Consider joining a group of dynamic and engaged volunteers from the Edmonton area who serve as ambassadors for the University of Alberta and guide the Alumni Association in its work to support and stay connected to our more than 340,000 graduates around the world.
The University of Alberta is committed to cultivating an institutional culture that values, supports and promotes equity, human rights, respect and accountability among faculty, staff, students and volunteers. In our inclusive community, we encourage and support individual and collaborative efforts to identify and address inequities, and we welcome and enable contributions of all voices as we engage with diverse ideas, knowledges and perspectives in the pursuit of inclusive excellence for the public good.
Alumni Council volunteers are ambassadors, who engage in two-way conversations within their personal and professional networks, sharing information about how the university and its alumni are "leading with purpose" while also listening to others' perceptions about the Alumni Association and University. As ambassadors, Council members are encouraged to share their alumni stories, become familiar with key facts, promote alumni involvement, and celebrate the ground-breaking teaching and research happening at the university.
What Alumni Councillors Do
Alumni Councillors are passionate about their alma mater and eager to contribute to strategies and programs that strengthen the relationship between the U of A and its alumni. Councillors also sit on at least one working or advisory committee, contributing directly to program development, ad hoc projects or awards and grant selections. Councillors participate in social events, along with large-scale initiatives such as U of A Days and Convocation. Council terms are for three years.
Alumni Councillors act as ambassadors for the university by:
- promoting the university to their personal networks
- encouraging student and alumni involvement
- connecting the university and broader communities
- sharing stories about the impact of the university
Benefits
- Gain professional experience serving on advisory and/or working committees that provide input to the work of the Alumni Association.
- Work with and meet new people, while supporting the success of the university.
- Participate at a high level for important university events such as U of A Days and Convocation.
- Progress to leadership roles within Alumni Council, the Board of Governors and the University Senate.
- Use your unique skills to help set and drive the priorities of the Alumni Association.
Responsibilities
Members serve on Alumni Council for a three-year term, and over the course each year, will typically volunteer about 50 hours of their time. This can include attending a new member orientation, three weekday morning meetings (lasting 1.5 hours each), two Saturday retreats, four to five committee meetings and one to two annual social events. There are ample opportunities for increased involvement, especially during U of A Days and Convocation.
Note: Alumni Council currently has a meeting schedule with a mix of some online and some in-person meetings.
Requirements
Alumni Council volunteers:
- are proud graduates of the University of Alberta
- normally reside in the Edmonton area. (Attendance at meetings is vital to a member’s Alumni Council involvement and volunteer experience satisfaction. As such, most Alumni Council members live in proximity to Edmonton. If you are interested in being more closely affiliated with the Alumni Association but live outside Edmonton, please contact us at alumcncl@ualberta.ca to discuss how we can engage with you in your local community)
- work well with small and large groups
- can dedicate time to advancing alumni engagement and the success of the university
- are eager to support a positive university experience for students
- have a background in community service
To avoid any potential conflicts of interest, employees/contractors of the Office of Vice-President (External Relations) at the University of Alberta are excluded from serving on Alumni Council.
