5.1 alumni 2

Alumni Programming:Continuing the Exchange

Experience

Re-Entry and Networking EventsProject Smile and ECA Alumni Small Grants Program

Online Networking CommunitiesAlumni Associations

Goals of Alumni Programming

• To provide professional development opportunities to alumni and further cultivate their leadership skills

• To encourage sustainable and positive change in alumni communities

As Muskie alumni, pay attention to upcoming opportunities available in your

home country through your local IREX office…

Re-entry and Networking events

Alumni Activities

• Community service events• Round table discussions• Alumni networking hours• Lecture series/training events• Book clubs

Project Smile

• Community service program • Focus on helping children,

elderly or disadvantaged populations

• Alumni organize events in home community

Project Smile – Grant Details• All Muskie alumni in good standing are

eligible to apply• Must be living in home country • Grant maximum - $250• Money used for buying supplies, pizza lunch

for volunteers, advertising event, etc. • Alumni will have ten weeks from the date of

notification to complete the project

Project Smile – Eligible Activities• Cleaning school

yard/community playground• Visiting local orphanage,

hospital or nursing home• Organizing book drive for local

children• Other activities will be

considered - Be Creative!

ECA Alumni Small Grant Opportunities

• Community and professional development program

ECA Alumni Small Grants: Eligible Activities• Initiating a public or community service program;• Launching a pilot program at an NGO or academic

institution;• Organizing training programs or conferences for

professional colleagues and/or other ECA alumni;• Funding travel of US colleagues to eligible Eurasian

countries for conferences, training programs and professional collaboration;

ECA Alumni Small Grants: Eligible Activities

• Development and publication of curricula, textbooks, or related reference or educational materials;

• Publication of public information pamphlets or brochures; and

• Conducting any other projects judged by the selection committee and/or ECA to be in the interest of program goals.

Online Networking Communities

• Tools to stay in touch, expand your networks and share your successes

Why Share?

• Keep your own “Muskie spirit” strong• Be an active member of the global Muskie

community• Inspire other alumni and current fellows • Spark a great new idea or collaboration• Attract potential supporters for your project

State Alumni Website• A prestigious web-based community exclusively for

participants of USG sponsored programs.– Includes alumni from around the world and from

different programs (Fulbright, Humphrey, UGRAD…)• Sign up for an account on the site to get started

State Alumni: Features• Social networking– Search for old and new friends, post photos, join

networks

• Professional networking– Post your resume and bio.– Publish your scholarly articles and papers.– Post news stories about your alumni activities and

personal achievements.

State Alumni Online Research Center

• Find new job and grant opportunities around the world, posted daily!

• Learn about and find support for your favorite idea!

• Access over 20,000 periodicals, journals, and newspapers - including abstracts, full-text articles, and multimedia! FREE!

Alumni Associations• Great way to keep in touch, make contacts and participate in

events and projects• Search for an association in your country on State Alumni• No association? Start your own!• Visit the Alumni Association Resources Community on State

Alumni for best practice ideas and association contacts • https://alumni.state.gov/alumni-association-resources

Questions? Got something to share?

• State Alumni• http://alumni.state.gov

• Exchanges Connect• http://exchanges.state.gov/alumni/

Staying in touch with IREX• Alumni should contact their local IREX field office once they’ve

returned home. A list of the different offices can be found at http://www.irex.org/contact/field.asp

• Email Sarah Shields ([email protected]) or your local IREX office with any questions regarding IREX-administered alumni activities or grants

Stay in touch!• Send your updates to [email protected]

Congratulations!

You have completed the Alumni section!

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