WELLESLEY CLUBS: WHO WE ARE AND

WHAT WE DO

THE ALUMNAE NETWORK

To connect alumnae to the College

and to each other

OUR MISSION

Nurture friendships among alumnae

Provide a forum through which women can share career and life experiences

Promote lifelong learning through educational programs

Assist Admissions by inspiring and connecting with qualified high school students

Enhance Wellesley’s image through community involvement

WHY HAVE A WELLESLEY CLUB?

WORLD WIDE WELLESLEY

There are approx. 85 active clubs and 30 key alumnae contacts around the world

There are clubs or key contacts in 45 states and 32 international countries

Model A: Small, geographically diverse, and/or in temporary hibernation, or just forming

Model B: Medium, urban, suburban, or a growing club

Model C: Urban or suburban, mature club

Model D: Large, urban club

CLUB MODELS

BIG & SMALL

Largest Clubs

Boston – 4573

New York – 2623

D.C. – 2138

San Fran – 1228

Los Angeles – 807

Chicago – 796

Philadelphia – 727

Smallest Clubs

Reading, PA – 20

Nebraska – 38

Memphis – 41

Arkansas – 60

Winchester, MA – 63

OUR CLUB LEADERS

OUR CLUB LEADERS

CLUB LIFE CYCLE

Active!

In need of strong leaders

Active!

Board

dissolution

Boa

rd

build

ing

LEADERSHIP

Dedicated Inspiring Builds a strong board Organized Able to listen Team player Able to delegate Warm and welcoming Has an eye on the future

CHARACTERISTICS OF A CLUB LEADER

A strong board is key!

Leader without a strong board = burnout

A strong board will help with recruiting new volunteers

Board diversity – age, ethnicity, talents

Recognize efforts and accomplishments

BUILD A STRONG BOARD

You don’t have to do it alone or do it all!

Try co-presidents

Delegation works best face-to-face

Encourage attendance at meetings

DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITY

Have a plan

Follow term limits

Develop a mentor/shadow program

Use a nominating committee

DEVELOP A SUCCESSOR

MEMBERSHIP

All alumnae are members of WCAA

Member of club

All alumnae are members Attended Wellesley? You’re a member! Emotional component of membership

Some alumnae are dues-paying members Paid your dues? You’re a member! Financial component of membership

DEFINITIONS

Make the Wellesley connection!

Emotional component

Financial component

Promote the benefits of membership

“Why should I be a member of the club?”

INCREASING MEMBERSHIP

Establish a membership goal

Have a Membership Chair or Committee on your board to work towards that goal

Host quality and innovative programs

Target current students – they will be alumnae soon!

INCREASING MEMBERSHIP

INCREASING MEMBERSHIP

Reconnect Retain Recruit

lapsed members

currentmembers

newmembers

Make the emotional connection

Explain financial benefit of membership

Make it easy to pay dues!

Newsletters and pre-printed envelopes

PayPal

List members

Target communications

Dues and donations are tax-deductible

SOLICITING DUES

PROGRAMS

Social Educational

Faculty Speaker Book clubs

Admission AAR Book Awards

Networking/Career CWS

Service Fundraising

TYPES OF PROGRAMS

Host fun, innovative programs Keep costs low Member vs. non-member rate Young alum rate Anchor events Sub-clubs Use decade and geographic chairs Make it easy to RSVP and pay Target young alums Use all available communication tools

INCREASING PROGRAM PARTICIPATION

WCAA and all clubs are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations

All clubs must submit a financial report to the WCAA on a yearly basis

New IRS requirement: All clubs must file directly with the IRS using Form 990EZ

REPORTING CLUB FINANCES

COMMUNICATIONS

How do I notify Wellesley of a change to an alum’s contact info?

How do I get a list, set of mailing labels, and a directory?

How do I send a broadcast email?

How can I use social networking sites to connect with alumnae?

What are my options for a club web site?

FAQS

Club Resources web page:

ANSWERS TO FAQS

New self-service tool

Create and download your own club lists and labels

DATA ON DEMAND

cheerful letter from president

board member list with contact info

club email and website

board bios

inspiring articles – build the network!

membership information

upcoming events

photos and reports from past events

admission info

custom logo

how to update one’s info with Wellesley

THE CLUB NEWSLETTER

BROADCAST EMAILS

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Find guidelines and tips on VConnect

CLUB WEB SITE OPTIONS

Build it yourself, host it yourself

Single web page

Chapter Pages

E-COMMUNICATIONS

Save some green by going green!

Environmentally-friendly

Budget-friendly Considerations Is this the right

decision for my club?

CLUB SURVEYS

Desiree Urquhart DS’99President, Washington Wellesley Club

Catherine Merrill ’88President, Merrimack Valley Wellesley Club

DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER?

A COMPARISON OF SMALL AND

LARGE CLUBS

MERRIMACK VALLEY WELLESLEY CLUB?

Catherine Merrill ’88,President WCMerrimackValley@alum.wellesley.edu

Desiree Urquhart DS’99, Presidentwcwashingtondc@alum.wellesley.edu

wwc.president@gmail.com

WASHINGTON WELLESLEY CLUB?

CLUBS BY THE NUMBERS

MVWC

24037

$850$0

$20

WWC

2,100421

$25,000$2,500Tiered:

$45 Sustaining$25 Regular

$15 Young AlumsFree Recent Grads

Alumnae in AreaDues Paying Members

Annual BudgetAverage Gift to College

Annual Dues

CLUBS BY THE NUMBERS

MVWC

1 Newsletter, 2 Postcard Mailings, 5-ish Emails

3 Events: Faculty Speaker, CARE Packages, Museum Visit

All events are free

18 Book Awards

1 President, 1 Treasurer, 1 Book Award Chair

WWC

4 Newsletters, 20 Emails

1 club-sponsored event per month, often more events with interest groups

Events usually $15-$45, discount for young alums

84 Book Awards

13 Members of the Executive Board

Dues Payers: handwritten thank you notes, calls before every meeting

Eventers: notes at every event for those who can't attend, follow-up email with some attachment to extend the event

MVWC Officers: loads of lead time

Area Presidents: Include their events in my emails/newsletter, email them when I get their mailings

Clubs Office: Paperwork on time

Madame La Presidente: One Goal at a Time

For 2009, get the newsletter, postcard and email processes documented and easy for others to follow. Teach Mea Lea & Amy how to do it.

MVWC: TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO TAKE CARE OF YOU

Try This For:

Club Officers – Be cognizant of schedules

Communication – Do it often via multiple media

Events – Plan variety to attract different interests

Recognition – Always thank alumnae volunteers

Mentors – Seek advice from past presidents

Meetings – Incorporate new technology

Young Alums – Embrace their energy

WWC: LEADING POWERFUL,BUSY WONDER WOMEN

MVWC: GETTING HELPFUL HELP IS BIGGEST CHALLENGE

They say 'yes' then disappear. ARRRRRGH

What I Am Doing About This:

Everyone who offers to help gets a teeny, tiny task. If they don't do it, I have the data I need

Prioritizing what officers I really need and trying to fill only one slot. 2009: Vice President

I'm building a pool of helpers. I can email 15 people to help with a mailing and get 3 pairs of hands. Folks are extremely reluctant to commit to more.

Using the by-laws to move officers who aren't helping out of office (see Clubs Handbook for text)

Considering extending the office term from 2 years to 3 because recruiting is such a bear

WWC: TIME COMMITMENT & SPACE

TWO BIG CHALLENGES When Work Trumps Club Responsibilities:

Try a little bit of something old and something new!

Establish Co-VP positions to share the load

Have former presidents serve at-large on board

Encourage team approach to train future leaders

Create electronic protocols for easy handoffs

Reach out to retired and young alums for help

Try virtual meetings

Create Gmail accounts

Take care of you, stay positive, come to ALC!!!

Catherine Merrill '88Catherine.Merrill@alum.wellesley.eduwcMerrimackValley@alum.wellesley.edu(978) 470-2306

Desiree Urquhart DS’99urquha8@aol.comWCWashingtonDC@alum.wellesley.eduwwc.president@gmail.com(202) 425-8865 (Cell)(804) 224-1915 (Home)

ANY QUESTIONS?  JUST ASK!

WHAT’S NEXT:Today

4:45 pm: Student Panel (JAC), Tour the Chapel, or Campus Construction Presentation (Collins Cinema)

6:00 pm: Reception and Dinner (Campus Center)

Sunday

9:00 am: Admissions and CWS (FND 120)

10:15 am: Conversation Cafes (FND 126 & 128)

11:30 am: Debrief and Q&A; Tech Demos (FND 120; PNE 139)

12:30 pm: Lunch (Campus Center)