Welcome to Your City - September 11, 2024

Occurring on a single day each fall term, Welcome to Your City (WTYC) provides University-wide recent graduates (up to 10 years out) a targeted opportunity to connect with their local Harvard alumni community. WTYC events are social/networking gatherings with little to no formal programming and can be held in-person or virtually. Events are hosted by local Harvard Clubs and supported by Shared Interest Groups and College Activities Chairs.

Participation 

• Clubs with more than 2,000 alumni in the Club's region are invited to register to host an event. This minimum helps
  to ensure there is a critical mass of recent graduates in the local area. 

• SIGs interested in partnering with Clubs on these locally organized events can register their participation using
  this form.

• All Club hosts and SIG partners that sign up for WTYC are expected to be present at the event.
   

Roles and Responsibilities

Club Responsibilities:

• Designate an event point person to be the main point of contact with the HAA for WTYC

• Manage event logistics including securing the venue

• Complement HAA marketing via your Club email and social media channels to encourage attendance

• Field and respond to any event questions that may come in directly to the Club

• Review event resources provided by the HAA

• Connect with partnering SIGs to coordinate on event logistics and marketing efforts

• On event day, welcome guests, facilitate connections, and support discussions
• Post-event, follow up with attendees via email on further engaging with the club

SIG Responsibilities:

• Designate a SIG representative(s) to support the event hosted by the local Club

• Complement HAA & Club marketing via your SIG email and social media channels to encourage attendance

• Connect with the hosting Club volunteers to coordinate on event logistics and marketing efforts

• Act as an ambassador for the SIG by sharing information with attendees about your organization

• Follow up with attendees via email re: further engaging with the SIG

Marketing & Communications

• The HAA will manage WTYC marketing via a series of communications targeting alumni 10 years post graduation (see marketing calendar below). 

•  The WTYC registration pages will be created and managed by the HAA and listed in the event directory. 

• Participating Clubs, SIG and volunteers are encouraged to market to their communities via newsletter communications and by posting the event on their website

• Eligible SIGs will be listed on the registration forms as a way to collect interest from event registrants. Information on who opted in to hearing from a SIG will be shared with SIG presidents in the weeks following the event. 
   

Additional Resources

• Information Sessions - Hosts are encouraged to attend one of two live Information Sessions on July 18 or 23 to learn more about the event and available resources. Register for an info session here. 

• WTYC Data Dashboard - Coming Soon! View WTYC event locations and registration numbers in a visual display. 

• Digital Assets – Download branded Welcome to Your City images to put in your marketing emails or to post on your webpage

  • Welcome to Your City Zoom Background

  • WTYC 227px

  • WTYC 250x250px

  • WTYC 870x600px

  • WTYC 1040x300px

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• Virtual Networking Toolkit – If you decide to host a virtual event, this document provides you with resources that will empower you to do so.

  • This includes a pre-event planning checklist and a draft agenda/run of show for your program.

• Social Media Toolkit - Coming Soon! Learn fun and interactive ways to engage with registrants on your social channels around Welcome to Your City!