Campaign for Appalachian

[ASUMountaineer]

It would be nice if some kind of IPTAY (I Pay Twenty A Year-Clemson) program could be implemented for the Yosef Club

When it first started it stood for ten.Now, the minimum donation is $140.00.The info in the link is interesting.

http://www.clemsontigers.com/fls/28500/ ... M_ID=28500

Thanks for posting.

I remember it originally started at $10. My thinking is that we have SO many alumni that currently aren't Yosef members that getting them on board with any donation would be good start. Hopefully they will grow with the program as many of us have.

I agree. Give me 100 youngish alums donating $10 to grow over 10 donating $100 and always donating $100. Right out of college, I was in grad school. I couldn't afford $100, but I could afford $10. Send me a sticker I could have thrown on my old Jeep. Not only do you get the obvious $10, but you also get an alumni committed and used to donating annually to the YC. Eventually, that recent grad gets a good job and can up the donation. We're all not going to be able to be high-roller donors, but we all (hopefully) can incrementally give more throughout our careers.

This was the philosophy when I worked at the App Fund across campus. I'm not sure why we haven't pushed this for the YC yet. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but maybe I'm missing something.

[DaphneUrquhart]

I agree. Give me 100 youngish alums donating $10 to grow over 10 donating $100 and always donating $100. Right out of college, I was in grad school. I couldn't afford $100, but I could afford $10. Send me a sticker I could have thrown on my old Jeep. Not only do you get the obvious $10, but you also get an alumni committed and used to donating annually to the YC. Eventually, that recent grad gets a good job and can up the donation. We're all not going to be able to be high-roller donors, but we all (hopefully) can incrementally give more throughout our careers.

This was the philosophy when I worked at the App Fund across campus. I'm not sure why we haven't pushed this for the YC yet. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but maybe I'm missing something.

Believe me, YC has thought and thought and thought on that. The Student Yosef Club has grown from a handful of students to close to 1,000. The idea is to get them connected before they ever leave the mountain.

Loyalty is the key. App hasn't been great at cultivating that loyalty. My oldest brother graduated from App in the 70's, and I still haven't been able to get him to a football game. We're doing better, but we're not there yet.

Every February, the YC Advisory Board meets for a weekend to hammer out new ideas and new approaches to growing the membership base. The donor who gives regularly is definitely the heart and soul of YC. YC just needs more heart and soul.

The young alum program rewards donors who are 5 or fewer years past graduation with double points for those years of giving plus special parking on University Dr (by Durham Park). It's really a great program! The idea is that, hopefully, those young alums will be able to swing a $250 donation five years out. The $250 donation would get them liberry deck parking as it stands now.

So, pass the word, folks. All of you know far more App alums than I do. Ask them to join YC at any level. Yosef really does need you.

[APPARJ]

I agree. Give me 100 youngish alums donating $10 to grow over 10 donating $100 and always donating $100. Right out of college, I was in grad school. I couldn't afford $100, but I could afford $10. Send me a sticker I could have thrown on my old Jeep. Not only do you get the obvious $10, but you also get an alumni committed and used to donating annually to the YC. Eventually, that recent grad gets a good job and can up the donation. We're all not going to be able to be high-roller donors, but we all (hopefully) can incrementally give more throughout our careers.

This was the philosophy when I worked at the App Fund across campus. I'm not sure why we haven't pushed this for the YC yet. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but maybe I'm missing something.

Believe me, YC has thought and thought and thought on that. The Student Yosef Club has grown from a handful of students to close to 1,000. The idea is to get them connected before they ever leave the mountain.

Loyalty is the key. App hasn't been great at cultivating that loyalty. My oldest brother graduated from App in the 70's, and I still haven't been able to get him to a football game. We're doing better, but we're not there yet.

Every February, the YC Advisory Board meets for a weekend to hammer out new ideas and new approaches to growing the membership base. The donor who gives regularly is definitely the heart and soul of YC. YC just needs more heart and soul.

The young alum program rewards donors who are 5 or fewer years past graduation with double points for those years of giving plus special parking on University Dr (by Durham Park). It's really a great program! The idea is that, hopefully, those young alums will be able to swing a $250 donation five years out. The $250 donation would get them liberry deck parking as it stands now.

So, pass the word, folks. All of you know far more App alums than I do. Ask them to join YC at any level. Yosef really does need you.

This will be my 5th year on University Dr. with 3 other young alumni families. We've made countless memories and look forward to many more.

The Young Alumni program is awesome. I plug it to anyone graduating from App.

[App91]

It would be nice if some kind of IPTAY (I Pay Twenty A Year-Clemson) program could be implemented for the Yosef Club; strength in numbers rather than depending on the big donors too much. The Student Yosef Club was a start, now expand on it. Donate $20 and get a nice Yosef sticker for the car.

IMO, the YC focus in the recent past (with Beasley) has been to go after that high donor almost exclusively to the detriment of the lower levels. I have talked with folks in the YC who have told me such, that is a big issue, i believe. There is no way to grow grass roots that way. One of the biggest issues that I see is the lack of work "off the moutain" save the Spring tour. I think I heard on WFNZ that there are 76k alumni in Meck county? Whatever the number, how can we not have a local YC chapter raising money? Same for WS, Raleigh, Atlanta, wherever. Honestly, the lack of downstream organization baffles me, that is exactly what IPTAY was, a way for the small pocketbook person to get in for a small amount.

[DaphneUrquhart]

It would be nice if some kind of IPTAY (I Pay Twenty A Year-Clemson) program could be implemented for the Yosef Club; strength in numbers rather than depending on the big donors too much. The Student Yosef Club was a start, now expand on it. Donate $20 and get a nice Yosef sticker for the car.

IMO, the YC focus in the recent past (with Beasley) has been to go after that high donor almost exclusively to the detriment of the lower levels. I have talked with folks in the YC who have told me such, that is a big issue, i believe. There is no way to grow grass roots that way. One of the biggest issues that I see is the lack of work "off the moutain" save the Spring tour. I think I heard on WFNZ that there are 76k alumni in Meck county? Whatever the number, how can we not have a local YC chapter raising money? Same for WS, Raleigh, Atlanta, wherever. Honestly, the lack of downstream organization baffles me, that is exactly what IPTAY was, a way for the small pocketbook person to get in for a small amount.

Based on what I heard at this year's YCAB retreat I would say that the YC staff has heard and taken to heart much of the criticism about overlooking the smaller donations. I know that I've spent almost every hour on the YCAB either calling or emailing younger alums or advocating for more work with the regular donors.

One problem I see is the number of staff doing the work. As with most businesses these days, YC is trying to do more work without adding more staff. Brian Burns, who is the YC rep based in CLT is a new staff person in the last 18 months. His role is to coordinate CLT area and boost Yosef membership.

If you've got time to help recruit members or have great ways of reaching out to area alums, please share them.

[JTApps1]

It would be nice if some kind of IPTAY (I Pay Twenty A Year-Clemson) program could be implemented for the Yosef Club; strength in numbers rather than depending on the big donors too much. The Student Yosef Club was a start, now expand on it. Donate $20 and get a nice Yosef sticker for the car.

IMO, the YC focus in the recent past (with Beasley) has been to go after that high donor almost exclusively to the detriment of the lower levels. I have talked with folks in the YC who have told me such, that is a big issue, i believe. There is no way to grow grass roots that way. One of the biggest issues that I see is the lack of work "off the moutain" save the Spring tour. I think I heard on WFNZ that there are 76k alumni in Meck county? Whatever the number, how can we not have a local YC chapter raising money? Same for WS, Raleigh, Atlanta, wherever. Honestly, the lack of downstream organization baffles me, that is exactly what IPTAY was, a way for the small pocketbook person to get in for a small amount.

About 10 years ago after Roach and Bork were gone there was an effort to establish local chapters that could setup meetings and events for their areas. It had just started to get off the ground when the powers that be basically stopped giving any support to the local guys. The folks in Boone have continually decided to focus on pushing their own events without looking to the local YC members to draw up support in their area. The YC events such as the Spring Tours should be used to compliment a local chapters own efforts not replace them.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Per the US News rankings (http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandrevie ... t-colleges),which tracks alumni giving percentage, we're right at 10%, which could be much better. You might be surprised to know that that rate is as high or higher than every school in the UNC system except for Chapel Hill (22%), Elizabeth City State (14%), and NC State (11%). NC Central and A&T have the same percentage. We're ahead of ECU, UNCC, UNCG, UNCA, Western, UNCW, etc.

So, you know. Lots of room to improve, but there's some context. I'm no millionaire, but I give a little every year to both athletics and academics.

10% may be right for overall alumni giving. The 5% figure is more accurate for athletics. We, too, give to both areas each year ... but we don't count in the alumni giving rate.

I am sure when they use the word alumni they really mean graduate with a diploma of some sort. I generally do that But is not an alumnus/na someone that just took classes at the school. Take one class online and make it official. Take one class for one day and you are an alum.

[DaphneUrquhart]

I am sure when they use the word alumni they really mean graduate with a diploma of some sort. I generally do that But is not an alumnus/na someone that just took classes at the school. Take one class online and make it official. Take one class for one day and you are an alum.

Thanks for the chuckle. I keep threatening to get my masters in middle grades education - one of the few masters degrees I'm eligible to take that would be of interest to me. I'd take the masters in accounting ... but I don't have an undergraduate degree in business. I have an English degree and nearly 30 years of experience as a CPA (after taking enough accounting classes post-graduation to sit for the CPA exam). Oh, the things we learn en route to looking up other things!

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I am sure when they use the word alumni they really mean graduate with a diploma of some sort. I generally do that But is not an alumnus/na someone that just took classes at the school. Take one class online and make it official. Take one class for one day and you are an alum.

Thanks for the chuckle. I keep threatening to get my masters in middle grades education - one of the few masters degrees I'm eligible to take that would be of interest to me. I'd take the masters in accounting ... but I don't have an undergraduate degree in business. I have an English degree and nearly 30 years of experience as a CPA (after taking enough accounting classes post-graduation to sit for the CPA exam). Oh, the things we learn en route to looking up other things!

I must admit I was not expecting that to be your education path. Interesting. My sister is an English major from UNC-CH.

[App91]

It would be nice if some kind of IPTAY (I Pay Twenty A Year-Clemson) program could be implemented for the Yosef Club; strength in numbers rather than depending on the big donors too much. The Student Yosef Club was a start, now expand on it. Donate $20 and get a nice Yosef sticker for the car.

IMO, the YC focus in the recent past (with Beasley) has been to go after that high donor almost exclusively to the detriment of the lower levels. I have talked with folks in the YC who have told me such, that is a big issue, i believe. There is no way to grow grass roots that way. One of the biggest issues that I see is the lack of work "off the moutain" save the Spring tour. I think I heard on WFNZ that there are 76k alumni in Meck county? Whatever the number, how can we not have a local YC chapter raising money? Same for WS, Raleigh, Atlanta, wherever. Honestly, the lack of downstream organization baffles me, that is exactly what IPTAY was, a way for the small pocketbook person to get in for a small amount.

About 10 years ago after Roach and Bork were gone there was an effort to establish local chapters that could setup meetings and events for their areas. It had just started to get off the ground when the powers that be basically stopped giving any support to the local guys. The folks in Boone have continually decided to focus on pushing their own events without looking to the local YC members to draw up support in their area. The YC events such as the Spring Tours should be used to compliment a local chapters own efforts not replace them.

I was at that meeting prior to the '05 season, Jocks and Jills if I recall. Talked alot about local chapter and fundraising. Disappointing result, not sure if it had anything to do with the run we went on where Fundraising did itself. Sure did not want to pick it back up at that point.

[App91]

It would be nice if some kind of IPTAY (I Pay Twenty A Year-Clemson) program could be implemented for the Yosef Club; strength in numbers rather than depending on the big donors too much. The Student Yosef Club was a start, now expand on it. Donate $20 and get a nice Yosef sticker for the car.

IMO, the YC focus in the recent past (with Beasley) has been to go after that high donor almost exclusively to the detriment of the lower levels. I have talked with folks in the YC who have told me such, that is a big issue, i believe. There is no way to grow grass roots that way. One of the biggest issues that I see is the lack of work "off the moutain" save the Spring tour. I think I heard on WFNZ that there are 76k alumni in Meck county? Whatever the number, how can we not have a local YC chapter raising money? Same for WS, Raleigh, Atlanta, wherever. Honestly, the lack of downstream organization baffles me, that is exactly what IPTAY was, a way for the small pocketbook person to get in for a small amount.

Based on what I heard at this year's YCAB retreat I would say that the YC staff has heard and taken to heart much of the criticism about overlooking the smaller donations. I know that I've spent almost every hour on the YCAB either calling or emailing younger alums or advocating for more work with the regular donors.

One problem I see is the number of staff doing the work. As with most businesses these days, YC is trying to do more work without adding more staff. Brian Burns, who is the YC rep based in CLT is a new staff person in the last 18 months. His role is to coordinate CLT area and boost Yosef membership.

If you've got time to help recruit members or have great ways of reaching out to area alums, please share them.

Daphne, thanks for all you do and your time spent. I am not sure that I have ever been contacted in my 10+ years of YC, but I am a sure thing. I think that is the point, the YC as it was, was not good at outreach, it really goes to this whole fundraising thing that the athletic dept needs. We have always done it this way. Unfortunately it will not work going forward. Lets start by having local YC chapters with functions to raise these small donors. Since I am in CLT, it would be great to meet Brian!

[AppDawg]

It would be nice if some kind of IPTAY (I Pay Twenty A Year-Clemson) program could be implemented for the Yosef Club; strength in numbers rather than depending on the big donors too much. The Student Yosef Club was a start, now expand on it. Donate $20 and get a nice Yosef sticker for the car.

Whole heartey agree - have been saying this for years. Hopefully Gillin has some ideas like this to further engage and expand the base. The YOSEF club has done tremendous things over the years and is to be commended - its amazing where we came from over the last 10 years monetarily. However, with a membership of just 3,000 with nearly 115,000 living alumni - how often can you go back to the same well before it runs dry?

[Saint3333]

It would be nice if some kind of IPTAY (I Pay Twenty A Year-Clemson) program could be implemented for the Yosef Club; strength in numbers rather than depending on the big donors too much. The Student Yosef Club was a start, now expand on it. Donate $20 and get a nice Yosef sticker for the car. :lol:

IMO, the YC focus in the recent past (with Beasley) has been to go after that high donor almost exclusively to the detriment of the lower levels. I have talked with folks in the YC who have told me such, that is a big issue, i believe. There is no way to grow grass roots that way. One of the biggest issues that I see is the lack of work "off the moutain" save the Spring tour. I think I heard on WFNZ that there are 76k alumni in Meck county? Whatever the number, how can we not have a local YC chapter raising money? Same for WS, Raleigh, Atlanta, wherever. Honestly, the lack of downstream organization baffles me, that is exactly what IPTAY was, a way for the small pocketbook person to get in for a small amount.

Based on what I heard at this year's YCAB retreat I would say that the YC staff has heard and taken to heart much of the criticism about overlooking the smaller donations. I know that I've spent almost every hour on the YCAB either calling or emailing younger alums or advocating for more work with the regular donors.

One problem I see is the number of staff doing the work. As with most businesses these days, YC is trying to do more work without adding more staff. Brian Burns, who is the YC rep based in CLT is a new staff person in the last 18 months. His role is to coordinate CLT area and boost Yosef membership.

If you've got time to help recruit members or have great ways of reaching out to area alums, please share them.

Daphne, thanks for all you do and your time spent. I am not sure that I have ever been contacted in my 10+ years of YC, but I am a sure thing. I think that is the point, the YC as it was, was not good at outreach, it really goes to this whole fundraising thing that the athletic dept needs. We have always done it this way. Unfortunately it will not work going forward. Lets start by having local YC chapters with functions to raise these small donors. Since I am in CLT, it would be great to meet Brian!

I've been part of those call sessions as well and one issue we run into is incorrect contact information. If we don't have your correct number or address it is difficult to reach out.

Everyone that is a reader of this board has been contacted, Daphne, myself, and others post multiple times a year ways you can help the Yosef Club. If you'd like to meet Brian or pass along ideas to him send me a PM.

[DaphneUrquhart]

The other bit of help each alum can do is updating information in the Gold Book. Go to the App Alumni site and log in or register. You can also get a permanent Appalachian email. That email is simply a forwarding service to your regular email, so it's not the same as adding yet another electronic leash. If you have the alumni email and change your regular email address, you simply update the forwarding info in your Gold Book account.

Help Yosef and the university find you, please. Thanks.

[ASUMountaineer]

I agree. Give me 100 youngish alums donating $10 to grow over 10 donating $100 and always donating $100. Right out of college, I was in grad school. I couldn't afford $100, but I could afford $10. Send me a sticker I could have thrown on my old Jeep. Not only do you get the obvious $10, but you also get an alumni committed and used to donating annually to the YC. Eventually, that recent grad gets a good job and can up the donation. We're all not going to be able to be high-roller donors, but we all (hopefully) can incrementally give more throughout our careers.

This was the philosophy when I worked at the App Fund across campus. I'm not sure why we haven't pushed this for the YC yet. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but maybe I'm missing something.

Believe me, YC has thought and thought and thought on that. The Student Yosef Club has grown from a handful of students to close to 1,000. The idea is to get them connected before they ever leave the mountain.

Loyalty is the key. App hasn't been great at cultivating that loyalty. My oldest brother graduated from App in the 70's, and I still haven't been able to get him to a football game. We're doing better, but we're not there yet.

Every February, the YC Advisory Board meets for a weekend to hammer out new ideas and new approaches to growing the membership base. The donor who gives regularly is definitely the heart and soul of YC. YC just needs more heart and soul.

The young alum program rewards donors who are 5 or fewer years past graduation with double points for those years of giving plus special parking on University Dr (by Durham Park). It's really a great program! The idea is that, hopefully, those young alums will be able to swing a $250 donation five years out. The $250 donation would get them liberry deck parking as it stands now.

So, pass the word, folks. All of you know far more App alums than I do. Ask them to join YC at any level. Yosef really does need you.

I agree about the young alum program, even though it began my 6th year after graduation.

In all seriousness, thanks for the info. Must of us here probably already know what you've posted. I am interested though, if the YC has discussed an IPTAY-like program, what were the reasons for it not working at App? I'm not advocating that they do it, just an observation that it has been successful at other institutions.