Saints Alumni Volunteer Program

Introduction

The St. Scholastica Alumni network is over 30,000 strong!  Saints alumni embody the Benedictine values and qualities that represent St. Scholastica, and we are pleased to provide our alumni with a wide range of opportunities to stay connected and benefit from being a Saint.

Alumni are the "living endowment" of any college. Without the passion, pride and care that alumni have for The College of St. Scholastica, and the skills, experiences and talents that volunteers bring, the campus would not continue to thrive for future generations of students. Caring, engaged alumni are vital to the strength and prominence of The College of St. Scholastica.

Volunteering is a great way to give back, or "pay it forward", and make a lasting impact.

Questions?

Do you have any questions about volunteering with The College of St. Scholastica? Are you interested in volunteering but aren't sure where to start or what to do? Do you currently volunteer on campus and want to let us know? Contact Lisa Roseth at lroseth@css.edu or 218-723-6016.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Affinity Groups 
• Legislative Advocates 
• Admissions Ambassadors 
• Events Support
• Alumni Volunteer Fundraiser
• Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Ambassador
• Student Support
• Social Media Ambassadors 
• Alumni-Student Mentor Program
• Academic School Advisory Board
• Leadership

Affinity Group Volunteers

Affinity Groups are alumni-led groups designed to connect individuals with a shared identity, whether that be through academic school/program, profession, geographic location, or personal interest. They offer opportunities to grow your network, build relationships with members of the Saints Nation, and stay connected to The College of St. Scholastica!

Overview and Description

Affinity Groups are a great way to connect with fellow alumni, and the benefits range from:

• Reconnecting with alumni around shared experiences, interests, and identities;
• Increasing opportunities to network and grow your professional connections;
• Fostering a sense of community within the CSS alumni population and helping alumni remain connected to the College;
• Supporting a culture of philanthropy; and
• Expanding Saints Pride!

Though affinity groups serve a specific population, all St. Scholastica alumni are invited to participate in any alumni affinity group or gatherings.

Starting an Affinity Group

The following steps are involved in starting an affinity group:

• Review existing affinity groups to ensure that the interest area is not already covered.
• Contact Lisa Roseth in the Office of Alumni Engagement at lroseth@css.edu or (218) 723-6016  to set up an initial conversation to discuss the proposed group.

General Policies Regarding Affinity Groups

• Groups must be approved by the Office of Alumni Engagement and will be supported according to these policies and guidelines.
• Groups must be largely volunteer-driven, although support from the Office of Alumni Engagement will be provided.
• Any alumni information provided to Affinity Group volunteers is the property of The College of St. Scholastica and may not be sold or used for any purpose other than official College business.
• For promotion, advertisement and communication of an event, the Office of Alumni Engagement must be notified of the details by the group at least six (6) weeks in advance.
• All written or electronic communications, including those on social media sites, should meet standards of professionalism and may be subject to approval by the Office of Alumni Engagement.
• The College of St. Scholastica, St. Scholastica Alumni Association and Office of Alumni Engagement recognize that alumni have a right to express their opinions in public communications. However, personal opinions should not give the impression that they represent or otherwise indicate official statements on behalf of the College, the Alumni Association, or the Office of Alumni Engagement.

Suggested volunteer opportunities

• Create and administer a designated social media page.
• Plan an event (we will assist in support such as invitations, collecting RSVPs, offering name tags and giveaways.)
• Brainstorm new, innovative ways to connect alumni with one another and with the College.

Training to be provided by a member of the Alumni Engagement Team.

Legislative Advocates

St. Scholastica Legislative Advocates are volunteers (alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends) who believe in the power of higher education, the educational experience and opportunities available at The College of St. Scholastica, and the importance of keeping college affordable. By serving as a Legislative Advocate, you can take your unique story and message to elected leaders regarding the need to make investment in higher education a top priority.

Suggested volunteer opportunities that meet current COVID-related social distancing standards include:

• Participating in the Advocates for Minnesota Student Aid network. Advocates for Minnesota Student Aid is organized by the Minnesota Private College Council, which represents 17 nonprofit colleges and universities, including The College of St. Scholastica. When you sign up for AMSA, you will:

• Receive periodic updates about what policymakers are doing or considering.
• Receive occasional requests to send emails to elected officials about the importance of keeping higher education affordable for low- and middle-income families through strong financial aid programs.

• Participating in our annual “Thank Your Legislator” letter-writing campaign.  In coordination with the Student Government Association and the Minnesota Private College Council, CSS organizes a yearly effort to contact Minnesota legislators to thank them for their support of the Minnesota State Grant Program and urge them to keep this program strong. Alumni participation in this effort would show legislators that their constituents prioritize the importance of college affordability.

Join other CSS alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends in supporting current and future students as a Legislative Advocate.

Training to be conducted by the Office of Foundation and Government Relations.

Admissions Ambassadors

Admissions Ambassadors not only help students make informed decisions about their college choices, they also plant seeds of inspiration through their shared stories and professional achievements. In particular, our ambassadors help with outreach at college fairs in their region, tabling at information nights with prospective students, attending events for admitted students with, answering questions for future Saints in their region and speaking to student groups about their college experience.

Suggested volunteer opportunities

• Attend Accepted Student Days, regional college fairs, and other admissions events as needed.
• Call prospective students.
• Write a note to a prospective student, sharing your CSS story in an authentic and meaningful way.
• Admission Event Panelist – Share college, career and professional experiences and advice with prospective students and their parents during Admissions Department sponsored events.
• Admission Video Spotlight Volunteer – Create a personal video testimonial, in collaboration with College Marketing staff, that can be shared with prospective students and their families.

Training to be conducted by a member of the Alumni Engagement team in conjunction with an Enrollment Management staff member.

Events Support

Event volunteers can help support St. Scholastica in varying ways and time commitments both on campus at St. Scholastica and regionally throughout Minnesota and the United States.

Suggested volunteer opportunities

• Host an event in your community; work directly with the alumni staff to plan an event and serve as a representative of the College.
• Event support; be a part of the action by volunteering with registration, welcoming of guests onsite at various alumni gatherings.
• Participate in our annual Student Etiquette Dinner.
• Organize community service opportunities for Saints in your community.
• Serve as a Reunion Class Representative.

• Reach out to fellow alumni encouraging them to attend Reunion
• Support the efforts of Class Gift Program Champions
• Verify contact information and provide changes to Alumni Engagement
• Solicit Nominations for the Alumni Awards
• Working with Alumni Engagement, organize a class gathering Saturday evening of Reunion Weekend

• Serve as a Reunion Class Gift Champion.

• Help identify classmates who may be inclined to make a meaningful gift during their Reunion year. This could include a multi-year pledge that is above and beyond an annual gift, and/or a planned gift through your estate.
• Lead by example with a leadership gift. It is always more impactful to invite others to join you in making a difference.
• Reach out to fellow alumni to encourage support of the Class Gift Program. Willing to send paper and electronic communication to your classmates under your signature, sending your own communication to classmates you know and/or making introductions for Advancement staff to have conversations, sharing on your own social platforms about our giving opportunities for the Class Gift Program.

• Participate in Homecoming Weekend festivities and event planning.

• Serve as a volunteer where you are needed the most.
• Coordinate a class gathering; encourage fellow alumni to attend.

Training to be conducted by a member of the Alumni Engagement Team and College Advancement Team.

Alumni Volunteer Fundraiser

Alumni Fundraising for St. Scholastica takes a  group of dedicated volunteers living across the globe and working to promote philanthropy at St. Scholastica. Volunteers contact a handful of current and past alumni donors through email, phone calls, social media, and more to encourage gifts to the college. Outreach is easy, personally fulfilling, and makes a big impact on the overall health of St. Scholastica.

Suggested volunteer opportunities

• Service as a Class Gift Champion.

• Help identify classmates who may be inclined to make a meaningful gift during their Reunion year. This could include a multi-year pledge that is above and beyond an annual gift, and/or a planned gift through your estate.
• Lead by example with a leadership gift. It is always more impactful to invite others to join you in making a difference.
• Reach out to fellow alumni to encourage support of the Class Gift Program. Willing to send paper and electronic communication to your classmates under your signature, sending your own communication to classmates you know and/or making introductions for Advancement staff to have conversations, sharing on your own social platforms about our giving opportunities for the Class Gift Program.

• Support the annual “Give to CSS Day”.

• Help spread the word about "Give to CSS Day" and encourage giving from your fellow classmates, friends and family. Champions will receive materials to aid in their efforts and tools to share messages via social media, email, phone calls, and more. Volunteers will be given VIP access to the giving event prior to "Give to CSS Day".
• Encourage giving by classmates, friends and family by setting up a challenge or match for "Give to CSS Day".  

• Example of a challenge:  If 20 alumni from the class of 1975 participate in "Give to CSS Day", you will make a gift of $200.
• Example of a match:  You will match every gift to the student food shelf up to $150.

• Share your story!  If you have made a gift to the College, of any amount, share your story.  Why do you give back to the College?  How did you benefit from scholarships or private support as a student?  Our fundraising team will work with you to draft this into a letter or email used to ask other alumni for gifts around key fundraising times like Give to the Max Day, the end of the year, Commencement, Founding Day and more.

Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Ambassador

Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) are an important part of The College of

St. Scholastica community, representing nearly 58 percent of the St. Scholastica alumni population. As a GOLD alumnus or alumna, there are numerous ways for you to stay engaged with the College and continue to make memories for the rest of your life!

Suggested volunteer opportunities

• Plan and organize alumni events and programs specifically for the newest members of the Alumni Association.
• Organize GOLD class gatherings at Homecoming.
• Serve as a social media ambassador specific to the GOLD alumni population.
• Any of the volunteer opportunities set forth in this document.
  

Training to be conducted by a member of the Alumni Engagement Team.

Student Support

Student Support volunteers commit to helping St. Scholastica students through programs and activities that bring alumni and students together for community, conversation and connection. Alumni mentors provide valuable insight and prepare students for a successful future by sharing their professional and personal experiences and expertise.

Suggested volunteer opportunities

• Serve as a mentor to a current St. Scholastica student.
• Participate as a classroom speaker/panelist and share your experiences both at St. Scholastica and post-graduation.
• Share professional successes, provide informal networking opportunities and further contribute to topics that compliment academic curriculum.
• Help us brainstorm new ways we can support and engage an alumni-student connection both on campus and with our extended campus populations.

Training to be conducted by a member of the Alumni Engagement Team.

Saints Ambassadors (Online Ambassadors)

Saints Ambassadors support St. Scholastica by promoting the College to their networks through social media, email, and word of mouth. These volunteers extend the reach of St. Scholastica and serve as advocates by sharing content and connecting their networks to St. Scholastica in a grassroots online manner. Each year, Ambassadors have an opportunity to extend their impact by promoting Give to CSS Day.

Suggested volunteer opportunities

• Share, share, share the Alumni Association’s content on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Our posts are only accessible to followers of our pages but you can help spread the message by sharing with your own social networks.
• Participate as an advocate for our annual online giving event Give to CSS Day. Volunteers will receive advocate training prior to the event and exclusive access to event details and activities prior to the public.

Guidelines as a Saints Ambassador

Policy

This policy provides guidance for ambassador use of social media, which should be broadly understood for purposes of this policy to include blogs, microblogs, electronic newsletters, online forums, social networking sites, and other sites and services that permit users to share information with others in a contemporaneous manner.

Procedures

• The following principles apply to the professional use of social media on behalf of The College of St. Scholastica Alumni as well as personal use of social media when referencing St. Scholastica Alumni.
• Advocates need to know and adhere to The College of St. Scholastica’s Code of Conduct, Employee Handbook, and other College policies when using social media on behalf of St. Scholastica Alumni.
• Advocates should be aware of the effect their actions may have on their images, as well as St. Scholastica Alumni’s image. The information that advocates post or publish may be public information for a long time.
• Advocates should be aware that St. Scholastica Alumni may observe content and information made available by advocates through social media.
• Advocates should use their best judgment in posting material that is neither inappropriate nor harmful to St. Scholastica Alumni, its advocates, or customers.
• Although not an exclusive list, some specific examples of prohibited social media conduct include posting commentary, content, or images that are defamatory, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous, or that can create a hostile environment.
• Advocates are not to publish, post or release any information that is considered confidential or not public. If there are questions about what is considered confidential, advocates should check with The St. Scholastica Alumni Engagement Office.
• Social media networks, blogs, and other types of online content sometimes generate press and media attention or legal questions. Advocates should refer these inquiries to authorized St. Scholastica Alumni Engagement Staff Members.
• If advocates find they encounter a situation while using social media that threatens to become antagonistic, advocates should disengage from the dialogue in a polite manner and seek the advice of a St. Scholastica Alumni Engagement Staff Member.
• Advocates should get appropriate permission before they refer to or post images of current or former advocates, members, vendors or suppliers. Additionally, advocates should get appropriate permission to use a third party's copyrights, copyrighted material, trademarks, service marks or other intellectual property.

Training to be conducted by the Alumni Engagement Volunteer Coordinator.

Alumni-Student Mentor Program

The Alumni-Student Mentor Program connects alumni with current students in a mutually-beneficial professional mentorship rooted in the Benedictine Values. The program strives to cultivate meaningful, purposeful relationships and enhance networks for both the student and alum.

In collaboration with program coordinators from the Stender School of Business and Technology and the Health Information and Informatics Management department, alumni are recruited and matched with students for a full academic year. Alumni mentors are expected to:

• Be engaged
• Be patient
• Be supportive
• Be authentic
• Maintain confidentiality

Academic School Advisory Boards

Serving on an Academic School Advisory Board provides alumni an opportunity to support academic programs by providing guidance, knowledge, skills, and feedback, typically as it pertains to a specific area of expertise. Additionally, advisory boards can be a critical link in partnering with board members and the administration in research and community collaborations.

Training to be conducted by a member of the Academic School.

Leadership

Alumni Association Board of Directors is a non-governing Board that provides support to the Alumni Engagement Team with engaging alumni with the College.  

• Assist Alumni Engagement staff in selecting scholarship recipients.
• Assist Alumni Engagement staff in selecting Alumni Award winners.
• Mentor for Affinity Groups

Training provided by the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement.