Direction and Support

What are the core activities expected from each chapter?
The Canisius Alumni Association has outlined specific roles and responsibilities for each chapter and its volunteers. These are only guidelines; chapters can certainly expand their mission and activities in many important ways.

To provide a basic framework for organizing and focusing chapter activities, the Canisius Alumni Association recommends that each chapter:

  • Build a leadership committee of between 5 and 10 alumni including a president, vice-president, and secretary/treasurer.
  • Develop a calendar of meetings and events at each year’s organizational meeting.
  • Maintain consistent communication with the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) notifying them of all calendar developments and committee changes.
  • Organize diverse activities according to each chapter’s expectations to meet the needs of a varied alumni population.
  • Work hard to bring a purpose to each activity and encourage strong alumni involvement.
How much support will the Canisius Alumni Association provide to chapters?
The Canisius Alumni Association is eager to provide ongoing support to keep chapters informed and involved. Key staff in the Office of Alumni Relations are available by telephone, fax and E mail to answer questions and provide direction, as needed. In addition, they will strive to meet periodically with individual chapters.

Specifically, the Office of Alumni Relations will provide the following areas of support to each chapter: 
  • An annual budget for your chapter according to its level.
  • A roster of Canisius alumni living in the area, as well as any available demographics about those alumni.
  • Forms and tools that will help you market your programming and maintain organization within your chapter.
  • Advice and counsel on steps to start a chapter.
  • Guidance on developing effective programming.
  • Assistance in designing, printing and mailing three chapter mailings per year; approval should be sought for additional mailings via the Office of Alumni Relations.
  • Assistance in marketing each event and activity via email, Web page, and alumni publications.
  • Supplies for events and meetings (name tags, signs, literature, etc.).
  • Maintenance of chapter database.
Next: Leadership and Involvement