Class Agent Guide
2015-2016
C L A S
S
A G E N T
G U I D E
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6
Thank you for volunteering
as a Class Agent!
Being a class agent
allows me to give
back to Choate,
and it helps me
stay connected to
some of my favorite
As a volunteer for Choate Rosemary Hall’s Class Agent
Program, you are a valued member of our fundraising team.
You have a specific--and crucial--job ahead: reaching out to
classmates and increasing alumni participation; we know you
are up to the challenge! We are coming off a hugely successful
2014-2015, and we expect an even more amazing 2015-2016,
so let’s get started! Go Choate!
Remember, we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to
contact us if you have any questions or concerns---or are
looking for an added bit of inspiration!
people---my
classmates.
Thank you!
Onyx Ramirez ‘13
David Hang ’94
Chair, Annual Fund
Carolyn Garibaldi
Coordinator of Volunteer Programs
Choate Rosemary Hall
[email protected]
(203) 697-2517
For more information on the Class Agent Program
as well as helpful resources, visit
http://www.choate.edu/alumni/volunteers/class-agent-materials/index.aspx.
1.
C H O A T E
R O S
E M A R Y
H A L L
The Four
Goals of a
Class Agent
Class Agents are the primary contact between Choate
Rosemary Hall alumni and the School.
Your role in the Class Agent Program is to help us to
achieve four main goals:
Try it, you won’t
regret it. It is
fun and the
camaraderie
grows. Keep your
1.
Increase class participation
2.
Increase overall alumni participation
3.
Increase the amount of giving from alumni
4.
Keep alumni connected to and engaged
with the School
approach friendly
and informal.
You and your
classmates will
reap a bountiful
harvest.
John Russell ‘46
Did You Know?
Choate has students from over 40 states and 46 countries.
Enrollment: 868, with 643 boarders and 225 day students
Students of color: 31%
International students: 18%
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Class Agent To-Do List
LEAD by example: make your own gift before
you reach out to classmates.
CONTACT 10-15 classmates.
SHARE Choate Rosemary Hall news with your classmates.
Being a Class Agent
has provided me with
a great opportunity to
keep in touch with my
classmates!
ASK each classmate for an Annual Fund gift.
THANK those who give!
STAY in touch with Carolyn Garibaldi:
[email protected]; (203) 697-2517
Jill Stauffer Cobbs ’75
Participation Really Matters!
• 2,923 AF donors gave a gift of $250 or less in FY2015
• In fiscal year 2015, Gifts less than $100 totaled $44,000
• Th
e number of alumni who give to the Annual Fund
at Choate Rosemary Hall is significantly fewer than the
number of alumni who give to the Deerfield, Exeter,
and Andover.
Did You Know?
Opening in 2017: St. John Hall, 37,000 square feet dedicated
to student life. A state-of-the-art student center with
student gathering space, meeting rooms, offices,
School store and cafe.
3.
C H O A T E
R O S
E M A R Y
H A L L
How to Make The Ask
Hints for Writing Emails:
• Choose a subject line carefully, for example:
“Susan – Question from Choate”
• Include the direct link to online giving (www.choate.edu/donate).
Being a Class Agent
is a blast. You get a
great partner and
• Use personal, friendly, conversational language.
support system in the
• Thank for past support (where applicable).
Development Office,
• Include the ask amount provided on the contact sheet, or suggest
but you also get the
autonomy to bring
a narrow range.
your own vision for
your class to life. I
Hints for Making Phone Calls:
• Start by talking about the School and sharing current information.
• Thank for past support (where applicable).
• Ask for the amount provided on the contact sheet, or suggest
a narrow range.
would recommend it
to anyone who has a
passion for Choate,
for people, for
friendship.
Spencer Penhart ’95
Did You Know?
More than 81% of Choate students score a 4 or 5 on AP exams.
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Suggestions for Responding
to Common Objections
Objection: “I have a child in college.”
Representing Choate
as a Class Agent gives
Reply: “It’s clear that education is important to you. By giving to
the Annual Fund, you help Choate provide the best possible
education to its students.”
me an opportunity to
keep in touch with my
classmates and meet
other alums. Choaties
are a distinctive group
Objection: “Choate doesn’t need my money.”
Reply: “A full 33 percent of our students receive financial aid. Your
gift to the Annual Fund helps students who would not otherwise
be able to receive a Choate Rosemary Hall education.”
of intelligent and
curious individuals
who approach the
challenges and
adventures of their lives
with humor and zest;
it’s an inspiring and
energizing network
to tap into.
Adrienne Neff ‘87
Objection: “I don’t know why you think I can afford a gift
of $XXX.”
Reply: “Gifts of all sizes are important, and participation really
matters. What size gift can you afford?”
Objection: “I don’t feel comfortable giving over the phone/I’d
rather send a check/Now is not a good time.”
Reply: “Please visit www.choate.edu/donate for
other ways to give. Thank you so much for your participation.”
Did You Know?
The Cameron and Edward Lanphier Center opened in 2015
for Mathematics and Computer Science, and is home to
Choate’s first i.d.Lab.
5.
C H O A T E
R O S
E M A R Y
H A L L
Increasing the Impact of a Gift
Your classmates can increase the impact of their gifts in a
couple ways. If it seems appropriate to do so, encourage them
to consider the following:
Corporate matching gifts
Matching gifts can increase the size of a gift. Check the link
found at the following location to see if a classmate’s employer
participates in a matching gift program: www.choate.edu/donate.
Recurring gifts
A recurring gift is an easy way to increase giving because
small monthly donations can add up to a larger Annual
Fund gift! Classmates can set up a recurring gift here:
www.choate.edu/donate.
Being a Class Agent is
my way to honor what
the Choate experience
has given me, and it’s
my favorite excuse for
calling the friends who
Leadership-Level Giving
made School so special.
Like boarding school
friendships, the Choate
Your classmates may be interested in giving at levels that afford
them recognition and membership in The 1890 Society:
Trustees Circle: $50,000 or more
President’s Circle: $25,000-$49,999
alumni network is about
invaluable connections.
Dianne Gremillion ’12
Mellon Society: $15,000-$24,999
St. John Society: $10,000-$14,999
Ruutz-Rees Society: $5,000-$9,999
Ayres Society: $2,500-$4,999
Did You Know?
Choate awarded $11.3 million in financial aid to 34% of the
student body for the 2015-16 school year.
6.
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Ways to Give
• Online
www.choate.edu/donate
The Class Agent Program
is a wonderful way for
alumni to stay engaged
both with the School
and with classmates. In
addition to strengthening
• Telephone
(203) 697-2517
• Mail
Choate Rosemary Hall Annual Fund
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
Choate’s alumni network,
the program facilitates
an ongoing conversation
between alumni and the
School about Choate’s
Classmates can also gift mutual funds and securities to the
School. Please refer donors interested in these options to
Kathie Pedrolini, Securities Coordinator, at (203) 697-2387
or [email protected].
enduring pursuit of
excellence and about how
the School can define the
future of education.
Please direct individuals interested in discussing options for
planned giving to Rick Henderson, Director of Major Gifts and
Planned Giving, at [email protected] or (203) 697-2117.
Mac Bartels ’04
Did You Know?
The Kohler Environmental Center produced 135 kWh of
electricity in 2015 and composted 20,815 pounds of organic
matter from Hill House Dining Hall.
7.
C H O A T E
R O S
E M A R Y
H A L L
Contacts
Carolyn Garibaldi
Coordinator of Volunteer Programs
[email protected]; (203) 697-2517
Heather Cordes
By serving as Class Agent
Director of the Annual Fund
[email protected]; (203) 697-2446
for the past 30 years,
I’ve been able to not only
keep in contact with my
Heidi Conner
Assistant Director, Annual Fund
[email protected]; (203) 697-2093
classmates but also be a
part of the greater Choate
Rosemary Hall community.
The energy and excitement
Alex Murenia ’71
Leadership Gift Officer, Annual Fund
[email protected]; (203) 697-2378
on campus is amazing even
participating from afar.
Connie Ferguson ’69
Chris Reichart
Associate Director, Annual Fund
[email protected]; (203) 697-2553
Did You Know?
The Carl C. Icahn Center for Science is an I.M.Pei-designed
state-of-the-art facility that includes 22 classrooms
and laboratories.
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Important Dates
January 1-May 30
Contact your classmates
Did You Know?
A selection of this
year’s college choices
Amherst
Boston College
Boston University
Brown
May 13-15
Reunion Weekend
May 29
Commencement
June 30
Official close of the 2016 fiscal year
Columbia
Social Media
Cornell
Georgetown
George Washington
Harvard
Northwestern
Website:
NYU
Princeton
Tufts
Tulane
U of Chicago
Wesleyan
Williams
Yale
9.
http://www.choate.edu/alumni/volunteers/
class-agent-materials/index.aspx
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoChoate
www.facebook.com/Choate.Alumni.Association
Twitter:
twitter.com/gochoate
Instagram: instagram.com/gochoate
Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/choaterosemary