Advancing with Alumni, Archivists and Atwell

Article submitted by Sandy Goddard | NSW/ACT Committee Member | Director of Community Development, Canberra Grammar School

The Alumni SIG was hosted by St Andrew’s College at the University of Sydney early in June. Attending were 22 members whose responsibilities ranged from Directors of Community Development, Alumni and Community Relations Manager’s to those in Communication and Marketing roles and Archivists. It was a great professional development opportunity combined with positive networking.

A ‘meet and greet’ game to match the right person with their name badge encouraged the conversations amongst the group. Following the ‘ice breaker’, groups were formed to discuss a range of topics: Alumni events, Mentoring, Software and database and communications and publications. Networking platforms were also a point of discussion.  Of course, Budgets were not missed and ranged considerably!

So much to discuss and with limited time, people were able to share their experiences and suggest ideas which provided great ‘take aways.’  The encouragement to reach out on LinkedIn and arrange coffee meetings was suggested, and the role and support of Educate Plus as a network was recognised and appreciated.

Drinks and Canapés followed sponsored by Educate Plus. Thanks go to the leader Hannah Atwell (Director of Advancement, St Andrew’s College) and Clare Slattery (Head of Community Relations, Newcastle Grammar School)