Alumni

Alumni refers to individuals who were ELSA members and/or officers but are no longer active within the Association. Becoming an Alumna or Alumnus of ELSA is a natural step after participating in opportunities or in board activities when ELSA is no longer beneficial to the professional development of those individuals. 

ELSA's activities are specifically tailored to students to prepare them for their professional lives yet once qualified or employed, ELSA's impact on professional development is limited. This is where Alumni groups step in to ensure that individuals can still network with like-minded professionals and develop themselves. Alumni are also valuable resources for the ELSA Network - they are emotionally connected with the Association and are often happy to help out in various ways such as acting as speakers or judges during events or competitions, providing legal or sometimes even financial support to the Network and ultimately possess a wealth of valuable experience.

National and Local Alumni Networks

Some groups also have National or Local Alumni networks. These groups consist of members or officers from specific National or Local Groups. They serve the same or similar purposes as the International Alumni Network while focusing mainly on the National or Local ELSA Network rather than on the international aspect of ELSA. Having a National or Local Alumni Group is incredibly valuable.

How do I establish an Alumni Network?

There are various ways in which an Alumni Network can be established and maintained in National and Local Groups. It is recommended to discuss these options with your National Network and active alumni as they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, you should find out if there are active alumni in your network who would be willing to be involved in the process. It is recommended that the active alumni take the charge in  the establishment of the National Alumni Network together with the National Board.

Currently, there are two Alumni structures established within the ELSA Network.

1. Independent from National/Local Groups (e.g. ELSA Alumni Belgium, ELSA Alumni Germany)

2. Integrated into the National/Local Groups (e.g. ELSA Poland, ELSA United Kingdom etc).

In Belgium and Germany, for example, the Alumni Network operates independently of the National and Local groups and is managed as a separate legal entity, whereas in most other National groups it is managed by the National Board or Local Boards themselves.