Engagement Committee
Terms of Reference
 

Approved by the Board on 12 July 2024
Updated by the Board on 27 February 2025

1

Purpose

 

The Engagement Committee (the “Committee”) is established by the Board (the “Board”) of the Harvard Club of Singapore (the “Club”) to foster strong, enduring relationships between the Club and (a) the Harvard alumni community in Singapore; (b) donors; (c) sponsors; and (d) the Singapore community.

 

The Committee will lead the efforts to deepen engagement, encourage participation and secure sustained support – both financial and non-financial – for the Club’s mission, goals and initiatives.

2

Duties and Responsibilities

 

The Nominating Committee shall:

  • Strengthen alumni, donor and sponsor ties to the Club through meaningful engagement opportunities.

  • Promote awareness of the Club’s achievements, priorities and needs.

  • Support fundraising initiatives by cultivating relationships and encouraging giving.

  • Facilitate networking, mentoring and volunteer opportunities for alumni.

  • Collaborate with the Board and other Club committees to align advancement strategies and outreach efforts.

  • Provide inputs to the Board on strategies to increase alumni participation in events, campaigns and governance.

  • Build connections with the Singapore community to promote awareness of Harvard’s and the Club’s contributions to Singapore.

3

Membership

3.1

The Committee shall have 3 to 11 members, including at least one Board representative.

3.2

Members should:

  • Be active participants in Club events; and

  • Reflect the diversity of Harvard alumni in age, gender, degree type, school, ethnicity, geographic distribution, and level of involvement with Harvard.

3.3

Members serve one-year terms from May 1 to April 30. Appointments are made during the first quarter of the fiscal year.

3.4

The Committee chair serves as the liaison between the Club and the Committee. Therefore, it is preferable that the Committee chair be a current Board member or, if applicable, a Vice President responsible for the Club’s annual programme. The Club President appoints the Committee chair.

3.5

The incoming chair appoints members for the term in consultation with the President.

3.6

All appointments require the support of a majority of non-conflicted Board members.

3.7

In selecting Committee members, priority should be given to appointing alumni who have the resources and network that is best suited to the Committee’s focus area for the year.  E.g., if the focus of the year is to increase sponsorship for specific events, priority should be given to alumni who are best able to obtain sponsorships for the Club.

4

Responsibilities

 

Committee members are expected to:

  • Attend and actively participate in meetings.

  • Serve as ambassadors of the Club and Harvard University in Singapore.

  • Assist the Events Committee in planning and promoting events and campaigns.

  • Identify and recruit potential volunteers, donors and sponsors.

  • Identify and secure opportunities for the Club to participate in events that deliver positive impact to the wider Singapore community.

  • Provide feedback and recommendations on engagement strategies.

  • Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in representing the Club.

  • Represent the Club’s values and mission.

  • Sign the Club’s Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement.

 

5

Meetings

5.1

The Committee shall meet quarterly or more frequently as needed.

5.2

Meetings may be virtual or in-person.


5.3

A simple majority of voting members constitutes a quorum.

6

Leadership

6.1

The chair shall:

  • Recruit and onboard Committee members;

  • Lead meetings and set agendas in collaboration with Committee members;

  • Consult with the Board on annual Committee goals;

  • Submit event budgets and income projections to the Club treasurer for approval;

  • Report regularly to the Board;

  • Lead the Committee’s annual evaluation (see Section 7).

6.2

The Committee shall appoint a vice-chair and secretary from among its voting members.

6.3

The vice-chair supports the chair and serves in their absence.

6.4

The secretary records and circulates meeting minutes and submits approved records to the Club secretary.

 

7

Evaluation

 

An annual review shall be conducted to assess the Committee’s effectiveness and refine its operations.

 

8

Ultimate Authority

 

The Board retains authority to:

  • Amend this Charter;

  • Appoint or remove Committee members; and

  • Dissolve the Committee in the best interest of the Club.