|
[ A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ]
|
 January 2004 ushers in a few innovations from the communications staff at the Penn State Alumni Association. The first is the newly redesigned Penn Stater magazine, which should be arriving in your mailbox any day, if it hasn’t already. The second is the new e-newsletter you are reading now, designed expressly for the volunteer leaders of our more than 315 affiliate organizations--chapters, constituent societies, affiliate program groups, and alumni interest groups--across the country and around the world.
Based on a survey of our volunteer leaders this fall, we have created this e-newsletter to connect all of us more effectively and to provide a snapshot of what everyone is doing. In my first seven months on the job, I have been astounded by the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity our affiliate organizations and their leaders put forth day in and day out. I also have been concerned that we have no way of bundling and conveying all of this activity to our volunteers on a timely basis. Hence, this newsletter, which will start as a monthly communication but will eventually be published more frequently, as interest warrants.
We are especially hopeful that this newsletter not be "our" (the staff of the Alumni Association) e-newsletter, but "yours" (the volunteer leaders). We want to keep you informed about news from the "mother ship," of course, but we really want this publication to serve as a forum for the cross-pollination of ideas; a continuing record of news and events of, by, and for our affiliate organizations; and a source of recognition and inspiration for our esteemed volunteer leaders. Here, we hope, will be the communications medium that binds us all together and showcases what a dynamic organization the Penn State Alumni Association truly is.
Please don't be shy about telling me how this e-newsletter can be improved to better serve your purposes; simply e-mail me at rlw1@psu.edu. And please be sure to submit items for publication to alumni-relations@psu.edu.
For the Future,
Roger L. Williams '73, '75g, '88g
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
|
|
|
features
|
Alumni Association recognizes alumni and affiliate groups with annual Volunteer Awards
The Penn State Alumni Association is an organization that is not only committed to its volunteers, but also dependent upon the dedicated services of its members. The Association’s recognition program honors groups and individuals each year who have distinguished themselves through volunteer service to the University or through success in their personal and professional lives.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
For the Future: The Campaign for Membership Growth
In an effort to maintain the status as the nation’s largest alumni association, Penn State’s Alumni Council--the governing body of the Penn State Alumni Association--announced in November plans for a three-year membership campaign, entitled “For the Future.”
[FULL STORY]
|
|
|
tips & best practices
|
New alumni volunteer awards program unveiled
On January 15, 2004, the Penn State Alumni Association will be unveiling its new alumni volunteer awards program. Changes to the award categories were necessary due to the growth and development of the Association's affiliate group program.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
|
in the spotlight
|
Orange County Chapter spreads holiday joy
This month’s affiliate group spotlight shines on the Orange County (Calif.) Chapter for its efforts to bring joy to struggling Southern California families during the holiday season.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
|
association highlights
|
Association to sponsor January pep rally in Philadelphia for women’s basketball
The Alumni Association has teamed with Intercollegiate Athletics to plan a women’s basketball pep rally prior to the Lady Lions’ game at St. Joseph’s on Thursday, Jan. 29. The Lady Lions are currently ranked #8 in the nation and own a 9-3 record.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Grassroots Network membership surpasses 30,000
In the face of continuing cuts to the University's appropriation, the Penn State Alumni Association has called on alumni and friends across Pennsylvania to join the Penn State Grassroots Network. This is a statewide advocacy system of Penn State alumni and friends--more than 33,000--who want to help make the case proactively, year after year, for state funding that supports the University's mission as the state's only land-grant institution and preeminent public research university.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Visit the new and improved online Alumni Store
The Alumni Association’s official online store—The Alumni Store@Penn State—is now easier to use and offers a wider selection of Penn State items. The online store underwent a major redesign in late-2003 and now offers a more customer-friendly experience.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
|
member center
|
Benefits of membership: Low, group rate insurance through Liberty Mutual
The benefits of being a Penn Stater now include saving on auto and home insurance. The Penn State Alumni Association has teamed with Liberty Mutual to offer members a group savings program.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
|
events
|
Upcoming events
Bringing alumni together is the heart of our mission and our identity. The Alumni Association’s annual events and programs such as reunions, homecoming activities, and pep rallies promote feelings of nostalgia and connection to the University and to each other among alumni.
|
|
|
[ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EVENTS ]
|
|
|
|
[ AFFILIATE GROUP EVENTS ]
|
|
|
|
feedback
|
We want to hear from you
Please tell us about an event your group has hosted, or one that's upcoming. Share with us your successful group initiatives, or tell us about things you'd like us to include in future issues of this e-newsletter. Of course, we don't just want to hear about it, we'd love to see it, too. So if you have pictures to go along with story ideas, please include those as well. Submit all information to alumni-relations@psu.edu. And of course, if you have questions feel free to contact us at alumni-relations@psu.edu or 800-548-LION.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
|  |
|
|
|
[ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS ]
|
|
|
|
