+ What do I get for becoming a Club member?

• Invitations to member-only events
• Free admission with a guest to designated in-person events (which are currently TBD due to COVID).
• Access to our online club directory
• Attend events and other activities throughout the year
  • Students: Invites to Club events (on breaks and over the summer) and on-campus gatherings with LA alums during the school year, receive care packages at the end of each semester, network with local alums
  • Alums: Monthly events, book clubs, opportunities to volunteer and hold a Club Board position, receive e-newsletter and social media communications, support the SCCLA and Spetnagel Endowed Scholarship Funds and more
• A sense of connection and long-lasting friendships with local alums and to Smith itself.

+ How do dues help the Club?

Dues help with expenses related to activities which promote social connections, networking, professional and personal development as well as enable the Club to contribute to our two Club Endowment Funds.

+ Where do dues go?

Dues go many places, including:

Admissions

• Support recruiting efforts for prospective students
• January event
• Admitted students party

Alum Support

• Help offset dues for those incurring financial hardship
• Sending at least one officer to Smith (or another location) for volunteer training and/or sending someone from Smith to LA to provide volunteer leadership training
• DEI leadership resources and training

Current Students

• Care package contents and shipping 2x/year to current students studying at Smith
• Back-to-Smith Sundae party
• Endowed Scholarship Support
• $5 of each individual membership automatically goes to our SCCLA/Spetnagel Endowed Scholarship Funds
• A lump-sum donation to the SCCLA/Spetnagel Endowed Scholarship Funds. Average donation is several thousand dollars annually

Operations

• Website hosting/service, newsletter, accounting software platform fees
• Shipping supplies and postage for merchandise sales
• Zoom video conferencing, Eventbrite fees, credit card processing and transaction fees
• Mailing a few dozen newsletters to older alums who do not have email accounts
• Accountant

Social & Networking

• Food & Beverage at most events and supplies
• All events free
• Space rental fees for in-person events in greater Los Angeles
• Speaker Fees adn Transportation fees, as needed

+ Why has the membership structure changed?

As part of our commitment to inclusion, the Club wanted to find ways for every member of the Smith Community in LA to participate and feel welcome. And we wanted the structure itself to be Smithie by design.

+ What are the different membership offerings?

learn more here

+ Do you offer a special rate for alums living in the Inland Empire?

The Club has streamlined the dues structure to be based on class year vs location. Zoom has been an unexpected benefit of COVID. The Club plans to continue to offer programming by Zoom post-pandemic as a means to reach alums who are not able to make some or all of our in-person programming.

+ What is the Club membership year?

The membership year begins July 1st and ends June 30th. This is in line with Smith’s fiscal year.

+ Can I sign up for membership year-round?

Yes, you can sign up for membership at any time. However, regardless of when you sign up, your membership will expire in June, at the end of the Club membership year.

+ Where can I register for membership?

You can register here.

+ What are the SCCLA and Spetnagel Endowed Scholarships?

• The SCCLA (Smith College Club of Los Angeles) Endowed Scholarship Fund was established over 50 years ago by a group of LA area alums.
• The Spetnagel Endowed Scholarship Fund was established by a group of Pasadena alums in honor of Louise Spetnagel '29.
• The funds are managed and disbursed by the College, annually, to 2-4 current LA area students.
• The Club raises funds for these scholarships through membership dues and fundraising activities and sends contributions to these Funds regularly.

+ I no longer live in LA, but how can I stay involved?

Any alum is welcome to become a member of the Smith College Club of Los Angeles. You can stay connected through our groups on Facebook and LinkedIn along with our presence on Instagram and Twitter. Many of our events and activities - like book clubs, health and wellness sessions, and guest speakers - will take place on Zoom, even post-COVID. In addition there are numerous volunteer opportunities that can be done from the comfort of your home - wherever that may be.

+ I went online to register yet I would prefer to send a check? How do I do that?

Email Heather Jones at treasurer@smithclubla.org.

+ Can parents of current students or alums become Club members?

Yes. We welcome Parent involvement wholeheartedly! Please select your child’s class year on the Membership Registration page.

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