Alumni chapter volunteers are instrumental in helping CAA bring alumni closer together. They have the ability to reach alumni in geographic regions around the nation and keep them connected to Berkeley and fellow alumni. CAA recently spoke with Yolanda Hong ’02, president of Cal Alumni Club of Puget Sound (CAPS), about her volunteer involvement with CAA.
“My experiences at Cal helped me come out of my shell. Getting involved with alumni clubs furthered my personal and professional growth by providing me opportunities to hone my leadership and public speaking skills,” shared Yolanda, who joined the Orange County Cal Alumni Club in 2003. As a member of her local Alumni Chapter, Yolanda attended football viewing parties and participated in volunteer projects at food banks.
In 2007, Yolanda moved to Seattle and was looking for ways to make new friends—so she joined the Cal Alumni Club of Puget Sound.
“It is so rewarding to make connections with Cal alumni and hear their stories.” Within a year Yolanda began volunteering to help grow the club.
Today, CAPS is one of the largest Alumni Chapters. Approximately 900 alumni are associated with the chapter and events have up to 100 attendees. Alumni have the opportunity to attend football tailgates, basketball viewing parties, networking events, and the monthly dinner club. CAPS also provides alumni the chance to participate in CAA’s YES Berkeley! Student Recruitment program. Thanks to Yolanda the chapter has added fundraising to the list of alumni activities. Recently, the chapter held its inaugural silent auction in conjunction with CAPS’s 30th anniversary. The money raised will help support CAA Alumni Scholarships.
“The Alumni Chapters Program empowers and invigorates us to stay connected to our alma mater. Our role is to get alumni excited,” says Yolanda of her volunteer experience. “We all benefit from CAA’s support.”
The Alumni Chapters Program offers alumni the opportunity to stay involved with and connect to the University, students, and fellow alumni. For more information about an Alumni Chapter in your area, please visit alumni.berkeley.edu/chapters