Strategic plan

The strategic plan for UAF Alumni Association was adopted and passed by the board on April 1, 2021.

OUR VISION & CORE PURPOSE

Nanook Nation: Leaders Connected

OUR MISSION

We serve the UAF community – magnifying its impact on the World by celebrating and investing in Nanook Nation.

CORE VALUES

  • Engagement
  • Productivity
  • Fidelity
  • Diversity
  • Comradery
  • Collaboration

OUR LONG-TERM STRATEGIC OUTCOMES

  • Establish UAFAA Brand
  • “Gold Standard” Governance
  • Grow UAFAA Influence
  • Active Global Network
  • More and Engaged Members

2021-2025 OBJECTIVES AND INITIATIVES

Short Term Strategy Objectives

  1. Embody the “Nanook Spirit”
  2. Grow our Brand
  3. Support Campus Projects
  4. Improve Global Engagement
  1. Maximize Facility & Fiscal Resources
  2. Cultivate Donors
  3. Improve Funding
  1. Increase Student Support
  2. Improve Internal Networks
  3. Improve External Networks
  4. Improve Membership Development
  1. Improve Board Effectiveness
  2. Improve Staff Capacity

Very Short-term initiative ideas and work plan

Winter 2023-24 Initiatives & Work Priorities

  1. Nanook Network
    1. Build Networks
    2. Mentoring
  2. Communication and Marketing Plan
    1. Membership marketing
    2. Branding opportunities
      1. UAFAA logo
  1. Fundraising
    1. Benefactor Fund stewardship
    2. Centennial Project
  1. Rural Student Services Partnership
  1. Naming Opportunity on Campus
  2. Board member phone trees
  3. New board member mentors
  4. Board Document Portal
  5. Board professional development
  6. Blue and Gold/Rendezvous
  7. Awards and Scholarships
  8. Volunteer Coordination
  9. BOD skills/strengths assessment
  10. Updated membership levels
  1. Totem Pole Project
  2. Automation
  3. Stop doing stuff
  • Additional staff member
  • Engage ASUAF
  • Legislative Advocacy Portal
  • Chapters to Networks
  • Veteran's Memorial

2021 UAFAA SWOT Analysis – this is our story! ☺

Our Enablers (Strengths & Opportunities)

  • Diverse board, geographically well represented
  • Opportunities for alumni to connect
  • We are alumni willing to help
  • Support positive and essential projects for students
  • Recognize alumni achievements
  • Love for the institution
  • Independence! 501c3
  • Recognized brand on campus
  • Keeps me connected to UAF
  • We are Alaskans! We get things done
  • Dedicated board
  • Active community of alumni in Fairbanks
  • Network of UAF alumni with a shared interest in the success of UAF
  • Executive director's leadership
  • Scholarship support
  • Diversity of thought and experience on the board
  • Provide financial support to UAF organizations
  • Providing a way to stay connected to the university
  • Grow the brand
  • Grow the donor base via the Benefactor Fund
  • Grow the relationship with UAF athletics
  • A well-developed website
  • Engage younger alums
  • Free membership – Every alum is a member
  • Growing membership numbers outside Alaska Nanook Network
  • Classes and seminars for alumni
  • Chapters or regional affiliation
  • Partner with Admissions and recruitment
  • Stewardship plan for Lifetime members
  • Partnerships with alumni-owned businesses
  • Naming campus landmarks after alums
  • Connect alumni through arts and cultural events

Our Challenges (Threats & Weaknesses)

  • ED duties only 15% of position description
  • Lack of resources and support staff for ED
  • The only times alumni are contacted are for money
  • Unaware of how much we give to UAF
  • Paying dues excludes many
  • Alumni don’t know who we are
  • Not engaging with younger alums
  • Difficult to get alumni to run for the board
  • Board transparency
  • Ineffective at engaging current students
  • Lack of meaningful outreach to alumni outside AK
  • Board gets bogged down in the weeds
  • Decreasing budget, brain drain
  • Not finding the right people to fill board seats
  • Diminished membership and relevance
  • More difficult political landscape
  • The struggle to be relevant to new or recent graduates
  • Petty internal politics
  • Us vs. them when dealing with the university
  • Failure of membership to grow proportionately
  • Lack of awareness on value of higher education
  • Infighting amongst the three universities
  • Becoming too clubby and clicky;
  • Member apathy