Reaching out to the older Alums

[JRock]

Today I road the elevator down in my building with a very kind women who struck up conversation. She asked about my Monday and said it was good but busy as always. I apologized for having no voice saying I had been to the game over the weekend. She said which one and I kindly replied. UNT vs. UTEP. Towards the end of the elevator ride she said...well..."UNT is my Alma Mater. Then it was NTSU back in the 70s." I said you know...you really need to come back and go to the games. You would really enjoy it and would be blown away with the growth and success. She said "I really should". But then she said... "You would think UNT would send us older alums better correspondence on what's happening up there". So....my question is...what are we doing to get reach out to these alums. Most probably don't get the North Texan and have to rely on the news. To add to this, I was at Cabelas back in July and a similar thing happened when a women saw my NT ball cap. I suspect there are 1,000s like this. Thoughts?

[NM Green]

It could be better.

I was boarding a plane in Detroit this past week and this girl in front of me looked at my hoodie and then did a double-take. She said that is where I went to school. She proceeded to say that in that airport up north was the last place she expected to see a North Texas sweater. I told her I was a big Mean Green fan and she giggled. She said, "Well I was a commuter student so I didn't get into much on campus." I have a feeling this bowl season when she sees the Mean Green being advertised during bowl week she is somehow going to feel more special than she did 10 days ago.

Outreach needs to be better but we can all play a part in reving up the Mean Green engines at every opportunity. One fan at a time - Mean Green Nation coming home!

GMG

[North Texas Shep]

My wife gets the North Texan sent to her parents address even though we have requested we get it at home... Both of us have requested it at our house, actually. We are also member of the Alumni organization. You would think it would be easy to get a think like that done. Reaching out to older Alumni is a great idea for fans and $$$$.

[PlummMeanGreen]

North Texas cannot communicate with its alums unless they have said alums (young and old) most recent address.

Since I graduated in 1976, I've moved 5 times. Each time it was my responsibility to make sure I was on their mailing lists.

GMG!

[UNTLifer]

I agree that it is the responsibility of both parties to facilitate information, but if you don't seek it out, it will not find you.

Alumni Association:

For example, I was a member of the Alumni Association years ago and let my membership go because I let it slip my mind. I should have been more diligent in staying involved, but there was zero benefit in being a member, zero communication from the Alumni Association to me as a member and zero effort on UNT's part to stay in touch with me to keep it from expiring after a couple of years. I went to the open house in the alumni pavilion prior to the Idaho game, gave a woman at the door my name and current town where I reside telling her I would like information. Months later nothing. I think of this every time I come to town and walk by the pavilion, but not much outside of that.

Mean Green Club

I recently rejoined the MGC after spending most of my availble $$ on funding a scholarship at UNT in my father's memory. (More on that later). I decided to set up a monthly draft to for my membership and worked with Jessica H with the MGC to get this set up. She was very helpful throughout the process, but since joining, the only information I receive is that monthly automated notice that my account is being drafted. No welcome packet, no thank you note, nothing explaining my benefits, etc...

Scholarship Giving

A scholarship in my father's name was set up years ago, and my family has worked at funding this over time through personal donations and asking friends and extended family to give around the holidays instead of giving gifts to us. We have been aware of donations given to this scholarship fund and find out that the university does not acknowledge receiving these gifts to the person giving through a thank you note, email, anything... We have also requested that we be notified when someone makes a donation, so that our family can respond to the person making a donation. None of this takes place without our constant "badgering" of the scholarship office and that is not acceptable.

So what is my point? The University of North Texas is weak in soliciting donations, acknowledging donations and providing correspondence to those that do give which, in turn, leads to people not renewing their donations. I don't care if someone gives $10 or $1,000,000, they are all important and should in the very least thanked for their donation. I run a business that relies on memberships and every person that joins receives a welcome email in the first few days of joining, a welcome notecard from me, hand signed in their first 30 to 60 days and monthly correspondence. If they are not attending, they receive a call from us seeing what we can do to assist them in being here. It isn't difficult, but it takes effort and an organized plan. I have always felt UNT doesn't quite know what to do once the donation is secured. They just take the money and run. If they want members for the MGC and to keep them, then they should provide them with some sort of welcome packet and ongoing correspondence. If you promise quarterly meetings, make them happen. If they can't happen, then explain why, but don't ignore it like it was never promised. If the Alumni Association wants members, then stay in contact with them, do what you say you are going to do and provide them with some sort of benefit. If you want people to give to a scholarship fund, acknowledge their giving. Again, none of this is difficult, but none of this is being done. If you want people's money, then say thank you. A lot of people and organizations ask me for donations all the time, so I have a choice as to where my money will go. UNT needs to do a better job of cultivating and maintaining these relationships.

[MeanGreenTexan]

North Texas cannot communicate with its alums unless they have said alums (young and old) most recent address.

Since I graduated in 1976, I've moved 5 times. Each time it was my responsibility to make sure I was on their mailing lists.

GMG!

Exactly right. If UNT does not know where their alumni live, it's hard to send them any correspondence.

[oldguystudent]

Mean Green Club

I recently rejoined the MGC after spending most of my availble $$ on funding a scholarship at UNT in my father's memory. (More on that later). I decided to set up a monthly draft to for my membership and worked with Jessica H with the MGC to get this set up. She was very helpful throughout the process, but since joining, the only information I receive is that monthly automated notice that my account is being drafted. No welcome packet, no thank you note, nothing explaining my benefits, etc...

MGC stuff like packets and little gifts (keychain last year, lapel pin this year) come out once a year, usually at the beginning of football season. The website isn't well kept. It has an accurate count of my lifetime giving, but not an accurate current year donation level (which is what gets you certain seat rights and admission to the green room among other things). That, however, hasn't been a problem in practice for me at all. Jessica is well aware of where everybody is.

The benefits of your membership can be found here, which links to a handy dandy chart here.

Also, if you itemize deductions, familiarize yourself with the 80/20 rule:

Since 1988, college and university athletics programs have benefited from help provided by Congress when raising money for athletics facilities. That help, known as the "80/20" rule, allows donors to take a charitable-contribution deduction for 80 percent of a payment they make in return for priority rights to purchase seating in college and university athletics facilities. The 80 percent deduction is available regardless of the demand for seating.

[drex]

In some cases it's a cop out...alums who don't give a damn just making excuses as to why they do not participate. Plumm is right, you have to work with the university if you want to be kept up to date...two or three moves and you are lost from the mailing list. If we go to a bowl and win and then have another good season next year, you will be surprised how many alums suddenly are 'big supporters'.

[oldguystudent]

In some cases it's a cop out...alums who don't give a damn just making excuses as to why they do not participate. Plumm is right, you have to work with the university if you want to be kept up to date...two or three moves and you are lost from the mailing list. If we go to a bowl and win and then have another good season next year, you will be surprised how many alums suddenly are 'big supporters'.

Maybe an odd coincidence, but I've moved seven times since graduating college, including a move overseas for several years. That school didn't bother sending me anything. When I caught up with them at some post season athletic events, I tried to write checks, and they told me to shove it. They wanted nothing to do with me, academically, foundation related, alumni association, athletically...until about six weeks after I made my first donation to UNT. Suddenly, the little school from California was bombarding me with solicitations from every conceivable angle. They've got one helluva database somewhere, and I'd guess UNT does too.

[Green Mean]

In this case there is a two way street but again this stems from years and years of having a disconnect with alumni from the administration. It's a work in progress but it will take some hardcore outreach and advertising to get them back. Maybe have a campaign to reconnect with lost alumni by saying "if you've lost touch with us, we want to have you back and reconnect" or something to that effect.

[Cerebus]

Yes, because so many great companies made it big by saying "Advertising? Hell, if the customer wants to buy our product they are going to have to find us."

NT has done a terrible job of keeping up with alumni for decades, if you want to see why our endowment sucks, look no further. The school is now making some strides to do better with recent graduates, but you can'r write off those hundreds of thousands that already came through.

The school needs to spend some money, to get make some money. Outreach to these disconnected alumni should be a top priority.

[Quoner]

In this case there is a two way street but again this stems from years and years of having a disconnect with alumni from the administration. It's a work in progress but it will take some hardcore outreach and advertising to get them back. Maybe have a campaign to reconnect with lost alumni by saying "if you've lost touch with us, we want to have you back and reconnect" or something to that effect.

What about the old "if I haven't talked to you, it's because you haven't called me" radio special? Could we have a throwback ad campaign? Speaking of radio, remember that time Grubes went here? That was cool - maybe he could tweet at every alum we can find online.

[CMJ]

I've had a much different experience with The North Texan following me and others around. My last 3 addresses they've found me at within a month or so despite not contacting the school. My folks (also NT grads) were found by the folks in Denton on two separate moves (one to AZ in the late 90's then to to California in 2008 or so) after about 6-9 months.

Every time I've ever given to to NT they've sent me letters thanking me.

I guess I must have hit the NT lotto or something.

[Mean Green 93-98]

North Texas cannot communicate with its alums unless they have said alums (young and old) most recent address.

Since I graduated in 1976, I've moved 5 times. Each time it was my responsibility to make sure I was on their mailing lists.

GMG!

The USPS provides address correction service for all periodicals. So even if an alumnus/alumna should fail to provide UNT with a new address, as long as they have notified the USPS, UNT should receive returned North Texans with corrected addresses. That service isn't cheap, by the way, so you could save UNT money by notifying them directly....But UNT should be able to stay on top of current addresses of most alumni.

[oldguystudent]

I guess I must have hit the NT lotto or something.

If you've given any money at all to the MGC, that info will spread around campus like a bad case of drunken Fry Street herpes. You'll never get rid of the solicitations. There are certain departments (ok, one in particular) to whom I will never, ever, under any circumstances give one flat dime. I've called, written, and personally visited and asked to be removed from their list. No can do compadre.

[GBarksdale]

I've had a much different experience with The North Texan following me and others around. My last 3 addresses they've found me at within a month or so despite not contacting the school.

Same here. I get The North Texan like clockwork, although the only things I read are Class Notes and Friends We'll Miss.

Still, in my experience UNT makes an effort for alumni outreach.

[CMJ]

If you've given any money at all to the MGC, that info will spread around campus like a bad case of drunken Fry Street herpes. You'll never get rid of the solicitations. There are certain departments (ok, one in particular) to whom I will never, ever, under any circumstances give one flat dime. I've called, written, and personally visited and asked to be removed from their list. No can do compadre.

Nah, most of this started way before I became a MGC member (which was about 2005?). I started getting them sending me stuff 2-3 months after graduating.

Edited November 12, 2013 by CMJ

[UNTLifer]

The North Texan is the one item that has always found me through my moves.

I also agree that it is the alumni's responsibility to change your contact information with the university, but my family has been involved with UNT for almost 50 years, so we aren't hard to find.

[KRAM1]

My wife gets the North Texan sent to her parents address even though we have requested we get it at home... Both of us have requested it at our house, actually. We are also member of the Alumni organization. You would think it would be easy to get a think like that done. Reaching out to older Alumni is a great idea for fans and $$$$.

If the Alumni Association was in charge of compiling, printing and distributing the North Texan magazine, it would be easy to get this handled. But, the University itself has the North Texan under its arm, and sends it to lots of folks who are NOT members of the Alumni Association. I believe you can find info in the front cover as to how to contact the folks in charge of the publication.

[Green Mean]

What about the old "if I haven't talked to you, it's because you haven't called me" radio special? Could we have a throwback ad campaign? Speaking of radio, remember that time Grubes went here? That was cool - maybe he could tweet at every alum we can find online.

Does Grubes still attend NT? I know he got a job with the Stars now but I thought he was still a student. Or maybe he graduated?

A Grubes commitment to UNT in the Twitter world would seriously help us in getting some notice and publicity.

[North Texas Shep]

If the Alumni Association was in charge of compiling, printing and distributing the North Texan magazine, it would be easy to get this handled. But, the University itself has the North Texan under its arm, and sends it to lots of folks who are NOT members of the Alumni Association. I believe you can find info in the front cover as to how to contact the folks in charge of the publication.

Thanks a lot. I enjoy reading them. I will do that next time my wife gets one at her parents house.

[KRAM1]

This is really a very good conversation to have as one can easily see the various "experiences" and beliefs one has with regard to this subject. The challenge lies in that this stuff does not just magically happen...it actually is a two-way street. A little effort or more effort on everyone's part would work wonders. It is hard to keep folks "up to date" if they have no real interest in being kept up to date or being part of the process. And, it is a process. Being a life alumni association member of all three of the universities from which I graduated gives me a bit of perspective on how this is done at these three institutions. But, the central theme of all is "help us help you".

Hard to help folks who think there is no "value" in being a member of the Alumni Association. What is the Alumni Association to do in that case? Some believe value is "how much stuff do I get", some believe the value is seen in helping ones university and in staying connected to their university, and some see it as a combination of both. This is a conversation taking place at this very time within the UNT Alumni Association and across the campus itself.

You might be amazed to know how many folks use the services of the Alumni Association and participate in Alumni Association sponsored events, yet do not join the Alumni Association. Should those folks be banned from these events or should there be additional events planned where membership is REQUIRED for attendance or should things stay as they are? Takes money...memberships = funds available = more activities possible. Some folks who use the services are the same ones who think there is no benefit to joining the Alumni Association. Hard to find the happy medium in all this. cannot tell you how frustrating it can be at times listening to these "older grads" complain about stuff that happened "way back when" as if it were still the same today. Yet, they have taken no steps on their own to find out what is going on today as opposed to "back in the day". When that discussion comes up it is interesting to be able to tell them what it is like today and how things are different. After that, well, they need to take a tad bit of initiative and find out if things have changed...if they are actually interested. This type of conversation rarely happens with our recent grads. A good sign I would think that things are changing and changing for the better. I realize that one's own attitude toward all this plays a major role...as it does in life itself...but, this is a tough challenge for UNT after having paid scant attention to it for so many years.

BUT, UNT now has an administration that "gets it" when it comes to Alumni and the Alumni Association. This, even in the very recent past, was not the case for UNT. Hard for most folks to believe, but true.

All over the campus the realization of how important a strong Alumni base can be is finally sinking in with folks, who, in the past were not open to even discussing the matter. Challenge is, UNT lost generations of grads, and many of those are not going to "come back" and will continue to live in the past that they have known. Some will come back, but you lose them in generations, but you have to get them back one at a time. The point is to not lose them in the first place, and that is where a lot of effort is being made these days. On current students and on recent grads. No, not ignoring the "older grads", but attitude counts as does how much time and how much money one has to operate with. Who are the most receptive to being contacted? Who has an open mind and not one that wants to constantly dwell on the past and what it was "back then"? The past is just that...the past. If one wants to see UNT as it was "back then", then there is little opportunity to bring these folks home. If folks are willing to help UNT help them reconnect or to stay connected there are ways and those "ways" are increasing.

If you would like to be "more connected" join the Alumni Association. There you have info coming at you via email, Facebook, Linkedin, snail mail, The North Texan (again...not a publication of the Alumni Association itself), etc., etc. Dues are still only $40, but that $40 and your membership goes a long way to help your university. Especially in light of the new support agreement recently negotiated and signed between the University and the Alumni Association.

So, good discussion here folks. While individual "challenges" remain on a case by case basis, it can be "fixed" given that both parties...yes, both parties, are willing to see that it is fixed. Not going to happen for the folks who want to dwell on the past, want to be spoon fed or just don't really care. The future really is NOW at UNT. This university is really moving forward in so many great ways, and, for me, this is the greatest time EVER to be associated with this great university.

[UNTLifer]

KRAM, I agree, but I went to the Alumni Association open house at the pavilion prior to the Idaho game with my nephew. We visited with the lady at the front desk checking people in. I told her I was interested in information on the Association since I had not been a member for a couple of years. She responded that she would have this sent to me. To this day, nothing.

[KRAM1]

KRAM, I agree, but I went to the Alumni Association open house at the pavilion prior to the Idaho game with my nephew. We visited with the lady at the front desk checking people in. I told her I was interested in information on the Association since I had not been a member for a couple of years. She responded that she would have this sent to me. To this day, nothing.

Well...that is not good. On an individual basis this stuff happens. Should it...nope! But, it does and people are people. Mistakes happen, folks drop the ball. What would I have done given the same situation? No problem, since I was interested, and assuming I really was, I would have waited a few days and contacted the Alumni Association by phone or email. I would explain that the ball had been dropped and would ask that info be sent. Problem solved....hopefully!

Now, should you be the one having to follow-up? Nope...it should have happened as promised, but I find it interesting that they did not just hand you a brochure on the spot and answer your questions right then and there. Brochures are all over that place and staffers certainly can answer your questions. In fact, I handed a brochure to a guy this last Saturday at the Pavilion who was interested in purchasing a brick paver. Brochures are very handy and on display at the Pavilion. I know they were there during the Idaho game as well, so it would have been easy for that staffer to have handed you a brochure. Sorry too, given that you were there, that you did not see them. Bummer!

PM me with your address info and I will make sure info is ent in the mail to you ASAP. If you wish, the info can be found on line at the Alumni Association's website.

My apologies for the folks having dropped the ball on you. Really sorry it happened to you. Wish I could snap my fingers and eliminate stuff like this. I can tell you, however, that your experience is the exception these days, not the rule. It's the "exceptions" we would like to eliminate and are trying to do just that.

Send me that PM. I won't drop the ball on you!

[UNT90]

It could be better.

I was boarding a plane in Detroit this past week and this girl in front of me looked at my hoodie and then did a double-take. She said that is where I went to school. She proceeded to say that in that airport up north was the last place she expected to see a North Texas sweater. I told her I was a big Mean Green fan and she giggled. She said, "Well I was a commuter student so I didn't get into much on campus." I have a feeling this bowl season when she sees the Mean Green being advertised during bowl week she is somehow going to feel more special than she did 10 days ago.

Outreach needs to be better but we can all play a part in reving up the Mean Green engines at every opportunity. One fan at a time - Mean Green Nation coming home!

GMG

I think you and JRock are completely missing the target demographic.

90% of older females could give 2 S's about college athletics. Did they see a Mean Green shirt and have some fond memories of college? Sure. We're any of those memories associated with athletics? No.

Just sayin...