Lifelong Class Partnering Spin the Wheelock Update

Friday, September 18, 2015

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

- African proverb shared by Dartmouth College President Phil Hanlon ’77 at his 2013 inauguration.

How can we best help Dartmouth classes help each other go far?

Establishes a robust framework for Partner Classes

to seek and to offer aiddirectly.

This is an Alumni initiative with a task force that started in 2012.

Lifelong Class Partnering:

Class Connections Today:

Class

Class

ClassClass

ClassBlunt

The Class (25 year) Connections

Program exists,

but most class-with-class

work is done on an ad hoc,

one-time basis though Blunt.

Lifelong Class Partnering:

Class

Class

ClassClass

ClassBlunt

Pre-connecting classes forpartnering provides a

structure for lifelong kinship.The framework

creates new opportunities.

How to connect classes?

xxx8

xxx8

xxx8xxx8

xxx8Blunt

Connect classes that share the same

last digit of class year,

much as families or

clans connect that share the

same last name.

Potential Partnering Programs & Activities

Leadership

Communication

Community

Service

Improving newsletters, websites, and social media sites. DAM. Share content.Share email and direct mail best practices.

Service to Dartmouth

and community, DCF, class projects,

class dues, to other alumni classes, to undergraduates, etc.

Careers & Education Family, Home & Life

Financial advice,working parent,

caring for elderly parents,retirement planning, etc.

School and education choices, securing internships, career planning,job search, mentoring, etc.

Mini-reunions. Reunions. Programs.Building relationships.

Leadership development. Sharing best practices.

Succession planning.

Potential Partnering Programs & Activities

What do I know today that I wish I had known 10 years ago? 20 years ago?

30 years ago?

?

Partnering Pilot 2014-15:Dartmouth VOX8 Classes

19781988

19581968

19482018future

19982008

Blunt

Completed first-year class partnering

pilot test.

Stephanie Lewin 1988 VOX8 Pilot ChairBud Munson 1948 President and AmbassadorRalph Manuel 1958 AmbassadorJohn Trimble 1958 PresidentDavid Walden 1968 AmbassadorPeter Fahey 1968 PresidentSteve Adnopoz 1978 AmbassadorTodd Anderson 1978 AmbassadorDave Graham 1978 PresidentC. Alec Casey 1988 AmbassadorCatherine Briggs 1988 PresidentRodrego A. Byerly 1998 AmbassadorJo Golub 1998 PresidentLauren BennettConor Frantzen

20082008

AmbassadorPresident

Mark WinklerJoe Mannes

19791980

LCP Task Force Co-ChairLCP Task Force Co-Chair

Jennifer Casey 1966a Alumni Relations Director, Class Activities

Partnering VOX8 Pilot Test

Stephanie Welsch-Lewin ’88

Does it work? YesCan it improve? YesShould it continue? Yes

Partnering VOX8 PilotImmediate ResultsThe ‘58s and 68s consulted with the Class of ‘48 regarding the Class of ‘48’s very successful widows program. These classes are in the process of forming a widows program of their own!  The 68’s sponsored a get together with the 18’s in the Top of the Hop during Winter Carnival. The newsletter editor of the class of ‘88 provided structure and guidance information to the class of ‘08 newsletter editor, with the goal of improving their newsletter. The Class of ‘88 guided the Class of ‘98 to improve their DCF participation numbers & they did great things with the info!

Partnering VOX8 PilotGeneral Sharing of IdeasClass Engagement: How do we get more of our classmates, especially “the big middle”, more involved?

Consider surveying your class to determine where your classmates’ interests lie.

Offering many opportunities and different ways to engage all seem to help overall engagement. Do what you like!

 

Partnering VOX8 PilotGeneral Sharing of IdeasClass Engagement - Mini-Reunions Recruit multiple hosts so more chances familiar name on host list!

Have each host call 4 classmates to personally invite them. Give each host a smaller set of responsibilities so work is spread out.

Integrate mini-reunions within larger Dartmouth Alumni events (e.g., President Hanlon visit to Boston, football games, etc.) One class had a mini-reunion, led by 10 co-sponsors from the class.

Reach out to other classes in the cohort for support! At the event above, both the 78’s and 98’s had mini-reunions.

 

Partnering VOX8 PilotGeneral Sharing of IdeasClass Engagement – Days of Service

Create an opportunity for classmates to come together around service opportunities. Events which give back to others can motivate a whole new group of classmates to participate.

Partnering VOX8 PilotGeneral Sharing of IdeasDues ManagementHow to create an environment that increases the number of classmates who pay class dues?

“It takes a village” to collect. Combined efforts of all officers are needed, website w/dues button, newsletter and treasurer effort. Dues are END product, so you have to DO first & collect DUES later. Publicize link between dues and activities. Show your classmates what their money has accomplished; They are sure to give more!

Providing an incentive. Express gratitude.

Partnering VOX8 PilotGeneral Sharing of IdeasClass ProjectsHow do you choose one, and get more classmates involved? What are best practices?

Survey your class to see what really matters to them. Choose a project that fills that need (Academic, Outdoors, Scholarship Fund)

Formulate a strong fundraising committee to seek out donations before you begin the class wide outreach! Being a part of the way to your goal before you start helps motivate classmates.

Set clear timelines to get project done. Use all college resources.

Lifelong Class PartneringFuture Ideas

Foster connections between students and alumniHow do alumni help graduating students hit the ground running both as an alumni class and as alumni? (e.g., How can 1998 & 2008 help 2018? Sophomore summer ’16?)

How can undergraduate classes help connect alumni classes with the College? (e.g., How can 2018 campus news be used by 1968, 1978 and 1988, their partner classes?)

How can older classes help younger classes?

How can younger classes help the oldest classes?

Lifelong Class PartneringA Partnering website has been established with a growing online knowledge base.

• Inventory of Partnering Examples and Ideas.

• FAQs.

Lifelong Class Partnering

Expanding the circles.1. Connect Ambassadors2. Connect Class Officers3. Connect Classmates

Ambassador

Class Officers

Classmates

Lifelong Class PartneringSuggestions for improvement

Have a formal Class Partnering email update much like any Association’s periodic updates.

Have a lead ambassador for every cohort to drive results.

Increase opportunity for informal and in-person interaction among the class ambassadors since that would further improve a sense of cohort community.

Lifelong Class PartneringNext Steps

2015-2016 Continue VOX8; include 2018Start VOX7, VOX9Recruit for LCP Task Force.

2016-2017 Start three more cohorts.(tentative) VOX0, VOX2, VOX5

Start Ambassadors Association

2017-2018 Start final four cohorts.(tentative) VOX1, VOX3, VOX4, VOX6

“Women and men of Dartmouth, all mankind is your brother - and you are your brother's keeper”

- Dartmouth College President John Kemeny.

Helping Dartmouth classes to better help each other.

Lifelong Class Partnering…