Forging Connections: Regional Chapters

Ninety years ago, in the days long before cell phones, the Internet, Facebook, and Instagram, Randolph-Macon Academy alumni organized and maintained regional chapters in Manhattan, N.Y., Pittsburgh, PA, and Washington D.C. During the early 90’s and 00’s, alumni chapters in Maryland, North Carolina, and Shenandoah Valley were also created. These chapters provided ways of uniting alumni who shared the common bond of life on The Hill and presented opportunities to support each other.

Under the leadership of the President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Bryan Moore ’84 (pictured right), the Academy is creating new opportunities to cultivate the bonds of our alumni community.

Bryan is eager to lead the Alumni Association in this important endeavor. “The world has changed, with technology altering the way we engage with one another,” he acknowledged. “Social media platforms have made catching up with old friends so easy, and getting together for social gatherings less of a priority. To build a strong alumni community, we have to provide ways to better the lives of our alumni. Regional chapters provide ways for alumni, young and old, to benefit through mentoring, business networking, scholarship opportunities, and fellowship.”

Lou Massett, R-MA’s Director of Advancement, has experienced this not only in his career as an educator, but as a boarding school student himself. “Attending a hometown high school offers alumni the benefit of a local network. We have something better - the added benefit of deep, lifelong friendships with people across the globe. Friendships forged through experiences away from home, at a school with high standards and great expectations, bring our alumni together like family. This experience transcends time and space and creates a powerful bond between alumni from all generations. Vibrant regional chapters will help connect us and strengthen the R-MA community – and as they say, ‘a rising tide lifts all ships.’”

THE REGIONAL CHAPTER PROGRAM HAS FIVE PILLARS:

CAREER NETWORK. Chapters will provide platforms to connect R-MA alumni - in the job market, or in college - with other alumni in similar industries in order to help secure new career opportunities, including internships.

BUSINESS NETWORK. Regional chapters will promote alumni businesses within the R-MA network and each individual’s circle of influence. They will also provide platforms for discussussion of best practices, opportunities, and possible investment opportunities.

SCHOLARSHIPS & RECRUITMENT. The creation of regional chapter scholarships provides alumni the tools and incentive to connect prospective families from their workplaces, churches, and neighborhoods to R-MA’s great tradition.

MENTORING. The mentoring program allows alumni to share their time and talents with R-MA students. This will help build a greater esprit-de-corps, giving current students a glimpse of the success that awaits them.

FELLOWSHIP. The R-MA alumni office will work in concert with regional chapters to build community through fun, meaningful events for alumni and their families.

The foundation of a sustainable chapter program is providing value to R-MA’s alumni. The first step in forging that foundation is understanding individual needs and wants. “Through visits with nearby alumni and those further afield - including Hampton Roads, Maryland, and California (thus far) - the Advancement team has already begun making connections and developing a better understanding of what our graduates are looking for,” said Massett. “We’ve had great feedback so far. It’s important to understand that everyone is at different stages in their lives, so their wants and needs vary.”

“We have a lot of ambitious, talented young alumni who want to make their mark in the world,” Moore added. “Part of our project is establishing ways to help give an R-MA edge to these young men and women who are entering an increasingly competitive market.”

The Advancement Office is creating a webpage and a LinkedIn page for the Academy’s Chapter Program. If you are interested in learning more, getting involved in, or creating an Alumni Chapter in your area, please contact Lou Massett at 540-636-5206 or at lmassett@RMA.edu.