ALUMNI BOARD

The Basics:

• The Alumni Board is made up of approximately twenty-four members, representing each decade of alumni who have various majors, backgrounds, professions and residing in various areas throughout the many places where our alumni live.
• Past Presidents of the Muhlenberg College Alumni Association are lifetime members of the Alumni Board.
• Board members are elected to four (4) year terms.
• Currently, general session meetings are held three times a year:  September, November, and April. In addition, committee meetings are held as necessary during the year, and a meeting of the Executive Committee is held in February.  Meeting attendance is expected to be a priority.  A complimentary continental breakfast is served at all meetings, unless otherwise stated.
• Most meetings are held on campus.
• You are responsible for making your own travel and accommodations arrangements.  However, in the event that you need assistance the Alumni Office may be able to suggest places in the area.
• All terms and governance issues for the Board can be found in the Constitution and other documents executed by the Board.
• Should you have any questions, please contact the Alumni Office at 800-464-2374.

At The Meeting:

• Thirty days before each meeting you will receive a notice in the mail of the upcoming meeting, in addition to any committee meetings for those that you have been selected or volunteered to serve on.  You are required to RSVP to the alumni office prior to each meeting.
• Each Board meeting is presided over by the President of the Alumni Association.
• Reports are provided from all of the standing committees and other committees that have been formed by the Board.  During the meeting, Roberts Rules of Order are utilized to provide decorum and structure to the meeting.
• At each meeting you will be provided with a folder that has in it any paperwork that you will need to review during the meeting.  This may include an agenda, committee reports, necrology report and other information deemed necessary by the Executive Committee or the Alumni Office. 

Board Member Description:
The purpose of the Muhlenberg College Alumni Association, Inc., is to support the goals of the College and to represent the voice of alumni in the strategic planning process of the College.  Its primary service focuses on, but is not limited to, six (6) areas: (1) communication with alumni, (2) alumni programs, (3) alumni giving, (4) enhancing the communication among College leaders and alumni leaders, (5) career networking, and (6) student recruitment.

Qualifications:
A member of the Alumni Board is selected to hold the position based on many factors, including, but not limited to the individual's commitment to Muhlenberg College and to the goals of the Alumni Association, distinguished personal and/or vocational achievement, and financial support to the College.  Other desired qualifications include the ability to motivate individual members and committees; a proven leader in other organizations, associations, or clubs; the ability to set and achieve goals and objectives; a team player.  Members will be representative of the diversity of the Alumni Association membership.  All persons who have graduated from Muhlenberg College or received honorary degrees or who have been officially enrolled at the College for a significant period of time are eligible for consideration for the Board.

Responsibilities:
In accepting the four (4) year position, you agree to fulfill the responsibilities associated with Board membership, which include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Attendance at all general session and committee meetings is expected to be a high priority.  Missing two consecutive meetings will result in an evaluation of an individual's position on the Board.  If three consecutive meetings are missed due to unexcused absences, the member is deemed to have resigned.
• Contribute a financial gift annually to Muhlenberg College.  All Board members will contribute at a level appropriate to their capability as donors.  It is important for Board members to set an example for all other alumni by participating financially to the life of the College.  As part of the financial obligation, all Board members are expected to either be a member of the Life Membership Trust Fund or become a member within the first year of the member's term.
• Attend a minimum of two (2) campus alumni programs, which could include:  homecoming, reunion, graduation, the career campaign, alumni achievement awards luncheon, hall of fame dinner, or other programs designated by the Executive Committee or the Alumni Office.
• Assist with planning and implementing alumni programs in your area.
• Serve on a minimum of one (1) standing committee of the Board and actively participate in the functions and support of other committees as the need arises.
• Exercise loyalty to the Alumni Board and confidentiality regarding its internal affairs as discussed at Council and committee meetings.
• Seek out and encourage talented alumni for volunteer roles such as regional clubs, committee membership, mentoring, alumni admission ambassadors, Reunion Chairs, Class Fund Chairs, to speak on campus, Alumni Board membership or to assist in programs as needed.
•  Assist the staff in identifying individuals for alumni awards.
• Serve as an ambassador and advocate for Muhlenberg College.  Become a representative and spokesperson in your community for Muhlenberg.  This could involve talking with prospective students, meeting with other alumni, communicating with area legislators, attending local alumni events, etc.
• Assist the College and the Office of Alumni Relations in identifying and implementing programming that will enhance the student experience at Muhlenberg, thus helping to mold more loyal alumni.
• Become familiar with the programs and activities sponsored, organized, and coordinated by the Alumni Association and participate in them to the extent possible.  Stay abreast of campus news by reading alumni publications and other College material mailed to your home.
• Offer ideas to help make the Alumni Board and the Alumni Association more meaningful to the alumni constituency and initiate Board activities and initiatives.
•  Help the Alumni Relations staff evaluate programs and take initiative in informing them of opportunities for program development and/or funding.
• Provide sensitivity and support to staff members and other Alumni Board members as they perform their duties.

Alumni Board Member's Measure of Success

• You are encouraging new alumni volunteers.
• The committee(s) on which you serve are active and growing.
• The alumni region in which you reside/work is active and growing, and you are helping Muhlenberg College gain greater recognition in your workplace and community.
• Your volunteer efforts are having a positive impact on alumni participation in a variety of ways.  You are helping to increase:  attendance at alumni events; alumni involvement in alumni programs; dollars raised through the Alumni Fund, Life Membership Trust Fund and other annual giving; career networking; and student recruitment.
• The goals and objectives you set for yourself, your committee, and/or your region are realized within original time frames and budgets (or within reasonable extensions).

Personal Benefits of Alumni Board Membership 
As a member of the Muhlenberg College Alumni Association Alumni Board, you will receive tremendous personal and professional satisfaction by giving of yourself to your alma mater and to fellow alumni.  You will be recognized in the Muhlenberg Magazine, the Muhlenberg College web site, and through other relevant venues as much as possible.  You will also receive a complementary subscription to the Muhlenberg Weekly.