Regional Communities...
Not Places, but Opportunities
One of the exciting developments in the recent reorganization of the Alumni Association is the creation of "regional communities," which differ in several significant ways from our traditional local chapter structure.
In the past, Pomona groups were chartered in places where a critical mass of 200 or more alumni lived within a reasonable driving distance. In recent years, however, our population concentrations have shifted. Sagehens can be found around the globe--from Puget Sound to Hong Kong. With our new regional community structure, groups as small as 60 or 30 or even 10 who want to fly the Pomona colors and support the College can easily become involved. And, of course, these groups will include not only alumni, but parents, students and friends of the College as well.
Another hallmark of the Association's reorganization is the commitment to expanding the ways in which people can connect to each other and the College. We are looking to grassroots planning committees for the development of regional programs with local interest that can build on unique cultural and community resources. Several of the recently formed Young Alumni groups have had success offering a wide array of events ranging from business showcases to afternoon hikes, from microbrewery mixers to volunteering for community projects such as Habitat for Humanity. We hope this kind of "cafeteria" programming can be a model for other alumni and friends.
Critical to the success of the Alumni Association reorganization has been the forging of stronger relationships with several College Offices--Annual Giving, Admissions and Career Development-- and emphasis on building greater ties with the faculty. These links help us coordinate the vital efforts of volunteers calling at Pomonathons, interviewing prospective students, serving as career mentors, and hosting faculty for lectures, tours and seminars.
In this new "Big Picture" view, some "regional communities" may choose to focus on Admissions and Career Development programs, while others emphasize Alumni Relations activities and Annual Giving--depending on the desires of the local alumni and friends. I encourage you to watch for announcements on how you can become involved.
New regional communities will be rolling out over the next few years, with several pilot programs this year in Texas, Washington, D.C., and London. For more information or to share your thoughts with us, please contact Nancy Treser-Osgood, director of alumni relations at (909) 621-8110, or nosgood@pomadm.pomona.edu.
Staying connected to Pomona and those who support the College has brought many wonderful people and opportunities into my life. I hope you will take advantage of the friendships, services and experiences our alumni association has to offer. It's an investment with high return!
J.P. O'Connor '72
President-elect and Regional Communities Coordinator
Pomona College Alumni Association
