All UL Lafayette grads are now members of the Alumni Association.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Alumni Association began 2017 with a revised membership structure.
In short: If you’re a UL Lafayette graduate, you’re in.
“You don’t have to pay to be a member. You’re automatically a member and you receive basic benefits,” said Jennifer LeMeunier, ’92, executive director of the Association.
For more than 10 years, annual Association membership cost $40 for one person and $60 for a married couple.
Now, membership levels are based on the concept of philanthropic giving, LeMeunier explained. A UL Lafayette graduate who gives $100 or more to the Alumni Association’s Loyalty Fund is entitled to premium benefits. Others may join the Association by contributing to the Loyalty Fund.
“We want to make sure we’re reaching young alumni and are including all of our graduates in the organization. You don’t have to pay to be involved,” she said.
“We’re taking a leap of faith to move to a philanthropic structure instead of a ‘give to get’ structure. We encourage alumni to give to the Loyalty Fund because it’s a way to show their pride and support. It’s a way for them to thank their university for the impact it has had on their lives. We’re hoping that through this change, we can appeal to different audiences.”
The new approach is modeled after philanthropic structures at other universities, such as Ohio State University. “It was a successful transition for that university. They didn’t lose supporters. They gained supporters,” LeMeunier said.
Contributions to the Loyalty Fund will enable the Alumni Association to continue to support traditional alumni events, such as Homecoming; recognition of outstanding alumni and volunteers; scholarships; student activities; and partnerships with other campus organizations that provide services to alumni.
The Association began to call attention to the revised membership structure by presenting a special lapel pin to each graduate during Commencement in December. “When they received their diplomas, an Alumni Association representative handed them a pin,” LeMeunier said. “Presentation of the pins is a way to convey to our newest alumni that they’re automatically Association members and to encourage them to wear their pins proudly.” The pins will be given to grads during all fall, spring and summer Commencements.
One of the Association’s goals for 2017 is to increase communication with more graduates. In the past, for example, Alumni Association members received a printed copy of its Alumni Accents newsletter twice a year. Now, the Association plans to send Alumni Accents in an electronic format to members every other month. Contributors to the Loyalty Fund will also receive a printed edition of the newsletter once a year.
One of the keys to successful communication with members will be obtaining up-to-date contact information. “We continuously look for ways to collect, or get our alumni to provide to us, current information so we can reach them – not for fundraising purposes but to stay connected,” LeMeunier said.
The Alumni Association will launch a redesigned website this spring. The new site will be housed on the University’s server and will follow the same format as other UL Lafayette websites.
“This will enable our staff to make updates and improvements more quickly and efficiently. It’s a very positive move for us,” LeMeunier said.
The Association will continue to use social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to promote events and stay in touch with its members. To learn more about the revised membership structure or update contact information, visit alumni.louisiana.edu.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2016/Winter 2017 issue of La Louisiane.