Volunteer Committees

Committees

Alumni chapters have a variety of committee structures. However, most chapters have some or all of the following committees listed below, or they simply breakdown committees by event name (i.e. Golf Outing Committee, Indiana Day Committee, Student Send-Off Committee, etc.)

Sports

Some alumni chapters have the opportunity to host events featuring IU coaches and IU Athletics representatives. Also, some chapters have the opportunity to host pre-game events when an IU sports team competes against a local opponent. This committee coordinates activities where IU affiliated teams and coaches will be present. They coordinate these activities with the assistance from the alumni chapters staff, IU Varsity Club staff, or other representatives from regional campuses or IUPUI. Examples of events falling under the direction of the Sports Committee include: Big Red Warm-Ups, Coaches Tour Reception, Basketball Tip-Off events, Homecoming activity, IU Golf Outing, etc.

Community Service

Most alumni chapters sponsor community service activities throughout the year. This committee plans and oversees all chapter sponsored community service and volunteer activities that alumni attend and participate in. Examples of chapter sponsored community service activities include: Habitat for Humanity Home, United Way Day of Caring Team, Salvation Army Bell Ringers, Phone Team at Public TV Annual Drive, Food Drives, Blood Drives, 5K Run/Walk Teams, etc.

Scholarships & Awards

Many alumni chapters sponsor annual scholarship programs for local students attending an IU campus. Also, some chapters recognize local alumni for outstanding contributions to their chapter or IU. This committee oversees the scholarship application process, reviews scholarship candidates, notifies recipients, and usually presents the awards.

Membership

Alumni chapters play an important role in promoting membership in the IU Alumni Association. Remember the chapter’s annual dues allocation is based upon the number of IUAA members in the chapter area. IU Alumni Association members are automatically members of their local alumni chapter. The more IUAA members the chapter has, the more funds the chapter receives from IUAA. Additional funds can lead to even more events and activities for the chapter each year. The Membership committee not only promotes and sells membership at all chapter events, but also ensures that membership is a top priority for the chapter and its volunteers throughout the year. Examples of chapter sponsored membership activities include: promoting IUAA membership at all chapter events and communications (postal and electronic mailings); making sure all chapter volunteers and board members are current members of IUAA; regularly contacting non-members in a chapter area and asking them to renew their membership, etc.

Student Recruitment

Whether assisting with a local IU Preview Night, hosting a chapter sponsored Student Send-Off, or simply referring outstanding students, virtually every chapter does something to recruit prospective students to an Indiana University campus. The Student Recruitment committee coordinates events and activities which focus on activities involving current or prospective IU students. Examples of chapter sponsored student events include: Send-Off Parties, IU Previews, College Fairs, etc.

Communications

Good communication with chapter members is essential to the overall success of any chapter. Many chapters appoint or assign an individual or committee to coordinate all chapter communications. Often the chair of the Communications committee is the chapter’s Secretary. This group or individual, with the assistance of staff at the IUAA, coordinates all chapter blast e-mails, the chapter’s website, and all event mailings.

Cultural

Most alumni chapters host a variety of cultural activities each year. These activities primarily highlight music, art, or the theatre. This committee seeks out opportunities in the local chapter area or from Indiana University’s rich tradition of music and other performing arts. Examples of chapter sponsored cultural activities include: group outing to a local theatre or concert; promoting and attending performances or gallery showings by area alumni; or hosting one of IU’s outstanding music ensembles for a chapter event and concert. Some of these groups include the world famous Singing Hoosiers, Ladies First and Straight No Chaser (a capella groups), the African American Choral Ensemble, Soul Revue, or Broadway Cabaret.

Social

Nearly every alumni chapter has a strong foundation of social activities for their members every year. After all, IU alumni are friendly and they like to have fun! The Social committee provides a variety of events and activities so alumni can get together for fun and networking. Examples of chapter social events include: wine tasting and reception, Hoosier Happy Hour, dinner featuring an IU group or speaker, TV game watches, monthly dinner groups, or other group activities, etc.

Continuing Education

Life long learning is important to a lot of IU alumni, and consequently, chapters try to provide educational opportunities for their members each year. The Continuing Education committee seeks out and organizes educational activities either hosted solely by the chapter or in cooperation with another group or the university. Examples of continuing education events include, luncheon program featuring IU faculty member, IU Author Series (featuring IU faculty or alumni authors), luncheon program featuring IU faculty co-hosted with local service club like Kiwanis or Rotary, event featuring famous IU alumni, educational event co-hosted with other local Big Ten alumni chapters, etc.

Indiana Day

Every alumni chapter hosts an annual Indiana Day event. In most cases, this activity is the chapter’s big signature for the year. Most Indiana Days feature a program consisting of an IU speaker or group from one of the campuses. Again, this event is typically the chapter’s largest get-together every year, and many chapters have a committee to specifically coordinate this program. Examples of Indiana Day events include: chapter dinner, reception, or event featuring IU President, IUAA President, coach, IU singing ensemble, or other distinguished or exciting speaker or act, etc.

Young Alumni

Some chapters specifically designate a Young Alumni chair or committee to address the needs or interests of young alumni in a chapter area. For most chapters, young alumni means anyone 35 and under. Again, this committee plans events that may especially appeal to a younger crowd. Examples of young alumni chapter events include, Hoosier Summer Blast – Kickback to Kirkwood theme party, group outing to major league or minor league sporting event, pub crawl, group travel/trip to Las Vegas, welcome new alumni event to major city, other group activities, etc.