Alumnae Association

We are women who embrace an intergenerational community in which we grow spiritually, creatively, and intellectually; foster an environment that nurtures individuality and fortitude; while sustaining and extending the Santa Catalina experience through gifts of time, energy, and financial resources.
- Alumnae Association Vision Statement

Alumnae are part of our heritage and help shape Santa Catalina’s reputation. It is the policy of this Association, therefore, to engage in activities, which support both Alumnae and Santa Catalina so that the Association may fulfill its responsibility to:

1. Insure and support the vigorous and productive programs that encourage alumnae to become interested and involved in the Association and the ongoing development of Santa Catalina School
2. Provide financial and in-kind contributions that help assure Santa Catalina’s continued ability to provide a high quality educational experience to her students; and
3. Foster and support meaningful and constructive communication among and between all Santa Catalina constituents, including her students, faculty, administration, Board of Trustees and Alumnae.

Our goals are best summarized by this quote from past board member Ellen Mahoney’66, “We want to make Santa Catalina School a part of our present, not just our past.”

The Alumnae Board of Directors
The Alumnae Board of Directors is the active leadership body of the Alumnae Association. The Board structure includes an Executive Committee, Chapter Chairs, and Members. There are five members of the Executive Committee who serve as the leadership team. In addition to Chapter Chairs, there are presently eleven members-at-large who serve on one of the standing committees: Development; Connectors; Admissions; Nominations; Reunion; and By-Laws. The Alumnae Board as a whole meets three times a year. There is a two-day meeting in the Fall, the purpose of which is to evaluate the past year's activities, publications, and events; plan the next year; assess progress on long term goals; and develop camaraderie between Board members (who represent alumnae from each decade since 1950). There is a meeting in January to review Reunion weekend and delegate Board assignments. Alumnae Board members are responsible for implementing the Reunion Weekend and are present and working both days. There is a formal meeting during the Reunion Weekend to assess the activities and give suggestions for future Reunions. The fourth meeting of the year, for Executive Committee Members only, is scheduled in June so the members attend commencement. The purpose of this meeting is two-fold: to plan the weekend of the full Board meeting in the Fall, including the agenda and any activities, and to analyze and strategize as to the roll of the Executive Committee within the Board. Other committees meet as needed. The Alumnae Board relies on written communication and a network of one-on-one, personal contact through meetings, telephone conversations, email, and gatherings.

Alumnae Chapters
The Chapters serve as the grass roots connection with the Alumnae. Each Chapter is served by a Chair or Co-Chairs, who also are members of the Alumnae Board, fostering that link of communication. Most Chapters, depending on size, have Steering Committees. Each member of the Steering Committee contacts by telephone and/or email, constituents to invite them to events, solicit input about an alumna's interests and needs so that our events and programs can be appropriate, and makes an effort to support alumnae in college in their community. The Chapter Chairs and Steering Committee members inquire as to the interest in serving on Alumnae Committees and other volunteer activities. Certain Chapters participate as a group in service projects in their communities. Chapter gatherings, events, news, and photos are posted on the Alumnae Web site.

STAR
STAR (Student Alumnae Organization) was established in 1985 to develop a senior leadership group to serve as alumnae in training. STAR Leaders interact with the Alumnae Association and begin to understand ways alumnae support their alma mater by serving: with the Alumnae Board on Reunion Weekend, with the Development Office on "Thanka-thons," with the Admission Office, and our entire community. Students apply to be STAR Leaders the end of their junior year in either the Tour Guide, Ushers, or Reunion Coordinator Programs. STAR Leaders mentor other student volunteers in these programs. STAR Tour Guides introduce prospective students and their families to campus life, classes, and the school's history. They also conduct tours for visitors to campus, during Open Houses, and on Reunion Weekend. STAR Ushers welcome the community before school plays, other school productions, performances, and lectures. STAR Reunion Coordinators organize student volunteers and work closely with the Alumnae Board before and during Reunion Weekend ensuring the smoothe flow of activities. Reunion Coordinators attend either the Fall meeting or dinner of the Alumnae Board. Each January the group chooses a non-profit organization for their Spring Service Day. This Service Day is in addition to the two all-school Service Days. Habitat for Humanity and Boys and Girl's Clubs have benefited from this commitment.

Class Secretaries
Class Secretaries are the hub of communication for graduating classes. They contact classmates twice yearly for the Fall and Spring Bulletins. They update school on address changes. Class Secretaries also serve as communication resources to the Alumnae Board of Directors for a variety of projects such as the Distinguished Alumnae Award.

Reunion Coordinators
Reunion Coordinators volunteer to communicate with a small group of classmates and personally encourage them to attend Reunion to renew friendships, experience school today, and relive nostalgic memories. The Reunion Coordinators assist with planning weekend festivities for their class and promote support of the Annual Fund.