National Alumni Board applications are due July 9, 2012
Any organization is only as good as its members and leadership. The
Columbia College Chicago Alumni Association & Network (CAAN) is no
exception. When you serve on the CAAN National Board as a Regional Representative or Member-at-Large, you’re making a commitment to:
- Help build meaningful alumni relationships, programs, and communications
- Encourage lifelong relationships between alumni and the college
- Create awareness of, and engagement with, the college and its highest priorities
- Foster a culture of philanthropy
This can be fun, but it will also involve some work that’s similar to serving on the board of directors of a not-for-profit organization in your home community.
What is the CAAN National Board?
The CAAN National Board presides over all CAAN regions, and city chapters within those regions, to provide unified leadership and communication. The CAAN National Board is comprised of 12 members: six (6) Region Representatives, and six (6) Members-at-Large.
The six CAAN regions are:
- Northwest: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
- Southwest: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah
- Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- Great South: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
- Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia
- Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
At this time, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, and all six member-at-large seats will be elected.
What is the term of service?
Region Representatives serve for two years (September 1, 2012 – August 31, 2014)
. Members-at-large serve for one year (September 1, 2012 – August 31, 2013)
What are my responsibilities as a National Board member?
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Service as a National Board member will require some time. As a National Board Member you’re required to attend all National Board Meetings, which are typically held via conference call on the second Tuesday of the month at 6p.m., or 7p.m., EST. These regular meetings of the CAAN National Board include but are not limited to:
- Regional reports of recent chapter events and their success
- Upcoming events
- Committee reports: Alumni Enrichment; Fundraising; Governance; Membership Engagement; National Events; Nominations-Elections
What are these committees?
As a National Board member, you also serve on at least one committee (as a member, or committee chair):
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Alumni Enrichment – resume building, interviewing skills, professional development
- Fundraising – raise money for the Alumni Scholarship Fund and the Alumni Textbook Fund; increase board giving
- Governance – by-laws, chapter guidebook, chapter development, chapter best practices
- Membership Engagement - devise, execute and measure ways to engage and maintain chapter membership utilizing social media, working with the Chicago Chapter’s Young Alumni Committee, and developing other alumni audiences
- National Events – Conceive, plan, execute, and measure the effectiveness of a national alumni event
- Nominations/Elections – Ensure candidates are eligible for the National Board and that elections are fair
Another part of your responsibilities will be to support chapter events that engage your fellow alumni. Yes, it’s work, but it’s also an incredible opportunity for fun, to connect with alumni, and to play a meaningful role in building your alumni brand. You will also have support from Office of
Alumni Relations (OAR) staff.
For consideration, please choose an office to declare your candidacy for and send your
application in by Monday July 9, 2012 at Noon EST.