Reunion attendance improves when classmates are contacted by their peers. During their years on the Hill, most undergraduates are affiliated on average with two affinity groups. Cornell has over 500 affinity groups coded in our system.
To boost attendance and create the most inclusive Reunion possible, affinity networking is essential; however, you do not want to wait until Year Five of your class cycle to begin your affinity networking plan. Start in Year Three so that you will have plenty of time to build a good base.
Getting Started
- Decide how you will coordinate your network. We suggest that you find someone who is willing to take on the role of Affinity Outreach Chair. This is a great task for a class council member who has networking skills and is also proficient in Microsoft Excel.
- The Affinity Outreach Chair can start identifying different Affinity Group Leaders, who can facilitate engagement within their own affinity. Asking your other class officers what groups in which they were involved is a great start.
- Your class staff contact will provide you with an Excel file listing classmates and their affinities. Additional reports that help you find engaged classmates are: historical Reunion attendance, dues payers, and the pre-Reunion survey results.
- Identify people you think are well connected from the reports provided. Perhaps someone has expressed an interest in helping reconnect with his or her club or group. Former class officers or former Affinity Group Leaders are a great resource.
- Social media channels are great for sourcing Affinity Group Leaders. You can also send an email out to all classmates asking for volunteers.
- Once you have established a diverse list of Affinity Group Leaders, decide on how they would like to proceed with a personalized affinity-networking plan. We suggest reaching out via email, phone, or postcard. The postcard options includes printing, shipping, and labor costs which will be charged to the class treasury. In addition, it will create a larger time commitment for your Affinity Group Leaders. If you are interested in this option, contact your class staff contact for details.