Introduction
A Team Approach to Class Leadership
While each class officer has roles and responsibilities unique to his or her position, all class
officers share the collective responsibility of keeping classmates connected, informed, and
engaged in the class and UMaine community, whether during a reunion year, or non-reunion
year.
Many classes maintain a high level of class-based activities in non-reunion years, and have
consequently reaped a harvest of benefits as they come into their reunion years – specifically,
increased participation in reunion activities and in reunion giving. Classes that have achieved
these successes are most often led by officers who choose to maintain an ongoing dialogue
throughout their five-year terms, and this practice has proven beneficial not only to the classes at
large, but to the class officers themselves.
The Alumni Programs staff, with input from class officers, has drafted suggested guidelines and
best practices for UMaine’s alumni class officers to consider in maintaining class connections and
engagement, not only during reunion years, but in the intervening years as well. The ideas
outlined here are suggestions for basic practices that your class officer team can adopt as a
means of establishing leadership structure throughout the five-year term of office.
Best Practices for Class Officers
Set Examples for Class Officers:
Submit own Class Notes and assist secretary in seeking news from classmates
Make annual gift to UMaine, particularly in support of the Class Fund
Attend reunions and class events
Work Together with Other Officers:
Keep other officers informed of relevant class news – e.g. class scholarship recipient(s)
Inform fellow officers on correspondence pertaining to class business
Hold meetings that include all class officers on a regular basis
Assist in keeping class web site fresh, relevant and up-to-date
Encourage class officer representation at the Alumni Association Reunion Workshop
Work toge