1 Purpose
Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni brings together experience and preserves traditions from its hundred years of operation. The purpose of the association is to provide not-for-profit and financial support to Åbo Akademi University and Åbo Akademi University’s Student Union, as well as to maintain contact with and interest in them. The association maintains close networks and brings together knowledgeable members who feel a sense of participation in shared institutions. Contacts between different faculties and age groups strengthen the social capital of the membership.
Interest in the community is kept alive through diverse content and fun local events. Members are welcome to contribute to existing activities and to establish new ones. Local activities are made possible thanks to inspiration, networks, and financial contributions. The association’s interdisciplinary activities broaden perspectives and forge new contacts beyond one’s own existing network. Membership recruitment that takes into account the diversity of alumni contributes to a strong membership base.
Voluntary involvement in a community that feels meaningful is rewarding for the participants thanks to positive interaction with other members. Since 2020, the association has been run entirely by volunteers, which means that administrative processes need to be clarified and documented. Responsibility for activities is shared by several people so that such commitment is not perceived as burdensome.
The association looks after its finances in a sustainable manner. A strong financial situation facilitates member events, the purchase of services, and financial support for Åbo Akademi University and Åbo Akademi University’s Student Union.
Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni collaborates on common goals and interests with Åbo Akademi University, Åbo Akademi University’s Student Union, and the Åbo Akademi University Foundation. The association’s activities are complemented by subject-specific alumni activities and Åbo Akademi University’s alumni network, which benefits from collaboration related to shared interests.
1.2 Mission and vision
The association’s activities are similar to the activities of student associations and trade unions, but due to the age spread of its membership, the interests of its target group vary. Interdisciplinarity and proximity to Åbo Akademi University and Åbo Akademi University’s Student Union are emphasised in the activities of Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni.
To add to the complexity of the association’s positioning, Åbo Akademi University has started to implement its own alumni activities. This means that in Åbo Akademi University’s sphere alone, there are countless competing organisations: subject-specific subject associations, larger faculty associations, and nations with a home district connection. The aforementioned associations have alumni activities in the form of support membership or events, which Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni has supported financially. Outside the sphere of Åbo Akademi University, there are many active trade unions and member organisations whose goal is to unite graduates in working life.
In order to safeguard Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni’s operations in the long run, the association needs to specialise and thus position itself for a specific niche. Close co-operation with Åbo Akademi University’s alumni network and the student associations’ alumni activities is important. The association is open to discussions about role distribution and forms of co-operation.
2.1 Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni’s unique selling point
The primary USP is the association’s ability to maintain contact with a community that unites faculties and generations, and to be part of a diverse and knowledgeable group with strong social capital. Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni wants to establish and foster connections between alumni by organising and participating in events such as meetings, trips, and banquets together with other alumni.
Members must receive information from Åbo Akademi University and Åbo Akademi University’s Student Union also after being actively involved with them. They must be able to contribute to current activities at Åbo Akademi University and Åbo Akademi University’s Student Union, and help students find their place in working life through support for and participation in Career Contact.
As an ongoing member benefit, membership in Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni includes a subscription to the Meddelanden magazine from Åbo Akademi University.
Measures are followed up on in tabular form in respect of administration reports, status reports, and updates in 2023.
3.1 Sustainable processes for the association’s administration
Voluntary involvement in the association is rewarding thanks to positive collaboration with other members, clear processes, well-functioning tools, and a motivating division of work. The membership base and partners are given opportunities to contribute to the activities.
a. Updated membership register: resource savings in terms of working hours and postage, link to membership fees, up-to-date information, and access to information about the membership base
b. Communication material via electronic platforms: member newsletter two to four times a year, monthly presence on social media, event information via multiple channels, and improved communication network with other alumni activities at Åbo Akademi University
c. Division of work on the basis of interests and skills, involvement of members and partners in local events: number of activities, own and supported
3.2 Celebration of the association’s 100th anniversary in 2022
Åbo Akademi University’s Alumni celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022 by strengthening awareness of the association’s existence and the story of the association’s purpose. The anniversary programme offered members even better opportunities to come together. The jubilee invited members to participate in a shared institution and strengthen the social capital among the membership base.
a. clarification and dissemination of the story of the association’s history and its purpose in the present: website, celebratory speech, advertising, member communication: number of communications about the association’s 100th anniversary
b. anniversary programme with multiple events, such as the Brahe Ball, digital/streamed seminar, gatherings in different locations: number of events with number of participants
c. participation of alumni who have made a name for themselves in society
3.3 Growth of the membership base in all age groups and increase in its diversity
The membership base’s social capital is evolving in several directions. Membership recruitment that takes into account the diversity of alumni contributes to a strong membership base.
a. increase the number of members through networks and events: update the membership form, connect to the member register, disseminate information through existing networks and events with geographical spread, business cards, advertisements, and flyers (A6 or bookmark): number of members
b. capture graduated new alumni: create processes to capture and welcome graduates, co-operate with Åbo Akademi University and Åbo Akademi University’s Student Union, congratulatory and welcome letters, inclusion in member register, welcome/graduation party: number of paying members after the free period
c. outreach via nations and subject associations at Åbo Akademi University’s Student Union
Approved by the board 23 March 2021
Åbo Akademis Alumner rf • The Alumni Association for Åbo Akademi University och The Student Union at Åbo Akademi University • c/o Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi sr, Observatoriet, Vårdberget, 20700 Åbo • alumnforening@abo.fi