OLCS Alumni Association Committee – Terms of Reference

The OLCS alumni association is the membership organisation established as the focus for alumni engagement with OLCS leavers. OLCS became Loughborough Amherst School (LAS) in September 2018, and post 2018 leavers will be given the option to join the Loughburians Association, the alumni community of the Loughborough Schools Foundation (LSF) or the OLCS Alumni Association based on their preference.

The association is funded and supported from within the Foundation through the Development Office (DO). The DO is responsible for developing, delivering and communicating the Foundation’s alumni strategy and fundraising programme, and is greatly aided in this by the volunteer support of the members of the OLCS Alumni Association Committee.

Membership of the association is inclusive and free of charge for former pupils and staff.

The OLCS Alumni Association Committee exists to advise the Foundation on the affairs and engagement of OLCS alumni. The Committee will represent alumni in its relations with the Foundation through the Development Office. The Committee will serve to consolidate good relations between the alumni and the Schools in the Foundation. These terms of reference will be reviewed periodically.

Objectives:

• To represent the interests of the alumni of OLCS and to advise the DO on how it can best ensure alumni continue to actively engage with, and be an essential and knowledgeable resource to the schools in the Foundation, and to provide the alumni  network with a clear voice.
• To promote and strengthen the relationship between the schools, alumni and friends for the benefit of the Foundation and its wider objectives.
• To work in partnership with the DO to promote and support the strategy and objectives of building a network of support for the schools and for mutual alumni
• To represent the views of alumni and to assist the schools in a number of key activities including pupil recruitment and career development.
• To promote, encourage and assist in effective communications between the schools, alumni groups and individual alumni.
• To work in partnership with the DO to promote the objectives of the association and those of the schools.
• To offer advice and support to the DO on the alumni engagement programme.
• To discuss, establish and support engagement with pupils to develop lifelong connections with the associations and the Foundation.
• To support fundraising and encourage a culture of giving.

Membership 

There will be a maximum of 10 members on the committee with a quorum of 5 who shall be alumni or former staff of the schools. The Committee should aim to hold a balanced representation across year and interest groups. The Director of Development and Alumni Engagement Manager will be ex officio members of the committee.

Candidates wishing to join the committee must complete the online application form and new committee members will be selected by the Committee at the next meeting following the close of the application cycle.

Committee meetings

Meetings will be held four times per academic year and will not take place with less than five members in attendance. Two meetings a year will be in person, whilst the other two will be held virtually. Members are expected to attend two meetings per academic year.  Further meetings may be convened, if deemed necessary, by the agreement of the Committee.

Members who miss three consecutive meetings will be asked by the Chair whether they wish to continue to serve on the Committee and may be asked to stand down.

Staff and others may be invited to attend meetings where necessary for the furtherance of business.

Ad hoc working groups may be set up in order to promote the Committee’s aims. This may include working groups representing varied interests and affiliations, for example sport, drama, career development etc.

The Development Office will provide administrative support for the committee and distribute  agendas, minutes and papers.

Responsibilities

• Act as an ambassador for Loughborough Schools Foundation and the DO.
• Help to identify key alumni whose support can be enlisted and to whom an introduction may be arranged.
• Assist with, and give enthusiastic support to, the organisation and promotion of events. Give leadership and commitment in areas of particular responsibility.
• Act as a spokesperson for alumni by communicating alumni views, needs and interests specific to their constituent group.

Election of the Chair

One member of the Committee will be elected as Chair. The Chair will be elected in the Autumn Term and will be elected by majority vote by the Committee.

The term of office will be for a period of two years. In the event that there are no candidates willing to stand as Chair, the current Chair may continue following a majority vote.