The end of 2011 is here. How is your alumni group doing? Are you looking for ways to increase donations and member engagement? If you want to take your group to the next level, begin by answering each of the below questions.

1. Do you have an organized board, with set terms for board members, with all slots currently filled with alumni from at least three different decades?

2. Do you hold a minimum of three board meetings per year, scheduled at least four months in advance?

3. Are 80 percent of board members attending each meeting or joining in via conference call?

4. Do you have a nominating committee for board positions and officers?

5. Do you have standing committees that meet between board meetings to do the work and then report at board meetings?

6. Have you identified and involved former board members?

7. Training seminars are conducted for all new board members?

8. A budget is in place for a cash reserve each year of minimum of 2 percent of replacement value of house?

9. An annual calendar of alumni events is published in the newsletter — with definite dates and names and phone numbers for contact?

10. Over last three years have you held at least one general alumni event in addition to homecoming each year?

11. Are alumni events/mini reunions held in urban areas or other convenient locations away from campus?

12. Do you acknowledge all donors with a personalized letter?

13. Do you recognize and thank outstanding volunteers?

14. Are outstanding alumni regularly featured in newsletter?

15. Do you hold an annual planning meeting with undergraduates?

Now that you have an idea of where your organization stands, check out our Free download, the Do-it-Yourself Capital Campaign Guide. In it, we give away all of our secrets to fundraising success. Get yours today!