And, here we are in November, and there is still so much to do. It’s necessary to stay connected over the holidays to update our schedule with pre-departure logistics, donor meetings and our main event. We’ve focused on building relationships and managing expectations of our key volunteers and VIPs! ile billboards. DR GRETCHEN DOBSON PRESIDENT GLOBAL ALUMNI RELATIONS MD AUSTRALIA, ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY, INC. WWW.ACADEMICASSEMBLY.COM October 2018 September 2018 Travel! Staff “Pre-Campaign HK Committee” meeting occurs in September beforeinternationalrecruitingseason.Invitecommunications/ marketing staff to this meeting. Agenda items: . . Confirming participation of leadership. . . October site-visit and planning trip schedules with these objectives: . . An admissions/alumni relations co-hosted prospective studenteventwithHongKongcommunity.Note:WeSkyped in a young alumna speaker from her campus to share her Macquarie experience. She was terrific! . . A coffee for parents and family members to cultivate their interest and participation in ongoing regional events, strengthening Macquarie’s presence in Asia and helping augment the guest list for January. . . Review entire contact list produced by Advancement research paying specific attention to assignments. . . Schedule of promotional marketing, preview draft invitation copy and confirm “Celebrating Macquarie in Asia” web page content. Volunteers IAM organises skype call with key leaders to review and confirm October schedule and invite volunteers to share alumni/family profiles for web. VIPs Principal sends letter to Board of Governors highlighting the January trip and how it fits into the larger objectives of the forthcoming global campaign. Specifically, leadership asks Governors: . . Toattendeventsiftravelinginregionforbusiness/leisure . . Share contacts from their networks who may be interested in learningabouttheSchool’spresenceinAsia.Thesecontactswillbe invitedtotheeventunderseparateletter. Staff IAM and International Student Recruitment officer travel to Hong Kong for site visit and related meetings. . . “Celebrating Macquarie in Asia” web site updated with trip photos from events and January venue. Meeting notes updated and shared at November meeting. . . Tasteful gifts for volunteers/donors. We gave luggage tags but other ideas include: business card holders, boxed chocolates wrapped in school colours. Volunteers Hong Kong and other Asian-based alumni and parents encouragedtohostDecemberholidaysocialstobuildmomentum and promote January reception. Staffsentthankyounotestohostcommitteemembersandasked that they co-write a thank you for the general volunteers from Hong Kong and to all who attended the admissions information social and general planning meetings. (Note: This was another tip I picked up: training the trainers to be figureheads for the institution in their region!) VIPs IAMworkscloselywithVPofAdvancementandExternalRelations to steward the VIPs’ interest and additional Asian contacts. Resources 1 5 1 5