What is an Alumni Club?
“Psi U is For Life” has evolved into a core vision statement for our fraternity. Previously, Psi Upsilon predominantly emphasized the undergraduate experience, with limited focus on post-graduate engagement except in support of our chapters. Recently, we have identified a growing number of opportunities to network and connect with one another in meaningful ways. The Alumni Club Program has emerged as a positive development arising from this initiative.
Alumni Clubs provide an excellent opportunity for Psi Upsilon alums in a specific geographic area or with similar interests to connect with one another. These clubs can organize social events, contribute to charitable organizations, offer support to local chapters and start new ones, and facilitate networking among members all while helping alumni maintain their connection with Psi U.
Many alums find themselves feeling a sense of emptiness after leaving their college campus. The excitement and pressures that come with stepping into the “real world” tend to occupy their focus, leaving little room for the connections once formed within Psi Upsilon. However, Alumni Clubs serve as a testament to the enduring relationships that exist within our brotherhood, long after graduation. These clubs promote meaningful interactions among the diverse members residing in a particular city or region. Through Alumni Clubs, former members can establish and maintain friendships, allowing them to continue experiencing the camaraderie of Psi Upsilon beyond their individual chapters.
Psi Upsilon is committed to fostering an environment where all alums can maintain the camaraderie and fraternal bonds that embody our brotherhood. Together, we are committed to the belief that “Psi U is For Life”!
How do I get started?
The alumni club is built on three key elements: an operational model, which outlines the expected number and types of events throughout the year, a communication plan, which we can assist with once alums are identified and effective club leadership, including officers and an executive or planning committee. Lacking these essentials, a club could struggle to maintain its operations.
Leadership
The leadership structure of an alumni club can be tailored to the club’s specific needs and aspirations. However, it is essential to have multiple members involved in planning and managing club operations effectively. At a minimum, each alumni club should appoint more than one officer. The specific format of this leadership can vary, including:
- Positional Titles (e.g., President, Vice President, Secretary)
- Executive or Planning Committee
Having a leadership team with multiple members helps ensure the continuity of operations, particularly if an individual decides to step back from their role within the club. The process for selecting leadership is determined by the club itself, allowing for a structure that best fits its goals and members.
If you are interested in helping plan or organize alum events, please fill out this form and we will connect you with other Psi Upsilon Alums in your region who we believe may want to assist you in your endeavor. If there is already an Alumni Club formed in your region, or serving your interest, we will connect you with the leadership of that group.
Operations
An alumni club has the flexibility to host events at its discretion, so long as at least one event takes place during each year. Regardless of the number of events or their frequency, maintaining a consistent schedule is crucial. It is advisable to avoid “pop-up” events, last-minute notifications, and erratic scheduling.
Typically, alumni clubs have successfully utilized three main models for their event planning:
Annual Model: This consists of one event each year, often aligned with another annual occurrence (e.g., a holiday or a major local festival).
PROS: Easy to organize due to ample planning time; a fixed date each year (e.g., the first Saturday in December) simplifies planning for attendees; it often becomes a featured event.
CONS: Limiting to just one event may restrict the depth of interactions among attendees, not accommodate everyone’s schedules, and impose restrictions on the types of events (e.g., family-friendly, community-focused, social, or exclusive to alumni).
Bi-annual Model: This involves hosting two events within the year, typically one in the Summer/Fall and another in Winter/Spring. Successful examples often coincide with larger community events while maintaining a consistent calendar.
PROS: Planning two events is manageable and allows for adequate preparation time; fixed dates (e.g., the third weekend of September and the second weekend of April) help alumni plan their attendance; it facilitates a diverse range of event types.
CONS: Involves double the planning effort; may not fit the schedules of all alumni; limitations on event types can still apply.
Quarterly Model: This structure includes four events per year, scheduled quarterly (Q1=July-September; Q2=October-December; Q3=January-March; Q4=April-June).
PROS: It supports a variety of event types (e.g., family gatherings, community outreach, social events, professional networking), provides flexibility for alumni to choose which events suit them best, and makes attendance easier through consistent scheduling.
CONS: Organizing four events can require substantial planning effort, depending on the specifics of each event; there is a risk of leadership burnout.
Additionally, it’s important for clubs to consider engagement between events, regardless of the chosen frequency. Since the primary goal is to foster relationships and connections, alumni clubs should facilitate ongoing interactions outside of scheduled events. Many clubs leverage social media platforms to disseminate event information and create opportunities for alumni to share updates and connect with one another in their communities.
Types of Events
What is the purpose of this event, and what benefits do alumni gain from attending? These are critical questions that should be addressed prior to planning and announcing any event. Clear communication of these answers to alumni is essential. Furthermore, clubs aiming to host multiple events throughout the year should consider introducing a diverse range of event types to attract a broader audience.
Typically, there are four main types of club events:
Social: These events are often casual gatherings for alumni in the area, fostering camaraderie and connection (e.g., happy hours, coffee meetups, founder’s day dinners).
Professional: While these gatherings can also be casual, they generally aim to focus on networking and professional development, allowing alumni to build business contacts (e.g., networking events, speaker series, lunch gatherings with guest speakers).
Family: These events allow alumni and their families to come together, extending the sense of community to family members (e.g., sporting events, picnics).
Community: These events are organized efforts to give back to the local community where the club is situated (e.g., food drives for local food banks, park or roadside cleanups, and community walks, such as the AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk).
Communication
Effective communication is essential for engaging alumni, as it raises the important question: “How can alumni decide to get involved if they’re unaware of current activities?” The straightforward answer is that they cannot.
There are two key strategies available to keep alumni informed about the club’s initiatives:
1. Club Announcements: For registered clubs, the International Office offers support in sharing email communications with all alumni in the region for whom it has valid email addresses. These communications typically consist of event announcements or a series of updates regarding an upcoming event hosted by the club. A significant advantage of utilizing the International Office is that clubs do not need to maintain their own contact lists. Additionally, the International Office will promote events on its website and social media platforms.
2. Establishing an Online Presence: With the continuous growth of digital communication, maintaining an online presence has become essential for any organized group. Embracing digital opportunities comes with several benefits:
a. Wider Reach: It allows for easy connections with a larger pool of alumni.
b. Efficiency: Posting updates online can be accomplished quickly and effectively.
c. Enhanced Connectivity: The rise of social media has made it increasingly straightforward to locate fellow alumni.
Although no social media platform is without its flaws, creating groups on platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn can facilitate these objectives. Regular posts welcoming new members, sharing upcoming events, or disseminating articles of interest can foster engagement and lead to alumni participation.
