How wonderful to be online earlier this week with an engaged and passionate group of CSC alumni, all keen to be part of shaping the future of CSC Global Alumni (CSCGA). Thanks to all who were able to join us especially those up at 3am!
After a welcome and intro by Michael Wright, the CSCGA chairman, we got to hear about the origins of CSC Global Alumni, its journey to date, how it fits into the CSC ecosystem and to reflect on the vision of the organisation which is to pursue the following charitable purposes:
- Enabling Alumni from Commonwealth Study Conference (CSC) and affiliated programmes to connect with each other as a sustained network;
- Delivering a biannual global conference – or as directed by the Executive – for Commonwealth Study Alumni and affiliated programmes;
- Enable the opportunity for continuing leadership development and connection of all alumni of the Commonwealth Study Conferences and affiliated programmes and support for future Commonwealth Study Conferences.
With this as a backdrop alumni broke into groups to discuss what they most needed to ensure a powerful continuing leadership journey with CSC. This helped us to get an idea of possible new focus areas that could launch CSCGA into its next phase.
The most common theme was how we could harness the power of alumni to do good. There was a strong feeling that alumni are ideally placed to drive real impact, especially if we could come together to solve real social problems. This included thinking around possible joint research collaborations across countries, collating data on social concerns including education, gender, technology, climate-change issues. The idea of feeding this into policy inputs could be a strategic outcome.
There was a call to create a marketplace for skills and talent ensuring alumni could easily find partners when seeking to set up new initiatives or open up new networks. Someone even floated the idea of a LinkedIn for CSC. This also included the idea of creating a strong mentorship programme using the power of the alumni to connect members and coaches around the globe both inside and outside the alumni. Particularly to support new alums entering the network and to support future CSC conferences.
There was renewed energy for deepening local networks, particularly considering how we could ensure more face-to-face connection. Suggestions included more pop ups in local jurisdictions for local alums, but also ways for alumni to connect if they were just coming into town for a few days.
Ongoing learning was also very topical with ideas ranging from a “Just add water” knowledge series, to masterclasses and thought leadership sessions from experts in the alumni community. A suggestion of a refresher fellowship programme was put forward and there was commitment and energy around an alumni conference. Ultimately it was obvious that alumni are eager and hungry for continued learning and growth through the network.
Ensuring CSCGA is best set up for success was a pivotal aspect of the conversation. The importance of a strong board, a focused strategy and business model and an approach to fundraising were raised. Alumni were also excited to take part in a fuller design thinking session aimed at activating more ideas to support their ongoing leadership growth.
CSCGA’s new UK structure means a call for a new diversified board to take the organization forward. We encourage all alumni to consider putting forward nominations for the new board due to be inducted at the CSCGA AGM to be held on the 25 July 2024. Click here for more information.
We look forward to seeing you all there!