[Chapter] Chapter

[Officer Name] [Officer Title]

 Alumni Development
Action Plan

While most of a chapter’s operations are dedicated to the events and activities of the colleg iate chapter, attention
should be paid to the chapter’s responsibility to advocate for and advance the Fraternity’s mission of perpetuating
“lifelong friendships and a commitment to the Fraternity.” Membership in Sigma Nu doesn’t end at graduation and
it’s important that our collegiate officers are involved in efforts to continuously engage and work alongside alumni
and volunteers in service to the Fraternity. Alumni Development is considered an essential component of each
chapter’s overall pursuit of excellence. Through the Pursuit of Excellence Program, chapters are asked to
remember that “Sigma Nu shall identify and engage alumni and volunteers to support the success of the chapter,
develop and perpetuate fraternal leadership, and increase the value of li felong membership.” To achieve this goal
and fully leverage available alumni support, the chapter should develop and maintain an alumni development plan
that outlines the chapter’s strategies and goals within this area of operation. The following pages provide
important information that detail the chapter’s current and future efforts to pursue excellence in the development
of chapter alumni.

Resources and Support

This Alumni Development Plan was completed under the guidance of the following chapter resources:

▪ Alumni Relations Chairman’s Officer Manual

▪ Pursuit of Excellence Guidelines for Alumni Development
▪ Strategic Planning and Officer Action Plan Overview
▪ Alumni Calendar, Events, and Planner Guide
▪ The Law of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc.
▪ Risk Reduction Policy

Important Alumni Definitions

Alumni - Alumni are members/brothers of the Fraternity who have graduated (or otherwise left school) in good
standing from a collegiate chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Chapter Advisor – Chapter Advisors serve as the primary liaison between the chapter and the General Fraternity
and, as such, must be knowledgeable about the Fraternity’s ideals, history, programs, and policies .
Alumni Advisory Board - The purpose of an Alumni Advisory Board is to provide ongoing support and assistance to
the collegiate chapter. Splitting the duties of chapter advising among several individuals lessens the time
commitment for each alumnus, as well as increases the overall support available to the collegiate members. The
Alumni Advisory Board works in conjunction with the Chapter Advisor to provide an extended network of support
to the chapter. Each member of the Alumni Advisory Board works individually with a chapter officer to provide
mentorship and to help establish goals, monitor progress, and give support to the chapter as it grows and
develops. Individually, each board member maintains contact with the appropriate officer. The positions usually
featured on the board include Chairman, Chapter Advisor, Finance Advisor, LEAD Advisor, Social and Risk
Management Advisor, Recruitment Advisor, Alumni Relations Advisor, and Members-At-Large.
Alumni Chapter – An Alumni Chapter aids the collegiate chapter by encouraging active alumni participation with
the chapter and at events of the General Fraternity. Involvement in an Alumni Chapter is an active demonstration
of lifetime membership in, and commitment to, Sigma Nu Fraternity.

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

The Alumni Relations Committee

THE ALUMNI RELATIONS CHAIRMAN
The role and expectations of the Alumni Relations Chairman.

[Based on the chapter’s bylaws and expectations for the position, what are the role and expectations of the Alumni
Relations Chairman? What are the unique expectations for this officer?]

THE ALUMNI RELATIONS COMMITTEE ROSTER

Committee Member Name Position

Alumni Relations Chairman

Advisor Name Advisor Position Phone Email

Committee Advisor

ALUMNI RELATIONS COMMITTEE ROLE

The role and expectations of the Alumni Relations Committee.

[What is the Committee’s responsibility to the chapter? How can the committee be effective in executing on the
expectations it has been tasked with? What do the bylaws outline as their role, expectations, and authority?]

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

ALUMNI RELATIONS COMMITTEE GOALS

Committee goals use the S.M.A.R.T. format – Specific, Measurable, Agreed-Upon, Realistic, and Timely.

[Insert five to ten goals here. Some examples include - ensure that the chapter creates and distributes ___ newsletters
this year, identify ____ alumni who can facilitate LEAD sessions, schedule and plan ____ alumni events this year, and
encourage alumni to attend ____recruitment events.]

ALUMNI RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

[Insert chapter information here. Schedule a regular day, time, and location for committee meetings.]

ALUMNI RELATIONS COMMITTEE EXPECTATIONS

[Set expectations for the committee, for both individual members and the committee collectively. Examples include: Hold
meetings weekly, be at every meeting, complete all individual duties, make a commitment to engaging alumni, bring a pen
and appropriate materials to meetings, keep a calendar, etc.]

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

ALUMNI RELATIONS COMMITTEE STANDARD AGENDA

The standard agenda for future alumni relations committee meetings will be as follows:

[Use this box to create a standard agenda for committee meetings. Below is a sample that can be changed as needed.
Opening
Roll call
Review notes/minutes from last committee meeting
Alumni guest facilitators reached out to
Steps taken to schedule alumni event
Documenting progress
Progress made on current alumni newsletter
Updates made to social media pages and website
Recap of alumni communication with chapter
Review Alumni Budget and Actuals (Year-to-Date)
Upcoming chapter events/functions
Scheduling for upcoming alumni event
Alumni planning to attend upcoming event
How to ensure maximum level of alumni are contacted
Collaborate with Risk Reduction and Social Committees for logistical help
Review of the Pursuit of Excellence Criteria
Are we on track to achieve all Excellence Criteria?
Review calendar for year to ensure all boxes are checked
Prepare report for chapter meeting
ALUMNI RELATIONS COMMITTEE BUDGET
Review action items for all committee members
Closing]
[List the specific breakdown of the chapter’s alumni relations budget for the current and upcoming term. If possible, you
are encouraged to copy and paste your budget here. The budget should outline expected expenditures that promote
alumni interactions such as the cost for services to produce newsletters, costs for any events hosted by the chapter for
alumni, “thank you” gifts/cards for alumni LEAD facilitators, costs for any awards or recognitions given out by the chapter
to commemorate outstanding contributions or achievements by alumni.]

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

The Chapter’s Alumni Advisory Board

PURPOSE
The purpose of an Alumni Advisory Board is to provide ongoing support and assistance to the collegiate chapter.
Splitting the duties among several individuals will lessen the time commitment for each alumnus, as well as
increase the overall support available to the collegiate members.

METHOD
Each member of the board works individually with one or more chapter officers to support their efforts, and act as
a mentor. As a board, the members work with the collegiate officers to establish goals, monitor progress, a nd give
support to the chapter as it grows and develops. At least one member of the board should attend each chapter
meeting. By rotating which board member attends, it reduces the time commitment for each board member, and
provides collegiate brothers with different perspectives.

MAKEUP
Sigma Nu does not place restrictions on who can be members of an Alumni Advisory Board. The most important
element is to ensure that each board member serves to assist the collegiate chapter and help individual members
develop into ethical leaders. Typically, the advisory board is comprised of local alumni, but other individuals should
be sought for additional expertise (e.g., local Sigma Nu alumni from another chapter, college/university faculty or
staff, parents of current members).

STRUCTURE
Advisory boards should meet at least quarterly to discuss what is happening with the chapter and what specific
focus or direction the board needs to provide. Individually, each board member needs to maintain contact with the
officer(s) they mentor and assist them as needed. Contact may be as often as weekly meetings, or as limited as
periodic emails or phone calls, depending on what is agreed to by the collegiate officer and the advisory board
member, and what is needed by the chapter.

ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD

List the officers and their contact information below.

Name Position Phone Email

Board Chairman
Chapter Advisor

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

DIVISION COMMANDER

Name Position Phone Email

Division Commander

FACULTY ADVISOR

Name Position Phone Email

Faculty Advisor

Chapter Advising
ADVISORY THUMBNAIL SKETCH
[Use this section to describe the status of the chapter’s advisory support. Is the chapter knowledgeable of its advisors and
how they interact with the chapter? Does the chapter have a functioning Alumni Advisory Board in addition to a Chapter
Advisor? What steps could the chapter take to improve its relationship with its advisors or recruit new advisors to assist
with chapter operations?]

OFFICER SUPPORT
[Describe the role alumni advisors play in officer transitions, goal setting, and reviewing the chapter’s goals and objectives
with officers. If this currently does not happen, describe ways in which the chapter could involve alumni in these
operations]

AAB MEETINGS AND CHAPTER MEETING & EVENT ATTENDANCE

[Do advisors or advisory boards have any set meetings? When are the meetings scheduled and are chapter officers
allowed to attend these meetings? Also, how often do advisors attend the chapter’s meetings? Candidate and Initiation
Ceremonies? If this is not a current practice, describe ways in which the chapter could increase alumni participation and
chapter interaction.]

CHAPTER ADVISORY NEEDS

[Use this box to describe how the chapter can best utilize advisory support. What does the chapter need from its
advisors? What can the chapter commit to in order to empower the advisors to provide the greatest support to the
chapter (e.g. frequent communication, preparation for meetings, etc.)?]

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

Alumni Involvement
ALUMNI EVENTS
[Use this section to describe the chapter’s alumni focused events. When do they take place, who is invited, and how will
the events be managed? For Pursuit of Excellence, the chapter is expected to host at least two events for alumni each
year. If the chapter currently does not host any alumni events this is a good section to identify what events could be
hosted by the chapter for its alumni.]

ALUMNI PARTICIPATION IN RECRUITMENT

[List all the specific activities the chapter would like alumni to attend and what alumni will do to benefit the recruitment
effort. If there is a specific type of alumnus you would like to attend, such as a CEO or manager of a company, denote that
on the list. Examples might include having an alumnus facilitate a LEAD session on managing money or discussing the
benefits of membership in Sigma Nu after graduation with someone in the human resources field.]

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

ALUMNI PARTICIPATION IN THE LEAD PROGRAM

[How are alumni utilized in the LEAD program? List any alumni guest facilitators and dates they will be conducting a LEAD
session. Include the LEAD session they will be facilitating. If Alumni are currently not included in the LEAD program,
identify sessions you’d like to target for alumni involvement. Keep in mind that alumni facilitation of four (4) LEAD sessions
or other leadership skill training workshops each year is expected for Excellence.]

THE ALUMNI CHAPTER

[How does the collegiate chapter interact with the Alumni Chapter? Does the chapter take advantage of the Affirmation of
Knighthood Ceremony from The Ritual? If the chapter does not interact with the Alumni Chapter, what steps could be
taken to improve the chapter’s relationship with the Alumni Chapter?]

IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

[What is the plan to make sure every member in the chapter understands and has access to the alumni calendar? In
addition to having them understand the plan, how will members be held accountable for doing their part in alumni
development? An example might be, each chapter meeting members speak on how they have developed a relationship
with an alumnus.]

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

ALUMNI RECOGNITION
[Describe the chapter's recogntion program for alumni. This could include partnering with the Alumni Advisory Board,
House Corporation, and/or Alumni Chpater to conduct the Affirmation of Knighthood ritual each year for graduating
brothers as a way to officially recognize their entry into the alumni ranks. If the chapter has a program for recognizing
alumni contributions to the chapter, include that here. If such a program does not currently exist, what can the committee
do to start conversations with the Alumni Chapter or House Corporation about creating such a program?]

Communications with Alumni

CHAPTER COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS
[Use this section to list the virtual platforms where the chapter has the potential to interact with alumni. Examples might
include email, newsletters, chapter website, or social media/networking platforms. After each platform, describe the
chapter's strategy - type of information shared, target audience, frequency, etc.]

ALUMNI COMMUNICATION
[How does the chapter communicate with alumni and other constituents? What is the chapter’s strategy for using social
media platforms to reach alumni? What will the chapter’s frequency of communication be? If the chapter is using a
website, how often will content be updated?]

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 Alumni Development
Action Plan

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
[How often does the chapter send out an alumni newsletter? What form does the newsletter take (email, paper mail)? In
addition to your strategy, please also use this section to plan out what types of future content you would expect to be
included in future editions of your newsletter. Some important questions to consider – Are there times of year when the
chapter is likely to interact with alumni or important events you’d like to highlight? Have any alumni recently accomplished
anything noteworthy, reached a life milestone, etc.? What types of information could the chapter facilitate sharing
between alumni such as wedding and career updates, alumni who’ve passed to Chapter Eternal, the birth of children,
etc.?]

MANAGING ALUMNI CONTACT LISTS

[Does the chapter have a list of contact information for alumni? When was the last time it was updated? If the chapter has
made updates, has the new information been shared with the General Fraternity? Use this section to detail the chapter’s
management of its alumni contact information.

Additionally, if the chapter does not have a list of contact information for alumni, this can be requested from the General
Fraternity. Contact Todd Denson, Director of Alumni Advisory Programs, for a listing.
Phone: 540.600.3019
Email: [email protected]
Mail: 9 N. Lewis St. Lexington, VA 24450]

SHARING CHAPTER NEWS

[What types of stories might we share with the General Fraternity this year so that we can be featured on social media, in
The Quarterly newsletter, or as part of The Delta? Submitting news to www.sigmanu.org/submitnews four times a year is
required for Excellence. The Quarterly submission deadlines are March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15.]

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