I refer to 7 April 2006 ST review 'How to win alumni and donors' , a speech by Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
I fully agree with 3 of the points he mentioned:
1."Students have to feel a sense of community and belonging to their school. It's too late to build alumni ties after the student has left."
2."...good communication with the alumni. It's really off-putting if the only communication an alumnus gets is a begging letter. If they feel part of the loop and are kept updated(on school development)...they're more likely to support causes in need of funds."
3."...administrations that are inflexible and rigid alienate students. Those with a student-oriented culture, that tries to understand their students' varied needs, wins support which translates into stronger ties."
After looking at these 3 points, I finally realise why my schools' alumni or maybe other alumni are finding quite difficult to gather and bring in more involvement of the alumnus. The crux lies in the 3 points mentioned above.
Usually when students are in school, we made them feel like they are just students, coming here to study. Schools must be able to make them feel belonged. Other than just announcing the results of zonal competition during assembly periods, we can get them involved in the planning and perhaps hands-on on upcoming school projects. The students can then feel that they have sort of contributed to the school, feel bonded and have something to reminisce when they leave the school.
Communication skills. Something that the school and the alumni can collaborate and do better. Being an alumnus myself, I always feel that the alumni is not doing enough. Maybe it is doing alot but in my eyes, they seem not to be doing much. As an alumnus, I hope to get updated news and development of the activities going on in the school, at least once every school term. However I was quite disappointed that this did not happen.(Everytime I have to go to the school's website to get the latest information.) Only when there are big events, like fund-raising or funfair in school then do I receive news through email. Recently, my secondary school held a small funfair. I was lucky to be informed through email by the alumni as I had signed up to be a member the year before. However as most of my previous schoolmates did not sign up with the alumni, they did not know there was such an event.Only a small proportion heard it by mouth. I was quite shock to hear that when I called my secondary school friend recently. Perhaps what the school can do is to update the contacts of their students every year and also before they leave the school. This can allow the school to update on their alumnus on the activities that are going on in school. Alumni can also build up contacts before the students leave. This may be able to solve the decreasing number of school-leavers joining the alumni. Together, the school and alumni can come together to create a e-newsletter, which they can send to their alumnus every term to keep them updated. These can make the alumnus feel that they are 'part of the loop' and not just receive 'begging letters' that put them off. Fundraising can thus be made easier and effective.
Sometimes school administration maybe rigid. This could have stop students from implementing new ideas or activities that can brighten up or benefit the school. Now the student council in the school will then have to come in. Why are these student councillors chosen or voted for? They represent the student bodies and voices. Student council can be made more amiable. Instead of placing a suggestion box outside the room, they can try to listen to what their peers' needs and then bring it up in their meeting. If the idea is possible, put it into action. If they meet into difficulties, pull in the alumni. They are there to help since they represent the student bodies too. Proposals can be quite tricky to handle and be rejected by the school administration for upteem times. However if the idea is finally processed and is accepted, the labour that they put in will be worthwhile. Students maybe even grateful to the voices responded. This will help to win support from students and therefore win alumni as the students see that they have a place to voice their opinions.
Hmmm...maybe i will raise these 3 points in the next alumni meeting.(Another point to take note:It's been a year since the alumni has a meeting)