Madison Alumni Conference 2015

SAA Participant Guide

James Madison UniversityJMU Alumni Association

June 5-June 7, 2015

Schedule at a Glance

Saturday, June 6, 2015

8:00-8:30 a.m……………………………………………………………………………….Breakfast8:30-9:30 a.m……………………………………………………………………………….Breakout Session 19:30-10:45 a.m……………………………………………………………………………..Plenary Panel11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m……………………………………………………………………Breakout Session 212:00-1:15 p.m……………………………………………………………………............Lunch1:15-3:30 p.m……………………………………………………………………………….Breakout Session 33:45-5:00 p.m…………………………………………………………………..................Professional Dev.5:00-5:30 p.m……………………………………………………………………………….Breakout Session 4

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Breakout Session 1Introduction to SAA

Breakout Session 2SAA Benefits & Annual

Responsibilities

Breakout Session 3Expectations &

Planning Session

Breakout Session 4Wrap-Up & Review

Breakout Session 1Introduction to SAA

8:30-9:30 a.m.

Breakout Session 1 Overview

8:30-8:45 a.m.…………………………………….........Icebreaker

8:45-9:00 a.m……………………………………………A Little Bit About the SAA

9:00-9:15 a.m……………………………………………Mission, Vision, & Values

9:15-9:30 a.m..………………………………………….Values Clarification Exercise & Values of SAA

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A Little Bit About the SAA…

What is the JMU Student Alumni Association?The Student Alumni Association (SAA) creates opportunities for students to interact with alumni to form meaningful, lasting relationships long after graduation. This organization also encourages and promotes the philanthropic spirit on campus that helps to advance the mission and development of JMU.

Why is the JMU SAA important to students?You’re only a JMU student for four years (or maybe a few more!), but you’re a Madison alum forever. Your time at JMU is something that you will always cherish, but why wait to celebrate your experience after graduation when you can do so now? By becoming a member of the Student Alumni Association, you will have opportunities to network with current alumni, develop marketable skills, and promote JMU’s commitment to philanthropy, community and engagement.

What types of events does the JMU SAA host?We offer a wide variety of events with the intent to help alumni and students interact and remain connected. These events range from networking dinners, career development, events during Homecoming, and various other events throughout the year. There’s always an opportunity to celebrate the Madison Experience with the SAA!

What does the structure of the SAA look like?

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SAA Executive Team

Consists of approximately 30 students (including the exec team).

Board members selected by an application/interview process, and therefore are held to certain expectations (jointly set by students and OAR staff).

Biweekly meetings (on the exec “off week”), ideally run by the exec team.

This group is responsible for creating new events/ideas, and also implementing and executing the events/ideas of the exec team

No membership cap. Anyone can join by making a $25 annual donation to anything at JMU. Once donation is made, student is automatically qualified as an SAA member and added to SAA communications.

No obligations/expectations from members in this group. They can be as involved or uninvolved as they want.

Receive benefits, including but not limited to career development opportunities, networking dinners, receptions with JMU VIPs, and homecoming activities.

SAA Board

SAA General Membership

Consists of 5 executive positions: 1 President, 4 VPs. Although it’s always up for discussion and change, in our first two years, the VP positions have been: Membership, Events, Communications, and Philanthropy.

This group has the closest connection with the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) administrative staff and is directly overseen by the Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Philanthropy and a corresponding Graduate Assistant.

Biweekly meetings jointly run between the SAA President & OAR staff

Mission, Vision, & Values (cont.)

SAA’s Mission, Vision, & Values

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Values

Vision

Mission

Values Clarification Worksheet

____ACHIEVEMENT (sense of accomplishment by means of skills, practice, perseverance, or exertion)

____ADVANCEMENT (moving forward in your career through promotions)

____ADVENTURE (work which frequently involves risk taking or travel)

___ AESTHETICS (involved in studying or appreciating the beauty of ideas, things, etc.)

____AUTONOMY (work independently, determine the nature of your work without significant direction from others)

____CARING (love, affection)

____CHALLENGE (stimulates full use of your potential)

____CHANGE & VARIETY (varied, frequently changing work responsibilities and/or work settings)

____COMPETITION (your abilities against others where there is a clear win/lose outcome)

____COOPERATION (opportunity to work as a team toward common goals)

____CREATIVITY (being imaginative, innovative, coming up with ideas)

____ECONOMIC SECURITY (having enough money)

____EXCITEMENT (experience a high degree of, or frequent excitement in your work)

____FAMILY HAPPINESS (being able to spend quality time and develop relationships with family)

____FRIENDSHIP (develop close personal relationships)

____HEALTH (physical and psychological well-being)

____HELP OTHERS (be involved in helping people in a direct way, individually or in a group)

____HELP SOCIETY (do something to contribute to improve the world)

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____INNER HARMONY (being at peace with oneself)

____INTEGRITY (sincerity and honesty)

____INTELLECTUAL STATUS (be regarded as an expert in your field, thoughtof as smart)

____KNOWLEDGE (understanding gained through study and experience)

____LEADERSHIP (influence over others, rather lead than follow)

____LEISURE (have time for hobbies, sports, activities and interests)

____LOCATION (live somewhere that will fit your lifestyle and allow you to do the things you enjoy most)

____LOYALTY (steadfastness and allegiance)

____PLEASURE (enjoyment)

____POWER (authority, control)

____PRECISION (work in situations where there is little tolerance for error)

____RESPONSIBILITY (being accountable for results)

____RECOGNITION (getting acknowledged for your contribution)

____STABILITY (work routine and have largely predictable duties, not likely to change over a long period of time)

____SPIRITUALITY

____TIME FREEDOM (flexible work schedule, no specific work hours required)

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Values of the SAAThe final debrief question, “What are the values of the SAA and how do we live up to them?” leads into what we want to live up to as an organization. We want our actions and our initiatives to reflect what it is we say we stand for. We’ll re-visit this in our afternoon session, where you will develop some expectations for yourselves, the SAA as a whole, and the professional staff who will be working to fulfill what you wish to bring to fruition on campus, in the name of the SAA. However, for right now, let’s decide on our own set of core values that will drive the SAA and help us to develop an appropriate and meaningful vision and mission. Bear in mind JMU’s values, and the values of the Alumni Association as a whole- these are foundational in the creation of the vision and mission of an organization. Our values as a SAA should reflect the same purpose.

JMU’s Values (as listed in above graphic)

Academic Quality: We are dedicated to exemplary learning experiences because they are the essence of our mission.Community: We thrive when we collaborate, respect and serve others, and appreciate our interconnectedness.Diversity: We strive to be an inclusive community that values the richness of all individuals and perspectives.Excellence: We seek to be innovative and to perform at the highest levels.Integrity: We pursue ethical reasoning because it is essential to meaningful citizenship.Student Focus: We provide experiences that challenge and support students.

Alumni Association’s Values (as listed in above graphic)

Engagement

Investment

Service

Collaboration

Student Alumni Association’s Values

______________________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

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SAA’s Values

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Breakout Session 2 Overview

11:00-11:15 a.m.…………………………………………………Teambuilder

11:15-11:30 a.m………………………………………………….Benefits

11:30-11:45 a.m………………………………………………….2014-2015 Calendar Review

11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m………………………………….………Vision Development

Breakout Session 2SAA Benefits & Annual Responsibilities

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

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SAA Benefits

Students who donate $25 or more to any JMU fund (excluding athletics) are immediately qualified as benefit-level members with access to services and programs, including alumni-student networking events. Members of the JMU Student Alumni Association enjoy the following benefits:

Opportunities to network with fellow Dukes, both students and alumni, through a variety of activities such as:

Networking dinners Career development opportunities Receptions with JMU VIPs, including President Alger Volunteer and service events Homecoming activities

Member-only invitations to alumni chapter events, both at JMU and at home Maintaining and upholding Madison traditions such as Senior Candle Lighting and Fight

Song T-shirts 20% off at the JMU Bookstore* Special SAA gear, including drawstring backpack, notebook, apparel and more

Board Members will also receive SAA Polos A chance to truly leave your legacy for generations of students behind you

*20% SAA discount applies to merchandise (not books) every Friday.

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Vision Development

Based on the teambuilder that we did at the beginning of this session and considering the values that we decided upon as a group in our first session this morning:

Values

______________________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

It’s time that we develop our own vision statement. What is the big picture of what we want to achieve? Let’s look again at the vision statements of JMU and the Alumni Association to determine how to begin.

JMU: To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and around the world.

Based on the values of: Academic Quality, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, Student Focus

~

Alumni Association: A leading Alumni Association that, through University, Student and Alumni engagement, is an essential partner to the advancement of the JMU Mission.

Based on the values of: Engagement, Investment, Service, Collaboration

Both follow the guidelines mentioned earlier: they are concise, easy to remember and communicate, and broad enough to allow for a diverse approach to fulfilling what is laid out. How are their values reflected in the statements? What words do they use? Coming together, let’s brainstorm some ways we want to reflect our values in a vision statement.

Student Alumni Association:

Based on the values of:

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Vision Development (cont.)

SAA’s Vision

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Breakout Session 3 Overview

1:15-2:00 p.m.……………………………………………………………………Great Expectations Exercise

2:00-2:30 p.m..…………………………………………………………….........Mission Dev.

2:30-3:30 p.m..…………………………………………………………….........Planning Session

Breakout Session 3Expectations & Planning Session

1:15-3:30 p.m.

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Great ExpectationsSAA 2015-2016

What expectations of you have of yourself this year, regarding the SAA?

What expectations do you have of your fellow SAA peers?

What expectations do you have of your SAA advisors?

What expectations do you have of the events you plan?

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Mission Development

In developing our expectations- for ourselves, our peers, supervisors, etc.- we give ourselves more insight into how we expect to fulfill our goals for the SAA. That being said, we’ve come to the final major development of our time together today: our mission statement. How do we take our values and our vision, and inspire action? To help get us into an outcome-oriented mindset, we’ll first look at the mission statements of JMU and the Alumni Association.

JMU: A community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Based on the vision: To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and around the world.

Based on the values of: Academic Quality, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, Student Focus

~

Alumni Association: To engage alumni and cultivate involvement in James Madison University.

Based on the vision: A leading Alumni Association that, through University, Student and Alumni engagement, is an essential partner to the advancement of the JMU Mission.

Based on the values of: Engagement, Investment, Service, Collaboration

Having assessed the two mission statements above, and drawing from the additional mission statements provided, are there common words or terminology used in mission statements that address alumni affairs?

______________________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

Knowing that, how do we want to phrase and craft our mission statement?

Student Alumni Association:

Based on the vision:

Based on the values of:

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Sample Mission Statements The first four are student alumni associations at their respective schools.

The mission statements that follow those are out of Alumni Associations at their respective schools.

Emory UniversityThe mission of the Student Alumni Association (SAA) is to connect alumni to the University and the student body by building tradition, fostering student and alumni interaction, serving the diverse needs and interests of our community, and creating opportunities for investment in Emory’s future.

Virginia Commonwealth University The goal of the Students Today Alumni Tomorrow, or STAT as we like to call it, is to facilitate interaction between students and alumni and to enhance the student experience by providing opportunities that strengthen lifelong loyalty to VCU. STAT provides unique benefits including networking with alumni, connecting with other VCU students, complimentary members-only goodies and rewards just for being a member!

University of GeorgiaThe Student Alumni Association (SAA) is where the three pillars of the Arch - Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation - meet the three core values of the University of Georgia Alumni Association - Pride, Loyalty, and Tradition.

In an effort to establish these values in the student body, SAA was created to enhance the academic experience by providing programs and events focused on the spirit, history, and tradition of UGA. SAA also seeks to connect students with alumni in an effort to promote networking and camaraderie amongst all of the Bulldog faithful, students present and past.

Students who are part of SAA are Georgia Fund donors which means that they are already financial supporters of this great university, the nation's oldest state-chartered public institution.

University of Tennessee KnoxvilleStudents Serving Students: Past … Present … Future

The Student Alumni Associates (SAA) work in conjunction with and under the auspices of the UT Office of Alumni Affairs to provide an enriched relationship between students and alumni, a resource for the student body regarding alumni, campus, and service activities, and an increased sense of school spirit.

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American UniversityThe mission of AU's Office of Alumni Relations and the American University Alumni Association is to create a lifelong and worldwide community of alumni through increased opportunities for meaningful engagement in order to increase awareness, pride, participation, volunteer involvement, and philanthropic commitment to American University.

Baylor UniversityThe mission of the Division of Constituent Engagement is to engage and connect the university community locally, nationally and around the globe in support of Baylor’s mission, while creating sustainable lifelong connections to the university and to each other.

Cardinal Stritch UniversityVision StatementThe Alumni Association will be a dynamic, member-focused organization, driven by Franciscan values and directed towards supporting the social, intellectual, and spiritual needs of all present and future alumni of Cardinal Stritch University. Mission Statement The Alumni Association will achieve this vision through its mission of

Promoting a strong relationship between alumni and the University Advancing the unique needs of alumni, while supporting the University's goals Developing an awareness of Cardinal Stritch University's history, accomplishments, programs, and

offerings Promoting a sense of University pride among all graduates Providing the University with insight into the needs of the communities it serves.

Tulane UniversityThe Tulane Alumni Association creates opportunities that connect alumni, foster loyalty to the university, and enhance the lifelong Tulane experience.

University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)Mission Statement:To enrich the lives of alumni and involve them in UCLA’s futureVision Statement:To be a vital partner in the success of UCLA through the significant engagement of alumniCore Values: * ADVOCACY: We are leaders in advancing the quality and stature of UCLA. We encourage volunteer and philanthropic support of UCLA. * EDUCATION: We value students and are dedicated to their support and development. We believe in lifelong learning. * DIVERSITY: We value and engage diverse UCLA constituents. * COMMUNITY: We create and foster relationships among and between alumni, students and UCLA. * INTERDEPENDENCE: Led by self-governed volunteers, we are the voice of UCLA alumni. * INNOVATION: We are entrepreneurial; we actively identify and create new opportunities. * EXCELLENCE: We commit to the highest quality in all our endeavors.

Wayne State UniversityThe mission of the Wayne State University Alumni Association is to build loyalty and support among our graduates.We do this by promoting a positive image of the University, by strengthening feelings of identity with the University and by offering opportunities for alumni to serve the University - all done with a touch of good humor and fun.We measure our success by our number of active members, by their degree of participation in alumni- and University-sponsored activities, by their volunteer efforts on behalf of the University and by their advice, counsel and financial contributions to the University.List compiled from the following resource: http://www.alumnifutures.com/missions.html

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Mission Development (cont.)

SAA’s Mission

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Notes

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Notes

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Notes

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Notes

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