COMPANY PROFILE

SOCIUS /ˈsəʊʃ(ɪ)əs/ LATIN ORIGIN

noun a partner; an ally; a colleague; an associate;

a comrade; a friend

www.socius.ch

CONTENTS

1. LET’S DIVE IN 2. WE ARE SOCIUS 3. VALUE OF ALUMNI NETWORKS 4. OUR SERVICES 5. HOW WE OPERATE 6. CASE STUDY 7. CONTACT

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“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY (1900-1944)

1. LET’S DIVE IN World-class alumni programmes comprise many facets, and no two organisations are exactly the same. Components of an alumni operation build on each other and we achieve results as we systematically build out your programme.

Perhaps you already have staff or volunteers working to engage alumni - fantastic. Maybe you can identify with the scenario of alumni relations being an added responsibility of a long-serving, personable staff member who “knows everyone”. Or possibly, similar to many schools, you know your alumni are valuable, but your capacity is stretched, resources are limited and there is no one competent putting up their hand to take charge.

Our starting point is always to understand your context - what is currently happening; what has happened in the past and who is or has been involved. With this as a backdrop we look towards the future - what goals do you have in mind; what could you achieve and what will it take to get there. We exist to build your alumni community, the following pages will give you insight into our expertise and passions.

We appreciate and acknowledge the good research compiled by Future First Global, Open Society Foundations and the Global Citizen Foundation to give us informative alumni statistics (see a link to the full report on our last page).

CHRIS CAMPBELL CEO IV

2. WE ARE SOCIUS Socius Consulting was founded in Cape Town, South Africa in 2012 to offer professional services in alumni relations and related activities. Socius has always had strong ties to the UK and in 2015 expanded operations to London.

We have worked with universities, schools, residences and sports clubs. Through experience, research and real-world problem-solving we are well placed to plan, implement and support excellent alumni strategies, systems and processes.

Our vision is to build engaged alumni communities where meaningful relationships develop to the benefit of all involved. To achieve this we partner with leaders who display a passion and commitment to their community.

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CHRIS CAMPBELL CEO

DAVID JENKINS COO

DON MACROBERT LEADING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWYER

CLARE MAURICE SENIOR PARTNER MAURICE TURNOR GARDNER

NEVILLE ISDELL

CHAIRMAN WWF FORMER CEO OF COCA COLA

ANTHONY RECORD M.B.E.

CHAIRMAN WCR GROUP FOUNDER WELSH ICE

MANAGEMENT

ADVISORY PANEL

3. VALUE OF ALUMNI NETWORKS Thriving alumni networks support and nurture excellence.

Alumni who feel appreciated and engaged contribute significant value; these are some of the more common ways we find alumni positively impact their alma mater:

DAVID JENKINS COO VI

Alumni Open Doors For You

Source of Funding

Sales and Marketing

Mentors and Internships

Knowledge of the Past

Guest Speakers

Support in a Crisis

Alumni Care for Heritage

Socius partners with schools and organisations to build engaged, vibrant, outstanding alumni communities.

Our value lies in knowing when, why and how to make sure you are achieving excellence in the following areas.

Needs Analysis

Database

Communication

Mentorships and Internships

Professional Networking

Fundraising

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Project Management

Product Development

Event Management

Stakeholder Buy-In Strategic Planning and Vision Volunteer Structures

Training

FOUNDATIONS

STRUCTURES EXECUTION

CORE BENEFITS

4. OUR SERVICES

4.1 NEEDS ANALYSIS Our first order of business is to understand your context, strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Through questions and conversations we quickly gain a sound grasp of your unique situation.

We firmly believe in not taking anything for granted - our assessment process is intended to help you and us have clarity on your immediate, medium-term and long-term needs, wants and wishes.

Carrying out this thorough assessment empowers you and us to make informed decisions.

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MOST DESIRED FORMS OF ALUMNI SUPPORT

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2.9

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2.2

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Talk on Careers

Offer Work Experience

Mentors/E-mentors

Donors

Volunteers

Scale 1-5 (5 = most desired)

4.2 DATABASE A house built on poor foundations always has problems and at some point collapses. High quality alumni data is the bedrock that successful alumni programmes are built on.

Attractive, visible components of an alumni programme (for example, sell out events or oversubscribed fundraising campaigns) are borne out of hard work poured into building a high quality database. We ensure this important aspect is prioritised and successful.

Think: Customer Relationship Management software, digitising archives, consolidating source documents, research associates, incentivised referrals, intelligent segmentation and meaningful reports.

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Globally, research shows that only 20% of schools keep records of their alumni; and only 10% have institutional databases.

4.3 COMMUNICATIONS “I wish I had been there, but I didn’t know about it.”

- ANONYMOUS

This statement can be one of the more painful, frustrating phrases to hear as a reunion or event organiser. So much effort goes into creating a fantastic event and it hurts to know that poor communication and marketing mean many of your intended audience are oblivious to your activities.

Excellent, two-way communication develops meaningful relationships. We look at how best to listen to and to talk to the different segments of your alumni community.

Using multiple channels we intentionally trigger positive conversations between your alumni about you, refreshing memories and planting seeds of goodwill.

MECHANISMS WE USE:

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1. Segmentation

2. Monitoring and Evaluation

3. High quality email send outs

4. Social media

5. Calling campaigns

6. Activate influencers

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Your most valuable asset and opportunity are your passionate alumni. No doubt from time to time they will let you down or drive you round the bend, but overall they are uniquely placed to bring energy, skills, networks and resources into your alumni programme.

Volunteer alumni can make a world of difference to your school, but leaving them to their own devices is foolish - they need support, good structures, direction and encouragement.

We ensure your alumni volunteers operate with purpose. Through authentic and ongoing recognition and appreciation we raise enthusiasm, sustain motivation levels and ensure longevity to a volunteer’s contribution. As a third party to management and volunteer alumni we can facilitate sensitive conversations and bring expert advice in areas where opinions differ.

Integrated Communication Strategy

Ad-hoc Engagement

Annual Mail Only

No Engagement

AVERAGE SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT WITH ALUMNI

4.4 VOLUNTEERS

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4.5 PROJECT MANAGEMENT Someone has to project manage all the good ideas, follow up on delegated tasks and keep track of the big picture - you can do it if you want, but we are very good at it.

As we progress through a project there will invariably be developments which affect what needs to be done. Managing changes and everyday details without losing sight of the end goal is something we are great at.

Milestones agreed at the start of the project make sure there are tangible ways to evaluate our joint progress and success.

Alumni networks are usually led by teachers rather than the

institution itself. Therefore, these networks rely on personal

relationships, but when the teacher leaves the institution,

these networks breakdown.

COMMON MANAGEMENT PITFALL

4.6 EVENT MANAGEMENT Reunions and events are important moments for your alumni community to experience higher levels of affinity and nostalgia. They offer an opportunity for old friends to reconnect and for new networking to take place.

However, organising events can be overwhelming, assuring attendance stressful and mistakes costly.

We ensure that your events avoid common pitfalls and contribute to successful planning and event management. We make it easier to organise an excellent occasion.

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FOUR STEPS TO EVENT SUCCESS

Excellent Guest Speaker

Sell Tables, Not Seats

Communicate In Advance

Detailed Project Plan

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4.7 FUNDRAISING Financial giving from alumni can unlock dreams or bring financial stability in a time of need. We understand that money is important and that alumni can be a source of much-desired or critically-needed additional income for you.

Our view is that in a world of many good causes, it is wise (and prudent) not to assume your alumni will, or even want to, support you financially - no matter how compelling your cause.

Our desire is to see well-thought through fundraising campaigns, presented professionally and respectfully to alumni. Alumni should feel valued rather than hounded.

WE ADD VALUE THROUGH:

1. Ideation and Concept Development - What is the best way to raise funds for this cause?

2. Campaign Structure - How will it be conducted and organised?

3. Resource Development - Writing speeches and arranging marketing material.

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4.8 STAKEHOLDER BUY-IN Securing stakeholder buy-in matters in most environments and the realm of alumni development is no different.

The best plans and programmes can come unstuck when people feel left out of the process, ignored, manipulated or under-appreciated.

We make sure that participation and opinions are invited and skilfully managed. Ownership of a vision and plan by all stakeholders sets you up for success.

Through facilitated sessions and thoughtful communication we achieve higher levels of consensus and support.

Only 4% of adults have registered to be part of their former school’s alumni

network, although over 50% would be interested in doing so.

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4.9 MENTORSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS

Percentage of young people in school who indicated that it would be useful to receive support from their alumni community.

One of the hallmarks of thriving alumni communities is that volunteerism increases. One of the more rewarding and beneficial areas that this can be channelled into is mentorships and internships.

For students these are gateways into the working world, priceless experience.

For alumni these are meaningful ways to contribute, and require minimal effort. The possibility of recruiting talent always exists and adds real value to the process for everyone.

We set up structures, facilitate connections and then handover the reins for you to reap the rewards.

People say “it’s not what you know that counts, it’s who you know”. Well, we actually think it is a combination of both; but that said, any alumni operation worth its salt should be enabling alumni networking. Networks have real value to everyone; help your alumni benefit and they will reward you.

Professional networks are strengthened as old friends reconnect and new introductions are made. Our job is to stoke the proverbial fire, creating opportunities for more connections to be made.

We use events and digital networking tools, such as LinkedIn, to develop alumni communities that are in touch with each other. Groups within your community that share interests typically emerge and develop a life of their own.

4.10 PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING

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1. Retrieve Unique and Up-to-Date Data

2. Career Development Opportunities

3. Connect Alumni and Students

4. Digital Networking Platform

BENEFITS OF LINKEDIN

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4.11 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND VISION Having a clear vision, setting strategic goals and writing out a “how-to” plan is a precursor to any successful venture. After all, if you do not know where you are going, how do you ever expect to get there, right?

We collaborate with your management team and important stakeholders to cast a vision, set goals and develop a plan that balances ambition with pragmatism.

Typically this process is most successful when it is carried out over an extended period of time, giving many people a chance to contribute to the process and buy-in to your vision.

93% of Head Teachers say that support in building and maximising alumni communities would be useful at their school.

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4.12 PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Have you ever listened in to a brainstorming session organised by passionate alumni volunteer eager to make a difference? Ideas are a dime a dozen; all kinds of ideas, plans and causes start filling the airwaves - some are great, others are terrible. The passion is infectious.

Engaged alumni communities led by passionate volunteers offer limitless scope for ideas and “product development”.

Whether you are thinking of a ‘Members Club’, a ‘Rewards Programme’, or even a ‘Memorabilia Store’, we value new ideas and pride ourselves on delivering innovative solutions.

The chances are we will have encountered an idea before and be able to contribute valuable wisdom or know-how. If you can dream it up, there is a pretty good chance that we can make it happen.

“Some men look at the way things are and ask why? I dream of things that are not and ask why not?”

- ROBERT KENNEDY (1925-1968)

We would like to think that you will keep us around forever, however we care too much about seeing our efforts bear fruit to leave you dependant on us.

For this reason we offer workshops and one-on-one training for your staff and volunteers. Our goal is to make sure that the progress we have achieved continues sustainably with or without us. Training ensures you have staff or volunteers with the skills and understanding to implement your strategy.

Training is usually provided in the areas of database and communications management, fundraising principles, event management and volunteer motivation and management.

4.13 TRAINING

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“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

- JOHANN VON GOETHE (1749-1832)

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5. HOW WE OPERATE We think honest, straight-forward conversations are a great way to start any relationship. If you like us and we like you then we are off to a good start and can get more serious about what we can achieve together—sometimes that only takes a couple of minutes.

As we come to understand your needs we will develop a project scope detailing how best we can add value to you. One size does not fit all for alumni relations, so you will always receive a bespoke proposal tailored to your needs.

We will give you an understanding of your likely Return on Investment (ROI) and proposed project milestones over our agreed contract period. We appreciate that our clients want to understand and control costs wherever possible. Developing alumni communities is a long-term project so to be practical about fees and budget periods we complete work in phases and will propose a fee structure to suit the phase.

Unsurprisingly, having fun is important to us and a critical drawcard for your alumni volunteers. We like to think we bring the best of British-South African humour to everything we do.

ARE YOU READY TO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR FUTURE ALUMNI COMMUNITY?

6. CASE STUDY

University of Cape Town Rugby Football Club is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world, founded in 1882. Estimates suggested there could be over two thousand alumni who played for the club between 1950 and 2014, but no one knew for sure; alumni engagement was low.

Objectives

1. Establish a database of past players and supporters 2. Reconnect past players with each other and the club 3. Construct a volunteer-led strategy for the future

Outcomes | 12 Month Project

Data and communication efforts generated tremendous results; a structured supporters club was launched; volunteers spanning sixty years of club history were activated to champion their respective peer groups; and events were organised to galvanise club alumni in the UK and South Africa.

Change in number of working email addresses

595

1365

Average email unique opens

Past players reconnected

926

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UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN RUGBY CLUB

UNITED KINGDOM David Jenkins

davidj@socius.ch +447421760936

SOUTH AFRICA Chris Campbell chrisc@socius.ch +27797711406

All statistics and research findings mentioned herein have been drawn from a comprehensive report compiled by

Friends First Global, sponsored by the Open Society Foundations and the Global Citizen Foundation. The full report

can be accessed here: http://www.futurefirstglobal.org/every-school-a-community-report/

© Copyright 2015 Socius Holdings (Pty) Ltd