It is our hope that Grinnell's regional events will foster bonding and promote goodwill among the College, alumni, parents, students, and friends; it is for this reason that Grinnell regional planning networks exist. Regional events provide opportunities for members of the extended Grinnell community to come together for educational and recreational pursuits, for networking and support, and for interaction with College faculty and administrators. Regional events provide a convenient means by which alumni with limited time to return to campus can participate in the life-long learning and intellectual exchange offered by Grinnell College.

Alumni regional planning volunteers around the country share their passion for Grinnell College by planning and coordinating intellectual, service, and social events by and for alumni and friends of the College in their region. Regional planning volunteers work with the Office of College and Alumni Relations and the Alumni Council to further the following goals:

• Promote the College’s spirit, mission and vision in their city/region
• Foster connections and fellowship among alumni
• Create opportunities for parents and students to meet with alumni and connect with each other in their city and/or region

A region’s vitality depends on engaged and organized volunteers. For this reason, we suggest a regular rotation of roles to ensure that there are opportunities for fresh ideas and energized people. When the chair is planning to move, step down, or take on a new role, please contact the Office of College and Alumni Relations so that we can work together on a plan for recruiting new leadership candidates.

The regional planning chair's responsibilities include:

• Serve as a liaison between the Office of College and Alumni Relations and the local region.
  
  
• Work with College staff to organize a core group of alumni volunteers to serve on a planning group.
  
  
• Call at least two (2) planning meetings yearly to plan local events of interest to alumni, parents, and current students. The regularity of meetings will depend on the size and nature of the planning network.
  
  
• Delegate the planning of event(s) to member(s) of the core planning group.
  
  
• Monitor the planning and progress of local events and keep the College informed through minutes of planning sessions and by designating a contact person for each event.
  
  
• If necessary, make phone calls and send e-mails to further publicize an event and recruit other volunteers to help.
  
  
• Provide material and leadership for regional/city website.
  
  
• After each event, send follow-up information to the Office of College and Alumni Relations.
  
  

• Attend planning meetings.
  
  
• Take an active role in planning and implementing area events and assisting the regional coordinator. This may entail taking minutes at planning sessions, volunteering to serve as an event contact person, making phone calls and sending e-mails to local alumni and parents to boost attendance at events.
  
  
• Recruit other alumni to be a part of the core planning group.
  
  

If you are interested in volunteering please fill out a Volunteer Interest Application

Volunteer Resources