Boston鈥檚 got one. Isn鈥檛 it time an alumni chapter opened near you?
By Michael Bolanz 鈥�00
Photo by Sean Pavone
The 2013 launch of the College鈥檚 first regional alumni chapter was a welcoming moment for the College and its growing community of alumni. This inaugural chapter, located in Boston, Massachusetts, has set the tone for a great number of new projects for the College community, including greater outreach and a new variety of alumni events. But its launch also begs the question, isn鈥檛 it time we created more regional chapters?
Alumni chapters are volunteer-driven organizations that reflect the pride of Saint Joseph鈥檚 alumni鈥攏o matter where they live. Through the activities of chapters, we are able to engage and connect with a higher number of alumni than the office of Alumni Relations and the Alumni Association Board could do through its individual efforts.
Alumni chapters serve alumni by providing opportunities to socialize and network through organized socials, service events, and activities in their local communities. They also help alumni stay connected with their alma mater by keeping them informed about major events at the College or by providing the opportunity for alumni to share memories of their years at Saint Joseph鈥檚 College. They can also serve as a resource for recent grads as well as current students by offering mentorships, internships, and even career opportunities through the bond we all share as being part of the Saint Joseph鈥檚 College community.
So, there are a lot of positives to the existence of a regional chapter, but how can we actually create more? Here鈥檚 the history of the Boston Chapter.
Getting Organized
The Boston Chapter鈥檚 success came directly from the volunteer work of our alumni in the Boston area. RJ Turner 鈥�98, who is a current member of the Alumni Association Board, took on the role as chair of the Boston Chapter. Establishing a leader is important.
鈥淗aving an alumni chapter in Boston allows us to extend the reach even farther from our 鈥榟ome base鈥� in Standish,鈥� says Turner. 鈥淭he success we鈥檝e come to find these last three years has allowed for this to happen, and it鈥檚 only going to get better. I am just glad I can be a part of it.鈥�
In addition to Turner, the Boston Chapter is spearheaded by a group of dedicated alumni all serving vital roles in its organization and continuing success. There鈥檚 Jen Taylor 鈥�03,鈥�09, who is the acting vice chair; Jesse Beer 鈥�01, who serves as the events coordinator; Laura Conti 鈥�04, communications coordinator; and Kelly Bedard 鈥�06, the chapter鈥檚 secretary. Of course, there are more volunteers who are making this happen: Matt Cotreau 鈥�10, Dan Giusti 鈥�03, Patrick Murphy 鈥�05, and Erin Scanlon 鈥�98.
鈥淭he Boston Chapter is good for the area,鈥� says Beer, 鈥渁s it allows alumni to generate friendships and create a closer bond to the College. As we grow the Boston Chapter, I hope we can find ways to continually add to the number of involved alumni.鈥�
ALUMNI BY STATE
The Kick-Off
After determining leadership positions and formalizing the chapter鈥檚 intention to exist, thrive, and expand, there must be a kick-off event. After all, you have to give your chapter鈥檚 members what they鈥檙e asking for. The Boston Chapter, seeking to connect alumni with each other and the College, did not disappoint.
The Boston Chapter was launched at a December 2013 Christmas party at The Whiskey Priest in Boston鈥檚 Seaport District. The event brought nearly 50 alumni together to celebrate the holidays and raise money and canned food items for Catherine鈥檚 Cupboard Food Pantry.
Boston鈥檚 next event, on February 22, featured a 鈥淗ome-Away-From-Home鈥� social at the Cherry Tree Bar and Grille in West Newton, prior to attending a Monks men鈥檚 basketball match at Lasell College.
Boston鈥檚 third event took place on March 15 at TD Garden, for a game between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes.
These locations allowed alumni to connect with each other and to simply enjoy the perks of having a group of people who all share a common bond: Saint Joseph鈥檚 College.
The Fine Print
So, that鈥檚 the 鈥渨ho鈥� and the 鈥渉ow鈥� of creating a regional alumni chapter. But there must be some fine print to all of this, right?
Actually, there isn鈥檛.
All Saint Joseph鈥檚 College alumni are members of the Alumni Association, a non-dues-paying organization. When alumni in a specific region initiate a chapter, all alumni within that geographic area are considered members of the chapter and are welcomed to attend all chapter events.
On the heels of such a successful launch of the College鈥檚 first chapter, the Alumni Office is looking to expand the network of regional chapters to serve all areas where alumni live. And where, exactly, do they live? The Association鈥檚 reach includes all 50 states. (Yes, Alaska and Hawaii, we鈥檝e got you covered.) Whether you鈥檙e one of the 902 alumni living in Florida or one of the 134 in Washington, there are plenty of grads in your state to organize a regional chapter.
If you are interested in starting a chapter in your area, contact Michael Bolanz 鈥�00 in the Alumni Office at 207-893-7894 or听mbolanz@sjcme.edu听for more information.
