Student Welcome Event and Yard Signs
We have decided to once again host a virtual Student Send Welcome Event this summer, and we hope you’ll join other WAA chapters as we introduce new Badgers to the UW experience! Of course, your participation in this virtual event is optional. Like last year, we are planning a BINGO game and will highlight chapter leaders and their incoming students. Also, back by popular demand, we will also be offering yard signs for chapters and your local incoming freshmen. We will be sharing more information in the coming weeks!
Badger Leader Onboarding Sessions
We are excited to launch our first official onboarding sessions for Badger leaders on March 10 at 3 p.m. CST. These sessions will feature an overview from WFAA staff, resource refreshers, and a panel of experienced Badger leaders from around the country. We encourage you to share this session with any of your newer board members. If March 10 does not work for your schedule, there will be additional sessions on June 9, September 8, and December 8.
Scholarship Timeline
It is hard to believe, but we are just months away from a new scholarship season. Here is the timeline for your reference:
- January 1: Deadline to deposit money into scholarship funds
- February 15–March 15: Chapter Scholarship Committee to review applicant data
- March 16: Deadline to submit awardees and alternates to WAA via online form
- March 16–21: Notify awardees and alternates
- May 1: Commitment Day!
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 through the end of April 30th.
The UW Now Livestream events have been covering the timeliest 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 can 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
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
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
- Watch Now
- Meeting Password: kQRrrT2t
- September 23: Leveraging WAA Fundraising Support*
- Watch Now
- Meeting Password: wYZymZG4
- September 30: Tips, Tools, and Resources
- Watch Now
- Meeting Password: KtCUqRE3
Monthly Chapter Leader Call
December 2020 – Enhancing Online Engagement and Best Practices
Password: 6Zd2QBsw
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
Thank you so much for attending Badger Leaders Conference 2020, if you missed the conference or need a refresher, please find the presentations and recordings below.
Badger Leaders Conference 2020: Domestic
Welcome Session
Website and Marketing Updates
Strengths Finder
Founders Day 2021
Board Transitions and Onboarding
Newsletters 101
Resources Refresher
WFAA and University Updates
Badger Leaders Conference 2020: International
Session 1: Building Your International Chapter Network and Experiences & Challenges of a New Chapter
Session 2: The Power of Big 10 Collaborations and How to Find & Stay Connected to Alumni in Your Area
Session 3: Supporting Future Badgers
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, Chapter & Regional Relations Manager
- Nathalie McFadden ‘14 , Chapter and Regional Relations Manager
International Chapter Questions
- Lora Klenke ’94, Managing Director, International Alumni Relations
- Aly Theder ‘16 , Event Manager
Events and Registration
- Michael O’Brien ’13, Senior Registration Coordinator