Alumni seeking something new
What’s around the bend?
Dear Friends,
This week I was on the road – Sligo-Galway-Dublin-Cork-
When running an unfamiliar path, I am often curious about what is ahead. I keep going because I want to see what is around the bend. Often, it’s more of the same – more path, more trees, more cars. This propels my action to keep going and run.
What is your ‘around the bend?’ This is the thing that extends your curiosity, keeps you going to the next project, the next career opportunity, the next event. Sometimes we keep going because of the fear of missing out – what are we really missing?
For our alumni programming and our alumni-selves we are in a constant state of development. The desire is to do more and more. Can we be satisfied if we just stay still, or – taking the running analogy - turn around and do less?
Your challenge this week:
For alumni-facing professionals: Planning for 2024 might be in full swing. What elements of your work can you pause, review or even stop? I will point to a brilliant presentation at CASE Europe recently by Ria Flom (University College Dublin) and Rachel Green (Nottingham University) that outlines this clearly with the title: ‘Being Brave Enough to Stop: Knowing when the Refresh and Renew your Volunteering Activity.’ Here’s a piece I wrote about reflecting on your Alumni Relations activity. Remember: not everything needs to be bigger and better – concentrate on quality over quantity – especially focusing on the deepening of alumni relationships.
For students and alumni: What are you looking for around the bend? How can you pause and reflect on what is working well right now? If you haven’t put in an Alumni Friday, this might bring you the hope of ‘around the bend’ you are looking for. Read about the power of an hour a week of building your alumni network with an Alumni Friday here.
For fun, here’s a link to my latest podcast spot on Global Bluenosers (part of the Nova Scotia diaspora community!) this is something I wouldn’t have ever spotted around the bend even a few months ago – Enjoy!
Have a terrific weekend!
With alumni inspiration,
Maria
The Alumni Way Audiobook is coming!
If you haven’t got your hard copy of the book yet, the 50% code (TAW23) is still good until the end of the year – buy the book here
Photo below: Here’s the inspiration for the ‘around the bend’ newsletter – this is the view of Irvinestown Castle in County Fermanagh on a recent run – great view and many bends!
