Network
Guidelines
Georgia Southern University Alumni Association
Founded in 1933, the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association serves the
University and its alumni by cultivating friends and by connecting and reconnecting the
University’s alumni and generating support for higher education
The Office of Alumni Relations supports the Georgia Southern University Alumni
Association by coordinating a wide array of programming aimed at promoting the
growth, progress and welfare of Georgia Southern University.
No matter where you are across the country or the world, chances are there is a loyal
group of Eagles just around the corner. The Georgia Southern University Alumni
Association maintains Alumni Networks and Affinity Groups to keep alumni connected
no matter where they live.
Wherever you go ……. Always an Eagle!
Networks
An Alumni Network in your area is an affiliate of the Georgia Southern University Alumni
Association and serves as the University’s representative in your community.
Networks offer support to the University by providing scholarships for qualified students,
assist in recruiting the best and brightest students and by supporting the academic
excellence, best interests and traditions of Georgia Southern University.
In addition, being involved with an Alumni Network gives you many opportunities to
network, socialize and cheer on the Eagles with other Georgia Southern Alumni.
The Alumni Network is the umbrella group under which all other affinity groups and
organizations in your area fall. Networks are open to alumni, parents, friends and
students of Georgia Southern University.
Affinity Groups
Georgia Southern offers a unique experience for each student. As such, there
are many different ways for the Alumni Association to foster these connections.
Several Alumni groups formed because of a common interest from their Georgia
Southern experience. Each group’s mission reflects a desire to connect alumni
as well as support Georgia Southern University.
Young Alumni Network
The Young Alumni Network is an opportunity for graduates of the last decade to
get involved with the Alumni Association and meet fellow alumni while
reconnecting with the University.
Starting a Network
In the beginning, the success of a new group most often depends on a small nucleus of
dedicated and interested alumni. It takes commitment from these individuals to ensure
the group organizes itself in such a way as to guarantee continuity. The Alumni
Association is eager to assist interested alumni with the establishment of new Alumni
Networks.
The purpose of an Alumni Network is to:
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Help promote Georgia Southern in each Network’s community.
Offer educational and networking programs to local alumni.
Support the mission of both the University and the Alumni Association.
Increase involvement of alumni with each other through events and programs.
Share accomplishments of the Network and its members with the Alumni
Association.
Initial steps to take in starting an Alumni Network:
1. Contact the Alumni Office with your request to start a new Network. Approval of
requests will be based on the location of your Network and the general purpose
of the Network.
2. The Alumni Office will send an email on your behalf to all alumni in your area
seeking support for a Network.
3. Establish a list of interested alumni willing to volunteer to serve on your
Network’s leadership team.
4. Set the first meeting. The first meeting must be coordinated with and
acknowledged by the Alumni Office. At the first meeting, discussion must take
place to establish a general purpose and mission for your group and discuss the
selection of officers.
5. After the first meeting, contact the Alumni Office with details of the meeting and
goals for the first year.
If you are interested in starting an Alumni Network in your area contact the Alumni
Association at 912-478-2586 or email wtompkins@georgiasouthern.edu.
Building a Successful Alumni Network
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Make an annual plan – map out goals for the year.
Be prepared, but be flexible.
Have consistent Leadership Team meetings/conference calls.
Committees – get other people involved through committees when planning an
event or activity. Everyone has individual talents – use them for the good of the
group.
You can’t please everyone – you will always have some people in your area that
will not like this or that about a program. Be true to the Alumni Network – the
goals of the Network are important.
The Alumni Office and the Network should be in contact several times before a
meeting to be sure that the events and logistics are finalized.
Stay on target and get information to the Alumni Office in a timely manner for an
event. Our office handles multiple events at a time and last minute requests will
be handled as work loads permit.
The Alumni Office is a resource. Ask questions, ask advice and allow us to be
involved and help your Network succeed.
Be open to new ideas from your leadership, your constituency and the Alumni
Office. The Georgia Southern University Alumni Association is a very diverse
group; you have the opportunity to reach a great number and wide variety of
people in your area.
Provide networking opportunities.
Building relationships – have greeters at every alumni event to make alumni feel
welcome.
Network Officers
In electing officers consideration should be given toward the qualifications and the
obligation of time in establishing and maintaining the group. The president should be an
alumnus or alumna of Georgia Southern.
Term of office will be for two years.
President – The president will oversee all club sponsored activities and act as a
liaison between the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association and the
area network.
President Elect – The president elect will carry out the responsibilities of the
president in his/her absence and assist the president as needed. The president
elect shall also serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.
Secretary/Treasurer – The secretary/treasurer will record all club activities and
meeting minutes. A copy of each meeting’s minutes should be sent to the
Alumni staff person working with your group immediately following all meetings.
Fundraising Chair – The fundraising chair will be responsible for all fundraising
activities of the network. All fundraising activities must be approved by the
Alumni Office and support the mission of the Georgia Southern University
Foundation, Inc.
Social Media Chair – The Social Media Chair will have the responsibility to
maintain and coordinate all activity associated with the Network’s Facebook
page. All Network Facebook pages will be established by the Alumni Office with
administrative access given to the President and Social Media Chair.
Young Alumni Chair – The Young Alumni Chair will be responsible for
coordinating activities aimed at alumni who have graduated within the past ten
years.
Operating Principals
The Georgia Southern University Alumni Association provides certain benefits that will
support an Alumni Network that demonstrates commitment and continued adherence to
each of the following operating principles.
1. Alumni Networks operate as a component of the Georgia Southern University
Alumni Association.
2. The Alumni Association must be aware of and approve any activities or initiatives
of an Alumni Network.
3. The Alumni Association and Georgia Southern Foundation must approve any
fundraising initiatives undertaken by a Network.
4. All volunteers must agree to protect all alumni contact information as confidential.
5. Alumni Networks must adhere to the University’s policy in regard to the use of
the Georgia Southern name and insignias.
6. The Alumni Office will be the contact for all other campus units in regard to
requests by a Network for services.
7. The Georgia Southern Alumni Network’s responsibility is to remain neutral on all
political and religious issues both inside and outside the Georgia Southern
community.
8. Refrain from discrimination of any kind.
9. The Alumni Network must remain as an independent organization; it may not
become a chapter for any non Georgia Southern organization.
10. The Alumni Network must be governed primarily by alumni.
The Georgia Southern University Alumni Association reserves the right to determine the
degree of adherence of the Alumni Network to these Operating Principles.
Benefits and Support from the Alumni Office
1. Guidance: the provisions of this operating manual that entails the requirements,
benefits and services provided by the Georgia Southern University Alumni
Association.
2. Access to an updated bi-annual list of alumni and constituents and their postal
contact information.
3. Broadcast email to the Alumni Network.
4. Website listing of the Alumni Network on the Georgia Southern Alumni
Association website.
5. A Facebook group established by the Alumni Office for the Alumni Network.
Administrative access will be given to the President and Social Media Chair.
6. Promotional items provided to the Network for special events or gatherings.