The first place we went was the college Alumni Office. However, we also had to do some research in old class records, annuals, scrap books, record books, press releases, and old team rosters. The next step was to use these people from the past to create a sense of tradition and achievement for the program. Our first task was to create a newsletter to send to forensics and debate alumni. The newsletter includes tournament achievements, to thoughts from team members, a Coach's Corner, a place for alumni to send in reflections of their public speaking experience at YHC, and news or thank you's for donations.
Students are also aware of the creation of archives and records from the past.
Luckily the hard work of getting the association started literally paid off. Every year we have a fund raising campaign for nationals. It is stated in the newsletter, followed by mailings to the members of the Alumni Association, and when money is received a thank you goes out signed by all the team members. Students have hands on in the fundraising process by stuffing envelopes, taking care of mass mailings, and creating the letter for distribution. At the start of our association we had difficulty in being taken seriously by our Alumni and college.