Active committees are important to any organization such as ours. Some of our biggest successes and accomplishments have come from our committees. To build on what we have done so far and to expand the scope of our activities, we need active participation in our committees. We ask that each of you join in a committee and participate as much as you can.

Increasing committee participation benefits both the Council and our members.

1. The more everyone participates, the more the Business Alumni Council can accomplish.
2. As more people become active, each person's involvement can be minimized.

Each committee consists of members of the Business Alumni Council who have volunteered or who have been asked to serve. Two of the committee members serve as co-chairs for two-year terms. The committees themselves may create one or more subcommittees, as they deem appropriate. While this document describes some of the things each committee can do, we look to the committee members and the co-chairs for their ideas and visions.

The Committees of the Business Alumni Council open to the general membership are as follows:

UNO Business Series Committee

Originally the Events Committee, the UNO Business Series Committee plans and organizes the sessions of our highly successful series of seminars focusing on the problems and needs of area businesses. The first program, on Entrepreneurship, was keynoted by Victor Kiam and was attended by over 400 people. The second program, on health care issues, featured the Past-President of the American Medical Association, speakers from area hospitals and the insurance industry and a special presentation by Mackie Shilstone.

Each year, the Business Series will present two programs:

1. Entrepreneurship and Small Business (annual event).
2. Economic Outlook and Real Estate Forecast (an annual event presented with the cooperation of the UNO Real Estate Market Data Center and the Division of Business and Economic Research)

The UNO Business Series Committee will plan these events, contact prospective speakers, assist the College staff on the day of the events and help seek sponsors. It may also recommend other programs that can increase community awareness of the College and further the Council's outreach to area businesses.

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee's primary objective is to raise the level of awareness about the College, the Council, and fundraising. It has worked closely with the Events (now UNO Business Series) Committee promoting the Business Series and our successful Champagne and Jazz Alumni Gathering.

The Communications Committee can:

1. Work with the UNO Business Series Committee to publicize and promote the Business Series and other events.
2. Work with the Alumni Relations Committee to open communications with our alumni.
3. Contribute to the new UNO Alumni Association newspaper.
4. Propose other promotional activities that will support and advance the Business Alumni Council's mission.

Alumni Relations Committee

The UNO Business Series Committee focuses on bringing the College's name to the business community as a whole. A new committee, the Alumni Relations Committee will focus on the Council's mission to increase alumni support and participation in the College's programs. In 1996, the Council's Champagne and Jazz Brunch brought over 350 alumni together on a Sunday afternoon. As our first event, it was an outstanding event. The Council also sponsored two College of Business parties in the Lakefront Arena skybox at the basketball games, one in January, 1996 and one in January, 1997.

Among the activities the Alumni Relations Committee can consider are

1. Organizing an event similar to the Champagne and Jazz Alumni Gathering.
2. Sponsoring an annual College gathering before one of the basketball games.
3. Following-up on these and other events to increase support for the College and the Council itself.
4. Working with the Communications Committee to increase contact with our Alumni.
5. Participating in University-wide alumni activities, including the annual alumni weekend.
6. Considering ways to increase alumni giving and participation.
7. Identifying ways we can help meet the needs of our alumni.

Student Support Committee

If the Council's primary focus is on our alumni and the New Orleans business community, we cannot forget that the College's primary focus is on its students. In addition, today's students can become future members of the Council and contributing alumni. A new committee, the Student Support Committee will develop programs to assist the College's students to reach their education and career goals.

The Student Support Committee can

1. Provide mentoring support.
2. Provide career counseling, including student visits to the workplace.
3. Help students qualify for the College of Business Administration Professional Development Certificate (which includes, for example, a program under which a student accompanies a business person during one working day).
4. Support College student organizations (i.e. by providing speakers or materials).
5. Work with the Dean and the various Departments to strengthen their programs.

In addition to these four committees, the Council has one other committee that has a defined membership:

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee meets monthly to discuss current issues and activities. Its decisions are subject to ratification by the Dean and by the general membership when appropriate. The Executive Committee is composed of:

1. The Dean of the College of Business
2. The Director of Community Relations/Economic Development for the College.
3. The Senior College Representative for the College of Business on the National Alumni Association Board.
4. The Co-Chairs of all standing committees.
5. The Executive Committee coordinates the activities of the various committees, consults with the Dean, and conducts the ongoing business of the Council between membership meetings.

If you are a UNO College of Business alumnus and are interested in volunteering your time to help the Business Alumni Council, please contact Aundrea Kloor at (504) 280-6843 or complete the online form.