CAA Position descriptions
Updated: 2/17/16
Cornell Alumni Association- Vice President
Summary of Position:
The Vice President also serves as a communication link that ties together Cornell University,
Cornell Alumni Association (CAA) Board and Cornell’s alumni. The Vice President oversees
committees, project teams, meetings and activities as needed and performs other duties as
periodically assigned by the President, the Executive Committee or the Association Board.
Acting as an Ambassador for Cornell,
Prerequisites required in order to be considered for this position:
The Vice-President must be or have served as either a Director or College Unit Representative
on the CAA Board.
Management/Leadership skills 2-3 in each category
Build a team of fellow CAA Board members, Alumni staff and alumni to undertake and
complete projects, as required. Projects are primarily focused on engaging alumni and
enhancing alumni service to Cornell. Coach fellow Board members and alumni volunteer
leaders. Coach fellow CAA Board members on assigned projects. Coordinate with fellow CAA
Board executive committee member and CAA Board members to identify needs of CAA and
alumni volunteers and how best to engage alumni. Develop relationships with fellow CAA
Board members to work as a team to promote Cornell’s and Alumni Affair’s mission and goals.
Identify and groom fellow CAA Board members and alumni volunteers for leadership roles in
Cornell’s volunteer network. Recognize contributions of volunteers formally and informally.
Envision direction of CAA and prioritize where to focus efforts of CAA Board in achieving
Cornell’s and Alumni Affairs mission and goals. Implement CAA Board Strategic Plan. As
committee chair, lead and manage fellow CAA Board members on project team—including set
goals, define objectives, develop an action plan and implement the plan.
Relationship Management:
Advocate for CAA Board, Alumni Affairs, Cornell and all Cornell alumni. Collaborate with
fellow executive committee members in determining the direction of CAA. Collaborate with
fellow CAA Board members on project assignments. Demonstrate social and cultural sensitivity
by welcoming volunteers from all backgrounds and increasing one’s cultural literacy. Facilitate
project teams. Resolve conflict by respecting differing opinions and working to find consensus.
Serve as liaison by developing relationships with fellow CAA Board members, Alumni Affairs
staff and Cornell volunteers to support Cornell’s and Alumni Affair’s mission and goals. Serve
constituents by deepening the positive connection alumni feel towards Cornell.
Communication Skills:
Analyze where CAA Board can influence the most people. Consult CAA board members and
alumni volunteers to determine most effective allocation of resources. Evaluate opportunities to
assess areas where the CAA Board can have the greatest influence on alumni. Listen to fellow
Executive Committee members, CAA Board members, alumni affairs staff and alumni
volunteers to assess needs and determine direction of CAA Board. Persuade and motivate CAA
Board, Alumni affairs staff and volunteer leaders to create programs and to enhance alumni
experience and strengthen alumni network. Solve problems. Speak/interact with fellow CAA
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CAA Position descriptions
Updated: 2/17/16
Executive members, CAA Board members, alumni affairs staff and volunteer leaders to share
University priorities and promote Cornell’s mission and goals. Recognize contributions of team
members.
Time Expectations:
Average time commitment: 3-5 hours/week
Term of Office: 2 year. Can be re-nominated for 2nd consecutive term.
Number of Terms of Office: 2 consecutive terms
Does Position Involve Meeting Attendance: Yes
3 times/year in person: Homecoming in Ithaca; CALC (2014 in Boston); May meeting in NYC
Project team meetings as needed. Monthly Executive Committee conference call
Current projects:
Regions: CALC training, Contact Calls
Recognition: CAA Cup
Communications: Alma Matters, Position Descriptions
Orientation: CAA video
Yearly philanthropic Expectations:
Make a gift to Cornell at a level of individual comfort.
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CAA Position descriptions
Updated: 2/17/16
Cornell Alumni Association- President
Summary of Position:
The President provides leadership for the Cornell Alumni Association and CAA Board. The
President presides at all meetings of the Cornell Alumni Association (CAA), the CAA Board,
and the Executive Committee and is an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees except the
Nominations committee.
Please list any prerequisites required in order to be considered for this position:
The President must be or have served as a Vice President.
Management/Leadership Skills:
Build a team of CAA Board members, Alumni staff and alumni to undertake and complete
projects, as required. Projects are primarily focused on engaging alumni and enhancing alumni
service to Cornell. Coach Board members and alumni volunteer leaders. Coach fellow CAA
Board members on assigned projects. Coordinate with CAA Board executive committee
members and CAA Board members to identify needs of CAA and alumni volunteers and how
best to engage alumni. Develop relationships with CAA Board members to work as a team to
promote Cornell’s and Alumni Affair’s mission and goals. Identify and groom fellow CAA
Board members and alumni volunteers for leadership roles in Cornell’s volunteer network.
Recognize contributions of volunteers formally and informally. Envision direction of CAA and
prioritize where to focus efforts of CAA Board in achieving Cornell’s and Alumni Affairs
mission and goals. Develop, and with support of CAA Board, implement CAA Board Strategic
Plan. Lead and manage CAA Board members through strategic planning process—including set
goals, define objectives, develop an action plan and implement the plan. Lead all CAA Board
meetings and Executive committee conference calls.
Relationship Management:
Advocate to create alumni programs, enhance alumni experience and strengthen the alumni
network. Collaborate with other alumni constituency groups including CACO, CU Council,
Board of Trustee Task Force to foster a deep alumni connection with Cornell. Collaborate with
CAA Board members, Alumni Affairs staff and Cornell volunteers to support Cornell’s and
Alumni Affair’s mission and goals. As the leader of CAA, counsel CAA board members in
executing the strategic plan and working to promote alumni activity and interest in Cornell.
Demonstrate Social and Cultural Sensitivity by welcoming volunteers from all backgrounds and
increasing one’s cultural literacy. Facilitate and develop relationships among the alumni
constituencies. Resolve conflict by respecting differing opinions and working to find consensus.
Serve as liaison by representing CAA and promoting CAA’s mission as the umbrella group for
all Cornell alumni with other alumni constituencies. Serve constituents by deepening the positive
connection alumni feel towards Cornell.
Communication Skills:
Analyze where CAA Board efforts can influence the most Cornellians. Consult CAA board
members and alumni volunteers to determine most effective allocation of resources. Evaluate
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CAA Position descriptions
Updated: 2/17/16
opportunities to assess areas where the CAA Board can have the greatest influence in engaging
alumni. Listen to fellow Executive Committee members, CAA Board members, alumni affairs
staff and alumni volunteers to assess needs and determine direction of CAA Board. Persuade
and motivate CAA Board, Alumni affairs staff and volunteer leaders to create programs and to
enhance alumni experience and strengthen alumni network. Solve Problems. Speak/interact with
fellow CAA Executive members, CAA Board members, alumni affairs staff and volunteer
leaders to share University priorities and promote Cornell’s mission and goals. Recognize
contributions of team members.
President average time commitment: 1-3 hours/day
President: 2 year term. 1 year extension possible.
Meeting attendance 3 times/year in person.
Liaison commitments (current: CACO/CUC/CAM/Trustee Task Force)
Lead EC conference call 1 hour each month.
Weekly call with Office of Alumni Affairs
FHTR award presentation and selection
Immediate past president serves as nominations liaison.
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