Harvard College Alumni
2020 Class Committee
Information on the 2021 Class Committee (to be recruited during the fall 2020 semester) will be posted in early October 2020. For any questions before then, contact John Prince at the Harvard Alumni Association at john_prince@harvard.edu.
The 2020 Class Committee is supported by the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) and the Harvard College Fund (HCF). The first priority of the committee is to bring the Class together as a whole, connecting members of the Class of 2020 to each other and Harvard College by modeling and facilitating communication, participation, volunteerism, and philanthropy among classmates.
The Executive Committee is comprised of the First and Second Marshals, Program Marshals, Gift Marshals, Class Secretary, Class Treasurer, Media Team Members, and House Representatives. Other Committee Members work under the guidance of the Executive Committee to engage classmates.
Important Dates
Roles and Responsibilities
Contact Information
Important Dates
All Candidates
- September 4–5, 2019: Candidates for Executive Committee positions must attend one of these information/training sessions (to be to held in Emerson 105 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. each night)
- October 29, 2019: First Executive Committee Meeting (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
- November 2/3, 2019: Executive Committee Retreat
- November 18, 2019 : Executive Committee Kickoff Dinner (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
- Spring 2020: Senior Gift Campaign
Marshals
First, Second, and Program Marshals
- September 9, 2019: Application form due (by 11:59 p.m.)
- September 17, 2019: Candidate email sent to class
- September 18, 2019: First-round elections (online voting)
- September 19, 2019: Remaining sixteen candidates announced
- September 20, 2019: Final-round elections (online voting)
- September 23, 2019: Elected Marshals notified to accept
- September 24, 2019: All Marshals announced
- October 2, 2019: Marshal meeting (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
Gift Marshals
- September 9, 2019: Application form due (by 11:59 p.m.)
- September 12–13, 2019: Gift Marshal first-round interviews
- September 17–18, 2019: Gift Marshal final-round interviews
- September 23, 2019: Selected Marshals notified to accept
- September 24, 2019: All Marshals announced
- October 2, 2019: Marshal meeting (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
Officers and House Representatives
Class Secretary, Class Treasurer, Media Team, and House Representatives
- September 27, 2019: Application form due (by 11:59 p.m.)
- October 7–10, 2019: Interviews
- October 15, 2019: Selected candidates notified to accept
- October 17, 2019: Class Treasurer, Class Secretary, Media Team Members, and House Representatives announced
Roles and Responsibilities
2020 Class Committee
Executive Committee Members
Class Marshals
First and Second Marshals (2) | Program Marshals (6) | Gift Marshals (6)
Officers
Class Secretary (1) | Class Treasurer (1) | Media Team (4)
Remaining Executive Committee Members
House Representatives (13)
2020 Class Committee
Executive Committee Members
Class Marshals
Two members of the senior class, elected by all seniors eligible to vote in the Marshal elections. The two highest vote earners will become the First and Second Marshal, respectively. Taking on the responsibility of First or Second Marshal is a significant time commitment (average 5+ hours a week in fall semester/average 15+ hours a week in spring semester). You should consider this one of the most significant extracurricular commitments of your senior year.
- Set overall direction for programming and fundraising goals:
- Work with Program and Gift Marshals to appoint Class Secretary, Class Treasurer, Media Team Members, and House Representatives.
- Work with House Representatives to identify House Team members.
- Under the leadership of the Class Treasurer, consider the financial management of the Class, including the development and management of a solvent class treasury during senior year and beyond.
- Working with the Class Treasurer, Program Marshals, and HAA staff, ensure that a budget is maintained and bills are paid.
- Solicit classmates to give back through door-to-door and other in-person gift conversations and online outreach.
- Convene Class Committee meetings.
- Communicate the mission of the Class Committee and inspire shared purpose among committee members.
- Embody the shared values of the Class Committee and communicate these values to classmates in word and action.
- Assist Class Secretary with responses to classmate inquiries during Senior Week.
- Co-lead (with a Program Marshal) a programmatic subcommittee.
- Sit on a gift subcommittee.
- Lead programmatic efforts for one or two Senior Week events.
- Respond to email communications from HAA and HCF staff and Class Committee members in a timely manner. Post to social media as requested.
- Attend three/four weekly meetings:
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly meetings with HAA and HCF staff, Class Secretary, and Class Treasurer.
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly Program meeting (First Marshal, Second Marshal, Program Marshals, Class Treasurer, and HAA Staff).
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly Gift meeting (First Marshal, Second Marshal, Gift Marshals, and HCF Staff).
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly or biweekly program subcommittee meetings.
- Attend additional meetings and trainings as necessary.
- Attend mandatory Executive Committee meetings (6-7 throughout the year).
Responsibilities: Post-Graduation
- Work closely with the members of the Class Committee and activities chairs (regional alumni volunteers) to plan, facilitate, and communicate about class and alumni activities regionally, on campus, and online.
- Serve as an activities chair.
- Maintain contact with the HAA regarding matters of University and class interest.
- Nominate and recruit alumni volunteers, in consultation with other Class Committee members and the HAA and HCF staff.
Application
Candidates for First and Second Marshal must:
- Review the above job description.
- Attend a required information session in Emerson 105 on either Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and
- Complete the online application form (due Monday, September 9, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.)
- First and final-round elections will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 and Friday, September 20, 2019, respectively.
Six members of the senior class, elected by all seniors eligible to vote in the Marshal elections. The six highest vote earners after the First and Second Marshal (3rd through 8th places) will become the Program Marshals. Taking on the responsibility of Program Marshal is a significant time commitment (average 5+ hours a week in fall semester/average 15+ hours a week in spring semester). You should consider this one of the most significant extracurricular commitments of your senior year.
- Work with First and Second Marshals to set overall direction for programming and implement programs:
- Work with all Marshals to appoint Class Secretary, Class Treasurer, Media Team Members, and House Representatives.
- Work with House Representatives to recruit House Team members.
- Learn about and help with Senior Gift publicity and outreach.
- Co-lead a programmatic subcommittee; subcommittees are Alumni Life, Class Day, Reflections, and Social.
- Plan events related to your subcommittee and work with Media Team members and the Class Secretary to advertise events to the class.
- Working with the Class Treasurer, First and Second Marshals, and HAA staff, ensure bills related to your programmatic subcommittee are paid.
- Lead programmatic efforts for one or two Senior Week events.
- Respond to email communications from HAA and HCF staff and Class Committee members in a timely manner. Post to social media as requested.
- Attend two weekly meetings:
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly Program meeting (First Marshal, Second Marshal, Program Marshals, Class Treasurer, and HAA Staff).
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly or biweekly program subcommittee meeting.
- Attend additional meetings and trainings as necessary.
- Attend mandatory Executive Committee meetings (6-7 throughout the year).
Responsibilities: Post-Graduation
- Work closely with the members of the Class Committee and activities chairs (regional alumni volunteers) to plan, facilitate, and communicate about class and alumni activities regionally, on campus, and online.
- Serve as an activities chair.
- Maintain contact with the HAA regarding matters of University and class interest.
- Nominate and recruit alumni volunteers, in consultation with other Class Committee members and HAA and HCF staff.
Application
Candidates for Program Marshal must:
- Review the above job description.
- Attend a required information session in Emerson 105 on either Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and
- Complete the online application form (due Monday, September 9, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.)
- First and final-round elections will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 and Friday, September 20, 2019, respectively.
Six members of the senior class, appointed by the Harvard College Fund (HCF). It should be noted that taking on the responsibility of Gift Marshal is a significant time commitment (average 5+ hours a week in fall semester/average 15+ hours a week in spring semester). You should consider this one of the most significant extracurricular commitments of your senior year.
- Work with all Marshals to appoint Class Secretary, Class Treasurer, Media Team Members, and House Representatives.
- Help plan and execute fall HCF annual educational event (week of Harvard Yale); use this as a way to gain information on your peers' understanding of philanthropy at Harvard.
- Work with House Representatives to identify and recruit House Team members.
- Work with the First and Second Marshals and fellow Gift Marshals to inform and implement overall direction of Senior Gift strategy in your two assigned Houses.
- Identify educational opportunities (pre-campaign and during campaign).
- Train entire House Teams (in partnership with House Representatives).
- Solicit classmates to give back through door-to-door gift conversations, online outreach, and at events.
- Help House Representatives create targeted outreach strategy.
- Assist with follow-up communications with seniors inside and outside of your two assigned Houses.
- Co-lead a Senior Gift-specific subcommittee.
- Attend one/two weekly meetings:
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly Gift meeting, including HCF staff and the First and Second Marshal.
- (Spring only): Lead weekly neighborhood Senior Gift meeting with your House Representatives.
- Attend additional meetings (for example, weekly House Team meetings for Houses in your neighborhood) and trainings as necessary.
- Attend mandatory Executive Committee meetings (6-7 throughout the year).
Responsibilities: Post-Graduation
- Stay on your Class Gift Committee.
- Serve as an activities chair
- Solicit classmates for annual gifts to the HCF as part of a similar (yet larger) committee structure.
- Maintain contact with HCF and HAA regarding matters of University and class interest.
- Nominate and recruit alumni volunteers, in consultation with other Class Committee members and HAA and HCF staff.
Application
Candidates for Gift Marshal must:
- Review the above job description.
- Attend a required information session in Emerson 105 on either Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and
- Complete the online application form (due Monday, September 9, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.)
- First-round interviews will be arranged with HAA/HCF staff on Thursday, September 12, 2019 or Friday, September 13, 2019.
One member of the senior class, appointed by the Marshals. It should be noted that taking on the responsibility of Class Secretary is a significant time commitment (average 3+ hours a week in fall semester/average 10+ hours a week in spring semester). You should consider this one of the most significant extracurricular commitments of your senior year.
- Connect members of the Class of 2020 to each other and Harvard College by communicating with the class over email, the class website, social media, and other channels.
- Respond to email inquiries from classmates. Email volume increases at the end of the year and continues through Senior Week and Commencement activities.
- Coordinate with HAA and HCF staff, First and Second Marshals, and other Marshals to communicate information to the Executive Committee about committee goals, program and gift news, and class events (may take the form of a newsletter email).
- Oversee the work of the Media Team to ensure their success.
- Coordinate with House Representatives to ensure seniors receive emails regarding class events and goals.
- Send a weekly newsletter to the class to share program and gift news and class events.
- During Senior Week, send out a daily newsletter to give seniors event information.
- Create and maintain class Google calendar.
- Record and distribute minutes for all Class Committee meetings.
- Serve as a contributing member of the Association of Harvard College Class Secretaries and Treasurers and attend the annual meeting in the spring.
- Assist with special projects, such as the Reflections Collection, and recruit additional volunteers as needed (in coordination with the Media Team).
- Respond to email communications from HAA and HCF staff and Class Committee members in a timely manner. Post to social media as requested.
- Attend two weekly meetings:
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly meetings with HAA and HCF staff, First and Second Marshal, and Class Treasurer.
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly Communications meeting with HAA and HCF staff and with Media Team Members to oversee class publicity and marketing strategy.
- Attend additional meetings and trainings as necessary.
- Attend mandatory Executive Committee meetings (6-7 throughout the year).
Responsibilities: Post-Graduation
- Work closely with the members of the Class Committee and activities chairs (regional alumni volunteers) to plan, facilitate, and communicate about class and alumni activities regionally, on campus, and online.
- Serve as an activities chair.
- Communicate with the class and provide regular updates to classmates about events, resources, and notes (at least two emails per year).
- Maintain contact with the HAA regarding matters of University and class interest.
- Continue as a contributing member of the Association of Harvard College Class Secretaries and Treasurers, attend the annual meeting, and submit an annual report on class communications.
- Nominate and recruit alumni volunteers, in consultation with other Class Committee members and HAA and HCF staff.
Application
Candidates for Class Secretary must:
- Review the above job description.
- Attend a required information session in Emerson 105 on either Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and
- Complete the online application form (due Friday, September 27, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.)
- Interviews with Marshals will be held October 7-10, 2019.
One member of the senior class, appointed by the Marshals. It should be noted that taking on the responsibility of Class Treasurer is a significant time commitment (average 3+ hours a week in fall semester/average 10+ hours a week in spring semester). You should consider this one of the most significant extracurricular commitments of your senior year.
- With input from the First and Second Marshal, direct the financial management of the class, including the development and management of a solvent class treasury during senior year and beyond.
- Direct all expenses for the 2020 Class Committee, allocating funds responsibly and equitably across class priorities.
- With HAA staff, develop a system for tracking expenses.
- Educate Class Committee (and other classmates as necessary) regarding policies and processes for authorized class expenditures and reimbursements.
- Ensure that paperwork pertaining to expenses is submitted.
- Working with Program Marshals and HAA staff, ensure bills are paid.
- Manage ticketing for class events, including Senior Week ticketing.
- Serve as a contributing member of the Association of Harvard College Class Secretaries and Treasurers and attend the annual meeting in the spring.
- Respond to email communications from HAA and HCF staff and Class Committee members in a timely manner. Post to social media as requested.
- Attend two weekly meetings:
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly meetings with HAA and HCF staff, First and Second Marshal, and Class Secretary.
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly Program meeting (First Marshal, Second Marshal, Program Marshals, Class Treasurer, and HAA Staff).
- Attend additional meetings and trainings as necessary.
- Attend mandatory Executive Committee meetings (6-7 throughout the year).
Responsibilities: Post-Graduation
- Work closely with the members of the Class Committee and activities chairs (regional alumni volunteers) to plan, facilitate, and communicate about class and alumni activities regionally, on campus, and online.
- Serve as an activities chair.
- Maintain class budget and track expenses, ensuring that the class remains solvent.
- Ensure that all authorized expenditures are properly documented and submitted for reimbursement.
- Maintain contact with the HAA regarding matters of University and class interest.
- Continue as a contributing member of the Association of Harvard College Class Secretaries and Treasurers, attend the annual meeting, and submit an annual report on class finances.
- Nominate and recruit alumni volunteers, in consultation with other Class Committee members and HAA and HCF staff.
- Serve as reunion treasurer or help identify a proxy.
Application
Candidates for Class Treasurer must:
- Review the above job description.
- Attend a required information session in Emerson 105 on either Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and
- Complete the online application form (due Friday, September 27, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.)
- Interviews with Marshals will be held October 7-10, 2019.
Four members of the senior class, appointed by the Marshals. It should be noted that taking on the responsibility of Media Team member is a significant time commitment (average 3+ hours a week in fall semester/average 7+ hours a week in spring semester). You should consider this one of the most significant extracurricular commitments of your senior year. Successful Media Team members have had one or more of the following skills: photography, graphic design (making posters, Facebook banners and filters, and infographics), website design, and video production.
- Under the leadership of the Class Secretary, ensure that communications regarding class events are coordinated across the Class Committee.
- Working with the Class Secretary, ensure that the class website, social media accounts, and Google calendar are up-to-date and accurate.
- Coordinate with Class Secretary to create and update a class website, social media accounts, and email newsletter templates.
- Create class logo files based on submissions from the class.
- Taking direction from the Class Secretary, HAA and HCF Staff, and First and Second Marshal, create publicity content and materials, applications, graphics, and photos/videos to support and facilitate class engagement and gift goals, including making media for presentations.
- Create a style guide system for publicity requests from Marshals and House Representatives and set time expectation for completion of projects.
- Assist with special projects, such as the Reflections Collection, and recruit additional volunteers as needed (in coordination with the Class Secretary).
- Respond to email communications from HAA and HCF staff and Class Committee members in a timely manner. Post to social media as requested.
- Attend one weekly meeting:
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly meetings led by the Class Secretary and HAA and HCF staff to discuss the execution of and timeline for class publicity and marketing strategy needs.
- Attend meetings and trainings as necessary.
- Attend mandatory Executive Committee meetings (6-7 throughout the year).
Responsibilities: Post-Graduation
- Work closely with the members of the Class Committee and activities chairs (regional alumni volunteers) to plan, facilitate, and communicate about class and alumni activities regionally, on campus, and online.
- Serve as an activities chair.
- Nominate and recruit alumni volunteers, in consultation with other Class Committee members and HAA and HCF staff.
Application
Candidates for Media Team Member must:
- Review the above job description.
- Attend a required information session in Emerson 105 on either Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and
- Complete the online application form (due Friday, September 27, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.)
- Interviews with Marshals will be held October 7-10, 2019.
Remaining Executive Committee Members
Thirteen members of the senior class (one from each House), appointed by the Marshals. It should be noted that taking on the responsibility of House Representative is a significant time commitment (average 3+ hours a week in fall semester/average 10+ hours a week when the Senior Gift campaign is live. You should consider this one of the most significant extracurricular commitments of your senior year.
- You will be the go-to for members of your House Community about all things Senior Year! Specifically, your focus will be on Senior Gift and programmatic efforts; you are charged with making these initiatives and events known, and drumming up interest in and excitement about them!
- Introduce yourself to your House and House staff. Serve as a Class Committee liaison to your House, the Faculty Deans, House Administrators, and other House staff.
- Organize a social event in your House in the fall semester. Coordinate with House staff as needed.
- Organize a Senior Gift-focused event in the spring semester, and additional events as needed.
- Build a House Team to assist with programmatic and Senior Gift efforts. Work with Gift Marshals as needed on recruitment.
- Lead House’s Senior Gift effort, actively educate classmates about importance and impact of Senior Gift and solicit classmates to give back (door-to-door, online, and at events).
- Using a tracking system, assign House Team members individual housemates to engage regarding Senior Gift.
- Engage individually assigned housemates and keep track of gift conversations using a tracking system.
- Later in the campaign, work with the Executive Committee to encourage committee members to ask for gifts outside of the House community.
- Coordinate with the Class Secretary to send emails to House seniors informing them of committee initiatives.
- Assist with House-related programmatic efforts for Senior Week events and lead one House-based event.
- Respond to email communications from HAA and HCF staff and Class Committee members in a timely manner. Post to social media as requested.
- Attend two weekly meetings:
- (Fall and spring) Attend weekly or biweekly House meeting with HAA and HCF staff.
- (Spring only) Lead a weekly meeting with your House Team.
- Attend additional meetings and trainings as necessary.
- Attend mandatory Executive Committee meetings (6-7 throughout the year).
Responsibilities: Post-Graduation
- Work closely with the members of the Class Committee and activities chairs (regional alumni volunteers) to plan, facilitate, and communicate about class and alumni activities regionally, on campus, and online.
- Serve as an activities chair
- Nominate and recruit alumni volunteers, in consultation with other Class Committee members and HAA and HCF staff.
Application
Candidates for House Representative must:
- Review the above job description.
- Attend a required information session in Emerson 105 on either Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and
- Complete the online application form (due Friday, September 27, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.)
- Interviews with Marshals will be held October 7-10, 2019.
Contact Information
Program Liaison to the 2020 Class Committee
John Prince AB ’13, ALM ’18 | Assistant Director
Undergraduate Engagement | Harvard Alumni Association
john_prince@harvard.edu | W 617.496.5454
Gift Liaison to the 2020 Class Committee
Molly Stansik AB ’13 | Assistant Director
Undergraduate Giving | Harvard College Fund
molly_stansik@harvard.edu | W 617.496.9545