A few months ago (maybe during Spring or early Summer) some of us got a message from Publishing Concepts that was creating/updating & adding Alumni info to an UH Directory.
You had the option to buy the directory digitally, as a hard-book, along with some goodies (sweatshirt, t-shirt, travel bag).
Today I received a message that the orders are delayed with no newly set estimated shipping date. Frankly, I had forgotten that I even paid for this, but glad they sent this update.
Find it very unusual to not even have an estimated shipping date at this point.
FWIW, I didn’t order the book. I have solicitations from Mike Pede
from Oct 25 2024 to participate and buy the book. So it’s been over a year
since kickoff.
Duce630
(DustinK - Thankfull that the hostages made it home after TWO YEARS with Hamas)
3
I hate those things because for one you have to do it on the phone. I was curious to see what merch they would offer but I never followed up.
Ima be so pissed if this was a scam…the offiicial UH Alumni Association sent an email telling us about their alumni directory collab with them, iirc.
2 Likes
Duce630
(DustinK - Thankfull that the hostages made it home after TWO YEARS with Hamas)
8
I don’t think it is a scam, this is a legitimate business that does these for universities, fraternities, etc. The value of their offering is debatable though.
They very well could be having a problem delivering timely, especially if they are using overseas suppliers.
I don’t think it’s a scam either; I’m just more like it was stated above, more a not real value thing to me. I want UHAA to grow and I’m sure they get some % back from the selected vendor on sales (I hope that’s how it works).
I want reasons to throw money at UHAA for nice, thoughtful trinkets; but at same
time I’d like UH to make legacy scholarships their priority in spending the donations.
And that’s why I’d like UHAA being more proactive in not steering us into things
that are “iffy” as you put it. It just damages the trust you place in the organization
as a whole and turnoff potential future donors.
2 Likes
Duce630
(DustinK - Thankfull that the hostages made it home after TWO YEARS with Hamas)
12
I would say the Alumni Directory deal is absolutely an old and probably outdated idea as a fundraiser. However, it must still be lucrative for it to be continuing in business. The fact that they rely on telesales really and not an internet based sales is a huge indicator of lack of innovation.
Yes, we absolutely need more modern fundraisers that have a value add. I don’t know what those would be.
For fundraising, one of my favorites is a stainless steel UH bookmaker I got from the old UH Alumni organization long time ago. Offer things like these with
all the historical logo variants for $50 - $100
donation gift a year. Offer some cool design Centennial trinkets or desk top novelty pieces. Maybe a yearly shirt with unique logo variants. Don’t gouge asking for
$250-1,000 donations. Offer UH cut stone ornaments for the yard, etc.
