Strengthening alumni volunteer relations at colleges and universities

Abstract

Volunteer relations programmes are critical at universities and colleges. Alumni volunteers can serve as important ambassadors and roaring advocates for their alma maters. Most agree that there was a retraction in advancement engagement and giving programmes during and immediately after The Great Recession. It is suggested that this was a mistake that should not be repeated. This paper gives emphasis to the concept of broadening and strengthening volunteer-engagement efforts and the importance of building a mutually beneficial programme for alumni and the institution during the current coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. The paper addresses the origins of volunteer relations and its theoretical underpinnings, and the connection with fundraising, and lays out a roadmap, or guide, for the practitioner.