Download - Alumni As Advocates
![Page 1: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Alumni as Advocates
Mike Dean
Tipping Point Strategies
![Page 2: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Agenda for Today
• Why Advocacy?
• Key Principles of Success• Case Study at the University of Illinois• Q & A
![Page 3: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Challenges Facing Higher Education
• Increased pressure for limited state resources• Cost of Higher Education continues to rise
(health care and energy costs put a strain on budgets)
• Can’t continue to raise tuition to make up for funding cuts
![Page 4: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
How do we Respond?
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
![Page 5: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
How do we Respond?
Engage Advocates
Not This Advocate These Advocates
![Page 6: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Why is Grassroots Advocacy?
• Legislators listen to their constituents• Achieve a balanced approach• Distribute messages to the community more
effectively• Create a human face• Build a sense of community• Avoid having messages filtered through the
media or campus interest groups
![Page 7: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Principles for Success
1. Think about the structure and staffing– Where should the program be housed– Staff/consultant– Grasstops vs. Grassroots
2. How to create buy-in– Campus leadership must be supportive– Demonstrate success– Engage campus leadership to interact with
advocates
![Page 8: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Principles for Success
3. Use technology to cast a wide net– E-mail is an easy way to generate a lot of contacts
with elected officials– Begin communicating regularly
4. Conduct targeted outreach to alumni with influence– These contacts are harder to get
![Page 9: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Website is your hub
![Page 10: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Principles for Success
5. Develop a plan– Necessary to keep all the actors in sync– Develop a message arc
6. Message matters– Must be compelling– Develop a theme that people will understand
![Page 11: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Create a Theme
![Page 12: Alumni As Advocates](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022103111/54c2d8ff4a79592d5e8b463f/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Principles for Success
7. Create a grassroots committee– Engage all stakeholders– Will help create buy-in and ownership
8. Evaluate your program regularly– Survey supporters– Visit with key stakeholders