2024 Summit for Alumni Professionals

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Schedule Outline

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Sessions

Fostering Connected Communities in a Digital Age
Danielle Lamothe, President & CEO, CCAE

In a world of shrinking budgets and constantly shifting priorities, tools that allow us to work smarter, not harder are welcome. The current pace of technological change is unprecedented and provides an endless buffet of options promising to increase productivity, save time, reduce expenses, and improve results. We can use efficiency tools to book and schedule meetings, ping our business cards from our phones, automate repetitive tasks, and apply sophisticated segmentation strategies to our marketing plans allowing for more personalised and relevant contact with our constituents. We can use generative AI tools to create content and then employ generative AI detectors to improve the result. We can connect communities through closed online groups or on popular social media platforms. The ways technology can simplify or enhance our processes are myriad and the impact that can have on the communities we serve is profound. But technology is only as effective as the strategies, and strategists, behind the tools.

Whether you are a keen early adopter or have a more cautious approach to technology, this facilitated session will allow you to both share your own approaches and learn from the wisdom of the group. You’ll have an opportunity to reflect on how your own practices have changed and learn how others are exploring and implementing new technologies into their work.

Learning Objectives

• What innovative ways have you used technology to facilitate your work?
• How have you successfully engaged community in a digital age?
• What do you wish technology could enable but hasn’t yet solved?

Engaging International Alumni: “May we live in interesting times…”
Mark Rittinger, Executive Director, Advancement, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto
Jenny Weatherholtz, Director, Development, Annual, Leadership and Planned Giving, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, University of Toronto

It sounds cliche – but the world is changing faster now than ever before.  Fun fact: I was one day returned from visiting our alumni in Hong Kong and Singapore when I agreed to speak to this topic.  Maybe it was the jetlag… but it never occurred to me that the topic of ‘International Alumni’ would become such a flashpoint for universities today, and here we are.

One thing is certain – nobody has all the answers.  The pandemic changed our collective approach completely, and yet, post-pandemic the world has opened up again, but nothing is the same.  And, with the reach of Canadian universities expanding annually and alumni of all ages spread far and wide, engaging with your institution’s international alumni – either as volunteers or donors – has never been more challenging (or, frankly… more interesting!). 

In this session, we’ll take a look at some of the current geopolitical realities facing universities today.  We will identify some difficult questions to ask yourself, and your institutional leadership, before embarking on a campaign to engage or solicit your international cohorts.  And, through sharing stories from the road together, we’ll identify some best practices and perhaps learn about some unique ideas, that go easy on the budget but hard on engagement – in a world that is changing faster than we can keep up.

Alumni Engagement in a Multi-Campus Model
Hilary Prouse (She/Her), Alumni Officer, Algoma University
Ricky Saili (He/Him), Alumni Officer, Algoma University
Ashley Valela (She/Her), Manager of Alumni and Strategic Initiatives, Algoma University

In this session we will share with you how we have diversified our engagement strategies to reach alumni where they are, based on their geographic location and program of study, within a multi-campus model. Join us in a brainstorming session where you can share ideas on how you too are reaching out to your alumni community in new ways! Share your innovative approaches and strategies for engaging with different groups, and let’s collectively explore new and effective ways to connect with our diverse alumni communities. Your insights and experiences are valuable, and together, we can enrich our engagement practices across a broad spectrum of audiences.

Learning Objectives

• Defining distinctions in Alumni Programming between Northern and Southern Ontario
• Adapting outreach and engagement strategies according to program offerings within specific campus communities
• Utilizing traditional and digital media to effectively engage Alumni at a national level

Designing Innovative Programs for Alumni Involvement: Moving Past the Ordinary
Kate Crokam, Director of Alumni Engagement, Havergal College
Lexi Ensor, ’13, President, Havergal Old Girls Association

Join us for a journey into unconventional methods and innovative approaches that challenge the status quo. Discover actionable insights to reimagine alumni engagement, contributing to the evolution of volunteer roles and the creation of dynamic, purpose-driven programs.

Learning Objectives

• Redefining Alumni Volunteer Roles: Explore innovative methods to revitalize and redefine alumni volunteer roles. Encourage diverse contributions for a deeper connection and increased engagement.
• Leveraging Advisory Councils for Alumni Engagement Strategy: Learn to establish and utilize alumni advisory councils for strategic insights into alumni engagement. Tap into experienced alumni leaders for guidance.
• Designing Creative Programs for Alumni Volunteerism: Develop inventive programs to inspire and amplify alumni volunteerism. Cater initiatives to diverse interests, ensuring sustained involvement for a vibrant alumni community.

Safe Space Session: ​Keeping Alumni and Donors onside in a world of chaos and uncertainty
Derek Cassoff, Managing Director, Communications, McGill University and special guests

In today’s frenzied world, fueled by TikTok feeds, misinformation and 24-hour news cycles, there are countless issues that have the potential to reshape the relationship between alumni and their alma maters.

Join us for this provocative conversation, full of real-world examples, that will examine the challenges facing advancement teams as they seek to protect their University’s reputations and maintain goodwill with alumni and donors in an increasingly polarized world, where even the most seemingly innocuous events can take the best-laid alumni plans and strategies off course.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to stay tuned to events that risk raising concerns among alumni and donors
• Pick up tips on working in close partnership with Communications teams and senior leadership to mitigate risks
• Discover how to leverage potential crises by turning them into moments of opportunity

This session will take some time to pause, share and reflect on the role alumni relations professionals play in a sensitive age of information. It will not be recorded, shared or available to anyone who is not physically present.

CCAE is committed to creating a safe sharing space and will share topics of conversation, potential trigger warnings ahead of time.

Team Transformation: The Dream Team
Ophelia Yu, Associate Director, Alumni Relations, Simon Fraser University
Vivian Chang, Associate Director, Business Solutions, Alumni Relations, Simon Fraser University

Small and mighty – you’ve probably heard that description before, and chances are it’s probably something you’ve said about your own team. The Alumni Relations team at Simon Fraser University has gone through significant changes within the last three years. Since its establishment in 1965 to 2020, its Alumni Relations staff complement peaked at 4 FTE. As of 2023, they are 10 FTE-strong but still have a long way to go to be able serve their 195,000 (and growing) alumni base. In this session, two leaders from SFU Alumni Relations will share how the team has transformed and evolved over the years since the pandemic, how every team member contributes to the mission and vision, how milestone changes to their governance structure have impacted their work, and how they are leading the way for better employee experiences too.

Learning Objectives:

• Recommendations on how to facilitate open conversations within teams about current and desired states, and how team members can realistically work together to define and achieve their goals.
• Define the unique strengths and value propositions of their units within their organizations.
• Identify key opportunities and challenges related to the team or organizational culture.

Revitalize & Thrive: Mastering Volunteer Engagement in Changing Times
Linda Flynn, AVP Development and Alumni Affairs, Durham College
Sally Hillis, Senior Alumni Development Officer, Durham College
Mary Weller, Alumni Development Officer, Durham College

Join us to talk about volunteer engagement and learn how we have shifted our volunteers to purpose based work that serves our institution’s strategic plan.  Discuss the unique challenges in our schools and brainstorm ways to revitalize and thrive through volunteer engagement.
Learning Objectives

• Strategic Alignment – Participants will gain the skills to align volunteer engagement with organizational goals, ensuring integration of volunteers into the broader mission. 
• Effective Board Dynamics – Attendees will learn strategies for optimizing board structures and dynamics, fostering collaboration, and implementing successful revisions that enhance overall effectiveness.
• Empowered Leadership – The workshop aims to empower leaders with the tools to inspire and lead volunteers effectively, creating a thriving environment that maximizes the impact of board members and volunteers.

The role of the Alumni Relations Advisor within the faculty and the transition to engagement at UdeM
Elodie Enfrin, Alumni Relations Advisor, Université de Montréal (UdeM)
Lindsay-Dora Germain, Section Head, Volunteer Engagement, Université de Montréal (UdeM)
Amira M’Rad, Alumni Relations Advisor, Université de Montréal (UdeM)

In this session, we will briefly describe our organizational structure and the major shift in our mandate as a result. We will focus on how we present ourselves to our collaborators, how we integrate philanthropy and faculty partners, and the tools we use to guide them and influence their decisions, especially in the context of a major fundraising campaign.

Learning Objectives

• Clarify the role of the Alumni Relations Advisor within the faculty.
• Apply best practices allowing the harmonization of the major fundraising campaign engagement goals with faculty goals.
• Adapt engagement strategies according to department and faculty capabilities and objectives

Adapt, Overcome, Advance: Navigating the New Normal of Advancement Leadership
Temi Akin-Aina (she/her), Associate Vice-President, Alumni Relations, Western University
Kristina Ramsay, Manager, Executive Engagement, Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa

In a world marked by social and political polarization, global upheaval, and hybrid work environments, the role of advancement professionals has never been more crucial. To succeed, we need more than resilience; we need strategic brilliance. Join me as we discuss real world examples and practical tactics to not only adapt but to overcome and advance as leaders in this changing landscape.

Learning Objectives:

• Strategic Thinking: Participants will explore key tools and resources for strategic thinking, with a focus on actionable insights.
• Building Resilience: Participants will discuss practical techniques for building and maintaining resilience individually and within their teams.
• Informed Decision-Making: Participants will gain understanding into leveraging data, insights, and collaboration to make informed, strategic decisions.

Stay with your colleagues

Get the most out of the Summit by reserving your accommodations alongside your colleagues. CCAE has secured a limited number of rooms for attendees at the Hotel Le Cantlie Suites, 1110 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal Quebéc, H3A 1G8. The CCAE block rate is $160/night plus applicable taxes. The deadline is February 19, 2024.

Individual reservation requests may be made via phone or e-mail. Please reference CCAE Alumni Summit:

• Phone: 514-844-3951 ext. 2808 or 2802 or 2800
• Email: ventesadjoint@hotelcantlie.com or ventescoord@hotelcantlie.com