How to start a chapter

• An avenue to renew old and establish new friendships with fellow alumni

• Valuable career connections. Networking is the name of the game for career development these days and chapters can help you make those connections with other SDSU alumni

• Increase the prestige of the university through positive interaction with the community, with fellow alumni, coworkers and potential students

• Provide a nationwide network of personal and professional support and assistance to fellow alumni

• Assist current students by building scholarship funds

• Stay connected and have fun!

The primary purpose for which a chapter is formed is to advance and establish a mutually beneficial relationship among San Diego State University (SDSU), alumni and friends, and to provide an avenue for alumni to continue their connections with the university through the SDSU Alumni Association.

How can I participate?

To participate in a chapter:
Review the list of recognized chapters and contact the one of your choice. If no chapter is listed in your area of choice, contact the Chapter Liaison at the SDSU Alumni Association to see if there is a chapter starting in your area.

To start a chapter:
The Alumni Association can give you the tools needed to establish a chapter in your area. Contact the Chapter Liaison to indicate your willingness to act as a local representative and you will be provided with a chapter handbook, a history of alumni activity in your area, and information on alumni statistics. The Chapter Liaison will assist you with a plan of action for the new chapter.

Chapter Classifications

Cultural/Heritage
Alumni who share, identify with, and would like to participate in cultural and/or ethnic groups.

Professional
Alumni of particular colleges, departments, and other academic organizations.

Regional
Organized on a geographical basis in cities and counties within the state and throughout the United States, and internationally, wherever there is sufficient interest and a concentration of alumni reside.

Shared Interest
Alumni who share a specific interest such as athletics, legislative relations, and student activities, etc.

How do chapters work?

Resources provided to recognized chapters:
Once your chapter has received recognition from the Alumni Association the following resources are available.

• Advertisement and Communication

• Database Management

• Expenditures

• Financial Support

• Mailing Assistance

• Meeting Coordination Assistance

• Speaker Scheduling

• Staff Assistance

Each chapter has a different demographic, focus and level of energy. The types and numbers of activities that take place are tied to the time and resources of both chapter members and the Alumni Association. Flexibility is critical when developing an alumni chapter. The Chapter Liaison provides support and guidance to make the chapter leader's role as enjoyable as possible. We recognize that chapter leaders lead busy lives.

What can the Chapter Liaison do for you?

• Inform, orient, and support chapter leaders by helping them access resources within the Alumni Association, on campus and in their region.

• Provide resources, ideas, and materials to chapter leaders for chapter activities.

• Maintain regular contact with chapter leaders.

• Act as liaison between chapter leaders and the Alumni Association.

• Attend and support chapter events as required and as funding permits.

What can you do as a chapter leader?

• Serve as the Alumni Association contact for the chapter.

• Maintain regular communication with the Chapter Liaison, respond to communications in a timely fashion and report regularly on activities.

• Coordinate activities of the chapter and delegate tasks to chapter members.

If you are interested in forming a chapter, please contact alumnichapters@sdsu.edu.