sparc grant report may 2012 parent & family program
TRANSCRIPT
SPARC Grant Report
May 2012
Parent & Family Program
Overview
• Office of Parent Services formed August, 2011 — Diana Anderson, Director
• Team established for development of a Parent Program to include parent newsletter and website
• Collaborators from Student Affairs, Marketing, IT Services, Academic Affairs
• SPARC Grant approves funding for the initiative, August, 2011
Focus
• Engage parents in their student’s success
• Develop volunteer opportunities and create traditions
• Cultivate new donors
• Support recruitment and retention efforts
Key Successes & Activities
• Creative tool box
• Monthly parent newsletter since October 2011
• Website
• Data Collection: Sign up / parent recruitment at Navigate, Move-In Day
• Postcards designed, ready to print
• Phone and email connection via Office of Parent Services
decal
Lessons Learned
• 500 parents signed up for newsletter, mostly parents of first-year students
– Expanding our area of influence, as most are from outside Chatham County
• Office of Parent Services connects parents with questions to a real person
Future Activities
Short Term
• Postcard mailing to 7,000 existing parents
• Recruiting parents at fairs and Armstrong receptions across the state
• Sign up and activities at Move-In Day & Navigate
Longer term
• Parent gear at bookstore
• Alumni/parent sendoffs for new students
• Reception & activities during Celebrate week
Budget• Printing 10,000 postcards to mail $ 400
• Postal processing & Postage 2,000
• Additional 5,000 postcards & sign up sheets for recruiting 330
• Decals 800
• Website creative writing 800
• Other giveaways 600
• Total $4,930