Class Champions FAQ

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:

If you question is not answered below, please feel free to reach out.Ìý

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.Ìý

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?Ìý

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 À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, who enjoy connecting with others and who have a little extra time to plan and promote their class reunion.Ìý

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:

  1. Use the contact listÌýprovided to email and/or call your classmatesÌýand personally encourage them to attend Alumni Weekend. Leverage social media to help promote the event and spread the word.
  2. 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).
  3. Decide andÌýplan a class-specific event (e.g. pub night or golf day)
  4. 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.
  5. Participate in conference calls or in-person meetings with your staff liaison throughout the planning cycle.
  6. After Reunion, submit feedback and address corrections to your staff liaison.

Can my class have more than one Class Champion?Ìý

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.Ìý

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.Ìý

By alleviating financial burden, scholarhipsÌýgive deservingÌýstudents 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.Ìý

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.Ìý

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.ÌýA commitment of $40,000 will support a named, endowed scholarship, supporting future Environemnt students in perpetuity.Ìý

All fundraising activities are coordinated and supported by the Faculty of Environment Advancement Office and processed through the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s secure, online giving platform. ÌýDonations 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 classmatesÌý
  • 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?Ìý

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 À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ
  • Satisfaction of knowing the important role they play brining people together

What is the University's committment to volunteerism?Ìý

Definition of a Volunteer
Advancement volunteers are supporters of the University or oneÌýof it’s Affiliated and Federated Institutions of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, whoÌýgenerously give their time and unique skill set for the purposeÌýof advancing the University’s strategic objectives. Volunteer rolesÌývary from one time opportunities (i.e. special events) to ongoingÌýcommitments of two to three years (i.e. advisory boards) and areÌýavailable across the entire University.

Statement of PhilosophyÌýon Volunteer Engagement
The passion our volunteers have for À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ inspires their peersÌýand assists in fostering pride and building meaningful lifelongÌýrelationships with the University. We are committed to providingÌýthese volunteers with rewarding opportunities and we striveÌýto offer a supportive and empowering volunteer environment.

The Office of Advancement aspires to involve volunteersÌýin all appropriate University programs. Our volunteers haveÌýextensive global networks and vast skill sets that make themÌývaluable assets in our mission of engaging people to advanceÌýthe strategic goals of the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ.

Goals of Volunteer Engagement

  • To provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýalumni, donors and friends who wish to engage andÌýstrengthen their connection to the University.Ìý
  • To empower volunteers and provide them with the toolsÌýand resources necessary to contribute in meaningful ways.Ìý
  • To strengthen the connection between À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýstudents and volunteers; providing and enhancingÌýopportunities for experiential learning, career developmentÌýand mentorship.

Guideleines and Procedures

As a member of our team and aÌýrepresentative of the University, each ofÌýus within the Office of Advancement mustÌýcommit to a set of policies and proceduresÌýthat will protect you, your fellow alumniÌýand 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 À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ as the first priority over other interests while volunteering.
  • Understand that volunteer behaviour andÌýactions reflect on the University. Volunteers willÌýdemonstrate passion and commitment to the
    University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ and refrain from public criticismÌýof 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 environmentÌýby demonstrating respect and fair treatment without regardÌýto gender, place of origin, sexual orientation, age, religion,Ìýpolitical belief, race, physical or mental ability, or economicÌýstatus and refraining from the use of profane, insulting,Ìýharassing 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.Ìý