VOLUME 12, NO. 2     JANUARY 1999

Recommendations of the Alumni Association Master Plan Task Forces

he four task forces created under the Alumni Association's new Master Plan have presented the following recommendations to be voted on at the Alumni Council's March 13 meeting:

Organizational Structure

The committee recommends restructuring the Alumni Association governing body to be more responsive to and more representative of its constituency. A detailed chart of the proposed structure may be viewed on the Alumni Association's home page: www.wpi.edu/Admin/Alumni/. The key elements follow.

• The Alumni Association Leadership Council will be the policy-making body, essentially replacing the existing Alumni Council structure.
• The Cabinet will serve as the association's operational decision-making group, effectively replacing the existing Executive Committee structure.
• Divisions will be created to represent existing alumni committees and future initiatives.

Communication

The committee examined existing alumni communication vehicles and determined that

• overall, WPI's communications deliver a consistent look and feel. While The Wire is considered a solid, well-read vehicle for delivering information, there are divergent views on the utility of a separate magazine (WPI Journal)
• WPI's Web site should be utilized better and updated more frequently
• there should be an increased focus on alumni success stories and engagement in support of WPI.

Global Programming

The committee compiled an instructional Volunteer Guide to be made available through the Alumni Office that will support efforts of groups organizing and hosting alumni events throughout the world. Other opportunities for global involvement include

• the overseas admissions program
• promotion of Global Project Centers
• regional events around the globe
• communications with and networking among remote alumni.

Career Development and Lifelong Learning

The committee examined WPI's current programs and services offered by other institutions and determined that services to alumni desiring career assistance and training need to be expanded and improved. WPI should foster development of alumni networks; leverage synergy with other WPI functional areas, such as Development and University Relations, the Career Development Center, and academic departments; and establish an alumni advisory board to define the future of alumni career service offerings.

The Alumni Association welcomes your feedback. Comments may be forwarded to the Alumni Office by e-mail to alumni-office@wpi.edu or by mail to 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609.