Brock grads enjoying themselves at a Toronto Brock Alumni Pub Night.

It’s going to be an exciting 2013 for Brock University alumni across Canada.

In 2012, with the help of regional network committee members, Brock Alumni Relations hosted over 15 successful events across the country, including pub nights, wine tastings, etiquette dinners and, of course, Brock Days Alumni Weekend. Over the past few weeks, the Brock Alumni Relations team has met with current regional network committee members to go over event strategies and guidelines for 2013 and also recruited some new members to bring a fresh perspective to the various groups. In 2013, we hope to have twice as many events.

Alumni Relations has created a go-to handbook for networks, explaining how to start one from scratch or how to revamp one already in place. The handbook is a great starting point for those interested in volunteering on a regional committee to help plan, organize and execute events, networking opportunities and social get-togethers for fellow graduates. You don’t need to be an experienced event co-ordinator to participate on these committees. Everyone has different skills and abilities that make them an asset to the team. Perhaps you are great with social media, love building relationships with people or know how to create (and stick to) a budget.

We currently have very active networks in Hamilton/Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto and Ottawa. We are also in the process of starting networks in Niagara, Sudbury and Victoria, B.C. Events happen across Canada, so if you are interested in remaining connected to the university, contact Emily Hutton, special events coordinator for Alumni Relations, and she’ll provide you with the necessary tools and information.

Future committee meetings
If you are interested in getting involved with a committee, they are hosting meetings in early January. Contact Emily (ehutton@brocku.ca) for more information.
Niagara Network – First official committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m.
Toronto Network – Committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Kitchener-Waterloo Network – Committee meeting on Monday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m.

Do you want $5 off your next network event?
If participating on a committee is not something that interests you, we are also looking for feedback about what you’d like to see in your area. If you fill out the short survey, you’ll receive a coupon code for $5 off your next event. This feedback is integral to our event planning for 2013. We want to know if you can only attend weekday events, want to have more networking and professional development events or you think that $30 is too much for a ticket.

Upcoming events
On Thursday, Jan. 17 in St. Catharines, we’ll be hosting the inaugural Young Professional Networking Series event: “The difference between ordinary and the extraordinary for young professionals,” hosted by Tony Miele of Investors Group. If you are looking to stand out in your next interview or wondered how to add value to your employer, then this is the event for you. Sponsored by Investors Group, it will help you build your professional network in Niagara and provide you with the tools to move from ordinary to extraordinary in your career. This is the first event of the series.

Keep an eye out for the March edition of Surgite magazine as a more in-depth list of upcoming events will be advertised.