Alumni Association / Outreach Lecture
Welcome to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association, this is Theresa Stern Alumni Association Director.
Congratulations on graduating with your new Guide Dog! As a graduate of GDB you are officially enrolled in our Alumni association!  Guide Dogs for the Blind is proud to be the first guide dog school to establish a formal Alumni association. The purpose of the Alumni Association is to support GDB’s vision of using our power of partnering to improve quality of life by building a strong sustainable community of support among our alumni.  We will work to support alumni success with their guide, in building relationships with others and contributing to the GDB community. Our goal is to create a culture that supports and cultivates strengthening of relationships between and among alumni, their families, the communities they live and work in, and the constituents of the larger GDB community.
Many exciting programs are offered to you through the Alumni Association.  Since the establishment of the association in 2005 several GDB grads have developed local and interest-based alumni chapters. Your association also offers alumni reunions, web-based seminars and discussion groups, networking and mentoring opportunities, fund raising and client outreach activities, scholarships, and a quarterly newsletter, Alumni News!
The Alumni Association is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of GDB alumni with a wide spectrum of talents and interests. The Board also serves in an advisory capacity to GDB staff and the Guide Dogs for the Blind National Board of Directors. Directors can serve up to two three year terms. Terms are staggered, so every year watch for information on how to apply in your Alumni News

Please feel free to contact any of the Board members with your concerns or suggestions regarding GDB. If you are interested in serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors or one of its committees please send a letter of interest and resume to me at tstern@guidedogs.com   

The Alumni Association Board is comprised of a variety of working committees that focus on various issues that are of interest to fellow GDB Alumni. Standing committees include:
•	Advocacy and Access Committee
•	Communication and Technology Committee
•	Nominating Committee
•	Outreach Committee
•	Special Events Committee

To find an alumni chapter near you or to find out more about how you can become involved, please check out the GDB website at www.guidedogs.com. Again, welcome to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association, I look forward to hearing from you!