Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Presents
Gabriela Avila
Ali Geary
Paige Meyers
Lily Nedland
Kimberly Sanden
hannah Sheley
Table of Contents
Section
Title
Page Number(s)
M
S
1
2
3
3
4
4-7
8-9
10
10
10-11
12-15
16-17
18
19
20-39
20
21
22-23
24
25
26
27-28
29
30-32
33-36
37-38
39
40
41
1. Executive Summary
Saint Bede Academy has a long standing tradition of providing quality education to its students
in a supportive, close-knit community. Because St. Bede Academy provides such a unique
educational experience to its students and families, we have the opportunity to build stronger
relationships with its alumni base. The purpose of this plan is to focus on the current issue of
locating and reconnecting with alumni from the classes between 1980 and 2016 and maintaining
relationships with current students post-graduation.
Project Bruin Reconnect, a strategic public relations campaign, will assist in establishing
and strengthening relationships with current and future St. Bede Academy alumni. Millennial
Solutions completed extensive research to obtain a better understanding of the tactics and
strategies used by other successful secondary and post-secondary educational institutions in
alumni relations. By analyzing our findings and discussing current initiatives, we formulated
creative tactics to increase engagement.
Millennial Solutions will plan a one-year public relations campaign, beginning May 2016 and
ending in May 2017. We are focused on increasing alumni engagement on St. Bede Academys
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts through preparatory activities prior to graduation
and a #BruinAlum contest. The plan also proposes a yearly communication intern with a focus
on social media and a full-time alumni & communication coordinator to continue updating
and promoting St. Bede Academy to the public. #BruinAlum is a campaign directed at alumni
to encourage conversation on social media platforms, along with several other tactics, the
organization can build and strengthen relationships with its alumni. This plan also includes
a strategy to educate and engage with seniors, prior to graduation, to prepare them for the
transition into alumni called the Senior Networking Showdown. The one-day event is dedicated
to St. Bede Academy seniors that focuses on college and professional preparation and well as
information regarding involvement in the alumni association post-graduation. The plan includes
the following objectives to help reach the overall goal of increasing overall alumni engagement:
Increase awareness among St. Bede Academy seniors regarding alumni and networking
opportunities by 75% by May of 2017.
Develop and implement an effective system for gathering alumni data (both past and recent)
by December of 2016.
Increase alumni engagement (1980 to present) by 50% by December of 2016.
This campaign provides a well-constructed public relations plan that can be implemented to
increase alumni engagement by May 2017. This plan will result in an increased number of
engaged students and alumni. The proposed campaign is within the budget allocated using
$7,327.28 of the $10,000 given. If implemented, we are confident that this plan will not only
increase St. Bede Academy social media follower base on all platforms, but it will also increase
alumni participation with St. Bede Academy for years to come.
M
S
M
S
M
S
Phone Interview
See Appendix K for full transcript
Overall takeaways
St. Bede Academy students show a strong interest in the student ambassador
program.
While short, lunch provides a period of time where students are free and on
campus to participate in possible engagement opportunities.
There is a need for a more efficient way of reaching out to alumni for updated
contact information.
M
S
M
S
M
S
[ Overall Takeaways ]
It is important when creating a campaign to factor in the organizations goal and work to
accomplish it.
Campaigns and tactics should challenge organizations to think out of the box and demand
that they think in new and creative ways.
Universities make sure to engage their alumni on several different platforms and use means of
communication that help to connect larger groups of people.
M
S
S
T
R
E
N
G
T
H
S
W
E
A
K
N
E
S
S
E
S
Aspects
Strong community
bond among
students and
faculty. St. Bede
values student and
alumni engagement
and is determined
to grow the
relationships even
further.
Some work has
been completed on
developing alumni
resources and
social media.
Lacking resources
and time to
strengthen the
alumni network and
directory.
St. Bede Seniors
are relatively
unaware of alumni
opportunities
available to them.
Implications
Allows for strong
relationships to
form among the
community and
students.
Possible Actions
Because the bonds in the community
are already so strong, the framework is
already in place to implement programs
and strategies to leverage the unique
community culture to help benefit St.
Bede in the future.
Some of the
groundwork has
been completed
which makes it a bit
easier for St. Bede
to keep working to
grow their platforms.
There are many
alumni whose
information is
unaccounted for.
M
S
O
P
P
O
R
T
U
N
I
T
I
E
S
T
H
R
E
A
T
S
Aspects
Opportunity to
capitalize on
the tight knit
relationships built at
St. Bede.
Implications
Alumni value their
experiences at St.
Bede and wish to
revisit the campus.
Possible Actions
Create opportunities in addition to
homecoming for alumni to come back to
campus and network with students and
fellow alumni.
Education
opportunity for
graduating seniors
to become familiar
with LinkedIn and
add St. Bede to
their network.
Connects recent
Work on developing a class or program
grads with past
for seniors to take before they graduate
grads for networking from St. Bede.
opportunities and
allows for St. Bede
to track the growth
and development of
their alumni.
M
S
M
S
10
M
S
11
Objective 1: Develop and implement an effective system for gathering alumni data
(both past and recent) by December of 2016.
M
S
12
M
S
13
Objective 3: To increase awareness among St. Bede seniors regarding alumni and networking
opportunities by 75% by May of 2017.
Strategy 1 (August - May 2017): Educate current seniors about becoming involved with the
alumni association in their post-grad years.
Tactic 1: Send all seniors a personalized email 6 weeks prior to graduation providing
them with basic information regarding the alumni association and outlining the process
of how to become involved. The email will contain a Class of 2017 contact form where
students can input their personal information (phone, email, address) for St. Bede to keep
for their records. A link to the survey will also be provided on the St. Bede Facebook page.
(SEE APPENDIX G).
Measurement for Senior Email: Track the number of completed contact forms that are returned to
determine the response rate of the Class of 2017.
Tactic 2: Update the care packages that are sent to seniors as an incentive for students
who submit and complete the Class of 2017 contact form. The care packages that are
sent to seniors will be completely updated with new goodies and supplies. Seniors will
receive the care package within their first week of college at their new address (SEE
APPENDIX H).
Measurement for care packages: Track the number of updated care packages that are sent to
seniors.
Tactic 3: Host a monthly Lunch and Learn for seniors and St. Bede alumni. Invite alumni
to return for a lunch period with interested seniors where they are able to network and ask
any questions regarding the alumni association, career opportunities, college preparation,
life in college, and other topics (SEE APPENDIX I).
Measurement for Lunch and Learn: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each session to
see how many students are using this resource.
M
S
14
Objective 3: To increase awareness among St. Bede seniors regarding alumni and networking
opportunities by 75% by May of 2017.
Strategy 2 (May 2017): Create a day during the final week of classes for seniors to learn career
development and networking skills for post graduation life. Titled: Senior Networking Showdown.
Tactic 1: Provide break out sessions throughout the day to educate and inform seniors
on topics involving career development and networking with the alumni association.
LinkedIn workshop, Cover Letter/Resume workshop, Introduction to Interviews, Finding
the Right Career Path, Making the Most of Your Four Years, College Living 101, and St.
Bede Alumni Association 101.
Tactic 2: Provide breakfast and luncheon buffet in between workshops.
Tactic 3: Create a Senior Showdown LinkedIn Competition that takes the skills the seniors are learning in their breakout sessions and helps them to gain points. Each student
will create a LinkedIn Profile and whichever student ends the day with the most connections and endorsements will win a #BruinAlum T-Shirt and a $200 Target gift card. (For all
of the above tactics: SEE APPENDIX J).
Measurement for Senior Showdown: Develop and distribute a quantitative survey to all seniors in
a common class about their readiness for graduation following the Senior Networking Showdown.
M
S
15
4. Timeline
In order for St. Bede to implement our tactics a timeline and budget was created to
demonstrate the execution of this campaign. Further detail was provided as to how we
would measure and evaluate the success of these tactics originally proposed in Section
Set 2.
M
S
16
4. Timeline
M
S
17
18
M
S
$0.00
Survey Strategy:
Tactic: Send email of survey to current seniors
$7,327.28
$2,672.72
COMPARISONS
Investmnent v. Expense
3 hours
30 min.
TOTAL
6 hours
$200.00
$1,200.00
$0.00
$0.00
6 hours
3 hours
1 hour
NOTES
Order small trays from Hyvee once a month for the 2016-2017
school year. Do not exceed $100 per month in order to stay
within the alotted budget.
https://www.hy-vee.com/webres/File/Peru-2015-catering-book.pdf
Workshop materials (handouts, if necessary)
Pick 6 breakfast: $683.24 & Pick Two Entree: $835.24
https://www.hy-vee.com/webres/File/Peru-2015-catering-book.pdf
Target or Bed Bath & Beyond gift card
$17 per care package; $10 ea. shipping, 76 pkgs (subject to change)
Presentation during lunch hour during the first Tuesday of each month,
beginning in September and ending in May.
USPS
To be determined
NOTES
Communicaitons Intern
N/A
ACCOUNTABILITY
3 hours
$20.00
Objective 3
$0.00
$1,828.30
$0.00
$500.00
$0.00
3 hours
$0.00
$0.00
N/A
20 hours
N/A
HOURS
$0.00
TOTAL
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
#BruinAlum Strategy:
Objective 2
Position Strategy:
Tactic: Hire Alumni/Communications Coordinator
Position Strategy:
Tactic: Hire Communications Intern
Email Strategy:
Tactic: Email alumni to update their contact info
Objective 1
EXPENSES
TOTAL
INCOME
5. Budget
6. References
Anyangwe, E. (2012, June 27). Alumni relations in a changing higher education sector.
Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2012/jun/27/
changing-alumni-rel
Carmel Catholic Alumni - Alumni Community Home. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.
corsairalumni.org/s/402/GID1001/start.aspx?gid=1001&pgid=61
Catholic College Prep High School | Resurrection College Prep High School. (n.d.). Retrieved
October 27, 2015, from http://www.reshs.org
Communication Specialist Job Description. (2015). Oklahoma State University. Retrieved from
https://okstate.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=702
Engaging Alumni: Cedarville Universitys 5.15 Challenge - Activate Alumni. (2014, June 2).
Retrieved October 27, 2015, from http://activatealumni.com/engaging-alumni-cedarvilleuniversitys-5-15-challenge/
Giardinelli, A. (2007, January 22). Swarthmore College Surpasses Campaign Goal of $230
Million. Retrieved October 26, 2015, from http://www.swarthmore.edu/news-archive-2006-2007/
swarthmore-college-surpasses-campaign-goal-230-million ations
Home Page - Saint Viator High School. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2015, from http://www.
saintviator.com/home St. Bede Academy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.st-bede.com/[RH2]
Supporting EducationThe Importance of Alumni Relations. Supporting Education. 10 Jan.
2013. Web. 5 Oct. 2015. http://www.supportingeducation.org/2013/01/10/importance-alumnirelations/
Sweeny, V. (2011, November 4). Digital connections to alumni: A fundraising campaign via
social media. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2011/
nov/04/social-media-fundraising-campaign?
The Bucky Challenge. (n.d.). University of Wisconsin. Retrieved http://buckychallenge.wisc.
edu/
M
S
19
7. Appendices
Appendix A
Alumni and Communication Coordinator
St. Bede Academy is seeking an Alumni and Communication Coordinator to produce
strategic alumni and development communications with a digital public relations focus.
Responsibilities:
Support St. Bede Academys communication goals by contributing to communication,
marketing and alumni outreach efforts through social media and online channels from St.
Bede Academy to prospective students and their families, current students, alumni, fans,
donors and other internal and external populations throughout the academic year.
Develop strategies, content and manage editorial calendar for current St. Bede Academy
social media sites. Monitor and engage key audiences on all digital platforms. Evaluate
website and social media analytics and implement new strategies to improve key metrics.
Coordinate and manage special alumni events and fundraisers, such as Homecoming
and its social media promotions.
Continually update alumni database and develop plan to research and find Alumni
through multiple communication avenues.
Assist in the development of new St. Bede Academy website
Write copy for website, emails, publication and press releases.
Demonstrate self-direction, creativity and strategic thinking in managing St. Bede
Academys presence on the social web.
Supervise Communication and Alumni Relations intern and collaborate on alumni
relations and special event planning throughout year.
Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in communication, journalism, marketing, public relations or related
field.
1-3 years of professional experience in social media management, alumni relations or
nonprofit public relations.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and social media networks including Facebook,
Twitter, Linkedin and other social media platforms.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of Associated Press style writing as well as technical writing
Self-starter with strong organizational stills are essential.
Experience with research, website content management or Constant Contact a plus.
To apply, send cover letter, resume and references in one PDF to supervisor, Julia
Yaklich, Development Director, jyaklich@st-bede.com, (815) 250-0359
20
Appendix B
Communication and Alumni Relations Intern
St. Bede Academy is seeking a Communication and Alumni Relations Intern to assist in
the production of strategic alumni and development communications with a digital public
relations focus. This internship position will work along side and report to the Alumni and
Communication Coordinator in the event planning of fundraisers and special events, social
media and alumni relations.
Responsibilities:
Promote online presence by drafting social media posts for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
weekly
Assist with fundraising planning, events, and marketing
Update and manage alumni database
Collaborate with Alumni and Communication Coordinator in the development of St. Bede
Academy website
Write copy for website, emails, publication and press releases.
Skills and Qualifications:
Undergraduate student studying Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism,
English or related field.
Experience in social media management
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Self-starter, creative with strong organizational stills
Experience in non-profit public relations is a plus
Additional Information:
Internship available for credit.
Academic Terms Available: summer, spring and fall
Minimum hours required: 8-10 hours/week with flexibility in scheduling. Interns have the option
to work both remotely and/or in the office.
To apply, send cover letter and resume to Julia Yaklich, Development Director,
jyaklich@st-bede.com, (815) 250-0359
21
Appendix C
22
Appendix C
23
Appendix D
#BruinAlum T-shirt Incentive
Alumni will be encouraged to stay connected through social media through a free #BruinAlum
T-shirt incentive. Alumni are encouraged to follow St. Bede Academys Twitter account, like the
St. Bede Academy Facebook page, or like the St. Bede Academy Alumni Association Facebook
page. The message about this opportunity will be conveyed through a post on the St. Bede
Academy website, and through posts on the social media sites listed above informing alumni
about the incentive. If alumni like or follow the accounts and then share the #BruinAlum T-shirt
Giveaway they will be provided with a T-shirt. Each communication method will contain a picture
of the T-Shirt design. Alumni who receive shirts will be responsible for picking them up from St.
Bede Academy or paying for the shipping on their own to the address that they have provided.
There is a limit of one T-Shirt per alum. Only 500 T-Shirts will be distributed to those who
complete the #BruinAlum T-shirt Giveaway.
24
Appendix E
Appendix J - Organic boosting of the hashtag #BruinAlum
Organic Boosting of #BruinAlum
The purpose of organically boosting the hashtag #BruinAlum is to engage alumni into using the
The purpose of organically boosting the hashtag #BruinAlum is to engage alumni into using the
hashtag themselves and get it trending on social media. St. Bede will post the hashtag on relhashtag themselves and get it trending on social media. St. Bede will post the hashtag on relevant
evant posts on their Facebook pages, Twitter, and Instagram. Examples of posts and copy are
posts on their Facebook pages, Twitter, and Instagram. Examples of posts are included below.
included below.
Ex. Instagram Post:
Ex. Instagram Post:
[Feature a picture of a Bruin alum wearing the T-Shirt - this could be a staff member or an
alreadyofactive
alumnus]
[Feature a picture
a Bruin
alum wearing the T-Shirt - this could be a staff member or an already
active alumnus]
Visit our website to find out how to get your very own #BruinAlum T-Shirt!
Visit our website to find out how to get your very own #BruinAlum T-Shirt!
Ex. Facebook Post:
Ex. Facebook Post:
[Feature a picture of a Bruin alum wearing the T-Shirt - this could be a staff member or an
already active alumnus]
[Feature a picture of a Bruin alum wearing the T-Shirt - this could be a staff member or an already
active alumnus]
[Insert name] looking good in their brand new #BruinAlum T-Shirt! See our website for details
on how to get your own!
[Insert name] looking good in their brand new #BruinAlum T-Shirt! See our website for details on
how to get your own!
Ex. Twitter Posts:
Ex. Twitter Post:
Example 1
Example 2
25
Appendix F
A hashtag contest will be held in order to build upon existing follower base by increasing
A hashtag
be held in alumni
order towho
buildpost
upona existing follower base by incr
posts and social media engagement.
For thecontest
monthwill
of October,
socialthe
media
engagement.
For
month on
of October,
alumni who post a memo
memory and photo of themselves and
wearing
#BruinAlum
shirt
orthe
hashtag
Facebook
of
themselves
wearing
the
#BruinAlum
shirt
or
hashtag
on
Facebook or Twitter be
or Twitter before November 1, 2016 will be entered in a drawing to win a St. Bede
November
1,
2016
will
be
entered
in
a
drawing
to
win
a
St.
sweatshirt. St. Bede Academys Facebook and Twitter accounts can share and retweet Bede sweatshirt. St. Be
Academys Facebook and Twitter accounts can share and retweet the alumni posts
the alumni posts.
St. Bede Academy Facebook Post:St. Bede Academy Facebook Post:
Alumni! Post
a picture
in your
#BruinAlum
T-Shirt
with your favorite St. Bede Me
Alumni! Post a picture in your #BruinAlum
T-Shirt
with your
favorite
St. Bede
Memory
Nov.
1
for
a
chance
to
win
a
free
St.
Bede
Sweatshirt!
Dont forget #BruinAlum
before Nov. 1 for a chance to win a free St. Bede Sweatshirt! Dont forget #BruinAlum
St. Bede Academy Alumni Association
Facebook
Post:
St. Bede
Academy
Alumni Association Post:
Alumni! Post
a picture
in your
#BruinAlum
T-Shirt
with your favorite St. Bede Me
Alumni! Post a picture in your #BruinAlum
T-Shirt
with your
favorite
St. Bede
Memory
Nov.
1
for
a
chance
to
win
a
free
St.
Bede
Sweatshirt!
Dont forget #BruinAlum
before Nov. 1 for a chance to win a free St. Bede Sweatshirt! Dont forget #BruinAlum
St. Bede Academy Twitter Post:
26
Appendix G
Personalized email to graduating seniors
Six weeks prior to graduation, seniors will be sent an email containing information about their
post-graduation experience with St. Bede. They will be provided information regarding the
alumni association as well as with a contact form where they will be able to input their new
information for St. Bede to keep for their records. The link to complete the survey will be a
Google Form, which will be embedded in the message. A link to the form will also be shared on
the official St. Bede Facebook page for those students who may not frequently visit their inbox.
Below is the email and contact form that will be sent to graduating seniors:
April, 14 2017
Dear (Students Name),
Congratulations! Graduation is just around the corner. We are so proud of all that you have
accomplished during your time at St. Bede. As you move on to the next phase of your academic
and personal life, we encourage you to reflect on your experiences and the four years that you
have spent with us.
The St. Bede Academy Alumni Association is organized to promote a continuing interest in and
support of the educational program, mission and life of St. Bede Academy among its members.
We hope that you plan to become an active member of this association in the coming years.
As you prepare to become an alumnus of St. Bede, we ask you to provide us with some basic
information so that we may contact you after your time as a current St. Bede student comes to
a close.
It is our hope that we see each of you within our halls again in the near future and we cannot
wait to see how much you accomplish in this next phase of your life!
Again, Congratulations! And Go Bruins!
Please click here to provide your information.
27
Appendix G
Class of 2017 Google Form Survey that will be sent to seniors
28
Appendix H
Update Care Packages
How to order
items in
from
Walmart:
Appendix
C bulk
Update
Care
Packages
1.Know exactly how many students have updated their contact information (this will
How to order items in bulk from Walmart:
be the
quantity)
1. Know exactly how many students have updated their contact information (this will be the quantity)
2.Go to Walmart at least three weeks in advance.
2. Go to Walmart at least three weeks in advance.
3.Ask for3.assistant
manager at customer service counter about ordering items in
Ask for assistant manager at customer service counter about ordering items in bulk.
bulk. 4. Tell the assistant manager what you would like to purchase and how many.
4.Tell the5. assistant
manager
what
you
would
like to purchase and how many.
Pay the price
plus tax and
keep
receipt
for records.
5.Pay the
and keep
receipt
records.
6. price
In twoplus
days tax
to a week,
Walmart
will callfor
when
the order is ready. Bring your receipt to customer service
6.In two days
to
a
week,
Walmart
will
call
when
the order is ready. Bring your re
center (may need to pick items up at loading dock).
ceipt to customer service center (may need to pick items up at loading dock).
*Subject to Change
Items
*76 x Price = $
$301.72
$72.96
$120.08
$226.48
$302.48
Total + tax:
$1,100.50
Order three 25-count and one 10-count small flat-rate priority mail boxes from:
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?productId=P_SMALL_FRB
Shipping cost:
$10 each or
$760 total
(subject to
change)
29
Appendix I
Senior Lunch and Learn Sessions
Senior Lunch and Learns are sessions that will take place during the allotted lunch periods that
students have been assigned. These sessions will provide current seniors with the opportunity to
connect and chat with St. Bede alumni from various age groups to ask them questions regarding
the alumni association, career opportunities, college preparation, life in college, and any other
topics they are interested in. Students will be responsible for bringing their own lunch to the
session, which will take place at one of the cafeterias 27 tables. The table will be marked with a
sign to indicate that it is reserved for the two lunch periods that the students are in the cafeteria.
Because seniors do not leave campus during their lunch period, this is the perfect opportunity
for them to engage with alumni in a causal and comfortable environment. As each table in the
cafeteria only seats eight people, seven students will be permitted at each session. It will be a
first come first serve basis to attend the session. At the beginning of the session an attendance
sheet will be passed around asking for the names and email addresses of each student who is
there. Alumni will volunteer to come speak with seniors and will be notified of these sessions via
email. St. Bede can reach out to alumni who are significantly involved with the school or who
have made a large impact there to come speak to seniors during this time. There will be one
session per month, but more can be added should the interest and demand grow quickly. Below
are details and samples of Senior Lunch and Learn promotion:
Flyers will be hung throughout St. Bede, especially in the cafeteria, to make seniors aware of
these upcoming sessions.
Alumni will be notified about the upcoming sessions and need for volunteers via email.
Email Address
30
Appendix I
Email to Alumni for Senior Lunch and Learn volunteers:
31
&
h
c
n
u
L
Learn
First Tuesday of Every Month!
Appendix J
Senior Networking Showdown
St. Bede will host a day titled Senior Networking Showdown, during the final week
of classes for seniors to learn career development and networking skills for postgraduation life.
This showdown is mandatory for all seniors while taking place of a regular class day.
The Senior Networking Showdown is limited to seniors of St. Bede Academy, faculty
and staff, alumni, as well as local business owners and volunteers. Throughout the
day seniors will be invited to attend breakout sessions to educate and inform them
on topics involving career development and networking with the alumni association.
The breakout sessions will include LinkedIn workshop, Cover Letter/Resume
workshop, Introduction to Interviews, Finding the Right Career Path, Making the
Most of Your Four Years, College Living 101, and St. Bede Alumni Association 101.
The breakout sessions will be hosted by St. Bede Academy staff, Dr. Smudde from
Illinois State University, as well as any alumni and volunteers.
Throughout the day there will be a LinkedIn Competition that will take the skills
the seniors are learning in their breakout sessions and encourage them apply it in
their lives. Each senior will create a LinkedIn profile during the LinkedIn workshop,
and whichever student ends the day with the most connections and endorsements
will win a #BruinAlum T-shirt and a $200 Target or Bed Bath & Beyond gift card to
provide seniors with the trendiest dorm necessities for the upcoming fall semester.
The gift card will be promoted to purchase any school related items since almost half
of St. Bede students attend Illinois Valley Community College upon graduation.
See below for a tentative schedule and event advertising.
33
Appendix J
LinkedIn Competition during Senior Networking Showdown
The host of the LinkedIn Workshop will be in charge of explaining the competition to
the seniors. There will also be other volunteers in the computer lab(s) to aid in helping
the students begin creating their profiles. The students will learn what connections and
endorsements are as well as the importance of them in the world of networking. Seniors
will be encouraged to add St. Bede to their current place of education, as well as joining the
St. Bede Academy Alumni group. They will also be told to keep their cell phones on them
during the remainder of the day. The students will first create their profiles on a computer
and will be allowed to begin receiving connections and endorsements as soon as the host
is finished explaining the logistics. The seniors will only be allowed to be on their phones
using the LinkedIn application during the 10 minute passing periods between sessions as
well as during lunch if they choose to. After the Making the Most of Your Four Years session
any students who thinks they have a significant amount of connections and endorsements
will approach the judges, Tom McMunnigal and Julia Yaklich. Once they determine the
1 winner, they will announce him/her right before the St. Bede Alumni Association 101
session and will be granted the prizes of the gift card and t-shirt.
34
Appendix J
7:50-8:20AM
Breakfast
Cafeteria
8:30-9:10AM
LinkedIn Workshop
Assigned computer lab(s) TBD
9:20-10:00AM
Cover Letter/Resume Workshop
Assigned computer lab(s) TBD
10:10-10:50AM
Finding the Right Career Path
Assigned classroom(s) TBD
11:00-11:30PM
Lunch
Assigned classroom(s) TBD
11:40-12:20PM
Introduction to Interviews
Assigned classroom(s) TBD
12:30-1:10PM
College Living 101
Assigned classroom(s) TBD
1:20-2:00PM
Making the Most of Your Four
Years
Assigned classroom(s) TBD
2:10-2:40PM
St. Bede Alumni Association 101
Assigned classroom(s) TBD
35
and
T h e A l u m n i A ss o c i a t i o n
Senior
Networking
Showdown
Friday, May 12 seniors have the opportunity to gain skills in career
development, networking, and learn from recent alumni through
workshops including:
LinkedIn Workshop
Cover Letter/Resume Building Workshop
Introduction to Interview
Finding the Right Career Path
Making the Most of Your 4 Years
College Living 101
Alumni Association 101
Featuring the...
Competiton
Appendix K
Millennial Solutions Questions
October 20, 2015
Phone interview
Tom McGunnigal (Admissions Director)
Jeanne Margherio (Development Team)
Tom McGunnigal
Student Ambassadors:
What do your current student ambassadors do?
Tom McGunnigal referred to the Student Ambassadors as his little minions as they are always
willing to help St. Bede with whatever task needs to be accomplished.
Help with events and tasks such as:
Chaplins day (ice breaker day)
Student Ambassadors have the very important role of helping with fall visits, giving
speeches, talking to prospective students, and helping run the visit. St. Bede Acadamy
visits 8th grade classes at 14 grade schools to help get information out about St.
Bede Academy where they push information about their Open Houses.
Spring visits to five catholic schools occur as well with the help of St. Bede Student Am
bassadors. The Student Ambassadors go with to the visit to 7th and 3rd graders to
interact with the students, play games, and get the word out about St. Bede early.
Student Ambassadors play a vital role in the St. Bede Acadmey Open Houses where
they give tours and put on skits for prospective students.
The Explore Test is a placement exam for all incoming freshman students. The Student
Ambassadors play a role in helping to run the distribution of the exam and offer support
to the students taking the exam.
St. Bede Academy has radio commercials that the Student Ambassadors help to create.
Student Ambassadors help send out post cards to 8th grade students at Christmas time
to keep in contact and stay in the minds of prospective students.
Student Ambassadors help support the marketing and promotion of St. Bede. They cre
ate new logos for different school functions and promote St. Bede through the events and
tasks they complete.
Ambassadors participate in a Little Brother/Sister Mentor program with other student
ambassadors. Mentors can have between 1 and 3 mentees.
How do they become one? Do they apply?
Students apply spring of sophomore year with an application form/written Interview.
They can only apply before their junior year. Students must have a GPA above a
2.5. In order to become a Student Ambassador, students must demonstrate detail
in writing and creativity. The second part of the application is an oral interview.
Of the current junior class, 54 students applied and 21 were chosen.
Of the current senior class, 21 students applied and 20 were chosen. However, they
currently have 18 senior ambassadors though as two were dismissed due to lack of
participation.
St. Bede Academy students show a strong interest in the student ambassador program.
37
Appendix K
What are the requirements?
*St. Ambassadors go through training once for 3-4 hours during summer break.
*The Student Ambassadors must participate in the events and program mentioned
previously or else they will be dismissed.
Lunch:
What are lunch periods like?
*Lunch consists is closed campus and consists of two different lunch periods of
usually 23 minutes each. The students eat in the cafeteria with a mix of students
from all classes (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior). The cafeteria consists of 27
round tables with eight chairs at each table.
Jeanne Margherio
Alumni:
How do you currently store alumni information?
*Alumni information is stored in a database that only St. Bede Academy has
access to. The database holds personal information of alumni consisting of alum
name, marital status, nickname, address, spouses information (if applicable), phone,
e-mail. The database also has a tab about donation information of each alum as well.
The database keeps track of how much an alum has donated and what fund the
donation went to. Sometimes the donor gets a say in where their funds go, but not
always.
How do you currently keep track of moving alumni?
*St. Bede Academy wont know if an alum moves until the next mailing occurs. St.
Bede Academy alum can update their own information on the St. Bedes
website. Reunions are the best and main source of keeping updated information,
though. Homecoming is a good time for them to gather information, as well.
What is the current year range of your alumni information?
*St. Bede Academy has information from the 1930s alumni to today. When St. Bede
Academy usually has the information correct when they have it.
What is your biggest problem with maintaining information on alum?
*Jeanne Margherio explained that when St. Bede alumni graduate from college,
St. Bede doesnt get updated information. They send a request for information
to parents house, but its not always a successful request.
38
Appendix L
39
8. Letter of Transmittal
Millennial Solutions
TO: Tom McGunnigal & Julia Yaklich
FROM: Millennial Solutions
DATE: November 17, 2015
Dear Tom & Julia,
Millennial Solutions is pleased to present this public relations proposal to St. Bede Academy. At Millennial
Solutions, we are committed to creating solutions for organizations by engaging publics. We are fully
aware of the new age of communication and how to use it to the organizations advantage. St. Bede
Academy has noticed a lack of alumni engagement among graduates from the year 1980 to 2015. At
Millennial Solutions, we are confident that this campaign will help St. Bede Academy achieve its goal of
increasing alumni engagement.
The proposals main points are to update the contact information of alumni who graduated between 1980
and 2016 by increasing social media engagement, and to teach current seniors about the importance of
networking in a competitive environment.
Thank you for your time and the opportunity to share with you our proposal. We enjoyed working with St.
Bede Academy to create new, innovative ideas. Millennial Solutions sees that this strategic plan will
provide St. Bede Academy opportunities for future alumni engagements. We look forward to hearing from
you soon.
Sincerely,
Gabriela Avila
Ali Geary
Paige Meyers
Lily Nedland
M
S
40
Kimberly Sanden
Hannah Sheley
9. Contact Us
M il l e nnial S ol uti on s T e am
Gabriela Avila
Millennial Solutions
gvavila@ilstu.edu
847-612-0703
Alison Geary
Millennial Solutions
ajgeary@ilstu.edu
847-347-2247
Paige Meyers
Millennial Solutions
pemeyer@ilstu.edu
815-354-2798
Lily Nedland
Millennial Solutions
lanedla@ilstu.edu 224234-7554
Kimberly Sanden
Millennial Solutions
knsande@ilstu.edu
815-303-1594
Hannah Sheley
Millennial Solutions
hlshele@ilstu.edu
309-507-3204
M
S
41