Dear Fellow TJ Alum,
The TJ Alumni Association has recently merged with the TJ Partnership Fund in order to more effectively serve alumni and support the school. The TJ Partnership Fund is more than just fundraising: it has broadened its mission to include supporting the special relationship of TJ alumni with each other and with the school. Within the TJPF, the newly formed Alumni Association Board will continue similar alumni communications and events, but will have additional financial and logistical support.
Our Alumni Association Board goal is to strengthen the TJ alumni community with social events, online venues for news, job postings and career advice, and awareness of opportunities to give back to TJ through volunteering and/or donations as your time and finances permit.
For details on the merger background, TJ news, alumni engagement and the volunteer opportunity, please keep reading. Thanks!
Best,
Kevin Gormley ‘95
Chair of Alumni Association Board, TJ Partnership Fund
MERGER BACKGROUND
In 1999, with ten TJ classes graduated, the TJ Alumni Association was formed to “to foster community among the alumni and to strengthen alumni connections to the school.” After fifteen more classes graduated, TJ alumni now number over 10,000 worldwide. Alumni make use of our online communities: 3,000+ on the LinkedIn TJHSST Alumni Group, 7,000+ on the Facebook TJHSST Alumni Group, and 5,000+ on our tjhsstalumni.org alumni profile database.
In recent years, alumni have increased their commitment towards TJ through volunteering such as the Alumni Career Education Fair as well as financial donations to the TJ Partnership Fund (TJPF) to supply advanced research equipment to current students. The TJ Partnership Fund’s two paid staff members at TJ have provided logistical support for alumni events, which benefited the all-volunteer TJ Alumni Association. In addition, TJPF has paid incidental expenses for select alumni events. With closely aligned missions and synergies, combining the two organizations into a single entity was agreed to by both boards.
Many current and former TJ Alumni Association and TJPF board members have worked very hard for over a year to make this transition a success. We also thank John Matteo, President of Jackson & Campbell P.C., for his pro bono legal assistance.
TJ NEWS
TJ is undergoing an extensive renovation to double the lab space and modernize the facilities. While Fairfax County is paying for the standard bricks and mortar, private funds are enabling the 13 research labs to be expanded and equipped with cutting-edge technology. Private funds will also enable the Jefferson Collaborative Inquiry and Research Network (JCIRN), an infrastructure that will facilitate TJ students in collaborating with outside researchers (including alumni!). Pictures of the construction and more details can be seen at tjpartnershipfund.org.
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
Our vision of alumni engagement is for each TJ alum to feel part of our TJ community whether it is reviewing job postings on our LinkedIn group, reading TJ related news on our Facebook group, looking up an old friend on our tjhsstalumni.org site, seeking or offering career advice on our future tjhsstalumni.org site (under construction), attending an alumni happy hour, or reconnecting at Reunions.
Alumni will also be made aware of opportunities for volunteering (virtually or in-person) and donating to TJ (directly or facilitating corporate gifts) as your time and finances permit. Volunteers and private donations enhanced our experience while we attended TJ. I give back to TJ to support future classes who will do ever more amazing things.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - Alumni Fundraising Coordinator
We’re seeking an alumni fundraising coordinator (or two) to help support the efforts to raise $8M for the Campaign For TJ // Leading the Future. The Coordinator(s) should be eager to make connections and build support.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Project management/organization
- Experience asking for help, participation, or donations
Key responsibilities:
- Promote the campaign message with alumni
- Work closely with PF staff to find innovative ways to reach out and get in touch with alumni
- Work with class captains to help monitor and motivate donation progress
- Help conceptualize and organize events or gatherings that will generate campaign awareness and revenue
If interested, please email: Tia Kinis (akinis@fcps.edu). Thanks!
