In talking with schools, colleges, and universities (many thanks to those who contributed ideas!) I have collected a few ideas of virtual programs that you can adapt for use with your alumni (or members.) Note that some of these programs have been around for a while and now have more traction and urgency. Here they are in brief for you to put your own spin on them:

• Offer a Museum Tour – ask a teacher, professor, or alum to talk an audience through a museum on-line exhibit.



• Happy Hours – facilitate group gatherings by announcing times and, possibly, providing the platform. Bonus: give it a theme and encourage participants to dress for the occasion



• Topical lectures or panels – have an economist or public health expert, or both, talk about the situation.



• Academic lectures – Help alumni take their minds off of COVID-19 and replace it with the joys of a virtual classroom experience on philosophy, literature, music, etc.



• Mini-course – Turn that lecture into a mini-course with discussion opportunities as part of the gathering.



• Concerts and shows – publicize a virtual performance (by an alum) to attend “together.”



• Concerts and shows – provide a platform for a performance by a group (such as a play reading)



• Send a weekly email with something fun to do with kids whether projects ideas, kid friendly recipes, or art projects. Recommend sharing with kids and grandkids stuck at home.



• Cook together – offer a lesson or parallel preparation. Bonus: Cooking challenge where participants post/share photos of the dish.



• Book clubs of various themes with a facilitator or not.



• Expand and publicize Mentoring – Mentees need guidance more than ever! And the conversation will be welcome by mentors and mentees.



• Sharing platform – Provide a place to share news and needs of community members.

Here are more ideas from various sources:

• Recommend podcasts (TedTalks and more!) made by your alumni.



• Set-up Role Playing for interviews for students and young alumni (with your career strategies department.)



• Offer bedtime stories read by your alumni authors for kids



• Provide a virtual tour of your institutions museum.



• Have an art contest based on daily postings on Instagram.



• Promote TV series with your alumni – and form a discussion group to watch together.



• Share educational resources for kids and grown-ups.



• Class (or other group) lunch.



• Post stories of great ways that alumni are stepping up in the crisis



• Play a game or do Mad-Libs in a group chat or on-line platform



• Host exercise classes run by alumni



• Run a campaign for alumni to congratulate newly admitted students and/or graduating senior



• Run programs on non-profit management, boards, and by-laws which often get missed in the usual process



• Be the convener for planning!

Remember to partner with other areas around campus and learn from your colleagues. Those lifelong learning programs have a lot to share!

Keep on sharing!

Stay well!