Thank you for your interest in starting a University of Florida Alumni Association (UFAA) alumni club (a.k.a. - Gator Club®). The mission of the UFAA is to foster and enhance the relationship between the University of Florida, its alumni and friends, and to support the University's mission of teaching, discovery, and service. Our Gator Clubs® exist to support the mission of both the UFAA and the University of Florida by strengthening the connection between alumni and friends, their communities and their relationship to the university.
There are several criteria that must be met in order to become a fully chartered club (outlined below). Upon meeting all of the requirements, a UFAA staff liaison will work closely interested in starting the club and oversee the chartering process.
Objective:
To continue to support the UFAA mission and add clubs in areas with an established alumni base and leadership commitment while maintaining adequate staff/service support.
The criteria for expansion includes:
- For in-state clubs, a minimum of 200 alumni in a particular area (typically a county), with 25% of that already being active dues paying members of the UFAA
- For out-of-state clubs, a minimum of 50 alumni, parents and/or friends who are dues paying members of the UFAA
- A distance of 50 miles between out-of-state Gator Clubs®
- A minimum of four (4) key leaders (President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary) to form a board of directors
- A VP of Communications is strongly recommended as well
- 100% UFAA membership amongst prospective officers and board members
- Steps to Starting a Club:
First, check the list of alumni clubs (Find a Gator Club®) to be sure there is no Gator Club® in your area. If a club does not exist, contact the Alumni Association to determine if the number of alumni and/or dues paying members meets the minimum requirements in your area. This report may take up to 15 to 20 business days to obtain.
Second, join the Alumni Association. You (and all future officers) must be a member to organize a club. If your area meets the required numbers of alumni and members, UFAA can send an email to alumni, parents and friends in the area to gauge interest in starting a club. Recipients will receive an email with information about club interest and an online survey. If the UFAA receives sufficient responses to the survey, they can initiate an organizational meeting.
Third, the UFAA will schedule an organizational meeting, either in-person or virtually, to assist in the process of developing the club to prepare for submitting the application for charter to the UFAA Board of Directors. The meeting will take place with the Regional Director, the UFAA staff liaison for the region, and/or the Director of Alumni Volunteer Engagement and discuss: establishing a provisional board, how you can build the Gator Nation® in your area, what you currently know of the alumni in your area, how you will support the mission of the UFAA and UF, and the activities you can plan for the club and how you will attract volunteers.
Fourth, the UFAA staff liaison assist interested volunteers in developing the proposal to be officially chartered as a full Gator Club®. The proposal must be passed by the UFAA Board of Directors.
Fifth, Once approved and chartered by the Board of Directors, the club will officially launch at the Orange and Blue level on July 1 of the following fiscal year. The UFAA will send an announcement email announcing the new club.
Reminder:
- All UF Alumni Association volunteers are subject to preliminary background screenings to ensure that there are no personal or professional concerns that are not aligned with university values.
- All members of the UFAA are automatically members in their local Gator Club®.
- No separate Gator Club® dues are permitted.
- Membership is open to anyone, including non-alumni.
* The requirements and criteria are in place to reach maximum potential and sustainability while receiving the adequate support of the alumni association.