Be The Conductor – Not The Orchestra! Learning for/from Small Alumni Teams
This week I write to you from Prague, with its second summer in full swing. I was invited to deliver a workshop for small alumni shops, and in Czechia this is usually a one, or possibly two-person alumni team. (and there is key learning for alumni and students too – keep reading!) The […]
Inspiring TEDx talks for alumni (and celebrating my own TEDx alumni!)
On the 12th of April 2018, I stepped on the red dot and gave my TEDx. This moment was the culmination of weeks of practice and crafting an accessible TEDx talk on alumni. 6 minutes later my TEDxBallybofey talk was born. ‘We are all connected by one word: Alumni’ – Maria Gallo – TEDxBallybofey You […]
Share, Care and Dare in Alumni Relations: staying the course
It’s 2:30am on the 12th of March 2020. My husband woke me to detail the news that the US was planning an imminent closure of their international borders. He figured Canada would follow. At 3:00am we booked flights to Canada for a few weeks to wait out this unfolding situation. A few weeks turned into […]
Becoming a 50U50 Judge: A networking story
Just announced! Almabase’s 50U50 powered by Blackbaud recognizing champions in alumni relations and advancement. There is me in the middle of it all is me as a judge among a distinguished panel of fellow judges. How did I get here? Networking. In early 2021, I awoke to find myself on a prestigious list: 15 Alumni […]
Take up the Baton: Orchestrating alumni serendipity!
What inspires and motivates alumni relations professionals? Seeing harmonious moments of alumni connections unfold creating incredible melodies. Students and alumni learning, alumni-alumni mentoring, alumni taking on the world. These interludes can happen at alumni events, through programs like formal mentorship or just hearing about them by chance. Oh, how this is music to our ears! […]
Decade of Alumni Connection? Yes!
In 2019, I declared 2020 as the beginning of the Decade of Alumni Connection. I was wide-eyed, taking on my business, KITE- Keep in Touch Education, full-time. My book The Alumni Way was in development. I was ready to start an alumni revolution. Then, the pandemic struck. Connection took on a new form. We were isolated […]
Want to energize your alumni work in 2023? Get that sparkle by starting here!
Alumni relations is a joy. Whenever I speak to alumni-facing professionals, they share their joy connecting with alumni. It’s satisfying, meaningful work. Sometimes, it comes at a cost. Often, it’s a personal cost. Alumni engagement is a hectic, always-on activity. More than a can-do attitude, you need a level of energy dialed to 10 (or […]
Reflection: A Welcome Activity for Alumni Relations!
Curious about The Alumni Way traits? While the book presents the traits of Reflection – Curiosity – Passion – Generosity for alumni directly, this series of weekly blog posts focuses on how they can be adapted for energizing, effective alumni relations practice. Earlier this month, I dusted off the suitcases for my first work related international business trip […]
From a distance: Alumni Connection from the Insight – Out
After only a month into my new role as Interim President and Chair of the Alumni Association Board at the University of St Michael’s College – University of Toronto – I wrote about my experience connecting at such a distance- it’s easier than you think! Here’s a quote: “The future of alumni connection is one […]
Virtual Book Tour – October and November Events!
Virtual Book Tour – Events for Alumni, Career, and Advancement Professionals Are you curious to learn more about The Alumni Way book? Wonder how it might support your work with students and alumni (and for the students and alumni themselves!). Here’s a chance to attend and participate in online events organized as part of the virtual book […]