{"id":15372,"date":"2021-10-19T08:42:47","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T15:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=15372"},"modified":"2025-05-08T16:53:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T23:53:15","slug":"affinity-groups","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/affinity-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Affinity Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|3%|0px|3%|false|true&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/files\/2021\/11\/alumni_affinity_groups_2CLR.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;WOU Alumni Affinity Groups&#8221; title_text=&#8221;alumni_affinity_groups_2CLR&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-36px|||||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;8px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Affinity Group Charter Guidelines<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The purpose of this charter is to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Describe the purpose, function, and expectations of Alumni Affinity Groups and their relationship to WOU, the WOU Foundation and WOU Alumni Board.<\/li>\n<li>Provide instruction on the Alumni Affinity Group charter application process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px|15px|15px|15px|false|true&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#e7e7e7&#8243; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset2&#8243; box_shadow_spread=&#8221;-8px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||4px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Affiliated Groups<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#e7e7e7&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/affiliates\/earth-science-affinity-group\/\">Earth Science Alumni Society<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/affiliates\/alumni-affinity-group-application-form\/&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Alumni affinity group application&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|3%||3%|false|true&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;30px||||false|true&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;30px||||false|true&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Definition\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Alumni Affinity Group:<\/strong> A group of alumni volunteers with a specialized common interest that aligns with WOU Foundation\u2019s mission and vision. Affinity groups are intended to bring people together over a commonality. We all benefit from interactions with people who share common experiences and interests.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>WOU Foundation Mission &amp; Vision<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Mission: Western Oregon University Foundation strengthens, serves and supports Western Oregon University.<\/li>\n<li>Vision: Ensuring every student has the opportunity to have access to a quality educational experience that increases their ability to succeed in our ever-changing global economy and society.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>WOU Mission<\/h2>\n<p>Western Oregon University creates lasting opportunities for student success through transformative education and personalized support.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Alumni Affinity Groups&#8217; Missions<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Core: Strengthen, Serve, Support WOU<\/li>\n<li>May expand to meet specific group objectives.<\/li>\n<li>Should complement and advance the mission and vision of the foundation and university.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Common Goals between WOU, WOU Foundation, Alumni Board &amp; Alumni Affinity Groups\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p><em>Note: Not all Alumni Affinity Groups will pursue all goals, however groups recognize and support the following goals.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Engagement of the broader WOU alumni community.<\/li>\n<li>Partnering with WOU Foundation development officers to achieve major initiatives or program outcomes.<\/li>\n<li>Fundraising for discretionary accounts and student scholarships.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Recruitment of students to WOU and specific programs or demographics.<\/li>\n<li>Mentorship for current students.<\/li>\n<li>Development of industry and\/or cultural leaders.<\/li>\n<li>Being a resource for academic and\/or student affairs departments and programs.<\/li>\n<li>Developing liaisons to a specific industry or group.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Establish career networking opportunities for students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Support Provided by the Foundation\/Alumni Board\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Representation<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li>Alumni Board ex-officio seat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li>Onboarding<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li>WOU Foundation\/Alumni Engagement will provide an orientation to members of the Alumni Affinity Groups.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>The orientation will include an overview of applicable university and foundation policies and procedures.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li>Fundraising<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li>Group may create a WOU Foundation fund with a minimum of $5,000 OR by partnering with a WOU employee champion.<\/li>\n<li>A crowdfunding platform that can be leveraged by Alumni Affinity Groups for fundraising.<\/li>\n<li>Creation of a stand-alone giving-page for associated funds.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li>Staff Resources<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li>Staff partner(s) to support Alumni Affinity Groups\u2019 efforts (e.g., marketing, program and event planning, fundraising)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li>Marketing<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li>One Alumni Engagement sponsored kickoff event (up to $1,000)<\/li>\n<li>Group webpage linked from main alumni page (can create a short url as needed)<\/li>\n<li>Creation of standard logo for group.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li>Administrative<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintain alumni database, tax-exempt status, gift management, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Accept all mail for group (university is official mailing address of group)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Expectations of Alumni Affinity Group\u00a0<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Require a minimum of three alumni volunteers.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Recommend a member to the Alumni Board.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Submit an initial Alumni Affinity Group Charter application (link) to establish the group.<\/li>\n<li>Submit a Charter renewal request form (link) every 2 years.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Represent WOU positively and with proper branding.<\/li>\n<li>Meet a minimum of three times a year, maintain minutes\/records in a google drive, provide access to alumni engagement partner.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>If group chooses to establish specialized social media, must provide admin access to university partner and alumni engagement\/foundation partner.<\/li>\n<li>Assist the WOU Foundation with maintaining updated alumni contact information.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Work with the WOU Foundation to coordinate fundraising\/development programs.<\/li>\n<li>Provide content for the group\u2019s webpage (once per year minimum).<\/li>\n<li>Sign confidentiality agreements (link).<\/li>\n<li>Adhere to <a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/foundation\/forms-and-policies\/policies\/\">foundation policies<\/a> including ethics, with an understanding that violating policies or ethics may result in removal from the group or loss of charter.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Receive approval from WOU Foundation Executive Director for all founding documents &#8212; e.g. operating principles,\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Maintain open and honest communication with university partner and alumni engagement\/foundation partner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Application Process<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Complete the attached Charter application and submit to Alumni Engagement for review.<\/li>\n<li>Alumni Affinity Group applications are reviewed by the WOU Foundation Executive Director and associated university department and approved by the Alumni Board.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Affinity Group Charter Guidelines The purpose of this&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":417,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"splash-page.php","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"%%post_title%% | %%sitetitle%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-15372","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15372","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/417"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15372"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15372\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15708,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15372\/revisions\/15708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}