We are currently recruiting volunteers in the following areas: Eastern Washington, Portland (including Vancouver, WA), Northern CA, Southern CA, New York City, Washington D.C.
The UW Alumni Association is a volunteer-driven organization. Most of what we do, we do with the help of a vast volunteer network. We are very appreciative of the work our volunteers provide in helping us fulfill our mission of making the UW stronger through building lifelong relationships with alumni and the UW. If you would like to lend a hand, please reach out. Beware, this could be the most fun you’ve ever had volunteering!
Below you’ll find information on expectations and roles. To take the next step in your volunteer journey, fill out the volunteer application form. If you have questions, please contact Nicole Howard.
Volunteer roles
Club President
General description:
The President is the chief officer of the Club.
Tasks and duties:
Convenes, sets agenda and presides over all board meetings.
Supervises the volunteer leaders and ensures that their plans are carried out effectively.
Speaks at events and communicates regularly with club members.
Acts as the primary liaison with the Alumni Association staff person.
Completes and submits the club’s Annual Plan
Attends training sessions and conferences and encourages club participation.
Insures all annual reporting, financial documents and event requests are submitted to UWAA staff in a timely fashion
Leads the clubs active recruitment of volunteers
Expected outcomes and term goals:
Set and achieve a goal of the number and types of events for the current fiscal year.
Meets monthly with UWAA staff and board
Leads the club in advocating for regional alumni to join, advocate, give volunteer and celebrate by interacting in learning and celebratory events
Qualifications:
The President must be a UW alumnus. Prior volunteer leadership is desired. Multiple alumni contacts in the area and strong networking skills are helpful.
Time commitment:
The President position requires a time commitment of 2 hours per month
Club Marketing and Communications VP
General description:
The Vice President of Communications and Marketing will be responsible for creating lines of communication between the Board and the alumni living in the Club area.
Specific tasks and duties:
Responsible for production and maintenance of Club Facebook page
Creates and posts emails to market events
Works to support UWAA Marketing and Communications team to produce print mailings, if any.
Creates a Communications and Marketing subcommittee as needed, members of the sub-committee may include the Club webmaster, email marketer, e-newsletter editor and social media coordinator
Qualifications:
Past planning experience of events preferred. Multiple alumni contacts in the area and strong networking skills are helpful
Time commitment:
The VP of Communications and Marketing position requires a time commitment of two hours per month
Training and support:
The VP of Communications and Marketing is a direct report to the President
The VP of Communications and Marketing will receive training from the prior VP, along with assistance from the President and UWAA staff
The VP of Communications and Marketing should seek consultative advice and guidance from the assigned Alumni Association staff person.
Report dates:
The VP of Communications and Marketing is expected to deliver a verbal/written of both past (results) and upcoming (plans) events at monthly meetings. Should they be unable to attend, a written report must be submitted.
Club Ambassador
General description:
A Regional Ambassador is appointed by the regional President or UWAA staff responsible for the territory. Each Regional Ambassador will serve as the primary contact person and link between the alumni in their area and their club President.
Tasks and duties:
Be UW’s “eyes and ears”: Periodic communication with the UWAA Liaison; relay concerns of local alumni and feedback from UW events in his/her area
Be a UW spokesperson: Represent UW and the Alumni Association to alumni in the area
Identify local alumni to be cultivated as alumni volunteers and prospects.
Serve as a contact person for alumni who receive special publicity through local media, and notify their club President
Serve as a conduit of information for alumni moving to and from the area
Qualifications:
Enthusiasm for UW and its mission
Highly motivated and receptive; Regional Ambassadors must be ready to seek out and cultivate alumni activity in their area
Responsible and organized; able to accurately relay information and feedback from alumni to the Regional Club President
Respect confidentiality of personal information provided by and to the Alumni Association
Time commitment and term:
The official term of a Regional Ambassador is two years. Upon completion of a term, the Regional Ambassador may be reappointed at the discretion of the liaison to continue for another term, with limitation of up to three consecutive terms, or a total of six years.
Training and support:
The Regional Ambassador will receive training and should seek guidance from their club President
Access to the list of alumni in their area from the Alumni Association
Expectations
Volunteer Expectations and Responsibilities
The University of Washington regional volunteer network includes a selection of groups and opportunities intended to support alumni connections outside of the state of Washington. Regional volunteers encourage other alumni to become involved and serve as role models for our future alumni.
What to expect from the Regional Alumni Relations team
Regular communication with volunteer and timely responses to community needs
Advice and consultation on event planning and group management
Updates about UW and UWAA policies and procedures
Best practices for communication within your community
Facilitation and support of events and activities to promote and grow your community
Expectations of UW regional volunteers:
Active member of the UW Alumni Association (UWAA)
Willingness to serve minimum 1-year commitment (renewable based on assessment)
Ability to devote a minimum of 2 hours per month
Ability to work effectively in a team environment to accomplish shared UWAA and Regional Community goals
Openness to trying new ideas and strategies to grow your local community
Preferred skills and experience:
Prior volunteer experience
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Event planning
Key responsibilities:
Work collaboratively with the (RVE) Regional Volunteer Engagement team to plan and promote events and opportunities in your regional community throughout the year
Host and attend local events – both those led by the regional volunteers, as well as those in partnership with UW staff
Actively recruit fellow UW alumni and friends to attend events/activities in your region
Serve as a contact point for and communicate regularly with the UWAA Regional Volunteer Engagement staff
Communicate regularly with UW alumni and friends in your area using the communications tools provided by the UW
Promptly submit post-event materials to the RVE team, including sign-in sheets and receipts
Take pictures, or designate another volunteer to take pictures, at every event and upload them to your regional Facebook page
Honor and respect other volunteers; acknowledge and respect the contributions, talents and efforts of all who participate in community
Comply with the UW Regional Expectations Contract and other UW regional community policies and best practices
Volunteer Contract
All volunteers are required to sign and comply with our expectations contract. You can review the contract below. Instructions on signing and submitting it will be sent you after you fill out the volunteer application form at the bottom of this page.
You are what the UW Alumni Association is all about: lifelong relationships. The association’s successes are attributed not only to staff, but also to our volunteers who help us in countless ways.
With many active alumni groups around the world, there are countless opportunities to volunteer throughout the year, including recruiting prospective students, planning events, and much more. If you are interested in contributing your time and talents or just want to get involved, please complete the following form and we will be in touch!
