alumni futures

Minary 2010: Alumni Education, Engagement, and Travel

The 2010 Minary Conference on Alumni Education, Engagement and Travel takes place November 1–4 in Southern California, its first new location since the late 1980s.

Another change is a tweak to the name: Minary has always been the "conference on Alumni Education." Now it's Alumni Education, Engagement & Travel, to better reflect the needs and interests of attendees. 

Program
Speakers include Reed College's Mike Teskey on crisis communication, Brett Thompson of Stanford discussing trends in alumni travel, and C. Thomas Faulders II of the University of Virginia, with a keynote on What Engagement Professionals Can Learn from the Corporate World. The full agenda is online and there are numerous small breakout discussions, plus roundtables. And of course, plenty of time built in for enjoying the facilities and location, which is a very beautiful area.

Meanwhile, I am pleased to be included on the conference agenda, speaking in three installments. I will give a talk on "the three dimensions of alumni relationships," lead an informal fireside chat about future trends in alumni engagement, and will close with a detailed discussion of several "social network use cases" from the matrix that I blogged in July.  

Location
Minary's previous venue in northern California was far removed from the distractions of big city hotels and traditional conference centers. But for some, Stanford Sierra Camp was hard to get to (almost two hours' drive from Reno, and more than two hours from Sacramento). 

So to shake things up a bit, this year's planning committee has moved the program to UCLA's beautiful Lake Arrowhead Conference Center. The facility is quiet and removed from distractions, but quite accessible from Los Angeles.

Lake Arrowhead is a two hour drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Ontario Airport (ONT) is just an hour away. And having the greater L.A. area relatively nearby should allow alumni officers to set up events or alumni visits as part of the same trip, making it easier to budget and more effective overall.

Registration is available online:

Minary Conference Registration site

You can also visit the general Conference site for additional information: Minary info site.

History
The name "Minary" comes from the meeting's original location, Dartmouth College's Minary Center in New Hampshire. Colleague Andrew Gossen reported recently that the original Minary facility is shutting down after 40 years.

I hope to see you at the new Minary Conference on November 1!

 

Panorama of Lake Arrowhead winter scene by John Colby, via Creative Commons. There won't be snow there on November 1...it should be mild Southern California fall weather.

Questions from Europe: Educational Marketing, Authenticity and Web 2.0

Two weeks ago, a small group in a big room in France had a compact conversation about several expansive topics. 

The Web 2.0 workshop I co-chaired for the European Association for International Education included 27 individuals from organizations across 14 countries. Their roles ranged from advancement to public relations, but emphasized student recruitment. Sweden and the Netherlands were the most prominently represented, with one-third of the participants between them.

Participants absorbed a number of case studies, showing how various institutions have used Web 2.0 tools to engage wide-ranging audiences (with equally wide-ranging degrees of success – a couple of them being outright failures). Along the way, we discussed the trials and tribulations of relying on user-generated content, trying to obtain institutional support, and receiving uncertain returns on investment. 

A few key ideas cropped up, and I share them here for consideration or comment.

Despite the talk about "user-generated content," many of the cases and examples discussed involved universities talking about themselves on user-dominated platforms. There's a difference between a university's communication officer using Facebook to share information about the institution, and alumni or students using Facebook to share their opinions about the place. 

Some questions arise: 

• Will university managers eventually adapt to the collaborative, networked aspects of the Internet? 
   
• Will they eventually stop relying on one-way content, using social platforms to broadcast magazine articles and press releases? 

The research side of the academy relies heavily on network effects to share and publish information. Scholarly journal citations are proxies for connections in a network – they connect authors whose work depends on mutual relevance. Furthermore, they publish publicly and as widely as possible so as to benefit everyone. But many of the international student recruiters at EAIE are publishing information primarily (or solely) to benefit their own institution.

When will institutional leaders fully support and invest in distributed communication (like the content on social platforms), instead of assuming it's something "young people do"? Probably not until the people currently in lower- and mid-level management positions rise to the top ranks of institutional leadership themselves. They're the ones who best recognize, through first-hand experience, the outcomes that widespread use of social technologies is generating.

A final thought occurred to me as the group dispersed and our workshop discussion faded from the hall.

Which of these two alternate futures is more likely?: 

Scenario 1: At some point soon, mere marketing will cease to attract any attention at all. Ads that rely entirely on manufactured images and broadcast "stories" will be invisible to an audience increasingly accustomed to so-called authentic voices and content. This will make the recruiter's or fundraiser's job one of brokering true stories that reflect users' experiences, instead of manufacturing fantasies designed to appeal to people's desires.

Or...

Scenario 2: Marketers become so adept at manipulating content that users will be left wondering what is authentic and what is hype, which stories, profiles or brands are the real thing, and which ones are made up to fill a niche created by the demand for the services or programs they are in the business of providing.

Are you facing these dilemmas already? 

How are you approaching them? 

Are you succeeding? 

How do you know?

Leave a comment...

 

Photo of EAIE reception in Nantes, France by Andy Shaindlin

Overseas Workshops and Presentations: France

As I mentioned in July, I'm heading to France this week to co-present a workshop for the European Association for International Education...

 
EAIE Workshop in Nantes, 15-16 September:

I will co-present with Illuminate Consulting Group's Dr. Daniel Guhr at EAIE's annual meeting. I've been lucky enough to deliver workshops and training at EAIE programs in Norway, Hungary, Spain and France, and am grateful to be invited back. 

This year, Dan has developed an ambitious workshop called How to Strategically Deploy Web 2.0 Platforms, Tools and Communities. 

ICG research interns have compiled a number of detailed and diverse case studies that will form the basis for part of the workshop. In a few weeks I'll let Alumni Futures readers know how to purchase copies of the reports, which I have been editing for ICG.

 

AFF Breakfast Program in Paris, 21 September:

Next week, on Tuesday, 21 September in Paris, I will deliver a breakfast talk sponsored by the Association Française des Fundraisers (AFF). The topic is Alumni Community Management. I will discuss how to use social networks and the web (including blogs, Twitter, Facebook and other online platforms) to listen to alumni and build a dialog with them. You can still sign up online.

The presentation will be in English, although I can stumble along in French as well, if needed. I am very grateful to Céline Morel for helping to make this event happen.
 

Note: I'll be away from the blog for a couple of weeks, but will return at the end of September. Until then, in the spirit of social media, enjoy this series of alumni-related messages from a Twitter user last winter:

 

 

 

Alumni Futures in France: September Events

As I head off to Singapore today, I'm already looking ahead to September, when I will travel to France for two teaching opportunities:

EAIE Workshop in Nantes, 15-16 September
I will co-present with Illuminate Consulting Group's Dr. Daniel Guhr at the annual meeting of the European Association for International Education (EAIE). This year, Dan has developed a workshop called How to Strategically Deploy Web 2.0 Platforms, Tools and Communities.

The workshop takes place over two half-day sessions, and is limited to 30 participants. It's not an introductory program – it is aimed at an intermediate level audience that is familiar with the tools currently used to deploy communities online.

The workshop takes place 15 and 16 September in Nantes.

AFF Breakfast Program in Paris, 21 September
On Tuesday, 21 September in Paris, I will deliver a breakfast talk sponsored by the Association Française des Fundraisers (AFF). The topic is Alumni Community Management. I will discuss how to use social networks and the web (including blogs, Twitter, Facebook and other online platforms) to listen to alumni and build a dialog with them.

The presentation will be in English, although I plan to answer questions and discuss related topics informally in French as well. 

Here is a brief description of the program in French, with a link to the event page:

Petit-déjeuner fundraising: Alumni Community Management

Comment utiliser les réseaux sociaux et le web (blogs, Twitter, Facebook, sites internet) pour écouter ses alumni, et construire une relation avec eux. Une introduction au "community management" au service des relations avec vos alumni et de votre fundraising.

 

 

Social Media Master Class: Singapore

On 29 July I will be teaching a workshop (what CASE calls a "Master Class") in Singapore. The National University of Singapore (NUS) is hosting the event at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House (pictured here). It's a half-day overview of social media and alumni communications for colleges, universities and schools. 

The full program (or programme) web site is here:

Social Media & Educational Advancement

Below is the agenda at a glance, to give you an idea of what I'll cover. This session is great for people who know that social tools are an increasingly important part of constituent relations, but who don't feel they have an adequate understanding of these fast-changing trends. Note that this is a non-technical roadmap to these trends, so you don't need computer or internet expertise to benefit.

 

Social Media & Educational Advancement Programme

Overview
What is social media and where did it come from? What is the meaning of "Web 2.0" and why are there so many social networking sites and tools? Our discussion will cover: the rise of social networking sites; terminology; how social media affects alumni and student behavior; and why social media is important to educational advancement.

Global Case Studies
A cross-border look at how some institutions are using the most common tools: microblogging, social networks, business networks and more. The discussion will include risks and opportunities; how these tools can promote better alumni coordination, student recruiting, and fundraising.

Putting Social Technology to Work: Interactive Exercise
In small groups, participants will quickly brainstorm and design a solution to an assigned challenge.

The Road Ahead: Trends in Online Communication
Where is the social media world going next, and can we lead, or must we follow? I'll highlight the growing importance of mobile communication and of location-based services.

We'll finish the afternoon with an open-ended Question and Answer discussion.

If you're reading Alumni Futures in Asia and can be in Singapore on 29 July, click here to register for this event.

Social Media Round Table: New York City

The Alumni Futures Social Media Round Table is coming to New York City, Thursday, July 22, 2010.

What is it? Who is it for?
The Social Media Round Table is a day-long discussion (a kind of mini-conference), open to no more than 15 professionals from schools, colleges and universities, or from other organizations whose work relates to education. Fundraisers, communications professionals, and alumni officers are all welcome, but other disciplines are welcome too: student affairs, athletics, career services, admissions and more – anyone who needs to get up to speed quickly on the promise of social technologies in education and related sectors.

Up to three spots are available for representatives from the private sector – consultants, vendors or others whose work connects them to education or non-profits.

The Round Table is designed for individuals with low to moderate exposure to social media, not for complete beginners or for experienced "power users." You will get the most from the Round Table if you: 

- have basic familiarity with Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and
- are interested in mid-level strategy and tactics for engaging constituents with social technology. 

Key Features
- Mixes presentations, guided discussions, and free-wheeling idea-sharing
- Incorporates participants' topics and questions to guarantee relevance
- Touches on key themes in social media and online community
- Connects participants to a network of fellow professionals who share their interests
- Is moderated and hosted by Andy Shaindlin (of Alumni Futures) and Elizabeth Allen (of Adaptivate)
 

Preliminary Program (exact timing & topics subject to change)

8:30 to 9:00 am - Registration
Continental breakfast (included)

9:00 am to 10:00 am - Presentation
Debunking the Myths of Social Media 
(presented by Andy Shaindlin and Liz Allen, following self-introductions)

10:00 am to 10:45 am - Group Discussion
ROI: How Will You Know If You're Succeeding?

10:45 to 11:00 am - Break

11:00 am to Noon – Group Discussion
Community Management (and Your Online Reputation)

Noon to 1:00 pm - Lunch
Deli-style lunch on site (included)

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Discussion
Participants' Hot Topics 
(submitted in advance)

3:00 pm to 3:30 pm - Wrap up and closing thoughts 

We guarantee thought-provoking new ideas for you to take away, and a fun day of valuable professional network-building as well.
 

Location
The Alumni Futures Social Media Round Table takes place in mid-town Manhattan, New York City, on Thursday, July 22, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. 

Your registration fee includes Round Table discussion and feedback, Social Media Resource Packet, and continental breakfast plus deli-style lunch on site.

Registration & Fees

• $229 for non-profit participants
• $299 for commercial attendees (limit 3 attendees in this category)

Click here to register

Registered participants will receive additional details about the Round Table, including the opportunity to submit individual topics of interest to attendees, which can be included in the day's program.

• Registration is on a first-come basis. Only 15 spaces available.

Questions?

Send an email to andy@alumnifutures.com.

See you there!

June 11 Deadline to Apply for CASE Conference Scholarships

CASE is offering about 20 scholarships to cover conference registration fees for advancement professionals at selected CASE programs.

The Virginia Carter Smith Scholarship Program is for you if you have less than three years' experience in educational advancement, or if you've moved from one advancement discipline to another in the last three years (e.g., from alumni relations to development). Among the criteria for awarding the scholarships are "career potential," an applicant's statement about resources available through their institution, and the candidate's "ability to express him or herself."

If selected to receive a scholarship, you will have conference registration fees waived, but will still have to cover, travel, hotel and meal costs to attend. Conferences NOT covered by the Smith Scholarship are the Summer Institutes, the Summit, or the annual District conferences. But that still leaves you with many options from the CASE professional development calendar.

Get your application started, though: the deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, June 11, 2010.

Click this link to download the application packet from the CASE web site [180kb PDF]

And in case you're wondering, Virginia Carter Smith was a CASE president, and founder of CURRENTS Magazine. 

Other CASE scholarships:

International Scholarships Programme (for global access to advancement training)

SimpsonScarborough Scholars (for young communications and marketing professionals)

Peter Buchanan ASAP Scholarship Award (for student advancement programming)

Good luck!

New Notions of Community: Ten Years Out

I was inspired last week to revisit some remarks I delivered last year at a "Thought Leader Seminar" hosted by Illuminate Consulting Group. The impetus to review what I had said came from a comment left by Santa Clara University's Kathy Kale on the Alumni Futures posting last week. Kathy asked, 

What is the call to action for alumni organizations? What are we supposed to do to respond to or interact with loose social networks that include our alumni? We may not play a central role but what role do/can we play?

The word we have been hearing for years is "relevance." This is increasingly central to alumni organizations' missions and activities. It was the first bullet point I addressed when I wrote about "mattering" in my first posting of 2010. 

So here's an update to what I was saying about this a year ago. I had the perspective then of nine years in my role as executive director at one institution; now my perspective includes time as an independent consultant to education. My views overall haven't changed that much.

New Notions of Community: Ten Years Out
As the value of some traditional alumni relations activities fades steadily, and as new ways to self-identify, to communicate and to collaborate internationally continue to grow, advancement professionals must rethink their notion of what it means to “have a community” of alumni, friends, and donors. 

Alumni offices can become brokers of information that alumni need from one another (and from the institution): making potentially valuable connections discoverable should be among their strategic goals, and deploying helpful tools according to a structured, but flexible, framework will enable them to succeed.

Career and professional help, fundraising, communication and marketing (as well as alumni relations and admissions/recruiting) will overlap more and hybrid offices and job titles will appear on campus. I can imagine something like the following:

• Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services  
• Major Gifts Officer and Alumni Network Broker 
• Annual Giving Coordinator and Community Manager

How we measure our success will also change, moving toward outcomes and success stories, network value, and visibility online. Alumni organizations will measure success, in part, through alumni connections and influence in other organizations (government, education, and business).

Getting started in this direction may require only a modest reallocation of existing resources, and willingness by advancement professionals to stand up and point out a new direction. 

Leadership opportunities abound, and as with every truly new effort, for most that enter this field there will be no “wrong way” to go – but there will be many unexplored avenues to pursue.

CASE Summit: New York, July 2010

The CASE Summit for Advancement Leaders returns to New York City this summer (July 18 to 20), and the line up is excellent. A few of the speakers are

• Lawrence Bacow, President of Tufts University
  
• David Skorton, President of Cornell University
  
• Danah Boyd, researcher on social technologies
  
• Philanthropists Charles Bronfman and Jonathan Tisch

...among many others. A link to the full program listing is below.

I have the honor of introducing another keynoter, Clay Shirky, whose book Here Comes Everybody has provided me with a remarkable number of insights about education – and not just in the field of advancement. His book isn't "about" education – its about how technology increasingly enables people to "organize without organizations," something that matters to fundraisers, communicators and alumni professionals.

The Summit is geared toward senior decision makers in educational institutions: Executive Directors, Vice Presidents, Presidents. However, based on my own experiences, I encourage people in these positions to look at the Summit as more than "professional development" for themselves. The Summit is great leadership development for early- and mid-career staff members – they'll benefit from rubbing shoulders with senior leaders, hearing what those leaders talk and care about, and exhibiting their own potential as future leaders in education.

I'm looking forward to the event and hope to meet many of you there:

CASE Summit for Advancement Leaders - July 18 to 20, 2010

Full Program Listing with all sessions

Travel and Hotel information

Register here - early bird deadline is June 21, 2010.

There are few bad views from hotel windows in Times Square. Photo by benben via Creative Commons.

Alumni Futures Round Table: Claremont, California

[Update 4 May: Just 2 spaces remain for this event]

In coordination with Liz Allen (author of the Adaptivate blog), I'm pleased to announce an upcoming Southern California event:

The Alumni Futures Round Table in Claremont, California

The Round Table takes place on Tuesday, May 18. It's a day-long discussion among no more than 10 professionals whose work relates to educational advancement – alumni relations, communications, and fundraising. The Round Table is open to advancement professionals from independent schools, colleges, universities and other non-profits. Three spots are reserved for representatives from the private sector – consultants, vendors or others whose work connects them to institutional advancement.

Each participant has 30 minutes in which to share with the group, as informally or formally as they like, either:

• a new idea or a new direction about their work that they want to share with others, or
   
• a challenge or problem they face in their work, to brainstorm possible solutions.

Individual participants choose the topics and set the agenda. Based on prior experience, we guarantee thought-provoking new ideas for you to take away, and a fun day of valuable professional network-building as well. Liz and I will facilitate the discussion and contribute our own ideas and input where appropriate.

How much does it cost?

• $99 for non-profit participants
• $149 for commercial attendees (limit 3 attendees)

Click here to see full details and to register for the event.

Registration is on a first-come basis. We will maintain a waiting list in case of last-minute cancellations. And keep in mind, although we're convening in Claremont, the Round Table is not limited to participation from those working at the Claremont colleges. It's open to anyone in Southern California who can make it there that day.

Questions? Email andy@alumnifutures.com.

The Round Table is independently produced, and not associated with any professional organization or educational institution.