2015-16 Reunion Team
Handbook
CONCORDIA COLLEGE
Moorhead, MN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS: Page 2: Homecoming 2015 Page 3: Why a Reunion Team? Page 4: Timeline Page 5: A Quick Guide to Making a Contact Page 6: College Update Page 7: Ways to Give Page 8: Completing the Contact Process Page 9: Sample Contact Form Page 10: Your Reunion Team – Advancement Staff Contact Information 1
SAVE THE DATE to celebrate Homecoming is Oct. 2-­‐4, 2015: Watch for more information in the coming months at www.ConcordiaCollege.edu/homecoming Or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CobberAlumni 2
WHY A REUNION TEAM? Concordia College’s strong tradition of celebrating reunions over Homecoming weekend brings alumni from near and far back to campus to reconnect with friends, teachers and mentors. This special affinity with fellow classmates draws alumni back together and opens the door to deeper engagement in the life of the college. Why contact classmates? 1. Reconnect and extend an invitation to your reunion (Oct. 2 -­‐ 4, 2015) Relationships are at the heart of the Concordia experience. As reunion approaches, it is important to renew these relationships and remind your friends that they are a vital part of the Concordia community. Your personal contacts create excitement about your upcoming reunion and will significantly increase attendance at Homecoming this fall. 2. Help us stay connected These connections provide an opportunity to verify contact information and capture personal updates. Data acquisition is an ongoing process, and with your help we can continue to ensure that the alumni records are up to date. 3. Share the Concordia story of today, while reminiscing about your time at Concordia It is an exciting time to be a part of the Concordia community! Through your conversations you will have the opportunity to increase the connection your classmates have to Concordia by sharing meaningful updates from campus. 4. Encourage a class gift in honor of your reunion celebration Every reunion class sets a Class Gift goal as it takes your help to write the next chapter of Concordia’s legacy. Your invitations, made through personal connections, are well received and impact: the mission & work of the college, enhance class spirit, and strengthen the Cobber experience for students. 5. Highlight Mentoring and Volunteer Opportunities Our current strategic plan calls us to engage our alumni in our work to support and mentor students, as well as to serve as ambassadors of the College in their communities and professions. For all volunteer opportunities please see https://www.concordiacollege.edu/alumni-­‐donors/volunteer-­‐
opportunities/ In a nutshell you will: • Invite them to celebrate your reunion at homecoming • Ensure the alumni database is up to date (so you can locate friends and classmates) • Offer updates on current campus news and events • Encourage a personally meaningful commitment to the future of the college • Request alumni engagement in opportunities that align with their talents and passions o Ask classmates to refer potential students to attend Concordia o Ask classmates to consider volunteering for the college. (IE: Reunion Team) 3
REUNION TEAM TIMELINE Team Recruitment: Continuous §
This team is about you!! Help make it one that is special by enlisting your friends to join the crew that builds excitement and momentum for your Reunion year. Training: Online after June 1 •
All reunion volunteers are asked to view online training videos and webinars. These training sessions consist of: § College updates from leadership including information from the President § Class collaboration: learning about the Homecoming plans and beyond § Guidance regarding making your contacts and completing the contact form Draft: June •
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You will receive an e-­‐mail from the college staff with instructions and a link to an online class list. From this list, you will select the individuals you wish to contact Summer off: July Prepare for the effort by enjoying the summer. As a team member you will receive periodic updates from the college with important dates and information There is the potential for a team kick off meeting, in person or digitally, at the committee’s request If you wish to get a head start on contacting classmates, simply let staff know and they will prepare your Contact Forms Contact Blitz: August 3rd to the 24th or September 1st to the 21st §
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Contacts are made to the classmates you selected during the “draft” During the contact blitz, there may be a team meeting or two, via conference call, to share results and offer support. No travel involved •
The Reunion Team will announce progress to date during the class breakfast at Homecoming, October 2 -­‐ 4, 2015 Celebration: October 2 -­‐ 4 Follow-­‐Up/Stewardship: October 5, 2015 -­‐ April 30, 2016 §
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During this phase, you will have an opportunity to reconnect with those you called and thank them for their attendance and support This phase also allows for additional contacts with classmates –reminders, follow ups, etc. A team meeting may be held, via conference call, during this phase at the committee’s request April 30th marks the end of Concordia’s fiscal year and your reunion Class Gift campaign §
Class Gift Results: April 30th, 2016 Final results for the fiscal year will be announced through a class email in May 2016 4
A QUICK GUIDE TO MAKING A CONTACT/R ECONNECT 1. Greeting/Reconnect (See: College Updates “Kernels”) A group of us from the class are making calls to fellow classmates. I specifically chose to call you because I am really looking forward to catching up with you. How are you? (Reminisce, share Concordia updates, etc.) 2. Verify Current Information • Verify and Fill in gaps from Contact Form also capture other life updates § This can be worked in anywhere during your conversation…but is critically important to ensuring the Alumni Database is up-­‐to-­‐date for when you need it 3. Invite to the Reunion/Homecoming • It’s our __th reunion year, and I want to invite you to join us! The celebration is Oct 2-­‐4th. 4. Encourage Support for the Class Gift to Concordia (See: Ways to Give) • Class Gift: In honor of our upcoming reunion, we are inviting each of our classmates to join us in a Class Gift back to the college (The Concordia Annual Fund). Please consider a gift to support the mission and celebrate our time as students? •
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Every Gift Counts: Did you know that 95% of current students receive scholarships? Scholarships that are made possible by Cobbers for Cobbers. One of our reunion goals is focused on participation – EVERY gift counts! Will you consider a meaningful gift this year to be counted towards our Class Gift total? 5. Thank You! • It’s been great reconnecting with you! Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I really hope you can make it to our class reunion this fall. Remember to mark your calendar for October 2 -­‐ 4, 2015! Go Cobbers! SUCCESSFUL CALL AT A GLANCE: ¨ Reconnect ü Reminisce and share Concordia news ¨ Confirm contact info ü Gather/Update information about classmates ¨ Invite to Reunion/Homecoming ü October 2-­‐4, 2015 ¨ Encourage financial support ü Share the importance of the Class Gift ¨ Thank, Thank, Thank! 5
COLLEGE UPDATE “KERNELS” ü Strategic Plan The Concordia Strategic Plan – Whole Self, Whole Life, Whole World is being lived each day: See: Website for the Plan: https://www.concordiacollege.edu/about/our-­‐mission/strategic-­‐plan/ ü Music §
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The Concordia Choir will be travelling to the Northeast United States from February 19th to March 6th, 2016 for its National Tour. They will also perform in the newly renovated Ordway Theatre in St. Paul on February 13th as part of their pre-­‐tour. The Concordia Band will journey to Spain in the spring of 2016 for an International Tour. The Concordia Orchestra is touring in Colorado this fall from October 31st to November 8th. ü Athletics The Update the Jake project was dedicated at Homecoming 2014. The venture included field turf, parking lots, stadium upgrades, and a multi-­‐sports locker room. The soccer and football teams really enjoyed their first season with the renovations. § The baseball field was named in honor of 36-­‐year Head Coach Bucky Burgau, who retired from head coaching duties at the end of the 2014 season. Burgau is the all-­‐time winningest coach MIAC baseball history. Chris Coste, former World Series Champion of the Philadelphia Phillies took over the head coaching duties this spring. Bucky is staying on staff as an assistant coach. § Concordia was one of only two teams in the MIAC to advance to post season play in all four winter sports: Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and Men’s and Women’s Hockey. ü The Celebration of Student Scholarship § Took place on April 15, 2015. This was a day-­‐long event honoring student research, scholarship, and creative experiences. Events included paper presentations, posters sessions, music and theatre performances, an alumni panel, as well as an awards reception. ü Concordia Language Villages § Last summer-­‐2014, the new Swedish library was dedicated during a mid-­‐Summer celebration. This Summer-­‐2015, they will be celebrating 50 years of the Russian Language Village as well as celebrating 50 years of owning the Turtle River Lake site. Bonus “Kernels” §
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In 2016 we will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the founding of Concordia College! In 2017 we will celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation 6
WAYS TO GIVE There are many ways to talk about giving with your classmates. Philanthropy is meant to be personally meaningful yet it deserves to be celebrated, so enter this conversation with a message of Thanks and Rejoice as this experience is about celebration. Below are a few tools to assist in sharing the message about the Class Gift with those whom you are contacting. Lastly, remember this is a Team and we are all in this together. If you are experiencing issues, share them with others or Staff, as we only succeed when the group succeeds. ü Sample transitions for taking about Class Giving: § Class Gift Goal: In honor of our upcoming reunion, we have a Class Gift Goal of $_____ and _____donors to the college (The Concordia Annual Fund). In order to celebrate our time on campus will you join us in supporting the college and help us reach this mark? § Mission Focused: The college continues to provide excellent programs and opportunities for students today, while remaining true to the mission of influencing the affairs of the world. I’ve chosen to support that mission with an ongoing gift to The Concordia Annual Fund. Will you join me in support of the mission? § Personal Gratitude I want to thank you for your previous gifts of support to Concordia (if applicable). It sounds like you are grateful for the many ways in which your Concordia experience shaped you. I too am thankful for all that Concordia has given me, which is why I support The Concordia Annual Fund every year with my sustaining gift. I hope you will consider joining me by giving back to this place that has given us so much. ü Class Giving Options § Gifts of any size to The Concordia Annual Fund or any designation you desire will be counted in the Class Gift total. § C-­‐400 Leadership honors are given to those that give $1,250 or more per year. § A Legacy Scholarship can be awarded with a gift of $5,000. These scholarships have immediate impact on the life of students. They will carry your desired name and are given to a student based on your recommendation that the student has a certain major, is from a specific geographic location, or demonstrates the need for financial assistance. § Endowments can be created with a gift over $30,000 and have lasting influence on the campus. This support can create a Scholarship or Faculty Endowment to honor your time at the College. § By including the College in your Estate Plan you can create a lasting legacy and ensure that the students for years to come will become responsibly engaged in the affairs of the world. 7
COMPLETING THE CONTACT PROCESS On top of having great conversations and reminiscing about your time on campus, please make sure to complete the Contact Form and Follow Up process for each person you connect with. This is how we track our progress towards the Class Gift goals. During the contact: 1. Record updates to contact information on the CONTACT FORM Updates/Notes Section 2. Indicate the outcome of your call Note: Classmates can give anytime within the College’s Fiscal Year (May 1, 2015 – April 30, 2016) for it to count towards the Class Gift. Feel free to remind Classmates that gifts prior to Homecoming will be counted in the Class progress report at Reunion Breakfast. ¨ Considering means they are considering a gift or will make a gift, but does not share the specific amount. (College will mail a follow up piece for them to return.) ¨ Gift Today they desire to give you their payment info during the conversation. o
Encourage Sustaining Gifts – Ex: $25/month on their credit card or $50/month out of their checking or savings account. (A monthly recurring gift). ¨ Pledge is a commitment to give a specific amount prior to April 30, 2016. (The college mail send a pledge reminder.) ¨ Decline means that they declined to make or consider a pledge or gift ¨ Did not reach after multiple contact attempts the person was not able to be reached Follow Up after Contact: 3. Send a note of personal thanks via email to your classmate. This is especially important if your classmate made a gift. (If you prefer to send a handwritten note we will provide you with post cards at your request) 4. Return the CONTACT FORMS promptly to Concordia – we’ll do the rest! Concordia will record the outcome from your contacts and mail the necessary information. REMEMBER: At any time, classmates can make their gift online at www.cord.edu/reuniongiving Options include: ¨ Make a Sustaining gift-­‐ an annual commitment to give ¨ Make a one-­‐time gift ¨ Divide a gift into monthly or quarterly payments on a credit card 8
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ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING Staff Contacts: We are YOUR team and we are here to support YOU! Megan Riegel Office Assistant, The Concordia Annual Fund 218.299.3442 mriegel@cord.edu Emily Sell Assistant Director, The Concordia Annual Fund 218.299.3443 ejsell@cord.edu Rachel Clarke Director, The Concordia Annual Fund 218.299.4816 rclarke@cord.edu Mailing Address The Concordia Annual Fund Concordia College 901 8th Street South Moorhead, MN 56562 10