Alumni and Rotary: Reaching out
R otary Foundation Educational Programs have a way of forging bonds between alumni and Rotarians that can last a lifetime. Former Ambassadorial Scholars, Rotary World Peace Fellows, and Group Study Exchange team members are often interested in joining a Rotaract or Rotary club, or a Foundation alumni association. Many Rotaract and Rotary clubs, in turn, are interested in inviting alumni to become members.
Awards
The Rotary Foundation Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award was created to honor an outstanding former Foundation program recipient whose extraordinary service to humanity and professional achievements exemplify the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self. Read about how to apply and qualify for RI awards.
Rotary Foundation alumni associations
Rotary Foundation alumni associations are a great way for alumni to stay in touch with each other and to continue to build their relationships with Rotary.
Rotary Foundation alumni
More than 105,000 people call themselves Rotary Foundation alumni. They include former participants of the following programs:
Foundation programs enrich the lives of participants and spread Rotary’s vision of peace through person-to-person contact, friendship, study, service, and cross-cultural exchange.
Program participants serve as goodwill ambassadors not only when they’re abroad but also when they return to their home countries. The experience of living, learning, and serving in a land other than their own encourages Foundation alumni to advocate for Rotary’s ideals.
But it’s not always easy for alumni and Rotarians to stay in contact. Here are five sources for locating so-called lost alumni.
1. Internet
After graduating, many alumni move on to prominent jobs for organizations that have a significant presence on the Web. Some alumni may even have their own blogs.
Google and Zabasearch can be extremely useful in finding alumni. Because alumni’s last names may have changed since their Foundation experience, try different combinations of words in your searches. Add the name of the educational institution, if you know it; many alumni may include the name in their online résumé.
2. Foundation alumni relations staff
The Rotary Foundation maintains a database with contact information that can be very helpful in reconnecting with alumni. E-mail staff at alumni@rotary.org .
3. Other alumni and alumni resources
Check with your area’s Rotary Foundation alumni coordinator to see if an alumni association is active. Ask classmates of the person you’re looking for whether they can put you in contact. Solicit help from Rotaract and Rotary clubs where you know alumni live.
University alumni offices, whose contact information is available online, can also be very helpful. Explain that your club would like to re-establish contact with alumni from the school. Often, the university’s alumni coordinator will forward your e-mail or mailing address to their alumni, giving them the opportunity to get in touch with you.
4. Proactive contact
A great way for Rotarians to develop strong ties with alumni is to get them involved in the community while they’re still Foundation program participants. With stays lasting from three months to two years, visiting scholars especially become ingrained in the local community. Make a point to invite participants to your Rotary club events – and even your homes – during their stay. Establishing links with Rotary clubs in participants’ home countries will help ensure that their Rotary connections continue after they graduate.
Keep us in the loop
Are you an alumnus or alumna who’s reconnected with a Rotary club? Send your story to alumni@rotary.org .