How to Start a Hollins Alumnae Chapter
The Hollins Alumnae Association is divided into alumnae chapters that include alumnae/i, parents of current students and alumnae, and friends of Hollins who live in a specific geographic area. The purpose of an alumnae chapter is to:
Connect alumnae to one another
- Foster friendships and networking opportunities
Create a stronger bond between alumnae and the university
- Support admission recruitment
- Create more internship opportunities for current students
- Support fundraising
Give Hollins a higher presence throughout the country
- Support admission recruitment
Your New Hollins Alumnae Chapter
The Alumnae Relations office will keep you updated on local alumnae and give other limited support. We suggest you create a steering committee using a list of local alumnae. In an effort to attract a wide age range of alumnae, have cochairs from different decades.
Alumnae Chapter Chair/Cochairs
The chair coordinates the alumnae activity at the local level. She serves as a liaison between the Alumnae Relations office and the local chapter of alumnae. Principal duties include:
- Establishing a yearly calendar of activities with the Alumnae Relations office
- Appointing and/or recruiting steering committee members as needed
- Convening and chairing committee meetings
- Assuring that information is communicated to Hollins and recorded for the chapter
Steering Committee
Members may be recruited to help the chapter with:
- Admission activities in your area
- Career advising opportunities
- Interaction with current students
- Writing articles for a chapter newsletter, or coordinating events and programming for the chapter
Sub-groups by interest
- Book discussion
- Children’s Day Out
- Volunteer in your community
- Gourmet cooking classes
- Garden clubs
- Dues (annual or request contributions when needed)
Set up a website and/or a chapter Facebook Page for ease of communication
- List chapter members on the website, so prospective members will be aware of who’s in the area and is participating.
- Use Evites to publicize events, so others can be aware of who will be attending. Or, the Alumnae Office can design, create, and send email invitations for you.
- RSVPs for events can go through the Alumnae Office.
- The Alumnae Office will generate name tags for events. (The Alumnae Office would like to know who is participating.)
event planning
It’s suggested that Alumnae Chapters initially plan two-three events per year. Event ideas:
Community Service
- Create teams to participate in local fundraising events: Race for the Cure, Walk for the Homeless, Walk, Ride or Roll for Juvenile Diabetes, etc., events which families can participate in together.
- Show the flag at events by wearing Team Hollins/Hollins Alumnae t-shirts to provide greater visibility for the university.
Support local admission initiatives
In conjunction with the admission office:
- Host a small party for prospects and their parents.
- Attend college fairs to represent Hollins, etc.
Social Events
Anything and everything, including:
- Cocktail party at an alumna’s home or in a local club
- J-Term party for students in the area doing internships
- Attend a local sporting event
- Sponsor a table at a charity event
- Museum visit
- Tinker Day Party
- Outings for mothers with small children and storytime (read books by Hollins children’s book authors such as Margaret Wise Brown ’32, author of Goodnight Moon)
- Picnic in a park
- Easter Egg Hunt
Fundraising
Events to support Hollins; from scholarship funding to prizes awarded by the university.