{"id":1701,"date":"2025-08-05T11:52:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T01:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/?post_type=article&#038;p=1701"},"modified":"2025-08-05T11:52:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T01:52:51","slug":"engaging-and-securing-support-from-international-alumni-and-parents","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/article\/engaging-and-securing-support-from-international-alumni-and-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"Engaging and Securing Support from International Alumni and Parents\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Engaging international Alumni and parents is a key strategy for expanding a school\u2019s global community, enhancing its reputation, and increasing philanthropic support. Successful institutions build long-term, culturally sensitive relationships through consistent communication, personalized outreach, and meaningful engagement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I was curious to learn more about best practice and research some examples which would be able to demonstrate how to implement and who to learn from.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although every institution has its own history, resources and capabilities, there are <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">lessons learnt<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> which can be applied across many organisations:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1.Build and Cultivate Local Relationships<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Research and segment your database and learn about your overseas constituents.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Appoint regional ambassadors and establish international alumni\/parent chapters.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Host in-person events abroad and leverage school leadership visits for donor cultivation. Host virtual events for years when no in-person presence is planned.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Tailor communications by region, language, and interest to foster stronger connections.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">University of Melbourne<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> operates active alumni networks in Singapore, China, and North America. Events like <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Melbourne Global Alumni Celebration Week<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> bring international communities together with senior university representatives.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Redlands <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has established multiple overseas chapters to grow international alumni engagement; staff and leadership travelling overseas plan various touchpoints to deepen these relationships.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wesley College <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">holds alumni reunions in Hong Kong and London, often coinciding with staff visits for Admissions Expo, to sustain a global community.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2.Offer Flexible and Purposeful Ways to Engage and Give<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Provide diverse opportunities for involvement beyond donations (e.g. mentoring, speaking, networking).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Promote giving options aligned with international donors&#8217; interests, such as scholarships or global impact initiatives.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Emphasise transparency and clearly demonstrate the impact of support.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The University of Sydney<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> offers a global mentoring program connecting students with alumni abroad for career advice and internships.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brisbane Grammar School<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> promotes scholarships that support students from regional or overseas backgrounds, appealing to international alumni with an interest in broadening access to education.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3.Focus on Long-Term, Personalised Stewardship<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maintain ongoing engagement through newsletters, virtual events, holiday messages, and student updates.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recognise contributions publicly to strengthen loyalty and inspire others.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use CRM systems to manage segmented outreach and track relationship development over time.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UNSW Sydney<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> maintains a personalised engagement calendar for high-potential overseas donors and uses regionally tailored content in communications.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Scotch College Adelaide<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> recognises major donors through digital and print honour rolls and maintains contact with overseas families via regular school updates and alumni magazines.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Conclusion<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Australian schools and universities that succeed in international engagement invest in long-term, authentic relationships. A culturally sensitive approach that empowers international alumni and parents as community builders leads to stronger global ties, a deeper sense of belonging and willingness to be part of a donor community.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Educate Plus NSW Chapter Summit\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Would you like to learn more and hear first-hand from experienced practitioners such as\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/david-mason-jones-3231b05\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">David Mason-Jones, Executive Director of the Shore Foundation<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mary-cook-1041705\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mary Cook, Director\u202fof\u202fAdvancement\u202f&amp;\u202fCommunity at KRB? <\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Please join us at the NSW Make Tomorrow Chapter Summit on October 23-24. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.educateplus.edu.au\/epevent\/nsw-act-chapter-summit-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Register here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Engaging international Alumni and parents is a key strategy for expanding a school\u2019s global community, enhancing its reputation, and increasing philanthropic support. Successful institutions build long-term, culturally sensitive relationships through consistent communication, personalized outreach, and meaningful engagement.\u00a0 I was curious to learn more about best practice and research some examples which would be able to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1744,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-1701","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1701"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}