By Kimberly Jones
To connect graduates and perpetuate alumni involvement at Brigham Young University, the alumni association is developing an affinity program that encourages the building of chapters based on common interests instead of geography.
Roy Brinkerhoff, assistant director of alumni activities, said the graduating classes are too big and students simply don?t know each other.
?People don?t feel part of anything,? he said. ?They have no identity with BYU, and we felt a need for those who have interests to get together.?
Brinkerhoff said the affinities will have a basis in the university from departments, clubs, sports or any existing entity. The goal of the affinity is to help alumni associate with campus, not necessarily their graduating class.
?We?re into reconnecting,? Brinkerhoff said. ?Most people will find their fit.?
Shelli Sivert, the alumni and affinity chapter coordinator, said BYU officials will do whatever they can to help affinities get started and stay connected.
?We are a home for them,? she said. ?They can even have a Web presence here.?
Although, she said, groups are expected to be self-sustaining.
?We cannot fund them, but we can sponsor them,? she said.
Dan and Wendee Truman, BYU alumni in Tennessee, are chairmen of the new Young Ambassador?s affinity. Dan Truman said BYU has local chapters out in Tennessee he and his wife have been involved in, but they can?t get off the ground.
?There are not enough people to go do big things,? Truman said. ?Everything is on a small scale.?
But since the Truman?s have begun the Young Ambassador?s affinity they have already noticed bigger results.
?We have people asking if they can help,? he said. ?There is a feeling there, much more passion than the local chapter.?
Truman said he feels the support they have experienced with their affinity has to do with the bonds that were created by members of Young Ambassadors while they were in school.
?The Young Ambassadors all have something seriously in common,? he said. ?Not only did we have classes together, we?ve traveled around the world together. Some of these people are like my brothers and sisters.?
Truman said one benefit of the connection with Young Ambassador alumni is the shared communication they have via e-mail.
?A drummer from the early 80?s was killed in a wreck and we used e-mail to announce it to everyone,? he said. ?People were able to get involved and donate real quick even though everyone was so strung out. The e-mail definitely helped.?
Along with being connected to other alumni, affinities are encouraged to support the current program on campus they were once involved in.
For Truman and the Young Ambassadors, their involvement will soon be a scholarship donated by members of the affinity.
?We can collect enough money to fund the scholarship in a matter of 30 to 60 hours online,? he said. ?People want to help, they just don?t know where to go.'