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An inclusive alumni association: A case study of governance transformation
Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing,
10
(1),
19-32
(2025)
Abstract
The governance model of the Simon Fraser University’s Alumni Association (SFUAA) remained largely unchanged since its establishment in 1969. Until 15th February, 2023, when members of the SFUAA voted to approve the voluntary dissolution of the legally separate society that provided the structure of the Alumni Association. This decision initiated a legal process to dissolve the SFUAA as a registered society under the British Columbia Societies Act. Consequently, the SFUAA and its Board of Directors transitioned from a legally separate organisation into an unincorporated association consisting of all Simon Fraser University (SFU) Alumni, represented by a self-appointed Alumni Council. This decision was made following extensive consultation and collaboration between the SFUAA Board of Directors and the University administration. This paper presents a documented case study examining the challenges encountered by the SFUAA as a legally separate entity, as well as the transformative implications of its change to an unincorporated association represented by an appointed council. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: alumni association; governance; alumni council; engagement; University Act; society; board
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Nicole Dorssers , MBA, MPEd, is the Executive Director of Strategic Engagement at Simon Fraser University, overseeing both the Alumni Relations and Ceremonies and Events portfolios. Nicole has over 18 years of experience in alumni engagement, advancement and governance within the university and not-for-profit sectors. Nicole is committed to fostering community engagement, driving transformational change and advancing strategic initiatives. Nicole’s expertise in cultivating robust, collaborative relationships within the university and the broader community has been pivotal in enhancing organisational impact, strengthening community connections and growing philanthropic investment.
Erin Morantz is the Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Simon Fraser University. Erin is an SFU alumnus and was previously the Director of Advancement at the Faculty of Applied Sciences. She has had a life-long desire to give back to the community and has spent her entire 26-year career raising funds for nonprofit organisations. As the Vice-President of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Erin is responsible for proactively engaging with university champions, patrons and alumni to build support for SFU’s mission, vision and key priorities. Prior to rejoining SFU, Erin served as the Vice-President of Leadership Giving at the Canadian Cancer Society, where she led a nationwide team of major gift and communications staff. Erin resides in North Vancouver with her husband, two sons and Nova Scotia duck toller. She enjoys hiking, trail running and watching her kids play sports.
Ophelia Yu started her career in postsecondary non-profits at the Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia. She contributed to the faculty’s mission and reputation for excellence through the development and execution of its most notable events and establishing a new standard for donor engagement and stewardship. For these accomplishments, she was the recipient of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VIII Rising Star Award in Advancement in 2021. Ophelia then continued her journey as a donor relations professional with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, after which she found her new home with Simon Fraser University’s Alumni Relations Team as the Associate Director and now the Director of Alumni Relations. She is passionate about community engagement, creating meaningful opportunities to connect and lifelong learning.
