Volunteer Leadership Summit

What Inspires You to Make Gettysburg Great?

Ashlyn W. Sowell

Associate Vice President for Development &

Campaign Director

Background and History

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Why?

In 2007, Gettysburg College used a consultant to conduct a feasibility study in preparation for a comprehensive campaign

The consultant recommended that we needed to engage and educate our key volunteer groups of alumni, parents and friends in advance of the campaign to ensure success

This was also a great opportunity to showcase our new leadership and campaign priorities

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Our Purpose and Goal

Objectives: Inspire volunteers to share in the vision for the College

and be active participants in achieving that vision

Strategies: Strengthen the College’s volunteer base Show appreciation to volunteers Share information Promote camaraderie and a sense

of unity as a community of volunteers

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What?

Volunteer Leadership Summit (VLS) We had done similar events about every

five years, but never this comprehensive - a three day weekend with over 400 participants

Opportunity for education and communication, because engaged volunteers are more philanthropic & invite others to participate

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Key Messages

Volunteers are the College’s key insiders and stakeholders

They do vitally important work that makes a difference and that work is appreciated

They are important advocates and spokespeople for the College

There is a bold vision for the College’s future

Their expertise, energy, and financial support are more important than ever before

Current and future students depend on them

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How?

Our division of development, alumni and parent relations (DAPR) led the charge for the college

Specifically, the department of donor relations and special events organized a campus wide committee over a year and a half in advance

The president and board of trustees (BOT) invited the volunteers and most other leadership boards met that weekend

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Who?

Invitees included BOT, Alumni Board, Parents Board, O&B, BOLD Council, Magazine Advisory Board, all volunteers and COF members

Campus partners included the president’s office, provost’s office, admissions, the career center, marketing & communications, faculty, athletics, and student life (just to name a few)

We also worked closely with dining, facilities, the campus schedulers, the print shop, and IT

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College Website Promotion

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VLS Program Sample

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When?

September 22-25, 2011, a busy fall weekend!

Worked well since we held most board meetings at that time

Connected to many existing campus events, like athletics contests, Majestic Theater, etc.

Also created many interactive events for volunteers to see our students, faculty and staff in action

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More Details

Marketing materials

Involvement of our campaign communications firm in the weekend

Special Events

Rolled out the red carpet with great food, videos, live presentations featuring faculty, students and volunteers and dancing!

Budget (estimated about $150,000)

Outcomes

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After the Fact

Post VLS communication plan was initiated

Survey was seny and data collected and reviewed

What would we do differently?

Discussion/Questions?

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Post VLS Communications

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Post VLS Communications

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Your Turn!

Break into small groups and discuss the following:

1) Has your organization ever done something like this and was it successful?

2) If not, what kind of event/volunteer training might work at your organization?

3) Spend a few minutes brainstorming for one school in your group about plans and report back

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