Cornell Alumni Association of Northern California

It is important that club presidents are able to speak with a variety of alumni, parents and friends, both in one-on-one conversations and in front of a larger group. Although public speaking is not deciding factor, the club president is an extension of Cornell University and should have a comfort level in speaking to their constituents. The ability to share a clear message is important in both speaking and communicating via email.

The President is responsible for providing overall strategic direction to Cornell NorcCal and for ensuring the success of the club in fulfilling its mission to engage Cornell alumni and to celebrate the spirit of Cornell University in Northern California. The President is responsible for setting annual goals for the organization that fulfill this mission. The President is accountable to the Board of Directors and Members as specified in the bylaws. Club presidents should be able to run effective board meetings, motivate and support their boards and alumni. It is important that they communicate with the Alumni Affairs Regional Staff Contacts to keep up-to-date with the latest news about club policies and procedures, read about the latest news from Cornell University, and speak with their alumni and board about interests and ideas to strengthen their local alumni ties and fully engage the local community. This is an Officer of the Board and can take official action on behalf of the Association.

Club presidents should actively participate in succession planning and board opportunity discussions within their community. Meeting alumni and speaking with them about opportunities to engage the local Cornell community are vital to the growth of the club. Ensuring a visible presence at events and publicly acknowledging board members for their hard work, while fostering a welcoming and helpful atmosphere are all important aspects of a club president's tenure.