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A BYU–Idaho Alumni Ambassador is an alumnus who has volunteered to serve and has received ecclesiastical clearance. Ambassadors serve as advocates for the school and are the “eyes and ears” of the university. Our ambassadors are encouraged to:

Tell the BYU-Idaho Story
Identify and become acquainted with BYU–Idaho/Ricks College Alumni in their area
Share news of important events of BYU–Idaho/Ricks College Alumni with the Alumni Relations Office
Seek out and identify possible alumni award nominees
Serve as local contacts for:

Admissions and Scholarships
Internships
LDS Philanthropies (formerly known as LDS Foundation)
New Student Orientation
Performance Tours
Etc.

Encourage prospective students to apply and enroll
Encourage alumni and friends to contribute to the BYU–Idaho Fund
Assist in the application and awarding of Regional Alumni Scholarships
Inform alumni about such services as Alumni Connections (online community), Spirit Week, reunions, etc.
Support such university sponsored regional events as performance tours and advancement firesides
Provide timely feedback to university officials regarding what they hear (good and bad) about BYU–Idaho and the Alumni Association.

To help in these areas, each Ambassador will be trained to use “Alumni Connections” in identifying and connecting with alumni living in their area.

As volunteers, ambassadors are not expected to be the authoritative source on important areas and issues. Rather, through training and information provided, ambassadors will have a broad knowledge of the association and university. Ambassadors are encouraged to answer questions, but in many cases will be able to and should refer people to on-campus offices.

Regional Alumni Networks

Alumni Ambassadors are grouped in Regional Alumni Networks. The size of a region and number of volunteers is based on alumni population density. For example, we may have 6-10 Ambassadors in Salt Lake City. In comparison, we would have a similar number of volunteers in the East Texas Region of Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. In all areas, consideration is given to driving distance for annual training meetings. Ambassadors are also encouraged to attend CES Educational Conferences and Admissions and Scholarship articulation meetings held in their area.

A Regional Alumni Coordinator will be called for each regional network. This person would serve a 2-4 year term. Once they have completed their term as coordinator, they are encouraged to continue in their role as an Alumni Ambassador. Their duties would include:

Scheduling and assisting with the local annual training meetings
Coordinating the Regional Alumni Scholarship Award decisions

Communicating and corresponding with all the ambassadors in the Regional NetworkThe following are guidelines on how Alumni Ambassadors can most effectively help support BYU–Idaho and the Alumni Association. When an Ambassador follows these steps, the opportunities to serve will happen naturally as alumni, students, and others will have identified the alumni volunteer as a representative of the university.

STEPS TO BEING AN EFFECTIVE AMBASSADOR

Step 1 ~ Identify Yourself as an Alumni Ambassador

Post Alumni Ambassador Fliers in local meeting houses, seminaries, high schools, etc.
Give Alumni Ambassador Pass Along Cards to local church leaders and CES personnel.
Wear your Alumni Ambassador shirts in public, especially at appropriate church functions.
Verbally let others now you are a representative of BYU-Idaho and the BYU–Idaho/Ricks College Alumni Association.

Step 2 ~ Learn who the BYU–Idaho/Ricks College
Alumni are in your area

Use Alumni Connections, an on-line directory, to identify local alumni. This service can be found at www.byui.edu/alumni. When you first visit Alumni Connections, you should complete the free registration form and update your alumni profile. You will be assigned a user name and select a password. However, when you use this service as an Ambassador, you will have more search options if you use the special sign on of “AMBASSADOR” (all caps) and the password “VIKING” (all caps). We have provided an example on the next page.
If you have a directory for your stake, highlight those who are alumni and when appropriate let them know of your role as an Ambassador.
If you have difficulty securing a list of alumni with Alumni Connections, contact the Alumni Office and we will mail, or e-mail a list to you.

Step 3 ~ Notify the Alumni Office about
significant/important occurrences and
events in the lives of our alumni

When you learn of important events in the lives of our Alumni, please notify us by calling toll free at 1-800-537-2586 or send an e-mail to alumni@byui.edu. The alumni office will then send to the alumnus an appropriate congratulations or condolence letter. Listed below are some examples of significant events:

Marriages
Anniversaries
Mission Calls
Promotions
Local honors
Births (children or grandchildren)
Youth honors for children of alumni (Eagle Scout, Duty to God, Young Women in Excellence, etc.)
Illnesses
Deaths
Etc.

Step 4 ~ Be a cheerleader for BYU–Idaho and the
Alumni association by:

Tell the BYU–Idaho Story.
Invite prospective students to apply and attend.
Encourage Alumni to stay connected with the university and their Alumni Association.

Step 5 ~ Be a Resource for the University and the
Alumni Association

Identify potential internship providers for BYU–Idaho students and notify the Internship Office at 1-208-496-2290 or internships@byui.edu. The potential internship provider will then be contacted by BYU-Idaho.
Refer potential donors to LDS Philanthropies by calling 1-800-227-4257 or send an e-mail to richardsd@byui.edu. A Donor Liaison will then contact the referral.
Support BYU–Idaho Performance Tours when they come to your area. Performing groups such as Dance Alliance or Vocal Union will typically be scheduled through local LDS stakes. Alumni Ambassadors can help by encouraging alumni and others to attend the event and helping with arranging for housing (local host families) for the visiting students.
Assist New Student Orientation by offering personal congratulations to newly admitted students from your area. The Alumni Office will send you a list of these students each term. You may consider hosting these new students for an informal gathering (ice cream social, Q&A session) at your home.
Support Admissions and Scholarships by:

Encouraging students to attend BYU–Idaho
Participating in the CES Education Conference and Articulation Meetings in your area
Representing BYU–Idaho at your local high school scholarship assemblies

Assist Alumni Relations by:

Inviting newly admitted students to join the Student Alumni Association (SAA) once on campus
Encouraging children of alumni to apply for the Regional Alumni Scholarship (information and an application form is provided in this handbook and on-line at www.byui.edu/alumni)
Nominating alumni who have made outstanding professional, service, or talent accomplishments for an alumni award (information and a nomination form is available in this handbook and on-line at www.byui.edu/alumni)
Letting us now of important events in the lives of our alumni and their families.

SHARED EXPECTATIONS

The Alumni Office will:

· Train all Alumni Ambassadors well regarding their roles as advocates for the university and the Alumni Association.

· Communicate alumni data, university news, plans, activities, successes, and challenges on a regular basis.

· Listen and share any questions, concerns, and ideas with university administration.

· Recognize outstanding effort, service, and accomplishment of our Alumni Ambassadors

· Share available resources to allow for productive and rewarding experiences.

Our Alumni Ambassadors Will

· Recommend alumni who may merit award consideration based on outstanding service and/or accomplishments.

· Inform The Alumni Office of any important news in the lives of our alumni.

· Assist coordination and hosting of alumni and/or university events (i.e., firesides, performing tours, open houses, lectures, etc.).

· Serve as an initial contact and resource for the university in local communities, stakes and wards.

· Encourage alumni and friends who may have the interest and means to voluntarily share their resources to help build and support the university.

· Share alumni concerns, ideas, suggestions and opinions with the Alumni Council.

· Inspire, by example, uncommon loyalty to BYU–Idaho.

YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Where We Are

The Alumni Relations Office is located in the Alumni and Friends Center at 16 East Main, Suite A, in Rexburg. The Annual Giving Office and the BYU–Idaho Call Center, share the office suite. The Alumni and Friends Center will eventually move to the Manwaring Center once a planned addition and renovation is completed.

Who Belongs

Membership in the Alumni Association includes: All persons who have attended BYU–Idaho and/or Ricks College and have accumulated a minimum of 16 credits. Retired BYU–Idaho/Ricks College employees and current BYU–Idaho employees are also members of the Alumni Association. Currently enrolled students are members of the Student Alumni Association.

There are no membership dues required for participation in the association.

What We Do

The Alumni Office is responsible for the maintenance of alumni records. Great efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of these records. This includes the recording of all marriages, deaths, address changes, and updating e-mail records.

Efforts are made to track alumni and recognize those who have received honors or reached such milestones as birthdays and anniversaries.

We host many on-campus activities and support such university sponsored off-campus events as performance tours and advancement firesides. The following are a few examples of groups, activities, and benefits sponsored by the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Council coordinates alumni activities, approves benefits, makes awards decisions, recommends leaders, and approves council positions, etc. The council consists of representatives from all alumni constituency groups, and each academic college. Council members participate in one of three committees, the Awards Committee, the Communications Committee, and the Events Committee. Members of the Alumni Council also serve as Alumni Ambassadors. They may continue to serve as Ambassadors after they have been released from the Alumni Council.

The Emeritus Club was organized in 1973. This association sponsors a semi-annual breakfast where outstanding Emeritus members are recognized. The Emeritus Club consists of all alumni who attended fifty or more years ago and/or retired employees of BYU–Idaho/Ricks College. Members of this counsel also serve as Alumni Ambassadors.

The Young Alumni Association are all alumni who are younger than 40. The association encourages all young alumni to continue their connection with the university, to begin a tradition of contributing annually to the BYU-Idaho Fund, and to use university resources in career placement and advancement. The Young Alumni Council will direct these efforts and coordinate with the Alumni Council. Members of this counsel also serve as Alumni Ambassadors.

The Student Alumni Association (SAA) is an association of students currently attending BYU–Idaho. Active members are involved in several activities during the year designed to provide service, foster a sense of loyalty, and build traditions for BYU–Idaho. A major component of service is the Student Legacy Endowment, which helps students with unforeseen financial difficulties.

Alumni Ambassadors are volunteers who serve as local contacts for the university and advocates in their communities. They provide invaluable service as the “eyes and ears” of the university and the Alumni Association. Alumni Ambassadors are organized into Regional Alumni Networks.

6. Regional Alumni Networks are geographic regions for Alumni Ambassadors. Ambassadors in each region will meet annually for ambassador training and at other times as needed. Each region will be lead by an Alumni Ambassador who will serve as the Regional Coordinator.

7. Spirit Week is held 3 times annually, once each semester. The Alumni Office will hold alumni related events, such as reunions, for each Spirit Week and is responsible for the Spirit Rally which is the opening event.

8. Alumni and Friends Travel Club provides travel opportunities exclusive to BYU–Idaho/Ricks College Alumni and friends of the university. The goals of the Travel Club are to offer a variety of small, affordable tours that ensure LDS standards (including Sunday worship), foster an affiliation with BYU–Idaho/Ricks College alumni, and provide opportunities for service. Membership in the travel club is available to non-alumni friends (donors) of the university and parents of current and former students.

9. Summit Magazine is published twice a year (April and November) and is mailed to over 100,000 alumni and friends.

10. Alumni and Friends Update is a free electronic newsletter sent each month to alumni and friends informing them of Alumni Association and university news.

11. Alumni Connections is the BYU–Idaho/Ricks College alumni online community. It provides opportunities for alumni to find, reconnect, and correspond with each other. Each alumnus has a profile which he/she can update and includes such information as years attended, major, occupation, campus wards, apartments, hobbies, and favorite memories. Other features include a message board, job placement, and career networking.

12. Graduation Exercises: The Alumni Association is responsible for the following:

a. Provide cap and gown rental or purchase for faculty, administrators and students.

b. Sponsoring graduation banquets, luncheons, and breakfasts.

c. Assistance with the Graduation Fair and Grad Night.

13. Alumni Awards recognize alumni who have made outstanding accomplishments, provided service and have lived exemplary lives. Award recipients are recognized at Alumni Award Luncheons held throughout the year.

14. Reunions are sponsored by the Alumni Association and held in conjunction with Spirit Week, Mother’s Weekend, Education Week, etc. We will also assist any BYU–Idaho/Ricks College class, organization, ward, etc., in scheduling and planning reunions.

15. The Alumni Benefits Card, sponsored by Itz Your Mall, offers nationwide discounts to alumni and the following benefits:

a. 10% discount at the BYU–Idaho Bookstore

b. Alumni Travel Club membership

c. David O. McKay Library privileges

d. Discounts at several local hotels

A complete and up-to-date list of benefits is available at www.byui.edu/alumni. The Alumni Benefits Card is free and can be obtained by completing a form on-line or by calling the Alumni Office.

16. Alumni Mentoring Program is offered in conjunction with the Placement Office, and allows alumni to volunteer their time and resources in helping mentor current BYU–Idaho students. Through this program, alumni serve as a valuable resource for mentoring, placement, and providing internships. The Alumni Office helps by collecting information on mentors, which is then used by the Placement Office.

REGIONAL ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS

Regional Alumni Chapter Scholarship Endowment

In the 1980’s, nearly $100,000 was raised for an alumni scholarship. This money was later used to start the Ricks College Perpetual Education Fund, now the Student Legacy Endowment. The Student Legacy Endowment is now very healthy. In 2002, the initial $100,000 was transferred back to the Alumni Association to start a new endowment for Regional Alumni Scholarships. The revenue raised by this endowment will be divided equally among the alumni regions. We anticipate the annual revenue to be about $5,000. Some revenue will be placed in a general account, to be used for applicants from areas not represented by a chapter.

Annual Fund Raising for the Endowment

Periodically, the Annual Giving Office will work with individual regions to bolster the endowment. For example, we may conduct a direct mail or telefund campaign for a particular area. Fifty percent of the revenue raised by the Annual Giving Office will be added to the endowment (blessing all regions) and the other fifty percent will go into the region specific scholarship account.

Regional Scholarship Restrictions

A BYU-Idaho Regional Alumni Scholarship account will be set up for each region and a general account for all other applicants. The following restrictions would apply to the awarding of Regional Alumni Scholarships.

1. Award amounts will be a minimum of $300 per scholarship.

2. Award recipients must be admitted to the university.

3. Awards should typically be given to new students only.

Award recipients must submit a Regional Alumni Scholarship Application by the scholarship deadline of April 1 for summer or fall and November 1 for winter.

5. Award recipients will typically be children of alumni.

6. Award preference would typically be given to those who have not already qualified for an appropriated scholarship.

7. Consideration will be based on academic preparation, as measured by the BYU–Idaho Academic Scholarship Index (ASI) and other merits (from the essay response of the applicant).

8. Scholarship recipients will be asked to provide a thank you letter to the Alumni Association.

Awarding Procedures

The Regional Alumni Council (all Ambassadors within a region) will make award selections from a list of qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will be those who have met the above criteria. The Alumni Office will receive applications and forward to Regional Alumni Coordinator and Alumni Ambassadors those who qualify. The number of available scholarships for the region will also be included, using the $300 minimum as a guide. The Regional Alumni Council will be asked to consider the student’s admissions and scholarship standing, the parent’s alumni status, and any compelling or extenuating circumstances from the applicant’s essay. The region’s selections will then be forwarded to the Alumni Office who will in turn notify the Scholarship Office of decisions made. The Alumni Council will make award decisions for applicants not represented by a region.

Application Forms

Printable forms are also available at http://www.byui.edu/alumni/chapters/scholarship.pdf.

ALUMNI AWARDS

Distinguished Alumni Award

Category 1 – For Professional Accomplishment: Established in 1963. To recognize and honor alumni 40 years of age or older who have distinguished themselves in their profession. Presented at the Alumni Awards Luncheon (1-2 annually – individual or couple).

Criteria

1. Presented for highest professional distinction. The individual(s) considered must have received noteworthy recognition regionally, nationally, or internationally in his/her profession.

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