Alumni Board - Georgetown Day School

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Smiling alumni at Country Market Day — Alumni

Board

The Alumni Board is the leadership body representing all GDS alumni. All GDS alumni, regardless of years in attendance, are welcome to serve on the Board. Diversity is at the core of the GDS mission. In keeping with this mission, the Alumni Board seeks a membership that reflects the GDS community and encompasses a broad spectrum of viewpoints and experiences. The diversity of the Board is achieved in a variety of ways, recognizing that diversity can be reflected in geographic distribution, age/class year, religion, socioeconomic identification, race, sexual orientation, parenting status (of both GDS students and non-GDS students), as well as a multitude of other ways. The Alumni Board provides direction in alumni relations event programming, involvement with current students, and fundraising as well as engaging with other alumni with regards to communications and Reunion Weekend.

Letter from the Board Chair

I joined the Alumni Board in 2019 and am excited to serve as the current president. Thirty years as a Black woman and independent school educator has reinforced my determination to support the success of GDS. Participating on the Alumni Board has afforded me the opportunity to re-connect with and deepen my connections with former classmates, students, and teachers. GDS has had such a profound impact on my life. It's truly a unique place, which I hope we alumni can celebrate, preserve, and even help to strengthen.

Since its opening in 1945, the GDS alumni base has grown tremendously. I encourage us to stay connected—whether by committing to serve as a reunion class chair, leading a mini-series course, attending several of GDS's virtual or live events, or simply by reaching out to a former classmate to catch up for a few laughs—each interaction makes us and GDS stronger. I look forward to staying connected with each of you!

Cordenia Paige '83
Alumni Board President

Alumni Board Mission Statement

The Georgetown Day School Alumni Board supports GDS and its mission of academic excellence, educational innovation, and social justice within a diverse school community. The board aims to build a community of alumni, facilitating their connection to each other and the school. Board members also serve as ambassadors to the school on behalf of alumni.

Alumni Board Activities

Serve as liaisons between the school and alumni, responding to requests from GDS for alumni input and participation, and questions from alumni about GDS today

Link alumni with opportunities to connect with current students and teachers
Support the planning of activities for alumni to connect with each other, including reunions, speakers, and career networking events
Lead alumni fundraising efforts for the GDS Annual Fund

Alumni Board Committees

Alumni Activities and School Involvement Committee
Assist in the planning and marketing of alumni events in DC and across the country, including: speaker events, networking events, community service events, happy hours (both locally and regionally), and alumni-to-alumni events. Facilitate interaction between alumni and the current student body (from LMS to HS), faculty, and administration. Events and activities include Country Market Day, Senior Breakfast (hosted by the Alumni Board), and internship opportunities between current HS students and alumni.

Diversity Subcommittee
This subcommittee strategizes on how engage with our alumni of color and with students of color on campus.
Careers Subcommittee
This subcommittee focuses on alumni to alumni networking, internships, and mentoring in regards to careers.

Communications Committee
Assist with communication to alumni and larger GDS community on relevant alumni-related issues. Responsibilities include message development, creating communication materials, social media, and assisting other committees with communications activity.

Development Committee
Organize and oversee overall annual giving campaign for alumni. Focus on increasing participation, including number and amount of major gifts. Examine process for raising funds and recommend procedural changes.

Governance & Recruitment Committee
Support Alumni Board, Class Chair and other alumni volunteer recruitment efforts and collaborate with Fundraising Committee to identify potential board members. Activities also include working with Board Officers and DAR to ensure governing documents/policies are clear, updated and relevant.

Join the Board

The Alumni Board meets as a whole every other month, and committees meet on the off month to discuss committee business. Alumni Board Members serve two year terms. The call for nominations begins in January, with candidate interviews conducted in March and a vote by the Board for consideration in May. Term for new board members begins June 1.

Nomination Process
Board members nominate members or an alum can self-nominate. The Board President and Nominations/Governance Committee will review candidates' resumes and schedule in-person interviews. Recruitment period occurs January 1- March 1 and elections occur in May.

Qualifications & Considerations
Alumni who have attended GDS for any period of time are considered. Candidates may be considered based on skills that the Board wants to attract, previous volunteer involvement, and high volunteer engagement (including attendance at events such as All Alumni Reunion Weekend, alumni socials and outings, Country Market Day and other GDS signature events).

Interested in joining the board or have questions? Contact alumni@gds.org.