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As the newly elected president of the HBS Alumni Association, I am very excited at the prospect of leading this important organization and representing your interests to the School over the course of my two-year term. I would like to express my appreciation to Monty Milner for leading the Board so effectively over the last two years - it is a pleasure to inherit such a healthy organization. My fellow Board members and I are committed to carrying out the overall mission of the Board, which is to continually evaluate the quality and quantity of programs offered to HBS graduates and to strive to find new and important ways to add value for our alumni constituency.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors meets three times a year on campus, as well as at each annual Global Alumni Conference. At these meetings we hear about new initiatives and projects from HBS faculty and administrators. In addition, committees are formed to develop programs that respond to specific issues of concern to alumni. This year, the committees will be structured around the following topics.
Online Services for Alumni
In an effort to refine the online services available to alumni, this committee will examine ways in which technology can be used proactively to serve alumni. Possible projects include developing a strategy for "push" technology, designing a format for communicating regularly with graduates about faculty research and course development, developing a more robust Web site, and augmenting the online alumni directory. The committee's goal is to use technology to better communicate news and information to alumni and to facilitate communication between alumni.
Positioning Clubs for the Next Century
HBS clubs (both domestic and international) are working harder than ever to attract and retain members. Membership growth and retention is a challenge, given the busy schedules of all alumni and the fact that people transition through jobs and locations more quickly, are more selective about which organizations to join, and are more demanding of the events they do attend. This committee will attempt to determine how clubs should define themselves to compete in the 21st century. The committee will undertake a marketing analysis in conjunction with a group of clubs, the goal being to create workable models for improving membership and enhancing programming.
Alumni Continuing Education for the Millennium
Building on the work begun in 1998, this committee will continue to look at the viability of offering continuing education to HBS alumni. Feedback tells us that alumni of all ages are looking for opportunities to tap back into the unique educational experience they encountered at HBS. Opportunities for engaging in professional "redipping" currently include reunions, global conferences, and club-sponsored lectures and programs. To expand upon these offerings, the committee will look carefully at emerging technologies and other possible delivery mechanisms for making continuing education more accessible to alumni. The group will work with administrators from Baker Library, Executive Education, External Relations, and HBS Publishing to discuss possible topics and formats.
In addition to these standing committees, there are two subcommittees that provide guidance and feedback on nominations to the Board as well as assistance with the Global Alumni Conferences.
In each issue of the Bulletin, I will follow my predecessors' lead and inform you about the activities of the Board. In addition to maintaining a list of current Board members on the HBS Alumni Web site (www.alumni.hbs.edu) and in the Bulletin, we will use subsequent issues of the magazine to profile new members of the Board. Please feel free to contact us with your thoughts or recommendations. Our goal is to find ways to enhance communication between alumni and reinforce your connection to HBS. Your input is very important to our success.
Best wishes on behalf of the HBS Alumni Association Board of Directors!
Edmund A. Hajim (MBA '64) September 1999
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