Creating An Alumni Leadership Circle

2. Creating An Alumni Leadership Circle ‘Bridging the Gap’

3. Alumni Leadership Circle (ALC) History • Founded in 2005 with the help of 5 alumni & two inspired educators: - Ann Fields and Bea Cassidy • Alumni met to discuss forming a group that would link the academy, industry, and alumni together • Alumni volunteered their time to meet and form the ALC. • ALC has about 70+ alumni in current database

4. Objectives Who? When? How? What? Where? Why?

5. Who? Who is involved in creating an ALC? • ACADEMY • INDUSTRY • ALUMNI

6. What? What is involved in creating an ALC? • Time & Commitment • Volunteering • Leadership • Industry support

7. When? When is the right time to create an ALC? • As soon as a group of committed alumni can be located. • NOW!!

8. Where? Where do you begin creating an ALC? • No specific location • Utilize all resources - Local schools - Industry sites - Personal homes

9. Where? Venice?

10. Why? Why is creating an ALC important? • Supports the academy curriculum - Sustains industry standards - Guest Speakers speak about industry - Mentors provide guidance for students • Motivates all involved to contribute to continued success

11. Why? (continued) • Promotes community involvement (building strong local communities) • Serves as an outlet for alumni to excel both professionally and personally

12. How?

13. How? How do you actually create an ALC? 5 Steps Step 1: Solicit former students who have completed the academy program - Different schools (all in same area) example: 4 different schools represented Step 2: Make Contact/Establish a rapport & arrange a ‘Meeting of the Minds’ - highlight the primary goal to create a group of alumni to enhance the academy

14. How? (continued) Step 3: Establish a structure (officers, core group, leaders) - Success has been partially due to their being no officers (we all act as officers/lead council) - Consider a Group Advisor who provides needed support and focus

15. How? (continued) Step 4: Official Launch - Seek industry support to arrange an Official Launch event - Locate alumni for launch event examples: Miami Seaquarium & Four Seasons Hotel - Miami

16. How? (continued) Step 5: ALC has been formed - Involvement in industry events - Student conference - Advisory Board - Presentations at schools - Volunteer at academy events * Around the World Dinner * Tourism Professional of the Year

17. ‘ Bridging the Gap’ ACADEMY--------ALUMNI-------INDUSTRY ALC’s Central Theme

18. ‘Bridging the Gap’ ACADEMY • Students explore their academy • Learn about industry (internship & behind the scenes exposure) • Graduated from the academy

19. ‘Bridging the Gap’ INDUSTRY • Provides support (professional & financial) • Partnership with academy - Planning - Execution - Advisory Board Members

20. ‘Bridging the Gap’ ALUMNI • Completed the academy • Working in the industry • Links the ACADEMY & INDUSTRY together • Best marketing tool for the ACADEMY & INDUSTRY • Represents the BRIDGE in ‘Bridging the Gap’

21. ALC Goals • Focus on life after the academy • Getting Alumni involved with industry events • Helping future academy graduates • Increased networking opportunities • Motivate educators, industry, & alumni by focusing on how important everyone’s role in the academy is.

22. The Alumni Leadership Circle

23. When are you going to start your Alumni Leadership Circle in your city?

24. Questions & Answers