Alumni Board Committees

Overview

The Alumni Board of Directors is a powerful body as a whole, but most of its work is done on a committee level. Here, you can read about each committee's purpose, see its list of responsibilities and learn who belongs to each committee.

Finance Committee
Government Relations Committee
Student Development Committee
Outreach Committee
Homecoming Committee
Executive Committee

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is generally responsible for advising the Alumni Relations Staff regarding the use of disposable income (potential dues program, eventand merchandise revenue, and house reserve account). The committee will work to identify and evaluate new sources of operating income to the Association, and assist in development efforts for the new Alumni Center.

Responsibilities, Tasks and Expectations

Identify new sources of operating revenue for the Alumni Association; including but not limited to affinity programs, events, merchandise, and other partnerships. This may be accomplished by Internet research, investigation of other associations, discussion with alumni of other institutions, networking with vendors, exploring existing professional relationships and affiliations, group brainstorming, etc.
Evaluate and propose new revenue sources and make recommendations to the Board of Directors and Staff.
Advise the Board of Directors and Staff regarding financial issues and disposable income. Must approve certain expenditures as mandated by the Bylaws.
Identify potential donors and, when appropriate, facilitate contact and cultivation strategies in coordination with director of alumni relations and/or university development staff.
Review secretary treasurer's reports and make recommendations regarding the general financial health of the Alumni Association.
Act as advocates with governmental agencies on issues regarding funding, as called upon by the Legislative Committee.

Membership

Government Relations Committee

This committee has significant potential to become a lobbying powerhouse in the state of Idaho. One need not be a political expert to succeed in becoming an effective member of this committee. Idaho's government is designed to allow all types of people to gain access to their elected officials and influence them to make good, informed decisions that will benefit Idaho State University. Simply put, you don’t need to invest a lot of time in this committee to get great results, but you do need to be reliable.

Responsibilities, Tasks and Expectations

Identify legislative and governmental priorities of Idaho State University.
Communicate ISU's priorities to governmental leaders.
Assist Alumni Relations Staff to plan and execute Capitol Day activities.
Produce weekly newsletter during the legislative session.
Develop contacts in key government positions to track development of policies affecting ISU and higher education.
One committee member should attend each of the State Board of Education's meetings throughout the year, or find contacts in each university community who can attend the two-day meetings and prepare a summary report.
Identify alumni in each of the state's legislative districts who could meet their respective lawmakers once or twice a year.
Help the Alumni Relations Staff plan events in key lawmakers' communities.
Help identify ISU alumni who are politically active and significant donors to political campaigns.
Attend and even organize political functions and candidate debates where higher education can be made the focus. Bring alumni to such events.
This committee requires five to six members, each of whom should be from Idaho.
Time commitments will be heavier from January through March (legislative session) each year, and September through the first half of November (general election season) in election years. April and May (primary election season) might also require more commitments in election years.

Membership

Student Development Committee

The Student Development Committee is responsible for interacting with students, facilitating contacts and positive relationships between students and the Alumni Board, and generally helping to enhance the student experience at Idaho State University.

Responsibilities, Tasks and Expectations

Propose and coordinate activities designed to engage students with alumni. Of primary importance are the Outstanding Student Achievement awards (Nov. to April), March through the Arch (Senior Salute in May and Freshman First Night in August) and a Welcome Week (first week of fall semester) event.
Assist student groups and individual students in their efforts to create meaningful traditions on the campus of Idaho State University. The committee should work with the ISU Ambassadors and assist with at least one Ambassador event annually, such as a reunion.
Assist the alumni staff during the two weeks prior to Commencement in the distribution of caps and gowns in an effort to serve a vital role and forge new relationships. During cap & gown distribution, committee members can help distribute graduation gifts, register new alumni on Alumsys and otherwise introduce them to the Alumni Association.
Design, develop and evaluate opportunities for students to network with alumni. Assist in the development of the mentoring function of Alumsys. Committee members will be asked to contact two to six alumni a year who are willing to serve as mentors to students.
Develop a plan for assisting students in building their own meaningful traditions at Idaho State University.

Membership

Outreach Committee

The Outreach Committee will assist the Alumni Association in engaging a greater and more geographically diverse population of alumni through events, promotions, committees, special projects and other programs.

Responsibilities, Tasks and Expectations

Personally host alumni events and programs in locations where committee members reside.
Provide volunteer assistance to alumni relations staff in the coordination and implementation of events.
Attend all alumni events.
Work to improve relationships with key and targeted alumni and constituencies and build affinity for ISU. Use tools such as personal visits (alone or assisted by a staff member), correspondence and attendance at community events (clearly identified as a representative of the ISU Alumni Association Board.)
Help staff to identify key alumni in locations where committee members reside.
Become informed and develop talking points and key messages regarding Idaho State University and higher education and make an effort to deliver them to community groups and others who have (or should have) an interest in Idaho State University. Act as members of a speakers bureau.

Membership

Homecoming Committee

The Homecoming Committee is responsible for coordinating and carrying forward Homecoming plans as directly related to the Board of Directors, specifically including:

All Alumni Board Reunion
Alumni Board parade entries
Alumni Avenue
Alumni Art Show
Reunions
Past Board Presidents Reception

In addition, the Committee provides assistance as requested during Homecoming and provides input as to new events or plans that may be considered.

Responsibilities, Tasks and Expectations

Coordinate activities listed above and carry forward preparation through completion of the specified events.
Convene to draft an evaluation of annual Homecoming activities and make recommendations for improvements and changes.
Attend all Homecoming events.
Assist in the promotion of all Homecoming events, and develop new means of promoting events and increasing attendance at all functions.
Track and control expenses related to the specified activities, with assistance from the alumni relations staff.
Act as liaisons/advisors to student groups regarding Homecoming activities, as requested.

Membership

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is composed of the Board's two presidents (current and elect) and the chairs of each committee. This committee primarily screens all items to come before the Board and acts as a preliminary approval body when the Association is faced with timely and unexpected matters and is unable to reach a quorum of the Board of Directors.

Responsibilities, Tasks and Expectations

Review and approve all agenda items for the Board's three meetings each year.

Idaho State University

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