A Cowboy, a Longhorn and a Razorback walk into a room…
Have you ever wondered if it was possible for that scenario to exist? Sounds crazy, but to those in my profession, it’s a necessity. No really, the Alumni Relations profession is not for the weak at heart. It takes passion. It takes a constant hunger to learn. It takes embracing change in every aspect of what’s familiar on a daily, or hourly basis. No, we don’t save lives. No, we don’t make a lot of money as a rule. But, YES, we have passion and we have some crazy skills. We share them and hone them with the help of those who are normally viewed as our “rivals.”
Did you know the average membership and marketing professional in the Alumni industry is typically responsible for annual revenue generation, branding and marketing, data analysis, sales, public relations, writing, social media, driving engagement, member cultivation, sponsorship brokerage, major contract negotiations, print coordination, web design and management, student relations, campus relations, donor relations, social media marketing, advertising, partnership negotiation, email marketing, creative services and on and on? We do. And we are not alone. In the realm of colleges and universities competition is what most would expect. Not in our field. Alumni Relations professionals strive to collaborate; yearn to improve and invite colleagues to “copy and steal everything.” The goal: to provide the best experience to our alumni and friends possible with the least amount of funding while creating greatest positive impact. We do it all, for YOU!
Every summer (with exception to one due to the data bit I mentioned above) since 2003 when I began working at the Arkansas Alumni Association, I’ve had the pleasure of attending the best conference for my profession, CAMMP. What is CAMMP? Founded in 1997, the Council of Alumni Marketing and Membership Professionals, was founded to promote common business interests of higher-education alumni associations, improve the business conditions for higher-education alumni associations, and most importantly, to provide higher-education alumni associations with various policies, programs, technology and networking necessary to promote alumni administration, membership, marketing, programs and professional development. In other words, benchmarking on steroids with a network of people who care deeply about the alumni and friends at their beloved schools. It’s not just about the conference every summer, but more about a permanent network available to provide ideas, reassurance, and guidance for any and every aspect of alumni relations practices – with no competition or judgment.
As I write this I sit next to a UC Berkeley Bear, an Oklahoma Sooner, an East Carolina Pirate, an Ole Miss Rebel, a UCA Bear, a USC Trojan, a Tarheel, a Hoosier, a Jayhawk…you get the picture. Oh, what a glorious picture it is! Our profession requires passion, problem-solving, big picture philosophy and the ability to take a risk.
If you think your Arkansas Alumni Association is doing a great job, and enjoy your membership, much of that success has to do with the knowledge and relationships gained from CAMMP. If you are on the other side of the fence, and think we can improve in any or all areas of membership and marketing, let us know. We have support networks across the country made up of seasoned veterans in the alumni world and newcomer renegades that open our minds regularly.
With PRIDE in Arkansas, and a promise to #neveryield, it’s our pleasure to connect and serve our YOU of A family.
We’re here for YOU!
Carolyn Baltz ’03
Associate Director, Alumni Services
479.575.2801
