The Texas A&M Aggie Experience Council: How Financial Constraints created an Opportunity for student engagement CIVSA CONFERENCE 2012
Organizational Concept Conducted focus groups with current students Held brainstorming sessions Researched existing volunteer organizations Our Mission The Aggie Experience Council is dedicated to sharing the Aggie experience and telling the Texas A&M story. Its mission to provide university guests with the highest quality campus experience is inseparable from its mission to inform others about the academic excellence, student life, history and traditions of Texas A&M. It welcomes and seeks to provide an unparalleled Aggieland experience for everyone who visits the campus of Texas A&M University.
Role of AEC Members Create a welcoming campus environment Greet and provide information to campus visitors Lead campus walking tours Conduct private tours for VIPs and other special guests Assist athletic department in recruiting activities Participate in panel discussions Model for Marketing & Communications media collateral Assist in major university events Represent AEC in community and campus service projects
Why Join AEC? Leadership Professional development Public speaking skills Networking Internships Friendships
Recruitment Campaign Student organization meetings Distribute organizational ads Sandwich boards and banners Word-of-mouth Electronic media
Organizational Chart
AEC Executive Committees Communications Develop and update member communications such as meeting notes, wildcat weekly, Facebook and AEC website Events Assist in event preparation and recruit members to hosts events Marketing Assist in planning and executing annual recruitment campaign Assist with membership retention Tours Assist in training and evaluation tour guides and ensure member involvement as tour guides Generate ideas for enhancing tours
Interview Process March application deadline Auditions Group interviews Decisions made in early April
Tour Guide Role Meet and greet campus visitors Lead at least one tour per week for prospective and former students and other university guests Conduct private tours for VIPs and special guests Assist athletic department with tours for recruits
Tour Training Shadow tours Combo tours Solo tours Adviser/peer evaluations Tour video reviews
Special Events Role Assist with development of event collateral Event set-up and production Manage stage party Interact with Regents, Chancellor, and other dignitaries
AEC Attire 47 Brand t-shirts, caps, hoodies AEC T-Shirts Polos Name tags Fleece jackets
AEC Special Events Agricultural and Life Sciences Grand Opening Mays Professional MBA Launch Penberthy Rec Sports Complex Grand Opening US China Relations Conference SEC Celebration
SEC Celebration
Agriculture and Life Sciences Building and AgriLife Center Grand Opening
Mays Professional MBA Launch
Penberthy Rec Sports Complex Grand Opening
US China Relations Conference
Service Projects Residence Hall Move-in Operation Care Drop State Employee Charitable Campaign
AEC Member Events Monthly meetings Socials/Mixers Induction ceremony Pinning ceremony
Partnerships Athletic Department Provide campus tours for recruits Game day activities with recruits including lunch, facility tours and attending athletic games Corps of Cadets Partnered to recruit a representative number of Corps of Cadet members Corps members display AEC pin on Corps uniform 47 Brand apparel Provided Texas A&M branded t-shirts, caps and hoodies Apparel worn on gameday events
AEC Photo Shoots
AEC Involvement 99% of campus tours 50% of group tours Over 50% participation in Marketing & Communications special events and projects