Shared Interest Groups

An Introduction to Shared Interest Groups (SIGs)

Penn Alumni recognizes shared interests to be a critical part of what connects so many alumni with each other and with Penn. Therefore, in alliance with its mission to establish a mutually beneficial lifelong relationship between the University and its alumni, and to encourage peer-to-peer interaction, Penn Alumni formally supports the development and existence of Penn Alumni Shared Interest Groups (SIGs).

Grass-root efforts have long been underway to bring alumni together based on shared interests, and some alumni leaders have expressed interest in their groups being officially recognized by Penn. Please read on to learn more about SIGs, how they will be supported by Penn Alumni, and how you can get one started.

What is a SIG?

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Penn Shared Interest Groups are groups of 50 or more alumni who share common interests arising from, for example, their Penn co-curricular activities or professional career experience, and who desire to affiliate with each other as a subgroup of Penn Alumni. Penn SIGs actively engage alumni by communicating and/or gathering around a central unifying purpose, mission, background or activity beyond class year affiliation, cultural affiliation, or regional proximity (see other existing alumni volunteer opportunities).

Penn Support and Benefits for SIGs

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A Penn Alumni SIG Resource Guide

A Penn Alumni SIG Resource Guide detailing recommendations and best strategic practices for event organization, communications, internal leadership development, volunteer recruitment, and more.

Support and Guidance

Support and guidance regarding organization/volunteer management, event logistics (e.g. identifying appropriate locations, recommending speakers), Penn faculty speaker outreach, alumni outreach, and other needs as they arise.

Membership Management Tools

Development of codes in the alumni database to identify membership; access to an annually updated list of contact information for all self-selected alumni participants.

Penn Alumni Council of Representatives

Inclusion in the Penn Alumni Council of Representatives.

Email Blasts

Coordination of up to four "blast e-mails" per year to alumni who have expressed interest in the SIG.

Web Presence

A web page that will be linked to the Penn Alumni web site, and that the club will maintain. It will include event registration support, a discussion group page, and more.

Training and Networking

Penn Alumni leadership training and networking opportunities with heads of other Penn Alumni organizations.

On-Campus Activity Assistance

Assistance with scheduling and room reservations for on-campus activities.

Promotion

Promotion of the club where possible to populations/at activities related to the shared-interest in question.

Event Materials

Event materials box containing Penn Alumni name tags, brochures, and stationery good for invitations and thank you notes.

Partners With Penn

The opportunity to apply for "Partners with Penn" designation after two consecutive years in good standing. PWP will reward Penn's most organized and active SIGs with their choice of one of the following*:

A Penn Alumni banner (approximate size: 5' long, 3' high)

An online gift certificate good for Penn merchandise

Assistance with one snail mailing or printing

Assistance with the cost of one event

*With the exception of PWP rewards, Penn Alumni does not provide funding to Shared Interest Groups. In general, a SIG would be supported solely by membership fees/dues/assessments.

Further details to be provided during the application process.

Contact Alumni Relations

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Nicole maloy

Director, Multicultural Outreach

(215) 898-6168

Sweeten alumni house

E. Craig Sweeten Alumni House

3533 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6226