In December, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees unanimously approved an 18-month pilot program for three to five Shared Interest Groups (SIGs). Earlier in the year, briefings on the plan for SIGs were provided to both chapter and class leadership at the International Chapter Officer Forum and the Council of Class Presidents meetings, respectively.
“It’s important that the Alumni Association continues to be an inclusive organization,” said Admiral Bob Natter ’67, USN (Ret.), chair of the Board of Trustees. “Encouraging alumni to meet over shared interests like sports or extracurricular activities will only strengthen our relationship between alumni, the Alumni Association and the Academy.”
Beyond class and chapters, SIGs are expected to be active supporting members of the Alumni Association mission to foster engagement among alumni and support the Naval Academy. They are expected to actively communicate or gather around a central unifying purpose and a common shared affinity or bond based on shared experience, background, academic affiliation, profession or other USNA-related interest. SIGs are a best practice for alumni engagement among alumni associations around the nation including the West Point Association of Graduates and the Air Force Association of Graduates.
“In the 2010 membership survey, we learned that a large number of alumni were interested in SIGs and networking as future services,” said Captain Glen Woods ’78, USN (Ret.), chair of the Board of Trustees Membership and Services Committee. “We need to remain relevant to our broad range of alumni members, and to encourage new memberships. SIGs will help in those efforts.”
Alumni groups that would like to be considered for the pilot program are encouraged to submit an application to include a proposed charter and petition with at least 25 names of Alumni Association members.
Atlanta Network