Become a MuleNation Leader!
The University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation seeks enthusiastic, visionary leaders to serve on its MuleNation leadership team.
MuleNation Needs Leaders Like You! MuleNation organizations exist to foster University of Central Missouri spirit and pride in targeted areas with significant UCM alumni populations. Members of these organizations strengthen ties between alumni and the academic community, acting as ambassadors for the university in the communities where they reside. Active alumni are the heart of the institution, and MuleNation brings them together to reflect Mule pride worldwide! With a network of more than 100,000 alumni, the influence of MuleNation is crucial to the success of the university. Participation in MuleNation leadership is open to all UCM alumni and constituents of philanthropy, benefiting students and helping the university achieve greater regional, national and global distinction. With approximately $60 million in total assets, the UCM Alumni Foundation generates approximately $5.5 million in gifts and pledges to support student success through scholarships, endowments and funding for university initiatives.
About the University of Central Missouri Established in 1871, the University of Central Missouri is the fourth largest public institution of higher education in Missouri, serving approximately 11,000 students, mostly from Missouri but also from nearly 50 countries worldwide. The cornerstones of UCM are engaged learning, future-focused academics, a worldly perspective and a culture of service. The university has a long tradition of “Education for Service,� which remains ingrained in how students are prepared to excel in the professional world. This is demonstrated by the fact that 97 percent of UCM graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of earning their degree. About the UCM Alumni Foundation The UCM Alumni Foundation was founded in 1979 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to attract and administer philanthropic gifts that advance the University of Central Missouri. The UCM Alumni Foundation strives to grow a vibrant, integrated resource development program fostering a culture of philanthropy, benefiting students and helping the university achieve greater regional, national and global distinction. With approximately $60 million in total assets, the UCM Alumni Foundation generates approximately $5.5 million in gifts and pledges to support student success through scholarships, endowments and funding for university initiatives.
CONSTITUENTS
HISTORY
The UCM Alumni Foundation Serves Two Groups First, the UCM Alumni Foundation serves the students, faculty and staff of the University of Central Missouri. This support provides opportunities for students to earn a college degree and for faculty to conduct research and develop programs that will better educate and serve students.
UCM Alumni Association The Alumni Association was formed in 1871 at the same time the University of Central Missouri was founded as Normal School No. 2. The association’s organization has changed through the years, but its mission remains constant.
Second, the UCM Alumni Foundation serves its alumni and donors. More than 100,000 UCM alumni throughout the world know the value of their degree and want to keep the legacy going. Many alumni wish to engage with current students and donate time, energy and money to make the goal of holistically serving each student a reality. The UCM Alumni Foundation takes donor stewardship seriously, ensuring gifts are utilized as intended and demonstrating to donors the direct impact their generosity has on the university.
UCM Foundation Officially, the UCM Foundation was organized in 1979. That same year, longtime Missouri Secretary of State James C. Kirkpatrick chaired the first annual fund drive, raising $18,291. Just 10 years later in 1989, the annual gifts raised by the Foundation exceeded $1 million. In 1991, the Smiser Alumni Center, made possible by a $750,000 gift from Sam and Sue Smiser, was dedicated and became home to the UCM Alumni Association and the UCM Foundation. UCM Alumni Foundation The “Alumni Board” and the “Foundation Board” became one consolidated entity in 2015 and began officially doing business as the “Alumni Foundation Board” on July 1, 2016, with a unified mission. The UCM Alumni Foundation is focused solely on raising funds for UCM and engaging alumni, donors and friends through volunteerism and generosity.
Alumni Involvement is Crucial Gifts to the UCM Alumni Foundation have helped build or renovate the following landmarks on campus: Audrey J. Walton Stadium, Laura J. Yeater Hall, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, James R. Crane Stadium, Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport, Alumni Memorial Chapel and James C. Kirkpatrick Library. Alumni generosity has also helped establish the Oppenheimer Lecture Series, William H. Byler Award and [George] Charno Awards. To date, the largest single gift to the UCM Alumni Foundation was a $6 million estate gift from 1935 alumna Regina Meyers McClain. Part of her gift was used in the Morrow-Garrison renovation, and another portion was used to establish an endowed professorship and several scholarships in the Department of Nutrition and Kinesiology. Gifts also fund emergency scholarships for students needing financial support to stay in school and earn their degrees. In addition, donations make possible fund Opportunity Grants for faculty with innovative ideas to improve the student learning experience. The generosity of alumni and friends has helped make UCM what it is today — a comprehensive university consistently ranked one of the best in the Midwest.
MISSION To cultivate, manage and distribute resources in support of the University of Central Missouri
VISION Transforming Lives
CORE VALUES Accountability Authenticity Innovation Integrity Transparency Transformation
LEADERS NEEDED ACROSS MULENATION MuleNation leadership team candidates should be bold leaders with personal humility, integrity and a strong work ethic. You must have a genuine eagerness to be an active leader of the UCM community and the ability to be an articulate advocate for the UCM Alumni Foundation. Strong communication skills and the ability to listen, think strategically and make transparent, data-driven decisions are key. Preferred experiences include working as part of a volunteer board and a demonstrated record of successful executive or senior-level leadership. Preference will be given to alumni of the University of Central Missouri.
MuleNation Across the United States Alabama 290 Alaska 88 Arizona 992 Arkansas 641 California 1,833 Colorado 1,163 Connecticut 140 Delaware 67 District of Columbia 43 Florida 1,839 Georgia 805 Hawaii 84 Idaho 101 Illinois 1,500 Indiana 443 Iowa 958 Kansas 6,133
Kentucky 246 Louisiana 166 Maine 45 Maryland 356 Massachusetts 200 Michigan 425 Minnesota 390 Mississippi 137 Missouri 58,514 Montana 83 Nebraska 418 Nevada 234 New Hampshire 57 New Jersey 539 New Mexico 260 New York 464 North Carolina 662
North Dakota 53 Ohio 579 Oklahoma 679 Oregon 274 Pennsylvania 429 Rhode Island 33 South Carolina 268 South Dakota 94 Tennessee 515 Texas 3,090 Utah 143 Vermont 30 Virginia 786 Washington 556 West Virginia 56 Wisconsin 344 Wyoming 88
WHAT MULENATION LEADERS DO Advocate on Behalf of the University of Central Missouri MuleNation is building a strong, committed volunteer team composed of visionary, strategic leaders who embrace, articulate and engage with the UCM Alumni Foundation’s distinctive mission and vision for the future. Expand and Inform UCM’s MuleNation Network UCM has a base of more than 100,000 alumni. By nurturing and engaging loyal, committed alumni and friends, the MuleNation leadership team creates a powerful network and support resource. MuleNation chapters keep alumni up to date on university news and roll out the welcome mat for new alumni who move to the area. Chapter members get together to show Mule pride, to rally around athletic events or for professional networking opportunities.
Learn more at ucmfoundation.org/mulenation-chapters
WHAT MULENATION CHAPTERS DO The ideal MuleNation chapter will have 10 to 15 members and one president. The president will be the primary contact with the UCM Alumni Foundation office staff, will organize at least three committee meetings annually and will guide the committee in the overall vision. Each president will be appointed by the executive director of alumni relations.
A successful MuleNation organization will • Develop a vision for the chapter and establish procedures for recruiting volunteers and communicating with members regarding programming and engagement opportunities • Promote close fellowship and networking among alumni and friends of the university • Establish effective relations between the university and alumni to uphold and amplify the reputation of UCM • Publicly demonstrate pride in the university and in MuleNation Chapter leadership and committee members will • Plan and attend at least one alumni event per year • Establish a scholarship within five years • Leverage personal and professional networks to continually grow the membership base of the chapter • Recruit potential successors to the group’s leadership • Rely on the UCM Alumni Foundation staff for guidance, support and resources • Evaluate events to assess impact and purpose • Be active members of the UCM Alumni Foundation’s social media channels
UCM Alumni Foundation staff will • Provide MuleNation leaders with the vision and tools necessary to succeed, including a leadership handbook and training • Encourage strategic thinking and planning to maximize the chapter’s impact • Recognize volunteers for their work and dedication to MuleNation and the university • Provide support for event planning, marketing, staff and a minimum of one administrator for at least one event annually • Provide lists of area alumni for recruitment and engagement • Organize an annual meeting with the director of the UCM Alumni Foundation
LEADERSHIP ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES While it is not necessary to fill all roles defined below, it is important that MuleNation chapters use this organizational structure as a baseline. These roles are particularly significant for ensuring strong leadership, well-received events and successful fundraising.
President • Time commitment: 2 years • Oversees operation of the MuleNation chapter • Presides over meetings and creates agendas • Cultivates relationships with members and current volunteers • Promotes and nurtures new leadership • Serves as liaison between volunteers and the UCM Alumni Foundation staff
Immediate Past President • Time commitment: 1 year • Acts as a resource for the new president • Potentially responsible for an annual event or working with fundraisers
President-Elect • Time commitment: 2 years • Assists the president to foster continuity and ensure a smooth transition to new leadership • Presides over meetings in the absence of the president • Assumes the president’s position after his/her current term is completed
Event and Social Engagement Chair • Time commitment: 2 years • Leads the committee that develops the annual calendar of activities for the organization • Works with the UCM Alumni Foundation staff to produce promotional materials
Secretary/Treasurer • Time commitment: 1 year • Takes notes at meetings • Assists the event chair with preparing promotional materials • Manages the chapter budget
• Helps coordinate and facilitate an annual MuleNation event and service projects/activities • Uses survey information to identify events and programs that best meet the needs of constituents • Recruits ad hoc committees to implement events and programs such as watch parties, including securing a venue and organizing food and drink Student Engagement Chair • Time commitment: 2 years • Leads the admissions efforts • Works with staff to schedule calls, plan events and update the organization about area students interested in UCM • Works with staff to ensure the presence of an alumni volunteer at career fairs and summer send-offs • Leads the organization’s scholarship selection process (if applicable)
Public Relations Chair • Time commitment: 1 year • Promotes events of the organization through social media and university channels • Communicates information sharing with the alumni network • Serves as a liaison between the chapter and the UCM Alumni Foundation staff to maintain up-to-date contact information • Creates alumni communications as needed • Represents MuleNation at events General Club Volunteer • Time commitment: Varies (can be monthly, yearly or on a one-time basis) • Recruits and fosters new members • Assists the club with coordinating and promoting events and admissions efforts • Attends career fairs, summer send-offs and various organization activities
Become a MuleNation Leader Today! Contact the UCM Alumni Foundation’s executive director of alumni relations at 660-543-8000 or alumni@ucmo.edu. Thank you for your involvement and support!