Alumni Association

Committee Overview

Committee Chair

Carlie Donley, MA ’12

Committee Members

6-9 members (up to two can be current students)
Members of this committee will have a background in writing, marketing, or communications, either educationally or vocationally
A specific mix of skill sets – social media, writing/editing, marketing plans, analytics, video – will be sought

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Communications Committee is to advise and support marketing and communication efforts to engage alumni and students with one another and the university.

Committee Responsibilities

• Regularly assess alumni marketing and communication efforts
• Make recommendations for potential changes
• Make recommendations for best practices in addressing each of our constituencies
• Research potential communication tools
• Make recommendations on how to use current tools better (Facebook, LinkedIn, Email, etc.)
• Explore marketing potential to various constituents
• Proofread major communication pieces
• Serve as advisors during potential website redesign
• Assist with the development of surveys as needed
• Review alumni website (ave.csp.edu) content frequently
• Collaborate as needed with the Membership committee to develop a plan to promote the Alumni Council to other alumni and current students

Member Job Description

Qualifications

• Be an alum of Concordia University, College (prior to 1997) or Academy (prior to 1972) or a current student
• Demonstrate eagerness to support CSP and its students and alumni
• Express interest or have experience in one or more of the following areas: achievement (peer, performance, accomplishment, affiliate, associate) recognition, communications, mentorship, strategic planning, team leadership or volunteer management
• Have willingness to connect CSP, the Alumni Advisory Council or other groups within CSP to resources, opportunities and people in a mutually beneficial relationship
• Be available to attend committee meetings (in-person or virtually) and summer kick-off event (in-person), and provide meaningful insight and input at committee meetings and with other committee work and activities
• Desire to connect with CSP students and alumni to foster and strengthen personal relationships with one another and the University

Responsibilities

• Represent Concordia University, St. Paul in a positive and enthusiastic way, at meetings, events and in the community
• Serve on this committee each year to help selected committee complete its annual work plan
• Participate in the summer kick-off event, scheduled committee meetings, and in committee work outside of meetings
• Attend one university event or activity, and volunteer at one Alumni Association event or activity each year (in-person or virtually)
• Continually seek to improve the functioning of the Alumni Advisory Council to ensure it is supporting the mission and promise of Concordia University, St. Paul
• Support Concordia University, St. Paul financially on an annual basis (student members are encouraged but not required to uphold this responsibility)

Benefits

• Connection to CSP and community of students and alumni
• Skill development in areas of leadership, managing collaboration, marketing, public relations and strategic planning
• Opportunities to network on behalf of a nationally ranked liberal arts institution of higher education
• Potential for Continuing Education opportunities
• Other benefits through association with the Alumni Advisory Council

Committee Overview

Committee Chair

Ryan Kelzenberg, B.A. ‘09, M.A. ’14

Committee Members

6-9 members 

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Developing Connections Committee is to explore new and varied ways to engage our alumni constituents and to evaluate current Alumni Relations activities.

Committee Responsibilities

The purpose of the Developing Connections Committee is to explore new and varied ways to engage our alumni constituents and to evaluate current Alumni Relations activities.

Member Job Description

Qualifications

• Be an alum of Concordia University, College (prior to 1997) or Academy (prior to 1972) or a current student
• Demonstrate eagerness to support CSP and its students and alumni
• Express interest or have experience in one or more of the following areas: achievement (peer, performance, accomplishment, affiliate, associate) recognition, communications, mentorship, strategic planning, team leadership or volunteer management
• Have willingness to connect CSP, the Alumni Advisory Council or other groups within CSP to resources, opportunities and people in a mutually beneficial relationship
• Be available to attend committee meetings (in-person or virtually) and summer kick-off event (in-person), and provide meaningful insight and input at committee meetings and with other committee work and activities
• Desire to connect with CSP students and alumni to foster and strengthen personal relationships with one another and the University

Responsibilities

• Represent Concordia University, St. Paul in a positive and enthusiastic way, at meetings, events and in the community
• Serve on this committee each year to help selected committee complete its annual work plan
• Participate in the summer kick-off event, scheduled committee meetings, and in committee work outside of meetings
• Attend one university event or activity, and volunteer at one Alumni Association event or activity each year (in-person or virtually)
• Continually seek to improve the functioning of the Alumni Advisory Council to ensure it is supporting the mission and promise of Concordia University, St. Paul
• Support Concordia University, St. Paul financially on an annual basis (student members are encouraged but not required to uphold this responsibility)

Benefits

• Connection to CSP and community of students and alumni
• Skill development in areas of leadership, managing collaboration, marketing, public relations and strategic planning
• Opportunities to network on behalf of a nationally ranked liberal arts institution of higher education 
• Potential for Continuing Education opportunities 
• Other benefits through association with the Alumni Advisory Council

Committee Overview

Committee Chair

Jeri Bates, BA ‘91

Committee Members

4-6 members

At least 1 current student

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Membership Committee is to recruit, train, and maintain members in the Alumni Advisory Council.

Committee Responsibilities

• Create current year recruiting plan, additional project work and candidate overview, selection and retention
• Review Council application annually
• Work with Alumni staff to gain referrals from faculty and staff, students and alumni
• Recruit new members
• Maintain and process member applications
  • Present vetted candidates to committee chairs for review and approval
  • Approved candidates move to President for final review and approval
  • Inform applicants of approval and welcome them to the Alumni Advisory Council
  • They will also invite new members to the summer kick-off orientation
• Retain current members
• Spend 20-25 hours/year doing committee work, including meetings
  • Spend 4-6 hours in total contacting applicants for phone interviews
  • Spend 2-3 hours with students for student recruitment

Member Job Description

Qualifications

• Be an alum of Concordia University, College (prior to 1997) or Academy (prior to 1972) or a current student
• Demonstrate eagerness to support CSP and its students and alumni
• Express interest or have experience in one or more of the following areas: achievement (peer, performance, accomplishment, affiliate, associate) recognition, communications, mentorship, strategic planning, team leadership or volunteer management
• Have willingness to connect CSP, the Alumni Advisory Council or other groups within CSP to resources, opportunities and people in a mutually beneficial relationship
• Be available to attend committee meetings (in-person or virtually) and summer kick-off event (in-person), and provide meaningful insight and input at committee meetings and with other committee work and activities
• Desire to connect with CSP students and alumni to foster and strengthen personal relationships with one another and the University

Responsibilities

• Represent Concordia University, St. Paul in a positive and enthusiastic way, at meetings, events and in the community
• Serve on this committee each year to help selected committee complete its annual work plan
• Participate in the summer kick-off event, scheduled committee meetings, and in committee work outside of meetings
• Attend one university event or activity, and volunteer at one Alumni Association event or activity each year (in-person or virtually)
• Continually seek to improve the functioning of the Alumni Advisory Council to ensure it is supporting the mission and promise of Concordia University, St. Paul
• Support Concordia University, St. Paul financially on an annual basis (student members are encouraged but not required to uphold this responsibility)

Benefits

• Connection to CSP and community of students and alumni
• Skill development in areas of leadership, managing collaboration, marketing, public relations and strategic planning
• Opportunities to network on behalf of a nationally ranked liberal arts institution of higher education
• Potential for Continuing Education opportunities
• Other benefits through association with the Alumni Advisory Council

Committee Overview

Committee Chair

John Wood, M.B.A. ’21

Committee Members

8-12 members
Maximum of 3 current student members

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Philanthropy Committee is to advance Concordia St. Paul’s fundraising and donor relations efforts.

Committee Responsibilities

• Research, discuss and provide feedback on topics related to individual and mass fundraising, student and alumni philanthropic engagement, and donor relations
• Help to answer questions regarding the acquisition, stewardship, and renewal of donors from CSP’s various constituencies, including alumni, employees, and friends
• Engage with CSP Day, Concordia’s annual day of giving, hosted in March each year
• Advise the Office of Advancement on efforts to create a culture of philanthropy among our student and alumni populations

Member Job Description

Qualifications

• Express interest or have experience in one or more of the following areas: university fundraising, non-profit fundraising, philanthropy, or sales
• Be an alum of Concordia University, College (prior to 1997) or Academy (prior to 1972) or a current graduate or undergraduate student
• Demonstrate eagerness to support CSP and its students and alumni
• Have willingness to connect CSP, the Alumni Advisory Council or other groups within CSP to resources, opportunities and people in a mutually beneficial relationship
• Be available to attend committee meetings (in-person or virtually) and summer kick-off event (in-person), and provide meaningful insight and input at committee meetings and with other committee work and activities
• Desire to connect with CSP students and alumni to foster and strengthen personal relationships with one another and the University

Responsibilities

• Represent Concordia University, St. Paul in a positive and enthusiastic way, at meetings, events and in the community
• Serve on a committee each year and actively help fulfill the purpose of appointed committee’s plan
• Actively participate in the summer kick-off event and scheduled committee meetings
• Committees meet up to four times annually
• Total time commitment per year is approximately 15-20 hours
• Attend one university event or activity and volunteer at one Alumni Association event or activity each year (in-person or virtually)
• Continually seek to improve the functioning of the Alumni Advisory Council to ensure it is supporting the mission and promise of Concordia University, St. Paul
• Support Concordia University, St. Paul financially with a gift of $50 or more to the Opportunity Fund on an annual basis (student members are encouraged but not required to uphold this responsibility). Ways to give include:
• Making a gift through an appeal sent in the mail, or online at one.csp.edu/give
• Becoming a Responsive Partner by joining our community of supporters who give a regularly scheduled recurring gift –monthly, quarterly or annually – whatever works best for you
• Inquiring if your or your spouse’s company offers a matching gift program, which can double the impact of your gifts to CSP

Benefits

• Connection to CSP and community of students and alumni
• Skill development in areas of leadership, managing collaboration, marketing, public relations and strategic planning
• Opportunities to network on behalf of a nationally ranked liberal arts institution of higher education 
• Potential for Continuing Education opportunities 
• Other benefits through association with the Alumni Advisory Council

Committee Overview

Chair

Beth Beik, B.A. ’13

Committee Members

6-12 members

3-6 students

3-6 recent alumni

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Student and Alumni Connections Committee is to foster and strengthen relationships between current students and the Alumni Association.

Committee Responsibilities

• Help to answer the questions regarding the engagement of the Alumni Association with students
  • How we engage
  • When we engage
  • Who we engage
  • Where we engage
• Used as a sounding board for a variety of campus departments

Member Job Description

Qualifications

• Be an alum of Concordia University, College (prior to 1997) or Academy (prior to 1972) or a current student
• Demonstrate eagerness to support CSP and its students and alumni
• Express interest or have experience in one or more of the following areas: achievement (peer, performance, accomplishment, affiliate, associate) recognition, communications, mentorship, strategic planning, team leadership or volunteer management
• Have willingness to connect CSP, the Alumni Advisory Council or other groups within CSP to resources, opportunities and people in a mutually beneficial relationship
• Be available to attend committee meetings (in-person or virtually) and summer kick-off event (in-person), and provide meaningful insight and input at committee meetings and with other committee work and activities
• Desire to connect with CSP students and alumni to foster and strengthen personal relationships with one another and the University

Responsibilities

• Represent Concordia University, St. Paul in a positive and enthusiastic way, at meetings, events and in the community
• Serve on this committee each year to help selected committee complete its annual work plan
• Participate in the summer kick-off event, scheduled committee meetings, and in committee work outside of meetings
• Attend one university event or activity, and volunteer at one Alumni Association event or activity each year (in-person or virtually)
• Continually seek to improve the functioning of the Alumni Advisory Council to ensure it is supporting the mission and promise of Concordia University, St. Paul
• Support Concordia University, St. Paul financially on an annual basis (student members are encouraged but not required to uphold this responsibility)

Benefits

• Connection to CSP and community of students and alumni
• Skill development in areas of leadership, managing collaboration, marketing, public relations and strategic planning
• Opportunities to network on behalf of a nationally ranked liberal arts institution of higher education
• Potential for Continuing Education opportunities
• Other benefits through association with the Alumni Advisory Council

Committee Overview

Staff Liaison 

Rhonda (Behm) Palmersheim, BA ’88 

Committee Members

Chairs of the Alumni Advisory Council committees

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Executive Committee is to oversee the functionality of the Alumni Advisory Council.

Committee Charge

• Meet quarterly
• Receive updates from each member on their committee’s work at each meeting
• Keep communication lines open between committees
• Discuss the processes for committee overlap when needed
• Discuss membership needs of each committee
• Approve new committee members
• Conduct yearly review of committees
• Approve temporary appointments to the council when requested
• Notes from these meetings will be distributed to members of the Alumni Advisory Council upon request