A lifelong relationship with Western is one that starts as a student, according to new Vice-President (External), Kevin Goldthorp, who brought greetings and a campaign update to Western’s Alumni Association on April 20 in London and via video conference to members in Toronto.
“I’d like to thank the Alumni Association for all they do. Alumni relations are central to what we do. It starts with our alumni body. It’s critical this body be listened to,” said Goldthorp.
He talked about nurturing the relationship with alumni so they benefit and have a valuable, lifelong association with the university.
“It’s critically important we create that culture of involvement and offer value to alumni after they graduate. And start defining that relationship with students both on and off campus.”
Having that worldwide network of alumni around the world is valuable, added Goldthorp.
He praised the work of the Alumni Relations department for increasing the number of programs for alumni and developing new revenue streams through affinity partners.
“You’ve done tremendous things in the past decade. We’ve got to continue to challenge ourselves and engage alumni worldwide.”
It’s Goldthorp’s goal that alumni see Western as important, a destination for education of their children, and a place people turn to for expertise in various areas, including leading edge research.
“We need to understand what the alumni body is thinking of the university.”
Western’s fundraising campaign was officially announced last fall during a busy year that saw the university bid farewell to long-time president Paul Davenport and welcome new president Amit Chakma on July 1.
“The challenge and opportunity is where does the new president want to take the university? Out of that will fall programs we want to execute.”
Goldthorp talked about Chakma’s priorities of positioning Western more prominently in the global context, being recognized as an international leader in various fields and moving applicable research more rapidly into the marketplace.
He was quick to point out not every part of research at Western turns into a commercial product. There are others ways research is applied and evaluated.
Three areas being redefined in the fundraising campaign are support for students, faculty and facilities.
“Why would you tell your daughter or niece or neighbour to attend Western? What is distinct about Western? Why choose Western over U of T, Queen’s or McGill? If we want to succeed in this competitive environment, we have to be able to answer this question easily,” said Goldthorp.
The fundraising campaign will be longer than initially planned and the definition of the External portfolio will have to be examined. “Do we have the right amount of people in the right jobs to do this?”
Alumni Association board member Jim Etherington asked if Goldthorp had any expectations for roles of alumni and the Alumni Association in these plans.
“I find it curious that we treat alumni and alumni activities as a self-contained thing. The campaign should be something wholly integrated. It should be important to everyone.”
The next four to five months will find Goldthorp being heavily engaged in a core re-evaluation in External, involving opinions of staff and feedback on roles. He reiterated it was critical to be “truly interacting with alumni in a meaningful way” and to create a “value exchange” between alumni and Western.
“This is a 10- to 20-year project, not just a few years we’re looking at,” he said.
Budget approved
Members of Western’s Alumni Association approved the annual budget and a funding request for a Coaches Recognition Dinner on June 21. Executive Director of Alumni Relations Gary Blazak highlighted the budget including more good news from affinity partners. This time it was an increase in revenue from Manulife Financial.
“Overall, business increased by 4.6 per cent…in 2009. Program revenue for 2009 exceeded budget by $5,000,” stated Blazak in his report.
“The good news is you have another $105,000 to spend over the next year,” he told the board.
Of the money to spend for the coming year, the board approved a request for $5,000 from Therese Quigley, Director of Sports and Recreation Services (SRS), for an inaugural Coaches Recognition Dinner. The $5,000 is needed in the first year to retroactively honour all individuals who have a minimum of 30 years-plus of service, according to Quigley’s application.
Funds will be used towards the creation of awards and gifts of recognition for those celebrating major milestones, as well as costs associated with facility rentals and meals. Going forward, perpetual funding required will be $3,000 per year.
Etherington moved the motion to fund the recognition dinner but wanted the motion to reflect a commitment of funding for just the first year. He asked that the SRS apply annually for subsequent award dinners. The motion was seconded by Craig Labbett and passed by the board, as was the annual budget.
Goldthorp thanked the board for its “endorsement of the budget and for the work of Alumni Relations and Gary’s team.”