Duke Alums Engage is a Duke Alumni Association (DAA) sponsored program that integrates the concepts of service learning, civic engagement, and reflection. Through this program, Duke alumni assume active volunteer roles in their communities within a framework that invites them to examine social and political issues, as well as individual questions and concerns related to that service. In cooperation with regional clubs, Duke Alums Engage helps alumni tap into the spirit of Duke’s commitment to knowledge in the service of society -- alumni become directly engaged in service in a uniquely Duke way.

The purpose of Duke Alums Engage in 2011 is to “Impact the Next Generation,” giving alums extraordinarily wide latitude to develop programs that best suit the interests of their fellow alums and the needs of their communities.

One approach is to have a meeting with alums in your area to discuss their interests and the community needs they view as most pressing. Many Duke alums are already engaged in a variety of community service organizations and projects, and you may decide to focus your efforts on one of those programs. The Duke Alumni Office can assist you with reaching out to alums in your area. If you are fortunate to have an active alumni club nearby, the officers of that organization will be a great starting point.

Simply seize this opportunity to work with your fellow alums in an effort that benefits your community and thereby impacts the next generation. Join with other alums in an initiative that involves LEARNING about a community need, ENGAGING in an effort to meet the need, and REFLECTING upon what you have accomplished. The Alumni Office and those involved in past programs are available to assist you every step of the way.

Begin by speaking with fellow alums, community leaders, and local charitable organizations. They will have great ideas for an organization, group or effort that needs immediate help. You bring the resources to the table in the form of Duke alums and negotiate a project with the community partner. The community partner will have a structure in place for volunteers and identified needs that will jump start your effort and excite your alums.

First contact your Duke friends, and solicit their help in reaching out to their Duke friends and acquaintances in the area. The Duke Alumni Office can assist you with contacting alumni, including any nearby alumni club officers. Organize a lunch or simple get-together to discuss the Duke Alums Engage program and gather ideas for your community’s initiative. In past years, the response from alums has been extremely positive; they have welcomed this opportunity to connect with one another and participate in a meaningful project.

Some projects will cost more than others, and your budget will depend on your community partner and chosen project. Currently, no funding is available from the Alumni Office. Past programs have been financed by the local alumni groups through contributions from alumni participating in the project or from alums who could not participate but wanted to be a part of the effort through financial support.

The format of your activity is up to you. It can be a one-time event or a repeatable event. It can be several hours on a single weekend day or a sustainable event that continues throughout the year. Whatever works best for your alumni group and serves the needs of your community is an appropriate civic engagement activity.

Yes. This is a worldwide effort of your Duke Alumni Association (DAA). To find an international project or to organize one, contact Anna Walker, DAA Special Programs Coordinator, at Candice.Provey@daa.duke.edu or (919) 684-2113.

Contact Anna Walker, DAA Special Programs Coordinator, at Candice.Provey@daa.duke.edu or (919) 684-2113.

Yes. Our goal is civic engagement by Duke alums by whatever means best suits local alums and the specific needs of their communities. That goal may be best accomplished through partnerships with other organizations or clubs.

Reflection is the process of gaining meaning and understanding from experience. The key to a successful service learning program is providing an opportunity for structured reflection on civic, ethical, and personal dimensions of participants’ service experience. Please see the Duke Alums Engage web page for specific guidance and tools for reflection.

Following Duke Alums Engage Week, the DAA will survey participating alums and community partners to assess the program and generate ideas for improvement in the future.

The Duke Alums Engage web page is updated continuously throughout the year. Check in frequently for news, updates and resources.