic mission of the university

3.4 Enhance affiliation and pride as Memorial alumni

3.4.1 Highlight accomplishments of the Memorial community

3.4.2 Provide opportunities to share positive memories of student and alumni experiences

3.4.2 Increase student participation in current alumni events, and vice versa

3.4.3 Strengthen bonds of fellowship and affiliation with the university through initiatives such as reunions

Alumni StrategyPublic Engagement

Memorial University

Consultation on Draft Strategy

January 24, 2017

Overview

• External Relations Portfolio• Public Engagement at Memorial• Alumni Affairs• Current core activities of the Alumni unit• Consultation stakeholders and process• Draft strategy • How to provide feedback

External Relations Portfolio

• Alumni Affairs moves into Public Engagement• Rationale for change• Deeper/singular focus on Development• Enhance alumni PE opportunities• Improve operational synergies and efficiencies

Public Engagement at Memorial

“Public Engagement” at Memorial

…encompasses collaborations between people and groups within Memorial and people and groups external to the University (i.e., the ‘public’) that further Memorial’s mission.

Drawing on the knowledge and resources brought by all involved, public engagement involves mutual respect, mutual contributions and mutual benefits for all participants.

Memorial’s Mission

Memorial University is an inclusive community dedicated to innovation and excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, service and public engagement.

Memorial welcomes and supports students and scholars from all over the world and contributes knowledge and expertise locally, nationally, and internationally.

Memorial’s Academic Mission

Alumni Affairs

A working definition of alumni engagement:“Alumni engagement means activities and experiences designed to identify, cultivate, steward, solicit, and manage gifts of time, talent, and treasure from former students and graduates of a given institution or enterprise in service to the needs of both alumni and alma mater.” https://alumniframework.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/toward-a-definition-and-taxonomy-for-alumni-engagement-v1.pdf

Current core activities

• “Friend-raising”• Providing services and benefits• Running election for Alumni seats on Board of Regents• Alumni Tribute Awards• Reunions •Maintaining connections with alumni through

communications, events, and one-on-one

Consultation Stakeholders

• Steering Committee• Internal Working Group (faculty, staff, students)• External Advisory Groups (local and away)• Alumni Affairs Staff• All alumni (over 200 in-person and over 3500 online)• Focus groups: Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax • Open sessions: St. John’s, Corner Brook• Online survey

Process

• Assessment (Summer and Fall 2017)• Consultation (Fall and Winter 2017-18)• Strategy development (ongoing)• Approval of draft plan (Spring 2018)• Communication and implementation (Spring 2018 onward)

Draft Vision

Memorial’s alumni engage actively with the people and work of the university for personal and collective benefit.

Draft Values

• Inclusive, equitable, and accessible•Difference-making•Mutual sense of responsibility•Pride and spirit

Draft Goals

• Goal 1: Mobilize Memorial to engage alumni• Goal 2: Empower alumni to engage with Memorial• Goal 3: Facilitate connections among alumni• Goal 4: Cultivate students as future engaged alumni

Draft Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Mobilize Memorial to engage alumni1.1 – Build a culture of engaging alumni across Memorial1.2 – Leverage existing programs and activities across

Memorial 1.3 – Establish new programs and activities 1.4 – Enhance connections between alumni engagement

and development

Draft Goals and Objectives

Goal 2: Empower alumni to engage with Memorial2.1 – Communicate current opportunities to engage2.2 – Create new pathways to engage2.3 – Create and communicate programs and opportunities

that reflect diversity of alumni interests and abilities2.4 – Build on existing and establish new ways to recognize

and celebrate engaged alumni

Draft Goals and Objectives

Goal 3: Facilitate connections among alumni3.1 – Provide tools and programs to connect alumni with each

other3.2 – Enhance opportunities for alumni to participate in

university governance, planning, and strategy3.3 – Create opportunities for alumni to self-organize3.4 – Enhance affiliation and pride as Memorial alumni

Draft Goals and Objectives

Goal 4: Inspire students to become future engaged alumni4.1 – Create a shared understanding of what it means to be a

lifelong member of the Memorial community4.2 – Empower students to make a lasting impact4.3 – Recognize the diverse and changing composition of

Memorial’s student population

We want to hear from you!

• For more details on sample actions, tactics, and programs, please see the “Draft Alumni Engagement Strategy” document posted at www.mun.ca/alumni• To provide feedback, please fill out the survey at

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MemorialAlumniStrategy• You may also email engagement@mun.ca with feedback or

questions