September 1997
Online Chapter Presidential Message

Responding to a 1997 Graduate's Questions

1) What are our goals for 1998?

I would like to see our chapter grow even more than we have this past year. I've seen a great improvement in many areas since I first joined the ranks of the Alumni.

To really address this I think a bit of our history should be shared.

My first year (1993-1994) I ran for VP at the urging of Eve and then president Anne Wallace. (The alumni network started in 1992, I believe) We had quarterly general meetings online. These meetings had a 'topic' but the conversation flowed much like it does today. Only difference was the conference was only open for a week every quarter and the topic and business were discussed only during that time.

This type of meeting continued during 1994-1995 and into 1995-1996 when we opened the meeting full time, a practice that continues through to today.

I became president in 1994-1995 (and again in 1995-1996 and 1996-1997). Part of my duty includes being the chapter's representative at the quarterly Alumni Network board and presidents meeting. This meeting is now done via conference call. We discuss what's going on in the chapters and what's going on at the national level.

Something I've noticed throughout the years is that right after graduation interest in the chapter is at it's peak and as the year goes on it starts to wane as graduates gradually reduce their ALEX time. Software upgrades to ALEX that cost the ALUMNI $$$ really hurts the attendance also. But we still have a loyal but sparse following here. I've picked up from the quarterly board meetings that we are about as active as the other active landed chapters are.

With this history in mind, I'd like to see us have some 'topics' added to a regularly scheduled (maybe quarterly again??) meeting in addition to keeping the meeting open so that the conversation could continue. Maybe we could introduce a guest speaker at least once this year.

I would also like to see us open a web site (Carol and John have been working on this). I see this as a godsend to our historic attendance drop-off. With the site, ALL of our alumni can keep in touch and they won't have to keep up with the latest version of ALEXWARE. We can also open this site to other campus' alumni who may not have a landed chapter available to them. Networking is the key to our growth.

I'd like to see us develop some regional face to face meetings. (More networking opportunities)

I'd like to be more involved in the graduation week planning and activities.

I think we need to continue the pre-cruise mixer. I would also like to invite ALL Alumni to these activities. I realize that we won't have huge attendance due to costs but I really feel we need to make the opportunities available to all our members.

I hope this adequately answers what my goals are. Now onto question 2.

2) Our general Game Plan?

I think we need to enlist more folks to get involved. We started this this past year. I was really pleased that we had so much discussion this year in the planning of the graduation activities. We need to continue this kind of teamwork.

I think I need to be more proactive in keeping us visible with Terri & company at the online campus and to pursue more support of our activities with National.

I'd like to do a (snail) mailing to ALL of our members with a calendar of events the executive board puts together in the first 30 days of the term (before the end of November no later that end of December)

I'd also like to reinstate getting our graduates some token gift to be passed out at graduation. (My class got a business card case).

Ron Emberg
MBA 1993
President Online Chapter
University of Phoenix Alumni Network