SCSU Alumni Association Board of Directors – FAQ

What role do Board Members play?

• provide counsel, resources, knowledge, influence, and skills to further the mission of the University and Alumni Relations and to achieve strategic priorities. 
• help expand the SCSU alumni network and promote the organization in the community and within their network. 
• act as representatives for the alumni body and should be knowledgeable of Alumni Relations programs and activities. 
• demonstrate a commitment to philanthropic engagement by making an annual contribution to the University.

What are the minimum commitments a Board Member should expect?

• Meetings:  
  • Attend and actively participate in regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings
    • A minimum of five (5) meetings per year
    • Meetings are generally 1.5 hours
  • Make an annual gift to any Southern Connecticut State University fund 
• Committee Participation:
  • Actively participate on at least two (2) standing and/or ad hoc committees
  • As committee chairs, coordinate regular meetings, submit written minutes notes from said meetings, and provide updates/progress at all-board meetings. 
• Volunteering and Event Attendance:
  • Attend key programs and events to the extent possible.
  • Become familiar with the programs and activities sponsored, organized, and coordinated by the Alumni Relations & Annual Giving staff
  • Encourage participation in on-campus and regional Alumni Association programs to fellow alumni (i.e. sharing/re-sharing content on social media, forwarding emails to friends). 
• Philanthropic Support:
  • Given that the lives of all members of the Alumni Board have been impacted by their engagement with the University and the benefits continue to grow as the strength of the University grows, all members of the Alumni Board of Directors are expected to make annual financial contributions to the University in an amount that is meaningful to the member.
• Notification and Responsiveness:
  • It is every board member’s responsibility to stay in active communication with Alumni Relations staff, the Executive Committee, and Chairs of the committee they participate on. If someone phones or emails you for information, it is your responsibility to respond in a timely and professional manner.

When and where does the Board meet?

• The all-board meetings take place monthly, September through May, on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm. The last meeting of the year in June, typically the last Thursday of the month, is a celebratory event for the board, with brief business discussed in the beginning… and Executive Board elections take place at that time.  The June event/celebration usually is held at a restaurant in a private room.
• Meetings alternate between hybrid and virtual formats. Meetings typically last between 1.5-2 hours. Web-conferencing is provided via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
• Committees decide on their own meeting schedule monthly, and it is recommended to coordinate your meeting at least 1 week prior to the all-board.

How long does someone serve on the board?

• Board Members may serve up to two consecutive, three-year terms. Terms run on the fiscal year commencing July 1 and concluding on June 30. Each Board Member must be re-appointed to the Board for a second term.

What type of communications should I expect to receive and how?

• Board members can expect to receive regular correspondence to keep in touch with the University, Alumni Relations, and fellow board members and remain apprised of regular Board business. Communication is disseminated through e-mail from the Board President, Alumni Director, Associate Alumni Director, and Committee Chairs.
• To increase transparency and allow for easy collaboration, all board-related documents are housed and shared via Google Drive.

What happens at board meetings?

• Welcome & introductions
• Approval of past meeting minutes
• Old Business review
• Report by the Board President
• Reports by Committee Chairs
• Updates and Q&A regarding alumni-relevant University topics by the Director or other members of the Alumni Relations team
• New business 
• Periodically, University leadership is invited to discuss their area, and how the board and their area can collaborate and support each other

How should I prepare for Board Meetings?

• Please come to meetings having fully read through pre-meeting materials and prepared to actively engage in informed discussions. Work cooperatively with fellow Board members and be courteous and respectful of their ideas and opinions. Offer original thinking, ideas, and points of view, as well as your personal expertise and talents. Take responsibility for completing assignments on time and keeping others informed when necessary.

How are travel arrangements made?

• Board Members are responsible for acquiring their own technology and making their own flight and travel arrangements to in-person meetings and paying for related travel expenses. However, each meeting provides a virtual option, so out-of-state board members always have a means of participating.

How should I dress for Board Meetings?

• Dress for Board meetings is casual; however, please take note of special invitations as different dress may be expected for specific events.