2008 was the AFLSE’s most active year on record, with many activities and increasing involvement from prospective LSE students, returning new alumni and faculty visits.
Chapters, Special Interest Groups and Events
I am pleased to report that 190 events in 14 cities were publicized on our website this year. The majority were organized by the AFLSE but we also publicized many events organized by the LSE or co-sponsored with other groups. The events included happy hours, wine tastings, cultural visits, lectures and seminars.
The highlight event of the year was a reception, hosted by Sir Nigel Sheinwald, British Ambassador to the United States, at his residence in Washington DC on October 18. The sell-out event drew almost 250 AFLSE members and their guests.
Chapters and Special Interest Groups across the US organized a number of interesting events during the year including the following:
· New York/ Financial Services – a reception in honor of Sir Howard Davies, Director of the LSE
· Washington/ US Government – an address from Michael Chertoff, Director of Homeland Security, and an LSE alumnus, as part of a very successful Speaker Series.
· Boston – a reception in honor of the British Consul
· Los Angeles – a theatre event based on LSE founders Sidney and Beatrice Webb
LSE alumni are always interested in meeting LSE faculty and the AFLSE was delighted to participate in events featuring the following alumni/faculty:
· Prof. Ian Angell – San Francisco
· Mr. Charles Beckett – Boston
· Prof. Chris Brown – San Francisco
· Prof. Michael Cox – New York and San Francisco
· Prof. Mary Kaldor – New York
· Prof Arne Westad – New York
AFLSE and LSE jointly sponsored two very well attended GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) events in New York.
The AFLSE summer Bon Voyage program for students enrolling at the LSE in the fall was a great success, with the participation of 12 chapters. The tradition is greatly appreciated, both by LSE Admissions Office and the new students with whom it establishes excellent rapport for when they return to the US after their studies.
In early 2008 the AFLSE launched the following Special Interest Groups with their own web pages:
· Education
· Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD)
· Financial Services
· Intergovernmental Organizations
· LSE Students (Admitted and Current)
· Management Consulting
· Media
· Not for Profit/ NGO
· Real Estate
· US Government
These Special Interest Groups exist mainly to support the professional networking objectives of their members. The groups have held physical events in the US during the year but also strive to help their members through mentoring and other services that can be provided on line and by telephone. If you would like to join a group, please register at their web page under "Chapters and Groups" on the aflse website, www.aflse.org.
Web Site
2008 marked a further evolution in the website with the creation of separate calendar relevant pages for Chapters and Special Interest Groups. This has improved the look and feel of these pages, which resemble the home page. Additionally there is increased functionality and maintenance costs are reduced.
Membership
Our intermediate objective of enrolling at least 10% of all US alumni has still not been reached although net membership grew by over 200 during 2008 to a total of 1,340 at year end. Although we continue to grow the membership, regretfully we had 466 members who did not renew in 2008. If you were among them, we would encourage you to rejoin as soon as convenient at the membership tab on the web site, www.aflse.org.
Relations with LSE
During 2008 AFLSE and the LSE Foundation, based in New York, continued to work closely together on a number of important projects. Among those projects was an exciting initiative from the LSE to support the AFLSE through a challenge grant linked to our ability to assist LSE in meeting targets for the Annual Fund. You will be hearing more about this important initiative during 2009.
AFLSE benefited from the visit of Charlotte Armah, the new head of Alumni Relations at the LSE, who attended our British Embassy Reception and Board Meeting in Washington DC in October. We look forward to working constructively with Charlotte as new programs and initiatives are rolled out globally.
Scholarship Program
We have now awarded over 130 full or partial scholarships over the 30 years that the program has existed. The endowment continues to be actively invested to grow along with capital markets. In 2008 we awarded a full scholarship to Brett Noble, who has been active with AFLSE in assisting new students and has resuscitated the USA student society at LSE.
Volunteers
The AFLSE could not function without a significant effort from a large group of volunteers. We have a Board of 30 thoughtful and active members including significant chapter leadership. We count at least another 50 volunteers who work hard to make a success of our events held by chapters and groups as well as our regional representatives. We thank everyone who has contributed to making AFLSE a strong and vibrant group.
President Elect
Just as we closed off 2008, we were pleased to report that Beth Halpern, who currently chairs our Scholarship Committee, has agreed to be nominated to take over the AFLSE Presidency at the April 2009 Board Meeting. Beth and I will be working hard to ensure a smooth transition during 2009.
With best wishes for a happy and successful 2009.
Leon Desbrow
AFLSE President
