• Communicate with alumni regularly and help them connect with each other. While undergraduates should be involved, the chapter's alumni corporation should be responsible for the communication program and find a volunteer to drive it.
  • Have a chapter newsletter published at least twice a year. This is a must! No one wants to give to an organization they know nothing about or to an organization where they feel disconnected. You should also have a web presence for posting current events, news and pictures.
    • Focus on alumni news. At least 70% of the newsletter should be devoted to news relevant to and about alumni -- features, short bios and information regarding alumni events.
    • 20% of the news should be about major chapter endeavors, featuring chapter academic achievements, SigEp campus leaders, community service, and intramural success.
    • Use the other 10% of the newsletter to publicize relevant university news.
    • In each newsletter include an explanation of and progress report for the chapter's fund(s) in the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation, as well as how to make a donation.
  • The website should simply communicate information about events, major news, how to update contact information, recommend a man for recruitment and make a donation.
  • Sponsor regular alumni events. Hold events around major chapter anniversaries and/or significant chapter or campus events.  Annual reunions should be held to bring together smaller peer groups.
    • Give plenty of notice to alumni to schedule events.
    • Ensure events are of the quality alumni expect and reflect the best of the organization.
    • Alumni and their families and friends drop by campus for a variety of occasions. Make sure the chapter facility is always presentable and that the members meet and greet all guests appropriately.

• Ask for gifts in a coordinated, professional and purposeful manner.
  • Assign fundraising responsibilities to a well-qualified member of the alumni corporation.
  • Be clear about the purpose for all funds for which you are soliciting.
  • Ensure all materials and presentations used for solicitation are professional.
  • Acknowledge all gifts in a timely and courteous manner.
  • Ask regularly, not just when there is a pressing need.
  • Start early -- graduating seniors are the most familiar with the benefits of gifts and may be the most willing to give back, setting the pace for all alumni.
  • Identify one alumnus from each class year as a key alumnus or class "captain” and ask him to become informed, make his commitment to the fund of his choice, and then ask his peers to do the same. People give to people.
  • Work with a professional fundraising service provider to conduct any significant campaign beyond your annual campaign.

Handling Gifts

• Gifts should be made to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation earmarked for the appropriate chapter fund.
• Gifts to the Foundation are acknowledged with a tax receipt and multi-year pledges become part of the Foundation’s pledge reminder system. The pledge is acknowledged by a letter and entered in your chapter’s file. Pledge reminders will be sent automatically to the alumnus from the Foundation. As pledge payments are made, the gifts are deposited in the appropriate chapter fund with the Foundation.
• Gifts are deposited in the chapter fund indicated. The fund is invested in the Foundation’s professionally managed Pooled Investment Fund. These gifts accumulate as endowed funds to provide an annual return that provides income for making scholarship and leadership awards for the chapter.