Volunteering at SU
The Division of Alumni Relations (DAR) offers dozens of ways to become involved in the Matie community. No matter your interests, background, hometown or availability, there are several opportunities for you to become an active part of life at Stellenbosch University (SU). Have a look at the information below, then get in touch via alumni@sun.ac.za.
a) Become involved at your local hub or chapter
Moving to Gauteng? Lost in London? Working in Worcester? Chances are, there are Stellenbosch graduates in your area who are eager to be welcomed into the local community; maybe you’re on the move yourself.
Do you see fundraising opportunities around you or ways to refresh your social group with Maties from different areas, industries and fields of interest?
Currently, SU has 24 regional and affinity communities worldwide, all of which are dedicated to planning fun events that promote alumni interaction.
These events can’t happen without a dedicated planning committee. Are you fun loving and social? Affinity, regional or international alumni leadership might be for you.
Click here to find out more.
b) Are you a runner, walker, cyclist?
The DAR is always looking for alumni leaders to volunteer and to help recruit others who are interested in running a marathon, doing a cycling tour or entering a walkathon to raise funds for your alma mater. We’ll help to sign up a charity entry, set up your fundraising platform and draft your email appeals. Together we can strengthen the Maties community.
Click here to find out more.
c) Become a Maties Promoter
Become a social media ambassador – a Maties Promoter – and help spread the word about the latest alumni news and events to your friends, followers and colleagues on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Each time you share content, you’ll earn points to win data or alumni merchandise. Learn more and sign up at alumni@sun.ac.za.
d) Help with a reunion
Are you a Matie Homecoming Weekend regular? You might consider joining your class committee and reconnect with colleagues and friends. If you would like to help plan reunion events for your first-year residence or PSO group, your class or club, you can become a Reunion Champion. Email the Reunion and Homecoming team at alumni@sun.ac.za.
e) Stand for the SU Convocation or for nomination by Convocation to the SU Council or Institutional Forum
The SU Convocation is comprised of everyone who has obtained a degree at the University. You are the Convocation, and the Convocation is you – along with the Rector, the deputy vice-chancellors, the Chief Operating Officer, all current full-time academic staff and all former full-time academic staff who have left the University’s employ on account of their having reached retirement age.
The purpose of the Convocation is to promote the University’s welfare in a mutually beneficial relationship between the University and the members of the Convocation.
The Convocation must elect a president, a vice-president, a secretary and two other members; they form the Executive Committee (EC) of the Convocation. All EC members hold office for three years and may be re-elected for a maximum of three consecutive terms.
That’s the first election process. The Convocation must hold further elections to appoint members from its ranks to Council and to the Institutional Forum, and to nominate persons for the position of SU Chancellor.
Of the 25 Council members, three persons are elected to Council by the Convocation from its ranks, while three Council members are elected by SU donors. These Council members serve for four years and may be re-elected, ‑designated or ‑appointed for a maximum of three consecutive terms (either in the same or any other capacity). Council holds at least two ordinary meetings per semester.
The Institutional Forum consists of 23 members, who are representatives from each of the following sectors – governance and management, staff, students and the community. One community representative is elected by the Convocation from its ranks, provided that the person may not be an SU employee or student.
Previously , annual and special Convocation meetings had to be attended in person. The 2019 amendment to the Stellenbosch University Statute provides for Convocation members to participate via electronic means, with a view to facilitating the highest possible percentage of member participation.
The president or, in the absence of the president, the vice-president of the Convocation must convene an annual meeting, and may call an extraordinary Convocation meeting upon written request by 100 or more members of the Convocation. The quorum for a Convocation meeting is 250 members.
Email konvokasie@sun.ac.za for more information.
f) Volunteer on a committee or board
Many SU faculties have advisory boards that are intended to foster closer ties with industry. Usually, such boards meet at least twice a year to discuss issues such as skills development and the development of multi-disciplinary approaches towards the complex technological challenges of the future, and internships for undergraduate and postgraduate students in various industrial sectors. Also, researchers at the faculties present their work in focus areas. If you are an industry leader, this is a great way to become involved in your home faculty or another faculty that is aligned with the industry in which you find yourself. For more information email alumni@sun.ac.za.
More specifically, twelve prominent business leaders from South Africa, Africa and Europe hold positions on the Advisory Board of the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB). This is a functional advisory group that assists the USB in executing its role and core values as a business school that is deeply immersed in the African landscape. By providing guidance, insight and support from an industry perspective, they help to ensure that the USB’s programmes remain relevant in the world of work. For more information email usbalumni@usb.ac.za.
Many SU residences and PSO wards have alumni committees with the general purpose of promoting the sense of belonging and unity among alumni who used to live there and students who stay there currently. The alumni committee aim to promote the image of the residence or PSO ward; help to expand the interests of former and current Maties by means of the most suitable channels (without interfering in the residence’s management and its relationship with the University); make bursaries and/or other kinds of support available to residents and prospective residents; and often seek to establish a fund to achieve these goals and administrate them. If your residence is your main passion, chat with your DAR contact person about the potential of this opportunity at alumni@sun.ac.za.
Maybe, after reading all of this, you’re just not sure? Here’s how else you can be involved with your alma mater without volunteering:
· Follow and share our social media channels.
We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
· Keep visiting our website, www.matiealumni.com.
· Attend events
Quite apart from the virtual events discussed on our website, there are 24 regional alumni communities worldwide and the number is growing. All of them are dedicated to planning fun events that promote alumni interaction. Learn more about your local community here, and join us for an event in your city or town.
· Join MatiesConnect – your one-stop portal for career, community and connections.
MatiesConnect is our online alumni directory and networking platform. You can expand your professional network, find a mentor, reach out to other alumni and reminisce about your varsity days, and keep up to date on what’s happening at your alma mater. Moreover, we’ve set up a Job Board section where you can post or locate current job opportunities for yourself and fellow alumni. We’ve also included a Business Directory section, where you can list your business or services so that fellow Maties may be aware of what you offer and can contact you directly. Lastly, you can use MatiesConnect to lend your expertise by giving advice to a current student or recent graduate!
· Support Maties Sport
Maties Sport teams love your support! Get together with alumni and friends to watch Matie teams play live or on TV.
The 2021 edition of the FNB Varsity Cup Rugby was played in a secure bio-bubble at the University of Pretoria from 4 April to 24 May. For the first time, comprehensive broadcast coverage of FNB Varsity Shield matches was provided, too. Varsity Shield is the second-tier Varsity Rugby competition, contested on an annual basis. These tournaments showcase the best in young rugby talent today. A bit of reorganising is taking place at the moment: as from the 2023 season, there will be eight teams in the Cup championship and eight in the Shield championship.
SuperSport has undertaken to broadcast 34 of the 48 FNB Varsity Cup matches live on DSTV and – for the first time ever – all 22 FNB Varsity Shield fixtures.
(PS: In order to be eligible for the FNB Varsity Cup, players need to have 60 academic credits. They are and remain student athletes first and foremost.)
· Reunite with friends
Attend Maties Homecoming Weekend in Stellenbosch or at your international hub.
· Receive our newsletters, invitations and bulletins.
Remember, we cannot share with you information about any of these opportunities unless we know how to reach you! Update your contact information to learn more and stay informed; email alumni@sun.ac.za today.
