With the recent launch of the new RAAA, Inc. website, we encourage you to become both a financial and more importantly an active member of the Rutgers African American Alumni Alliance (RAAA), Inc. As a small but growing volunteer organization, we have come across and have overcome many challenges. In part, we have been able to do so, for here you will find strength, resilience, patience, love and commitment along with a belief that we can truly make a difference. The underlying message of RAAA, Inc. has been one of love and patience while paying it forward.
We ask that you come into the organization not just as a member but as a builder and a believer. Here at RAAA, Inc. we work to build and maintain long term and lifelong relationships. We work to build and mend bridges, often serving as brokers at times. We believe that one person can make a difference and that all things are possible when we can truly master the ability to harness the potential of our network. The underlying message on the welcome page of our website is community, community, community! With any union, commitment is a requirement for ultimate success. You needn’t be as committed or as passionate as some of our longtime members but we do need you to commit. In order for our organization to continue to flourish and grow, we need to be more actively engaged and connected.
So you ask yourself, how do you fit into the equation? You all play an integral part in a very rich legacy spanning over 100 years. As a very diverse and multi-generational community, we have the opportunity to share countless gifts and experiences. If you will, please ponder a couple of questions which will help you gauge where you best fit into OUR COMMUNITY, YOUR ORGANIZATION.
1) What is your expectation of what an Alumni organization should be? How should it look and feel?
2) What were your issues or concerns while a student at Rutgers University? Was there any resolution at that time and where did it come from?
3) What are your areas of interest and or expertise? What are you passionate about? What energizes you and gets you focused and raring to go?
4) How can you use your interests/passions to address one of the issues you faced while a student at Rutgers University?
5) What is your commitment level in doing so?
Our experiences while at Rutgers, run the gamut from one extreme to another. For some, their overall experience was very positive. How can we work to recreate that passion/love in order to allow history to repeat itself for current and future students? For those who washed their hands and walked away from the University, we challenge you to revisit and perhaps adjust your position. There is an underlying message that no human connections were made while you were at Rutgers. Whether it was a Faculty member, Staff, or Classmates, someone made a difference and helped you become the person you are today. Often some of our not so pleasant experiences were lessened by others who came before us. How can we work together to find ways so that history DOES not repeat itself?
It is our intention to be the hub of our community; to be a beacon of hope, light, love, support and encouragement. We need to have a great presence on campus to truly understand the needs of our students and we need to be connected and engaged to understand the needs of fellow Alumni. Mentored, supported and encouraged students create strong, involved Alumni. It is time, YES IT IS TIME that you take your rightful place at the table called the Rutgers University Alumni Community. With that, we extend an open invitation and opportunity to get involved, to get connected, to be engaged, to pay it forward. If you have any questions or comments, please forward as these questions help us to best serve you.
Do not hesitate, join today and make a difference!
