Shanice Nartey is an alum of Sydney Russell Secondary and Sixth Form School and a member of the Future First Hub. She now works as a Project Management Lead and regularly volunteers for her old school. In this blog, she shares her top tips on how to keep your alumni engaged.
Creating a thriving network of alumni volunteers can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavour. As someone who has been an alumnus for a few years and frequently returns to my former school and other educational institutions, I have had the opportunity to connect with fellow alumni and volunteers. Based on my experiences, I’d like to share some practical tips for fostering a meaningful alumni community.
1. Willingness to Contribute
First and foremost, it’s essential to recognise that alumni and volunteers willingly offer their time, energy, and personal resources to support young people. Alumni choose to volunteer for various reasons, but at the heart of it, they share a commitment to helping the next generation reach their full potential. They are eager to contribute, whether by providing practical advice, sharing personal stories, or connecting students to opportunities through their networks.
Many alumni reflect on their own experiences and acknowledge how impactful it would have been to have someone ahead of them return with wisdom and knowledge to share. Now, they are motivated to pass on these invaluable resources, helping students make informed decisions about their futures.
It’s helpful to remind volunteers that many organisations offer paid leave for volunteering. Encourage them to check their company’s policy, as they may be entitled to this benefit.
2. Nostalgia: A Powerful Tool
Returning to their former schools often evokes a strong sense of nostalgia for alumni, as school is a significant chapter in our lives. Many alumni are curious to know if their old teachers are still around or what changes have taken place. They frequently reminisce with one another and eagerly anticipate seeing how their school has evolved at sessions.
This nostalgia presents an excellent opportunity to build stronger relationships with alumni. For example, taking note of any teachers still at the school who may have taught alumni. This information can help initiate conversations and build rapport. If possible, consider offering alumni a tour of the school to showcase changes since their time there, creating an exciting and engaging experience.
3. Preparing Students for Engagement
While alumni volunteers are often ready and willing to share their insights, students may not always know what questions to ask or what information alumni can provide. To maximise the impact of these encounters, prepare students in advance to ensure a more meaningful experience for both students and volunteers. Encourage them to think about what they want to learn and how they can make the most of this opportunity. One effective way to do this is by assigning a short research exercise related to their upcoming session.
4. Recognition, Feedback, and Impact
After engagement sessions, sending a follow-up email to thank alumni for their contributions can be incredibly gratifying for them. Sharing feedback from students, including highlights from the session, allows alumni to see the impact they’ve made. Knowing their efforts are appreciated—and hearing how they’ve positively influenced students—can motivate alumni to continue their involvement in future events.
5. Keep the Conversation Going
We understand that the demands of lesson planning, teaching, and other responsibilities can make it challenging to maintain regular communication with alumni. However, keeping them informed about the latest developments in your school and any upcoming opportunities for their involvement can be important for keeping in touch. Inviting alumni to events or providing updates can help build a supportive network that you can draw upon when needed.
I hope you find these tips helpful in cultivating a strong, engaged alumni network that will continue to support your school and its students for years to come.
Future First can give you practical support to help you build and grow your network, train volunteers and design in-person and virtual events.
