Student interns interact with the Advancement Committee

The reputable and helpful members of Woodstock’s Advancement Committee arrived on campus at 8:30 on a bright Monday morning on September 5. Our interns welcomed them with open arms, and we all introduced ourselves to them. Following the introductions we were divided into groups, with each group having two interns interview a committee member.

The committee members provided us with some extremely insightful information and recommendations once we split up into groups. Advancement Committee Chair Ms Jonake Bose '81 went over her journey through Woodstock, her life in college, and how this school helped her develop, giving her a reason to give back to the school. She talked about what Woodstock was like in the past and her experiences with her teachers. For example, once they dissected a monkey for her biology class. She went over her experiences beyond Woodstock and how Woodstock helped her make the most of later opportunities, deepening her connection to and appreciation for this school.

The interview with Woodstock School Board Director and former Principal Mr Hugh Bradby focused on his ongoing involvement with Woodstock. He shared his ideas about student and staff diversity at Woodstock and the financial support Woodstock needs to achieve its diversity goals. His thoughts and ideas about fundraising include the belief that more of the younger alumni should learn about Woodstock’s fundraising needs and take part. He also believes that Woodstock should fundraise in as many countries as possible due to our global alumni community. who thinks back about their time on the hill, just reach out. All we need to do after that is open a dialogue and see it through.” Lauri, who was the Alumni Director at Woodstock from 2016-19 and was also on the WOSA Asia Committee until she recently moved back to the U.S., is excited to be involved in this new initiative: “It’s all about finding ways to connect more alumni from around the world with opportunities to engage with each other and to support the school we all love so much.”

A few days after the interviews the Advancement Committee members’ time on the hillside drew to a close. After their eventful stay at Woodstock School they were sent off with an assembly held for them on September 9. At the outdoor amphitheatre the school held a dedication ceremony, and we were once again able to connect briefly with the Advancement Committee members.

The programme will equip ambassadors with the knowledge, context, and content necessary to successfully carry out their roles. More experienced volunteers and Woodstock School leadership are ready to provide strong mentorship, foundational information, and impactful school publications.

Jonake Bose ’81, Chair of the Board Advancement Committee and one of the founders of the programme says, “It is rarely the efforts of one person that can improve things. It is the strength of all of us working together that makes a difference. Our goal is for it to be a ‘winwin’ experience for all of us working on this initiative.” To this end, the Alumni Ambassadors are eager to work with all WOSA members, class representatives, and volunteers around the world. Anyone who has helped in the past can regain momentum by joining or otherwise engaging with our Alumni Ambassadors.

The Advancement and Alumni Relations Office will play a central role in providing the assistance, guidance, and support required for stable functioning of the Ambassadors Programme. Katie Jo Walter says, “We have so many alumni, former staff, and friends around the world who want to support us, and I’m excited about equipping them with the best tools possible for doing so. Ady Manral and I are ready to help this programme reach its full potential. One important consideration for us is making sure we have at least two ambassadors in each area so work can continue if a volunteer has a family emergency or experiences burnout. We want support for everyone involved built into the system.”