UMSL Alumni Affinity Organizations



Current UMSL Alumni Affinity Organizations

To learn more about joining an affinity group, an alumni chapter or an alumni group, please fill out the volunteer interest form or contact us at alumni@umsl.edu.

 • bring together alumni who have a shared interest, common goal or regional connection

 work to advance the University

• build and strengthen individual relationships and connections

A community of interest that opens the door to unlimited opportunities for alumni to be connected. 

• Academic
• Cultural
• Geographic 
• Professional
• Groups you enjoyed as a student
• Lifestyle interests

The UMSL Alumni Association has made things easier for alumni who want to form an affinity organization to begin by choosing a structure that best suits its needs.  The difference between the structures is highlighted below.

• Sponsor a minimum of 3 engagement activities per year
• Led by a committee or board of at least 4 volunteers
• Annually elect officers or chairs
• Follow Alumni Association guidelines and chapter by-laws.
• Develop annual goals and engagement strategies.
• May request annual Alumni Association allocation to support activities.
• Receive guidance from Alumni E
ngagement staff.

•  Sponsor a minimum of 2 activities per year.
•  Led by a committee of at least 4 volunteers.
•  Follow Alumni Association guidelines.
•  Develop annual goals and engagement strategies.
•  May request annual Alumni Association allocation to support activities.
•  Receive guidance from Alumni Engagement staff.

•  Sponsor 1 engagement activity per year or less frequently.
•  Consults with Alumni Engagement staff liaison to coordinate activity.
•  Follows Alumni Association guidelines.
•  Develops goals for engagement activity.
•  Consults with Alumni Engagement staff to determine funding assistance options for activity.

Starting an Alumni Chapter, Network or Group

Dedicated alumni are instrumental to UMSL's success and help the University build relationships and connections with fellow alumni in purposeful, exciting ways. By volunteering your time, energy and talent in UMSL's alumni affinity organization program, you have joined a group of dynamic alumni leaders are are committed to supporting the University and linking alumni with each other.

No matter the structure you choose for your affinity organization - chapter, network, or group - developing meaningful engagement is the key focus for the UMSL Alumni Association. As you give your time and energy, please know that you are shaping the strategic direction of the UMSL Alumni Association and future generations of proud UMSL alumni.

Thank you for taking this first step in the journey.

 

Once the Volunteer Interest Form is received, an Alumni Engagement staff member will be in touch with you by email to set up a time to discuss your ideas and interests.


A toolkit complete with all the resources available to help you be successful - strategic planning tips, communications and event checklists, guidelines for planning a variety of activities, and the necessary rules we have to follow - is here to help you and other volunteer leaders create and lead a successful organization.


Explore the best approach for organizing a successful affinity with your Alumni Engagement staff liaison (Meet your Alumni Engagement Team).

  • Determine the best structural fit - chapter, network or group

  • Examine alumni data for your desired affinity

 

Once the pool of alumni is determined for the affinity, the Office of Alumni Engagement will send an alumni interest survey to measure interest and gather ideas about alumni engagement programming. The survey will also help in identifying and recruiting volunteer leaders who will serve as the initial steering committee for the affinity organization.


The steering committee and your UMSL Alumni Engagement staff liaison will work together to develop a strategic plan for initial programs and activities including - 

  • initial goals for the organization
  • communications plan
  • engagement programming
  • budget

 

Once the plan is in place, we will work together in launching the initial program that will bring alumni together to form your organization.