Club Leader Toolkit

Cornellians participate in more than 100 clubs and associations around the world with more than 1,000 Cornellians serving on the boards! The resources below include everything you need to know about managing a successful club or association. Updates to this page are frequent, so please check back regularly.

Mission Statement

Cornell University invites all alumni, parents, and friends to participate in the worldwide university community!

Consistent with the core values of community, education, and service, the initiatives of each club will provide alumni, parents, and friends with meaningful opportunities to:

Strengthen their knowledge of and ties to the university;
Maintain and grow friendships with Cornellians;
Continue the process of life-long learning; and
Serve the university, other alumni, students, and the community at large.

In-Person Events

Guidelines

Clubs and associations are approved to return to in-person events. To assist your group in planning, the Alumni Affairs staff developed guidelines that ensure the health and safety of our alumni community. Please work with your Regional staff contact and submit all events through the event detail form.
Event detail form

You are required to submit your event using the event detail form for insurance purposes and to be included on the alumni events calendar.
Additional Resources

Cornell University Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Resources and Updates
Building Signage
CDC Event Signage

Online Events

Guidelines

Many clubs may choose to offer online events. When planning an online event, please keep these event guidelines in mind.
Event detail form

You are required to submit your event using the event detail form for insurance purposes and to be included on the alumni events calendar.
Additional resources

Cornell University Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Resources and Updates
Cornell University Online Programming
Zooming for Meetings – Live Training Webinars
Keep Zoom Meetings Private and Reduce the Odds of Zoombombing
Hosting Online Meetings – Tips and Etiquette
Cornell Zoom Backgrounds

Communication

Resources for marketing and communicating with your local alumni base

Training Materials for Your Club Web Page
iModules Website and Email Information
Email Best Practices of the Ivy Plus (PDF, 247 KB)
Cornell University Social Media Primer
Guidelines for using the Cornell name and logo

The Cornell brand book – use of the Cornell logo
Digital Media Overview
Activate your NetID

All board members should have an active NetID.

Event Planning

Resources for best practices when planning events

Event Timeline

Governance

Resources to manage the health and success of group operations

Sample Club Constitution and By-Laws (PDF, 300 KB)
Club Officer's Position Descriptions (PDF, 188 KB)
Complete an ACH Form for Electronic Transfer of Funds - please send this form to your Alumni Affairs Regional Staff contact once completed

Programming

Programs and activities

To remain an active club and/or association, groups must plan a minimum of two events per year. In addition to your local programming, please consider the following:

Summer Student Send-Off (August)
The International Spirit of Zinck's Night (October)
Cornell Cares Day (January)

Training and Participation

Plug into the broader network

Training is important in the life of an alumni volunteer leader. Check out these opportunities and resources to help you on your journey.

Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference
Join the Conversation
Cornell Regional Engagement Blog

Additional Resources

Find additional resources and websites available to you to help make your time as a volunteer leader enjoyable and rewarding and help lead your club to success:

Awards and Nominations
CAAAN Cornell Admissions Alumni Ambassadors Network
Cornell Alumni Association
Cornell News
Cornell University Council Ambassador Program
Regional Programs Club Guide
Regional Programs Staff Map
Office of Alumni Affairs
Cornell University Alumni Volunteering CUVolunteer

Connect With Us

Contact Alumni Affairs regional staff

Connect with and give feedback about any of these tools by emailing your regional staff liaison or regionalprograms@cornell.edu.

On this page