Alumni Alumni & Volunteer Engagement Program

We’ve officially launched this program and may be coming to a city near you!

The Alumni Office has embarked on a program driven by Westmont’s strategic plan to engage alumni across a wide spectrum. We’ve always had a good core of alums willing to serve on committees and councils, host events, pray for us and be involved in countless other ways. We’re now providing opportunities for those living in specific regions to serve in eight different ways that will help the college. As we roll out the program, we intend to visit a number of cities in the next few years to bring together our alumni and parents, President Beebe, our admissions team (where appropriate), and the alumni office. We hope you will get involved.

Eight Great Opportunities for Involvement

1. Serve on the Westmont Community Leadership Team In Your Area.

Nature of assignment:   Enhance the Westmont presence and affinity of local alums in your region.

• Meet with the leadership team at least three times a year.
• Determine the types and frequency of events in your area; minimum of two

• Assist the Alumni & Parent Office in at least 2-3 local events.

• Attend Westmont events and serve as a volunteer representative when college officials can't attend.

• Inform the Alumni and Parent Office of local alumni & parent needs.

• Support the work of the Admissions Office in your area.

• Leadership team membership includes:
  • One member from each volunteer opportunity.

  • One or two young alumni.

2. Help When The President Comes to Town.

Nature of assignment: Help plan or promote events when President Beebe or other administrators travel to your area and wish to meet with a group.

• Assist in finding or suggesting the venue.
• Promote the event.
• Attend the event and serve as a table host if required.
• Post the event on social media if warranted.
• Make phone calls to the guest list.
• Connect President Beebe or other administrators with your contacts.
• Requires two to 10 hours for each visit which occur every year or two. 

3. Host an Event in Your home or BUSINESS.

Nature of assignment: With the alumni office, gather alums for formal or informal events. Serve as the alumni host at events.

• College-assisted or sponsored event ideas:
  • Faculty talk or book tour and reception.
  • View an exhibit at our museum, with a Westmont professor as the guide.
  • Seats in a suite at a Major League Baseball game.
  • Topical workshops by alumni experts.
  • Attendance at a play preceded by dinner, & perhaps a faculty-led discussion.
  • Provide unique access to venues.
• Alumni-sponsored event ideas: Think smaller, more informal opportunities for alums to gather and connect together. 
  • Attend Westmont sports events, if in your area, and gather at a local venue before or after the game.
  • Gathering at a park for a family day.
  • Monthly gathering at the same time and the same place.

  • Westmont After Work: small gathering after work, possible at an alum's business.

• Suggested frequency is two to three times a year; more events create a stronger community.

• The time commitment ranges from four to 10 hours per event.

• Possible tasks:
  • Communicate with local alumni about the event.

  • Help find the venue.

  • Arrive early to set up.

  • Host the event.

• Westmont will provide:
  • Promotion.

  • Email contacts

  • Supplies if needed.

  • Talking points

     

4. Host an Event in Your Home.

Nature of assignment: Provide warm and hospitable environment for Westmont events that are best carried out in a personal residence.

• Host events once or twice a year, depending on your availability
• Requires five hours to prepare and attend.
• Your home must accommodate a minimum of 20 people.

• Possible events:

  • Receptions for admitted students and parents

  • Neighborhood gathering.
  • Westmont Reads book club events.
  • Reception for new alumni in your area.
  • Coffee with your pastor or youth pastor to talk about Westmont.
• Westmont provides:
  • Reimbursement for food up to $200.
  • Email communications about the event.

5. Welcome Alums to your Area.

Nature of assignment: Help new alums feel welcome and connected in your area.

• Contact them and offer to:
  • Take them to coffee or lunch.

  • Take them to your church.

  • Introduce them to your network by hosting a small gathering or fun event

  • Provide an orientation to our city; best places to eat, visit, etc.

• Westmont will inform you about new alums in your area.

• Allow us to post your photo and contact information so new alums can easily find you.

   

6. Promote Westmont at Your Church.

Nature of assignment: Help Westmont strengthen its relationships with churches.

• Meet with the youth director at your church or invite him or her to your home to discuss Westmont.

• If your church sponsors a college fair, work the booth.

• Promote Westmont’s Trailhead program to high school students at your church.

• Encourage your youth pastor to schedule a visit to Westmont with their high school students.

• Westmont will provide a packet of helpful information.

7. Serve as an Admissions Ambassador

Nature of Assignment: By providing contact and a personal touch to prospective students and their parents, alums can reap great benefits for Westmont.

• Attend local college fairs and assist admissions counselor in promoting Westmont, especially by targeting parents. You could be the sole Westmont representative.

• Call admitted students or their parents to answer questions about Westmont, share your experience, and thank them for their interest in the college.

• Refer a student to Westmont who would fit well there.

• Choose how often you serve; usually two to four times a year and one to three hours per event.

8. Social Media Ambassador

Nature of assignment: Promoting Westmont and our regional Westmont community on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Westmont Connect.

• Create a Westmont Connect page for our area.

• Post news and events you receive from Westmont.

• Re-post information from the Westmont website and social media accounts.

• Promote local and college events.

• Post at least once a week.

• Requires about an hour a week.

If you’re interested in knowing how you can be involved or if you would like a booklet  mailed outlining the volunteer program in more detail, email Sarah Camp at sarahcamp@westmont.edu.