Zeta Beta Tau - Chapters of Excellence: Alumni Communications

In order to achieve the maximum number of points in this category the Chapter must host two alumni events per academic year AND produce at least one alumni newsletter per semester.

It is highly recommended that you submit your draft of the newsletter to both your Chapter Advisor and the National Staff to review prior to sending it out.

Best Practices for Success

1. Involve your Chapter Advisor in alumni communication.
2. Contact alumni during each summer to get an idea of the type of programming they'd be interested in attending
3. Consistency is key. Once you contact your alumni, be sure to maintain regular communication with them. It doesn't suffice to contact them once a year.
4. Create a mentoring program where interested alumni can assist graduating seniors with resumes, interview skills and preparation for a full-time job.
5. Create a mentoring program where interested alumni can be matched with a new brother to help educate them about the Fraternity.
6. Set up an appointment with the Alumni Affairs office of the University to discuss best practices for involving alumni.
7. Create an alumni newsletter that focuses on highlighting the current updates of alumni...alumni are more interested in hearing about other alumni!
8. Never assume an alumnus wants to donate money to the Chapter just because they are an alumnus...understand that it takes time to develop and cultivate a positive relationship with alumni and, even then, they may not be interested in financially supporting the Chapter, but may be interested in helping in other ways.
9. Provide at least thirty days advance notice to all alumni about an upcoming alumni event. Be sure to send frequent reminders.
10. Be sure that you get an accurate count, and contact information, of all alumni in attendance at events.
11. In addition to formal newsletters try to send out an informal email update to alumni letting them know how the semester is going, but be careful not to communicate too much to where it loses its value.
12. Find lost alumni and get updated contact information for them.
    

Be sure to provide the National Office staff with copies of your Alumni Newsletters as they are produced in order to obtain the maximum number of points in this category.

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