Alumni Committees

There are a number of committees that work to plan events and further the goals of the Alumni Association. If you are interested in learning more about any of these groups, check with the contact person designated below.

Alumni Golf Tournament	Government Relations
Alumni of Color Coalition	Homecoming
Audit	Marketing
Big Chill Weekend	Nominating
Chapter Relations	RI Rams Athletic Association
Finance	Women's Council for Development
Funding Request	Young Alumni

Purpose: This committee is responsible for planning and helping to execute the Alumni Golf Tournament held annually, usually in June. The tournament is held at a municipal golf course and is following by an awards banquet the evening of the tournament.
Meetings: The committee meets on a regular basis (monthly) beginning some time in the fall.
Membership: Membership is by invitation or request.
Contact: Kathy Gianquitti at kgianquitti@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-4853.

Purpose: The purpose of the coalition is to provide opportunities for professional and social networking and collaborations among alumni, students, staff and faculty communities of color of the University of Rhode Island. These opportunities may include but are not limited to professional/career networking events, personal and professional mentoring, social events, community service, and outreach. 

Meetings: Meetings are scheduled as needed.

Membership: Membership is by invitation or request.

Contact: Michelle Fontes-Barros at 401-874-4854 or mfontes-barros@advance.uri.edu.

Purpose: This committee assists the Alumni Association Executive Board in overseeing the integrity of the Association’s financial statements; the Association’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; and the performance of the Association’s internal audit function and its independent auditor.

Meetings: A minimum of three meetings, or as frequently as circumstances require.
Membership: The Committee shall consist of four to five members. Each member must have some background in accounting, finance, business, or a general understanding of financial statements.
Contact: Michele Nota at mnota@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5496.

Big Chill Weekend Committee

Purpose: This committee plans the Big Chill Weekend activities.  There are several subcommittees to handle each aspect of the weekend events, including acquisition of auction items, music, decorations, etc.
Meetings: The committee meets monthly, more often during the months immediately prior to the event.
Membership: Including its several subcommittees, there are many alumni comprising this committee. Membership is by invitation of the chair or appointment of the President.

Contact: Kathy Gianquitti at kgianquitti@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-4853, or Gina Dei Simonelli at gsimonelli@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5808.

Chapter Relations Committee

Purpose: This committee works in conjunction with the Alumni Relations Office to help motivate local URI chapter leaders to work more closely in creating and implementing local event and communications programs that will, in turn, encourage local alumni to become more involved with the University and its Alumni Association.

Meetings:  In general, the committee will meet every other month or otherwise, as needed.

Membership: Membership is at the invitation of the chair or President, with Board approval.

Contact: Gina Simonelli at gsimonelli@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5808.

Purpose: This committee is responsible for overseeing the annual budget-planning process for alumni funds raised through the annual giving campaign. The group sets policy and guidelines related to funding requests, which are submitted to the Executive Board for approval. In addition the committee oversees the budget each fiscal year and makes recommendations related to prudent expenditures. The Finance Committee ensures that expenditures remain "true to spirit" in advancing alumni-related activities in quality support of the University's mission of teaching, research, and community service.
Meetings: The committee will meet periodically as needed throughout the funding year.
Membership: Membership is at the invitation of the President with Board approval.

Contact: Michele Nota at mnota@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5496.

Purpose: This committee sets policy and guidelines to then approve or deny requests for funding. The budget for this committee is set by the Board.
Meetings: The committee meets at least quarterly.
Membership: Membership is at the invitation of the chair or President with Board approval.

Contact: Michele Nota at mnota@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5496, or Lisa Harrison at lharrison@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-4962.

Purpose: This committee is comprised of alumni, parents, and friends of the University. Its purpose is to function as an effective lobbying group to advance the goals of higher education and URI in the State of Rhode Island. It participates in mobilizing all interested parties, including families, friends, faculty, administration, students, and alumni in letter-writing campaigns, hosting receptions with the legislature, etc. The group has an ongoing agenda but may assemble as determined by legislative issues affecting higher education and the University.
Meetings: The committee will meet periodically throughout the year and more often in smaller groups as lobbying efforts increase.
Membership: Membership is at the invitation of the chair or President with Board approval. The membership is not limited to alumni but includes representatives of all the University's constituencies. This committee will strive for a large membership with representatives

Contact: Michele Nota at mnota@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5496.

Homecoming Committee

Purpose: This committee is responsible for planning and helping to execute the events around Homecoming Weekend.

Meetings: The committee meets on a regular basis (monthly) throughout the year.

Membership: Including its several subcommittees, there are many alumni comprising this committee. Membership is by invitation of the chair or appointment of the President.

Contact: Gina Dei Simonelli at gsimonelli@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5808.

Marketing Communications Committee

Purpose: This committee works in conjunction with the Alumni Relations Office to increase membership in and involvement with the Alumni Association, as well as to improve Association affinity marketing programs. The committee dovetails with the University's current branding and marketing initiatives.

Meetings:  In general, monthly or otherwise, as needed.

Membership:  Membership is at the invitation of the chair or President, with Board approval.

Contact: Michele Nota at mnota@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5496.

Purpose: This committee is charged in the By-laws of the Alumni Association with carrying out the directives for creating a slate of officers for election at the annual meeting. The members recruit and review alumni who have participated in alumni activities and are willing to give further of their time and expertise in setting policy for the Alumni Association.
Meetings: Meets three to five times between November and January.
Membership: The members are defined by the by-laws of the URI Alumni Association.

Contact: Michele Nota at mnota@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-5496.

Rhode Island Rams Athletic Association

Purpose: The purpose of this committee is to promote interest in and financial support for the URI athletic program. It has its own by-laws, chartered under the Alumni Association.
Membership: Defined by the by-laws of the RIRAA

Contact: Athletic Development at ttarinelli@foundation.uri.edu or 401-874-7536.

Purpose: The Council seeks to increase the influence of URI alumnae and female students in all aspects of life at the University, and in the larger world, through: enhanced opportunities for alumnae to interact with, and act as role models for, students and one another, meaningful programs to generate lasting relations with URI among students, and alumnae, greater participation of alumnae at all levels of University life, including fundraising, and an annual scholarship awarded to a female student who holds a leadership position on campus, demonstrates financial need, and maintains a 3.00 grad point average.

Meetings: The committee meets on a regular basis.

Membership: Membership is by invitation only.

Contact: Kathy Gianquitti at kgianquitti@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-4853.

Purpose: This committee helps to plan all aspects of Young Alumni events. Committee members help to select activities and are responsible for marketing, promotion, and all logistical aspects of the weekend.
Meetings: Bi-monthly meetings.
Membership: Any alumnus/na who has graduated from the University within the last decade and who is interested in helping to plan the event.
Contact: Jess Raffaele at jraffaele@advance.uri.edu or 401-874-4604.