Notes from Portland, OR Focus Group - March 14, 2005
Photos from this Event

Attendees
Kelly Lenox Allan (A&S, 1983)
Wendy Bolger (Darden, 2001)
Elizabeth A. Carr (Host) (A&S, 1984; Medicine, 1988)
Jennifer Holt Mair (Law, 1990)
Sara King (Architecture, 1991)
Cynthia McNally (A&S, 1990; Medicine, 1995)
Geri Miner (Commerce, 1979)
Cathy Neis (Darden, 1993)
Ellen Perry (A&S, 2000; Nursing, 2000)
Dorothy Sosnowski (Darden, 2000)
Julie N. Stott (Host)
Julie R. Wilson (Commerce, 1984)

U.Va. Staff in Attendance
Robyn Beck Dietter (Intern for Women in Leadership & Philanthropy)
Megan Hoak, Regional & Reunion Development (A&S, 1995)
Pat Lampkin, Vice President for Student Affairs (Education, 1986)
Jennifer Wyss-Jones (Assistant Campaign Director)

Main Questions
How do we increase the influence of alumnae and women friends at the University, regionally, and locally?
Can you suggest ways of staying connected to other U.Va. women locally, regionally, and nationally?

Local Events

• Prospective student evening with alumnae speakers
• Local alumnae/student interviews (e.g., admissions process)
• Be sure to involve whole region in Portland club events (e.g., nearby SE Washington)
  • Involve all alumnae in club events, not just "members"
• Portland alumnae can join with alumnae of other Southeast universities (e.g., Duke, Georgetown, W&M, UNC, etc.) for activities
• Create a regional mentoring database that is more "Northwest-oriented" to better connect many regional alumnae
• Bring people from U.Va. to bring women together
• Ideas for speakers include:
  • Successful Portland or NW-area alumnae
  • U.Va.-connected speakers who work in non-traditional careers
  • "Famous" Hoos

Communications

• Alumnae Magazines
  • "Alumnae News" should take on more controversial issues, not just "feel good" pieces (i.e., give Portland the real scoop)
  • Spotlight Portland Club activities in "Alumnae News"
  • Reprint Cavalier Daily articles in "Alumnae News"
  • Publicize when U.Va. alumnae are in the current national/local news
  • Write stories about the successes of U.Va. alumnae--professional and personal
• Involve and promote local alumnae for connections and networking (e.g., marketing schemes such as "HOOS new" and "HOOS in the news" could be distributed electronically to local alumnae and friends)
• Better advertise the U.Va. email forwarding service that is available to alumnae
• Better market such programs as UCAN and HOOSONLINE
• Nationally market U.Va. better

Leadership & Philanthropy

• Help women reconsider the way they think about money--especially when a woman isn't the primary wage-earner of the family
• Educate Portland women about U.Va. volunteer opportunities
• Truly train women for U.Va. board service

Other

• Create travel opportunities for alumnae
  • Educational with faculty
  • Domestic travel with special arrangements (e.g., dinner at a famous, hard-to-get-into restaurant or box seats at a sporting event or concert)