School

of Public Policy and Governance Alumni Network Council

Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2011 Attendees Bernita Rebeiro Dana Green Augustina Silva Viola Dessanti Kaleb Ruch Stacey McDonald Vass Bednar (Chair)

Jane Hilderman

Andre Cote (Scribe) Regrets Matt Godwin Thomas Vogol James Kim Sonja Friesl Mia Cappella Jose Javier Iguiniz Dipal Damani

Anita Srinivasan Karen Thorburn

Melissa Wheeler Ann-Louise Fitzpatrick

Alumni Survey Results Stacey provided an overview of the survey results, with key themes being: o High response rate, particularly among 2011 grads (54 total responses) o 76% of respondents employed, with 80% of those in the public sector o 80% of respondents are interested in participating in the Alumni Network, with 50% willing to participate in network planning o Activities / events of most interest are 1) lecture / speaker series, 2) Networking and pub/social events, and 3) student-alumni mentoring o Objectives in participating with the network are 1) keeping in touch with alumni, 2) keeping in touch with faculty and staff, and 3) furthering career goals

Next Steps / Takeaways Agreement to conduct an annual survey Support for surveying after events, but recognition that survey fatigue might be a problem

PGI Proposal Viola provided an overview of a proposal provided by the PGI to conduct a longitudinal survey of the SPPG alumni group to assess their labour market outcomes (i.e. are grads getting jobs? If so, what kinds of jobs? Are they happy in their jobs? Etc.) The PGI would like to use the Network to access the alumni group

Next Steps / Takeaways

Consensus in support of the PGI proposal, provided the School has no concerns and the Network be able to provide input in the survey questions and methodology Proposal to be circulated among attendees for comments Viola to meet with Jose and Thomas, the project leads, to discuss survey methodology / logistics

Mentorship Proposal Andre and Vass tabled the Mentorship Proposal that had been prepared for the meeting The proposal, available on the Network website, provides an overview of program objectives, and describes the two core elements: an online Alumni Library (launch January 2012); and a formal student-alumni mentorship program (launch September 2012).

Next Steps / Takeaways Recruitment to fill out Mentorship initiative team Develop prototype of Library (early November target) Circulate request for Alumni participants in the Library (late November / early December) Begin developing workplan / materials for formal program

Alumni Book Club In Sonjas absence, Vass led discussion of book club

Next Steps / Takeaways Next two books to be selected o next meeting on November 23 featuring Samara winner Shakedown o subsequent meeting in January, with book to be selected by vote on Network site Vass to invite faculty to future discussions New book suggestions to be submitted under Comments under Book Club tab on website

Homecoming Event In James absence, Vass provided overview of Homecoming event, scheduled for November 1st The event, moderated by James, will feature 5 alumni speakers who will ruminate for current students on their diverse experiences in the world of policy work

Next Steps / Takeaways James, Vass and Bernita to confirm speakers, select format / questions, confirm logistics and undertake promotions for current students

Logo Vass discussed view held by some that the Network should develop a logo to support communications activities and allow for differentiation from SPPG branding

Next Steps / Takeaways Brent to develop options and share them with the group (with Augustina to keep him on point!)

Other Ideas / Outcomes Charitable activities: Dipal to consider avenues to connect alumni with charitable opportunities Networking / social events: no new Network social events are on the calendar but, given the support for this in the survey, this was noted as an area to explore for the Social Committee Alumni bike ride: Lisa Rae has volunteered to spearhead a 2-wheel leisure cruise event Network Finances / Fundraising: There arent any finances to speak of, presently. However, events cost money, and the Advancement Office has been pressuring the SPPG to engage its alumni for financial support. As such, there was a desire to explore options around both o means to finance Network activities (e.g. contributions at Network events?) and o alumni giving to SPPG / UofT (e.g. Alumni scholarship fund through Advancement site?)

Governance Arrangements Andre provided an overview of the Governance Proposal that had been developed over the summer, and a spirited and constructive discussion ensued

Next Steps / Takeaways Rotating Chairs and Secretaries, to be identified for subsequent meetings, responsible for drafting agenda and minute-taking Minutes of Network Council meetings to be posted to website (under Minutes) Meetings to be scheduled on a bi-monthly basis and posted on the website, with meeting agendas circulated broadly in advance Committees / groups established for major areas of work, with point people (i.e. public contacts) identified on the website

Voluntary committees / groups, in no particular order, as of October 18: Communications: Viola D*, Vass B, Stacey M, Matt G, Brent B Social Events: Mia C*, Karen T, Ann-Louise F, Bernita R, Stacey M Mentorship: Vass B*, Andre C, Jo Flatt, Sam Young, Karen T, James K Book Club: Sonja F*, Vass B Finance: Kaleb*
* = Point Person for website

* = Point Person for website

Next Meeting scheduled for Monday November 28th (Chair: Viola, Secretary: Stacey)