Volunteer Leadership Summit

1. Volunteer Leadership Summit What Inspires You to Make Gettysburg Great? Ashlyn W. Sowell Associate Vice President for Development & Campaign Director

2. Background and History

3. Why? • In 2007, Gettysburg College used a consultant to conduct a feasibility study in preparation for a comprehensive campaign • The consultant recommended that we needed to engage and educate our key volunteer groups of alumni, parents and friends in advance of the campaign to ensure success • This was also a great opportunity to showcase our new leadership and campaign priorities

4. Our Purpose and Goal • Objectives: • Inspire volunteers to share in the vision for the College and be active participants in achieving that vision • Strategies: • Strengthen the College’s volunteer base • Show appreciation to volunteers • Share information • Promote camaraderie and a sense of unity as a community of volunteers

5. What? • Volunteer Leadership Summit (VLS) • We had done similar events about every five years, but never this comprehensive - a three day weekend with over 400 participants • Opportunity for education and communication, because engaged volunteers are more philanthropic & invite others to participate

6. Key Messages • Volunteers are the College’s key insiders and stakeholders • They do vitally important work that makes a difference and that work is appreciated • They are important advocates and spokespeople for the College • There is a bold vision for the College’s future • Their expertise, energy, and financial support are more important than everbefore • Current and future students depend on them

7. How? • Our division of development, alumni and parent relations (DAPR) led the charge for the college • Specifically, the department of donor relations and special events organized a campus wide committee over a year and a half in advance • The president and board of trustees (BOT) invited the volunteers and most other leadership boards met that weekend

8. Who? • Invitees included BOT, Alumni Board, Parents Board, O&B, BOLD Council, Magazine Advisory Board, all volunteers and COF members • Campus partners included the president’s office, provost’s office, admissions, the career center, marketing & communications, faculty, athletics, and student life (just to name a few) • We also worked closely with dining, facilities, the campus schedulers, the print shop, and IT

9. College Website Promotion

10. VLS Program Sample

11. When? • September 22-25, 2011, a busy fall weekend! • Worked well since we held most board meetings at that time • Connected to many existing campus events, like athletics contests, Majestic Theater, etc. • Also created many interactive events for volunteers to see our students, faculty and staff in action

12. More Details • Marketing materials • Involvement of our campaign communications firm in the weekend • Special Events • Rolled out the red carpet with great food, videos, live presentations featuring faculty, students and volunteers and dancing! • Budget (estimated about $150,000) • Outcomes

13. After the Fact • Post VLS communication plan was initiated • Survey was seny and data collected and reviewed • What would we do differently? • Discussion/Questions?

14. Post VLS Communications

15. Post VLS Communications

16. Your Turn! Break into small groups and discuss the following: 1) Has your organization ever done something like this and was it successful? 2) If not, what kind of event/volunteer training might work at your organization? 3) Spend a few minutes brainstorming for one school in your group about plans and report back