In this phase I organize contact information, interview alumni and staff, review your longer-term goals, analyze any activities you’ve done in the past.

From that, I’ll write recommendations and a plan for how to get up and running.

Here we’ll start to publicize the formation of your group through a web page, newsletter, list of volunteer opportunities, and plan a low-key alumni gathering.

This is when we’ll analyze what’s resonating with alumni and get them more involved.

These “asks” could include them donating money, hiring students, mentoring, speaking at a class, planning formal class or team-based reunions, etc.

Once the foundation of your alumni community is solid, I’ll shift the work off my plate.

This could mean I help you find and train the right new employee or transition the work to an existing person.

Either way, through all the phases, I’m documenting the steps, writing how-tos and checklists, and capturing any other need-to-know information so staff can slide right in and keep things running smoothly.