Recruiting new members

It is not uncommon for alumni associations to have difficulty in recruiting and engaging members. Three key factors for encouraging people to become members of an association are:

1. They can make a real contribution to the association.
2. They get development opportunities.
3. They can meet others with similar interests and backgrounds.

If you are having trouble attracting alumni or experiencing low participation at events, the following tips and tricks may be of assistance:

Clarify the benefits
Clearly articulate what alumni can gain by being members of the association, including networking opportunities, professional development, and access to university resources.

Offer valuable activities
Create events and programs that genuinely appeal to the members' interests and needs, so they see added value in participating.

Establish partnerships
Collaborate with other alumni associations and plan joint activities for your members.

Active member recruitment
Encourage current members to assist in recruiting new members by sharing their positive experiences and enthusiasm.

Use data
Utilise data analysis and member surveys to understand what members are truly interested in and tailor your activities accordingly.

Share stories
Share inspiring stories about how the alumni association has impacted members' lives and careers.

Maintain ongoing communication
Ensure regular communication with members and keep them informed about upcoming events and initiatives.

By using these tips and tricks, you can increase recruitment and engagement for your alumni association and build a strong and active community of alumni.

Be inspired

Once or twice per semester, the alumni team invites active association representatives to get-togethers. The purpose of the get-togethers is to provide the associations with the opportunity to learn from each other, to be inspired and to learn more about matters such as recruitment, engagement and event planning.

We also recommend attending other alumni association's events for inspiration and ideas. Information about events can be found in the LinkedIn group for alumni.