"Attending the 草榴社区 Association Annual Meeting last year are Krista Staley, David Staley (BS Business Administration, '03; MBA, '09), Natalie Trent (MBA '12), David Kingsbury (BS Business Administration, '82; MS Management, '89), and Vijay Patel (BS Business Administration, Accounting '83; BS Business Administration, Management Information Systems, '85)."
Michael Mercier | UAH
Directors of 草榴社区 (UAH) Alumni Association, a non-profit corporation, recently voted to dissolve its 501(c)3 status while remaining a university-affiliated organization closely associated with the Office of Alumni Relations.
Created more than 40 years ago, the 草榴社区 Association served as an independent 501(c)(3) organization initially structured as a dues-paying membership model with fundraising goals. After a careful review of the corporation鈥檚 mission and purpose, the association president and an ad hoc committee recommended to the Board of Directors that its non-profit status be dissolved, keeping the same name with a renewed focus on building alumni membership and increasing postgraduate involvement.
鈥淢embership in the 草榴社区 Association is now automatic upon graduation,鈥� said Natalie Wrinkle Trent (鈥�12 MS, Business Administration), President of the 草榴社区 Association Board of Directors. 鈥淲e believe this will encourage more alumni to reconnect with the university and take part in events hosted by the 草榴社区 Association. With exciting growth occurring at UAH with the planned campus expansion, now is an ideal time for alumni to get involved,鈥� Trent added.
鈥淭he association will continue to operate with the same board structure and schedule, and fulfill the same purpose and mission as intended without any noticeable difference to alumni,鈥� explained Dr. Everett K. Roper (鈥�09, PhD, ISE; 鈥�08, MS, ISE; 鈥�97, MS, CS; 鈥�93, BS EE). Roper is a 2017 草榴社区 of Achievement recipient and was a member of the ad hoc committee who reviewed the structure of the 501(c)(3) organization. 鈥淭his will allow the 草榴社区 Association to become a non-corporate entity of UAH and better align with the university's goals while strengthening its branding and creating a more unified partnership," Roper said.
鈥淣ow the purpose of the organization can focus on what is most important 鈥� encouraging meaningful engagement in support of UAH's mission,鈥� said Hale, Interim Vice President for University Advancement. 鈥淚t is our hope that this new structure will aid in building Charger pride and connecting more alumni with their alma mater,鈥� she added. Hale also serves as the university鈥檚 Senior Director of Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the 草榴社区 Association.
The 草榴社区 Association鈥檚 initiatives and activities will move forward without missing a beat. A few ways that alumni can get plugged in over the next academic year are through events, volunteering, and giving. Each year, the association participates in Homecoming and hosts annual events such as Perfect Pairings, Brews Cruise, and Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) gatherings. Also, the association will have opportunities for alumni to volunteer on different ad hoc committees of the Board, supporting student recruitment efforts, student engagement ideas, establishing and being active members of chapters and affinity groups, and others. Alumni can also give back by mentoring current chargers or aid the college or student groups they were most passionate about by giving back financially. However alumni would like to propel the university forward and impact future Chargers, the 草榴社区 Association has many avenues in which to do so.
The 草榴社区 Association will continue to serve its alumni and promote ways in which alumni can get involved and stay connected. Alumni may continue to stay informed about the 草榴社区 Association through the monthly e-newsletter, Charger Connect, and by following the association on social media.