Thank you for your interest in becoming a Class Champion. Below you will find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Class Champion program, such as:
- What is a Class Champion?
- Who is this opportunity for?
- What are the activities of a Class Champion?
- What is the time committment?
- Can my class have more than one Class Champion?
- How do I sign up?
- What is the Class Giving Challenge?
- What resources are available?
- What what will I get out of being a Class Champion?
- What is the University's committment to volunteerism?
If you question is not answered below, please feel free to reach out.
What is a Class Champion?
Class Champions are official class representatives for thier program and year who help to plan and promote their milestone reunion celebration.
The activites Class Champions plan complement Faculty of Environment hosted activities and help make their class reunion personable, fun and memorable for their entire class.
Class champions may also lead an optional group-funded fundraising campaign to create a named scholarship in honour of their class, leaving a lasting legacy and supporting students for years to come.
Who is this opportunity for?
Anyone can volunteer to be a Class Champion for their program and year! This opportunity is well suited to alumni who have fond memories of their time at Waterloo, who enjoy connecting with others and who have a little extra time to plan and promote their class reunion.
What are the activities of a Class Champion?
We’re in this together! The Environment alumni office will plan, organize and promote core Alumni Weekend activities. We’ll send the official invitations, host the website and subsidize many of the costs.
As a Class Champion, you’ll be responsible for helping to plan on extra 'class only' activity and then to promote it to your class. To do this, you’ll be asked to:
- Use the contact list provided to email and/or call your classmates and personally encourage them to attend Alumni Weekend. Leverage social media to help promote the event and spread the word.
- Work with your staff liaison to determine who else should be invited to your reunion (i.e. favourite professors, classmates who may have graduated a year earlier or later).
- Decide and plan a class-specific event (e.g. pub night or golf day)
- Act as a central contact for your classmates by letting us know your preferred contact information to add to the website and including it on the flyer.
- Participate in conference calls or in-person meetings with your staff liaison throughout the planning cycle.
- After Reunion, submit feedback and address corrections to your staff liaison.
The time commitment required to complete Class Champion responsibilities will depend on what you choose to do, your class size and number of Class Champions enlisted. You could simply volunteer to reach out to former classmates or you could plan an activity and launch a fundraising campaign.
The following is an estimate for possible activities:
- Contacting classmates: 2 - 16 hours
- Planning a class-specific event: 2 - 4 hours (optional)
- Working with staff liaison to prepare dinner program: 1-2 hours
- Participating in meetings or conference calls: 2 – 4 hours
- Preparing/submitting feedback and updates: 1 - 2 hours
- Complete a survey after the reunion to give constructive feedback: 1-2 hours
Can my class have more than one Class Champion?
Yes! As the saying goes "many hands make light work". Job sharing is encouraged and makes the planning process even more fun. Check to see if your class already has a Class Champion, then consider signing up to help. Or, becoming your classes first class champion and then enlisting the help of a friend.
What is the Class Giving Challenge?
A Class Giving Challenge is a completely optional opportunity for Class Champions to help their class to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation of Enviornment students by leading a group-funded scholarship campaign.
By alleviating financial burden, scholarhips give deserving students the greatest gift of all; the gift of time. More time to dedicate to their studies, to varsity athletics, and to getting invovled in student life.
Many alumni feel deeply gratified knowing that their generosity can help tomorrow's students have the same, positive, life changing experience they had as students.
For a combined gift of $10,000, your class can create a named, expendable, $2000 annual, undergraduate scholarship that will support students for five years. A commitment of $40,000 will support a named, endowed scholarship, supporting future Environemnt students in perpetuity.
All fundraising activities are coordinated and supported by the Faculty of Environment Advancement Office and processed through the University of Waterloo’s secure, online giving platform. Donations over $20 are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
What resources are available?
Each Class Champion will be provided with a class list once they sign a privacy policy. You will also be provided a Resource Guide, which includes:
- A full class list, provided after a privacy policy is signed
- A list of electronic resources to help connect with former classmates
- Social media tips for promoting your reunion
- An overview of the Class Reunion Giving Challenge
- A survey to submit feedback after Reunion is complete
What what will I get out of being a Class Champion?
Class Champions have listed the following among the benefits of their volutneer role:
- The fun of reconnecting with former classmates, including those who are not able to attend in person
- Pride in representing the Faculty of Environment and its alumni
- The nostalgia of sharing special stories and fond memories from their time at Waterloo
- Satisfaction of knowing the important role they play brining people together
What is the University's committment to volunteerism?
Definition
of
a
Volunteer
Advancement
volunteers
are
supporters
of
the
University
or
one of
it’s
Affiliated
and
Federated
Institutions
of
Waterloo,
who generously
give
their
time
and
unique
skill
set
for
the
purpose of
advancing
the
University’s
strategic
objectives.
Volunteer
roles vary
from
one
time
opportunities
(i.e.
special
events)
to
ongoing commitments
of
two
to
three
years
(i.e.
advisory
boards)
and
are available
across
the
entire
University.
Statement
of
Philosophy on
Volunteer
Engagement
The
passion
our
volunteers
have
for
Waterloo
inspires
their
peers and
assists
in
fostering
pride
and
building
meaningful
lifelong relationships
with
the
University.
We
are
committed
to
providing these
volunteers
with
rewarding
opportunities
and
we
strive to
offer
a
supportive
and
empowering
volunteer
environment.
The Office of Advancement aspires to involve volunteers in all appropriate University programs. Our volunteers have extensive global networks and vast skill sets that make them valuable assets in our mission of engaging people to advance the strategic goals of the University of Waterloo.
Goals of Volunteer Engagement
- To provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for Waterloo alumni, donors and friends who wish to engage and strengthen their connection to the University.
- To empower volunteers and provide them with the tools and resources necessary to contribute in meaningful ways.
- To strengthen the connection between Waterloo students and volunteers; providing and enhancing opportunities for experiential learning, career development and mentorship.
Guideleines and Procedures
As a member of our team and a representative of the University, each of us within the Office of Advancement must commit to a set of policies and procedures that will protect you, your fellow alumni and supporters as well as the institution.
Code
of
Conduct
Office
of
Advancement
volunteers:
- Understand the Environment Advancement mission.
- Recognize that volunteer commitment is an important responsibility.
- Embrace all Environment Advancement Volunteer Guidelines and Procedures.
- Advance the University of Waterloo as the first priority over other interests while volunteering.
-
Understand
that
volunteer
behaviour
and actions
reflect
on
the
University.
Volunteers
will demonstrate
passion
and
commitment
to
the
University of Waterloo and refrain from public criticism of fellow volunteers, classmates, staff or the University. - Sustain the ongoing partnership between your Environment Advancement contact, the University and its volunteers.
- Contribute to a welcoming and safe environment by demonstrating respect and fair treatment without regard to gender, place of origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, political belief, race, physical or mental ability, or economic status and refraining from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language.
How do I sign up?
Complete the sign up form on this page and we'll be in touch with you shortly.