b'FEATURED ARTICLEEmbracing long-term relationships andIn 2021 and beyond, tighten the commitments to opportunities: ambassadors, agents and champions high-quality, clearly focused, and measurable impact The difference between Alumni ambassadors, agentsactivities.and/or champions and Alumni at-large in general is that institutions consistently engage with ambassadors as1.Perspectives on the Challenges to Philanthropy they promote the institutions brand both at home andduring the COVID-19 Pandemic Washburn & abroad.McGoldrick, Jan 2021, updated May 2021, https://www.wash-mcg.com/advancement-moving-And not all ambassadors, agents or champions must beforward-perspectives-on-the-challenges-to-Alumni. The inner circle of volunteers extends to a widephilanthropy-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/variety of others in the community. 2.Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australias Welfare 2021, Sept. 16, 2021, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/Since the pandemic, institutions may have engagedvolunteersAlumni, current students, families, and the community members in conversations about how to best sustain and advance the institutions priorities in times of uncertainty. Ambassador type programs requires investments and the volunteer experience over the course of five steps: recruit, train, recognise, sustain and assess.In summary, volunteer programs and management require investments and a clear sense of whos serving in these roles and why. In all circumstances, put yourself in the shoes of your volunteer. Think about the single parent or industry leader with limited time, but willing to commit what they can in off-hours. Remember your introverts, your committee-avoiders, and your Alumni who prefer a digital world.Gretchen Dobson EdD Mark C. Sollis Global Engagement Strategist,Strategist & Creative,Gretchen Dobson LLCD3 Advancement StudioNOVEMBER 2021 3 9'