Washington and Lee University
WHAT IS THE GEORGE WASHINGTON SOCIETY (TGWS)?
It is a volunteer leadership organization today composed of 182 former members of W&L's three elected leadership boards: the Alumni Board of Directors, the Law Council, and the University's Board of Trustees. Members reside in 28 states. TGWS conducts one meeting a year and its members travel at their own expense and close their own hotel accounts.
WHY WAS TGWS ESTABLISHED?
Members of the Alumni Board and the Law Council serve four years while members of the Board of Trustees serve terms of four years and are eligible for re-election (8-years of service is common). All of these volunteers tend to be influential, high profile leaders who possess multiple qualities which cause them to be attractive for election in the first instance to serve and assist in the governance of Washington and Lee. The University makes an enormous investment in educating the members of these three boards throughout their active years of service. The simple vision in establishing TGWS was to retain and extend our educational investment … not to allow knowledgeable volunteer leaders to drift inevitably away from us for lack of a vehicle enabling the continued involvement of those who desired to stay informed and remain helpful. For 17 years now through TGWS we have provided the opportunity for members to visit the campus to receive a current University update and an "insider's view" of our present challenges. To our knowledge, no other college or university in America has created such an ongoing resource. Between meetings periodic newsletters communicate useful information, but over-communication is avoided.
WHAT IS THE TGWS MISSION?
As its charter states, TGWS "is organized for the specific purpose of volunteering support and assistance to the Trustees and administration of Washington and Lee University in fund-raising endeavors, in identification of and communication with Washington and Lee University benefactors, and in the general promotion of Washington and Lee University affairs to the various constituents holding interest in its well-being and strength." This purpose provides an intentionally broad stage upon which varying and/or timely themes can be played. Basically the group is available to do anything requested in the alumni relations or broader public relations arena. In the years of the Shoulders of Giants Campaign, fully half of the 40 area campaigns were chaired by TGWS members … and members dotted all the other volunteer committees as direct fund-raisers. In the years leading up to and through the 250th celebration, TGWS exhibited more of its communications role by taking on several specific publications and special event projects related to University history. Most of our success has come through (1) utilizing the talents of individual members vs. trying to organize collective group activity; (2) encouraging specific, time-sensitive projects; (3) keeping realistic expectations about these volunteers, especially remembering that all have already served out their active terms for W&L; (4) constantly encouraging members to identify prospects, send in clippings and "think W&L," to tap this unique intelligence resource for development purposes. Happily, an esprit de corps has developed over the years as was witnessed at Mount Vernon at the "Symbolic Gift" event and in many of the members who wear with pride their special "Old George" tie when they visit campus.
WHAT IS TGWS DOING NOW?
TGWS has completed participation in the University's Strategic Planning process. This activity was the major part of the February 2005 Annual Meeting. TGWS members are being connected with the regional gift officers from the Development Office to assist in updating intelligence on potential donors and to provide information on new parents in a more timely fashion. TGWS has provided a chairman and committee to assist in the fundraising for renovation of the Lee Chapel Museum and an endowment for operation of the Chapel and Museum.
WHAT IS THE TGWS FUTURE?
Members have also been asked to join the Doremus Society by remembering W&L in their estate plans and then encourage friends to do the same. This will be an on-going program along with support of the Annual Fund. There also appear to be some other interesting projects on the horizon which would be tailor-made for this group of energetic, enthusiastic volunteers.