The Basics of Organizing Your Alumni Club

Alumni live all over the world, and clubs support this vital extended community. Establishing or reviving an alumni club in your region will put you in touch with other Chicago alumni, bringing new friendships and expanded interests. Here are some steps to follow in building a local alumni club “from scratch.”

Step 1: Contact the Alumni Office

Staff members are available to help you assess the alumni population in your area to determine if there is sufficient interest to support a club. They will also guide you through the process of establishing an alumni group or becoming a contact for alumni in your region.

If you want to start a club in the U.S., contact the Alumni Association at 800/955-0065.

If you live outside of the United States, contact Stephanie Veit at 773/702-8707 or sveit@uchicago.edu.

Step 2: Plan an Organizing Meeting

• Ask the Alumni Office to help in advertising the meeting to local alumni.
• When inviting alumni to the planning meeting, make sure you ask them to RSVP so you know how many to expect.
• Prepare an agenda to keep the meeting on track. Your first meeting should address the following:
  • Goals of the club. Refer to The Alumni Club/Alumni Association Partnership.
  • Leadership positions and responsibilities. Refer to Club Volunteer Positions.
  • Event calendar and potential date(s) for first event(s).
• After the planning meeting:
  • Be sure to thank those who attended.
  • Send the list of attendees to your Alumni Association staff liaison.

Step 3: Plan your first events

• Start small and build a foundation for the club. Plan a few events during the first year and ensure that the events are high quality to encourage repeat attendance.
• Contact club leaders in similar cities for ideas. Refer to Club Contacts.
• Consult the Suggested events for event ideas.

Step 4: Recruit New Volunteers and Plan Ahead for Future Events

• Recruiting new volunteers for the club is essential to maintain its vitality and growth. A strong annual schedule of events will keep alumni engaged with one another and the club.