Save the Date
Save the Date for this year’s virtual Badger Leaders conference, October 23, 2020. Stay tuned for more details!
Scholarship Training Series
Throughout the month of September, we will host a special training series focusing on chapter scholarships and fundraising. Every Wednesday at 3 p.m. CDT, we will discuss topics to help you better support and sustain your chapter scholarship program. Please share this information with your scholarship and fundraising committees, and encourage all to attend. Registration will be required for each session. Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the session(s) they have registered to attend.
- September 2: Goal Setting for Chapter Scholarships and Fundraising
- Watch Now
- Meeting Password: Ehaectm6
- September 9: Fundraising Basics
- Watch Now
- Meeting Password: cMyPR44x
- September 16: How to Steward and Cultivate Donors
- September 23: Leveraging WAA Fundraising Support*
- Watch Now
- Meeting Password: wYZymZG4
- September 30: Tips, Tools, and Resources
*This session is also the monthly Chapter Leader Call.
Annual Report
It’s hard to believe, but fall is just around the corner. The 2020 annual report template is available here and will be due on October 1. We understand this year was unique for many reasons, and chapters were unable to see their plans come to fruition. Please rest assured that we will be taking recent events into account as we go through your annual reports, and you will not be demoted as a result of the current times.
BOARD ROSTER TREASURER’S REPORT
Virtual Events
We have been so impressed with the creativity of chapters around the world as they create virtual events to engage area alumni. In an effort to share these ideas and concepts, we have created a best practices document based on past virtual events. If your chapter hosts a virtual event, please expect a brief survey from your chapter representative to share details about your event. Thank you all for your ongoing enthusiasm, creativity, and engagement during these challenging times.
WFAA Update
The Wisconsin Alumni Association is hard at work planning virtual opportunities to connect in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our organization will work to offer delightful diversions and important information to our alumni and friends in innovative new ways—while not meeting in person until at least October 1.
The UW Now Livestream events have been covering the most timely subjects in the COVID-19 era with UW-specific expertise and exploring our favorite Badger traditions . We’re also creating ways to connect our alumni to campus with virtual backgrounds, and take you for a walk down memory lane with new online Badger Scrapbooks. You’ll be able to catch up on the news of the week with a new #UWWeekinReview on Instagram, and we’ve got plenty more programming in the works.
As always, if you have questions or would like to learn more about these virtual opportunities, reach out to your chapter representative.
Chapter Leader Handbook
Local alumni chapters have been an integral part of the Wisconsin Alumni Association® since the first chapter was founded in 1900 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Chapters remain vitally important in supporting an international network through which alumni can stay engaged and connected and can give back to the university.
The mission of Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) chapters is to:
- Welcome: be accessible, hospitable, and responsive
- Connect: serve as a social and professional hub
- Support: encourage alumni to support the UW
View the full Chapter Leader Handbook
Chapter Essentials
- Start a Chapter
- Calendar of Events, Deadlines, and Reminders
- Team Organizational Chart (PDF)
- Position Descriptions — President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
- Team Descriptions — Athletics Team, Awards and Recognition Team, Communications Team, Events Team, Fundraising Team, Professional Networking Team, Scholarship Team, Social Events Team
- Volunteer Recruiting Quick Guide (PDF)
Recognized Chapters
- WAA Recognized Chapters Requirements and Support
- Board Roster Submission
- Varsity Chapters Requirements and Support
- Bascom Chapters Requirements and Support
- Treasurer’s Report
- Bascom Chapter Program Grant — Learn More or Apply
- Bascom Chapter Travel Grant — Learn More or Apply
Chapter Policies
- Chapter Leader Handbook — Online Version or PDF Version
- Example of Chapter Bylaws
- Code of Ethics
- Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement (PDF)
- Liability Factors for Chapters
- WFAA Chapter Event General Release (PDF)
- Wisconsin Alumni Association Alcohol Policy
- Volunteer Alumni Dispute Resolution Policy
- Memorabilia Information and Disclaimer
- Guidelines For Using Bucky Badger Imagery
Events and Programs
- General Event Planning Timeline
- Registration Quick Guide
- Founders’ Day Guide
- Badger Student Send-Off Celebration Quick Guide
- Student Scholarship Award Template (PPT Download)
- Chapter Scholarship Gift Form Request
- Badger Cafe Quick Guide (PDF)
- Chapter Nametags — Printer Template (Word Doc) and Instructions (PDF)
Chapter Awards
- Chapter Member Recognition Certificate — Learn More
- Badger of the Year Award — Learn More
- Presidents’ Circle of Excellence Award — Learn More
- Lifetime Achievement Award — Learn More
Other Alumni Awards
- Forward under 40 Award — Learn More or Submit a Nominee
- Distinguished Alumni Awards — Learn More or Submit a Nominee
Chapter Scholarships
Monthly Chapter Leader Call
September 2020 – Scholarship Training Series: Leveraging WAA Fundraising Support
Password: wYZymZG4
April 2019 – Student Send Off
June 2018 – Welcome to the City and Badger Bridge Chapter Leader Group
March 2018 – Call hosted by Purnita Howlader, WAA: Washington, DC Chapter president
September 2017 – Campus Update
August 2017 – Registration and Fall Updates
July 2017 – Welcome to the City and Fall Events
June 2017 – WFAA 2.0
April 2017 – Student Send-off Preperation
March 2017 – Updates on current enrollment trends.
January 2017 – Founders’ Day Best Practices and Awards
December 2016 – Chapter Website Updates
October 2016 – Founders’ Day 2017 Prep
September 2016 – Admissions Update
August 2016 – RE-Wisconsin, Annual Reports, Badger Bridge Chapter Competition
July 2016 – President’s Council Challenge, Welcome to the City
June 2016 – President’s Council Challenge, Chapter Leader Handbook, The Red Shirt Showdown, Scholarship Update
May 2016 – Student Send-Offs and scholarships
March 2016 – Badger Bridge
February 2016 – Update from campus Admissions
January 2016 – Founders’ Day messaging
December 2015 – All Ways Forward
October 2015 – Athletics policies and deadlines
September 2015 – Chapter framework and mission: Welcome, Connect, Support
August 2015 – Welcome to the City
Badger Leaders Conference 2020
This year’s Badger Leaders Conference will be held virtually on Friday, October 23. While we are disappointed that we will not be able to gather in person, we encourage you to invite your board members to participate in applicable sessions. Please stay tuned for details on registration and sessions.
Badger Leaders Conference 2019 presentations:
Day of the Badger – Mark Rein, Heart of Illinois Chapter President
Legal Presentation – Abi Chahak, Director of Legal Affairs
Marketing Presentation – Anida Ho, Senior Marketing Manager
Scholarship Fundraising Plan – Lorna Nagler, Suncoast Chapter President
Scholarship Process – Angela Lillethun, Director of Regional Relations & Volunteer Management
Starting a Chapter like a Startup – Frank Zhang, South China Chapter President
Strength through Diversity – Gia Gallimore, Director of Diverse Alumni Engagement
Strengths Finder – Ryan Tobiasz, D.C. Badgers President
General Chapter Questions
Please direct chapter-related questions to chapters@uwalumni.com.
Domestic Chapter Questions
- Angela Lillethun ’95, Director of Regional Relations & Volunteer Management
- Nancy Powell, Geographic Outreach Manager
- Nathalie McFadden ‘14 , Chapter and Regional Relations Manager
International Chapter Questions
- Lora Klenke ’94, Managing Director, International Alumni Relations
- Aly Theder ‘16 , Program Coordinator
Events and Registration
- Michael O’Brien ’13, Senior Registration Coordinator