This year's Mandel Center Alumni Association Annual Meeting, held for the first time on the web, was a "virtual" success! The decision to change the format from the traditional event held at a location in Cleveland to an interactive web-event came from the desire to reach out to all of the Center's alumni world-wide. Using Adobe Connect provided the perfect platform to enable attendees to participate from as close as other locations on the Case Western Reserve University campus, all the way across the world.
"I never would have thought I might be hearing and watching an alumni meeting while sitting at my desk in Ukraine" Shelia Slemp, MNO/MSSA '01, commented in the "chat" box during the event. "It makes me feel more connected and proud of my program."
During the meeting, alumni heard from members of the new steering committee, learned about how everyone can get involved, and received more information about other Mandel Center news, including the leadership transition and new career resources for alumni!
"I love that it allows us to be inclusive, especially at a time of crisis for so many NPO's" Eileen Songer, MNO '06 from Columbus, Ohio, said about the new virtual format of the alumni annual meeting. "We need this kind of forum more often to roundtable about issues."
Barbara Shore, an MNO '96 alumna from Palm Harbor, Florida, moved away from the Cleveland area many years ago and has been looking for a way to reconnect with the Mandel Center.
"When I received the invitation for the virtual meeting, I was excited by the opportunity" Barbara said. "I thought the format would be perfect for far flung members, as well as busy local stakeholders. After having attended the meeting, I feel sure that I will be able to reconnect with the people and resources at the Mandel Center."
The Mandel Center is pleased to thank the members of the steering committee for their time, patience, and effort involved in making this event a success. We would also like to extend our sincerest thanks to MediaVision, and in particular to Dwayne Bible, for expert assistance during the event and instruction leading up to it. We are lucky to have such a valuable resource here on campus!
For those alumni unable to log on during the actual event, please contact Nicole Rothstein at njr6@case.edu or 216.368.5367 for access to a recording of the meeting for viewing at your convenience!