Engineering Chapter Strategic Plan for Terms 2008-2012

I. History of the Engineering Chapter

The Engineering Alumni Chapter was founded in the mid 1940’s by then University President, Harry “Curly” Byrd, a 1908 engineering graduate, and S. Sidney Steinberg, Dean of the Engineering School from 1936 to 1956. Alumni membership and activities were managed by the University of Maryland Alumni Association – International Inc. for the five campuses comprising the University of Maryland system. In 1988 with the passage of the Higher Education Bill by the Maryland General Assembly, authorization was given to the individual campus presidents to organize campus-based alumni associations and the current University of Maryland Alumni Association, Inc. was formed on the College Park Campus. The Engineering Alumni Chapter then became a part of the Association. In 1994, the College of Engineering was renamed the A. James Clark School of Engineering in honor of its 1950 alumnus and benefactor.

II. Mission of the Engineering Chapter

It shall be the mission of the Engineering Chapter to organize the membership to promote the welfare and advancement of the University of Maryland and the A. James Clark School of Engineering through the promotion of educational, social, alumni-focused, and/or student-focused activities, by working towards the following strategic goals:

• Foster and strengthen the role, presence, and image of the Engineering Chapter.
• Cultivate professional and social interaction between the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the A. James Clark School of Engineering.
• Promulgate and promote achievements, programs, and services that empower and involve the A. James Clark School of Engineering.
• Promote and recognize academic and professional excellence within the A. James Clark School of Engineering and among its alumni.
• Encourage external (private and government) support of the A. James Clark School of Engineering’s activities and endeavors.
• Preserve and proclaim the history and tradition of the A. James Clark School of Engineering.
• Involve and reacquaint alumni with their alma mater.
• Encourage alumni to support the University of Maryland and A. James Clark School of Engineering.

III. Strategic Goals of the Engineering Chapter

The Engineering Alumni Chapter is constantly facing new challenges and opportunities that impact its strategic goals. It is our belief that our efforts to meet these goals will span a minimum of two years. In 2005 the officer term limits were extended from one to two year terms to reflect the need for continuity in pursuing these goals. This plan identifies how the following goals will be pursued in the 2008-2012 term:

• Ensure the survival and high visibility of Engineering-specific events, honors, and accomplishments.
• Increase Engineering Chapter coordination, collaboration, and support of the University Alumni Association and student’s efforts, goals, and strategies.
• Increase membership in the Engineering Chapter of the Alumni Association by at least 5% per year (aligned with the University’s Alumni Association’s goal for increasing membership).
• Increase the visibility and positive brand recognition of the Engineering Chapter of the Alumni Association among alumni, faculty, staff, and students of the A. James Clark School of Engineering and of the University of Maryland as a whole.
• Support engineering student scholarships.
• Maintain/increase financial support of Alumni Chapter activities.
• Provide value added services to the current membership and improve member retention.
  

IV. Initiatives for Meeting the Strategic Goals

V. Functions of Standing Committees

The standing committees serve to fulfill the strategic goals of the Chapter. Most of the work of the Chapter is conducted by and within the committees. The Initiatives from the Articulation Map are identified in the Activities section for each committee.

Executive Committee
Chaired by the Engineering Chapter President. Consists of the President, the immediate Past-President, President Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Director of Alumni Relations serves as facilitator.

Purpose:

To provide guidance consistent with the Mission of the Engineering Chapter to the Board and to ensure the Board’s activities and functions remain focused and on task.

Chairperson: Catherine Stewart

Strategic Focus and Goals:

1. Provide guidance and leadership to the Board to stay focused, move forward, and achieve results.
2. Expand the chapter’s focus from regional to national.
3. Maintain a current and effective Strategic Plan.
4. Track progress on the strategic initiatives and ensure alignment with the goals of the chapter.

Activities:

1. Review the Strategic Plan biannually, and update as needed, as a concise four-year roadmap.
2. Advise the Board of the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
3. Support the needs and recommendations of the Dean and Alumni Association, and communicate to the Board for consideration and implementation.
4. Support the Board on maintaining the Chapter by-laws and procedures.
5. Initiate and implement changes in the by-laws.
6. Recommend a slate of officers to serve for the succeeding term of office to the Board for approval.
7. Select one member of the Board to serve on the Innovation Hall of Fame selection committee.
8. Oversee Scholarship Golf Tournament Committee’s activities.
9. Coordinate information for the monthly alumni eNewsletter with Director of Alumni Relations.

Past President’s Committee

Chaired by the Immediate Past-President or another designated Past-President. Committee members will be current members of the University of Maryland Alumni Association who have served in the position of President of the Engineering Alumni Chapter. The Chairperson of this committee, or at least one representative Committee member, shall represent the Committee on the Engineering Chapter Board of Directors.

Purpose:

To serve as a resource to the current Board of Directors providing historical information and context about the chapter’s activities as well as their time and skills where needed.

Chairperson: Norine Walker

Strategic Focus and Goals:

1. Goal is for the former presidents of the Alumni Association, Engineering Chapter to continue to have a long term relationship with the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the University of Maryland Alumni Association that benefits all parties involved.
2. The Past-Presidents will provide an ever-present foundation for initiating and sustaining long-term efforts to increase Alumni Association membership and widening alumni influence and networking.
3. Plan and execute Past-President’s events that will serve to sustain the relationship between the Engineering Chapter Past Presidents, the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the University of Maryland Alumni Association.

Activities:

1. Locate as many Past-Presidents as possible.
2. Solicit feedback from Past-Presidents on proposed Alumni Association efforts and Engineering Chapter efforts.
3. Plan and execute an annual Past-President’s dinner that will allow the A. James Clark School and the Alumni Association to honor and network with the Engineering Chapter Past presidents.
4. Support the A. James Clark School of Engineering Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament.
5. Regularly contact Past Presidents to notify them of upcoming Alumni events.
   

Communications and Fundraising Committee

Chaired by a volunteer member of the Board of Directors. Members of the committee include Engineering Alumni Chapter member volunteers.

Purpose:

This committee was established to help the Engineering Alumni Chapter encourage membership, improve participation at events, seek out funding opportunities, and develop new approaches and materials to gain more visibility in the University and Alumni Communities.

Chairperson: Anthony Aneke

Strategic Focus and Goals:

1. Work with the A. James Clark School of Engineering to build an informative and useful website for our Alums, building from the School's current website; and develop communication materials through the School to improve our visibility in the larger Alumni community.
2. Use communications, programs and special events as a means to recruit new members of the University of Maryland Alumni Association.
3. Review the effectiveness of the activities and report to the Board following each activity.
4. Build annual Alumni Association membership in the Engineering Chapter by 5% annually.
5. Develop funding opportunities for the Engineering Alumni Chapter.

Activities:

1. Scholarship Golf Tournament Silent Auction
2. Alumni Mentoring Program
3. Maryland Day

Student Outreach Committee

Chaired by a volunteer member of the Board of Directors. Members of the committee include Engineering Alumni Chapter member volunteers.

Purpose:

Engage engineering students with Engineering Chapter members to foster relationship building and to provide a conduit for students to feel connected to the University and become active alumni following graduation.

Chairpersons: Harold “Hark” Tagunicar

Strategic Focus and Goals:

1. Increase student awareness of the Alumni Association and the benefits of membership.
2. Maintain open lines of communication with students, primarily through student organizations, and promote information sharing.
3. Support student activities and organizations in coordination with the A. James Clark School administration and staff.
4. Provide opportunities for students to connect with UMD Alumni.

Activities:

1. Graduation Receptions (Dec. & May)
2. Representative from the Student Outreach Committee attends the Engineering Student Council meetings as regularly as possible.
3. Invite leaders of student organizations to attend Board meetings to discuss how we can integrate efforts.
4. Coordinate an annual event with the Alumni Outreach committee to allow networking between student and alumni groups.
5. Conduct the Order of the Engineer (at least once per year).

Alumni Outreach Committee

Chaired by a volunteer member of the Board of Directors. Members of the committee include Engineering Alumni Chapter member volunteers.

Purpose:

Support the University of Maryland’s goal of “building the Maryland family” of alumni to create a network of allegiance and support for the University. Specifically, the Committee should strive to develop greater opportunities to engage engineering alumni with the Clark School of Engineering and communicate the School and University accomplishments.

Chairperson: Norine Walker

Strategic Focus and Goals:

1. Increase University of Maryland Alumni Association membership by at least 5% annually and promote the activities of the Chapter and the Alumni Association.
2. Provide opportunities for professional networking.
3. Provide opportunities for reconnecting with the University of Maryland.
   

Activities:

1. Plan one alumni networking event per year which focuses on building the alumni network and provides professional development opportunities and a new source for membership.
2. Assist the Communications and Fundraising Committee in planning key events targeted for alumni outreach and professional development opportunities.
3. Identify and nominate viable representative candidates for the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The Engineering Alumni Board of Directors recommends candidates to the Dean of Engineering for his selection.
4. Survey recent alumni. (e.g. Commencement Reception)
5. Reach out to Engineering Professional Society Chapters in the area to advertise the Chapter’s activities and collaborate on events.

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