Local leadership is essential to the strength of Penn’s alumni network. A new Penn program is putting out a call for leadership opportunities alumni can take on without leaving home.
Leading Locally
The new Regional Benjamin Franklin Society Representatives program provides an opportunity for young alumni to serve as connectors and champions for The Penn Fund
Published: September 22, 2022
Building on an old tradition, young alumni volunteers who are members of the Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS) can now apply to become Regional Representatives. Founded in 1955, BFS is a University-wide leadership annual giving society, which supports undergraduate student life and learning through annual giving.
The Regional BFS Representatives program was created one year ago. “We can’t be everywhere at once, but our Regional BFS Reps can,” says Lauren Buckheit, Associate Director of Young Alumni Philanthropy in The Penn Fund. “We created these new roles to enhance young alumni leadership and engagement in their own communities.”
Serving as local connectors and leaders, Regional BFS Representatives build personal relationships with other Penn alumni in their area, pledge a leadership gift to The Penn Fund, and serve on the local host committee for Young Alumni Philanthropic Leadership (YAPL) events. Participants range from first-time volunteers to seasoned volunteering veterans. “Community building has always been important to me,” says Ingemar Falcones, ENG ’19. “In this role, I can give back to Penn while building a community of BFS alumni in Washington, D.C.”
In the past, events for young alumni have been held in places like New York and San Francisco. With the help of new Regional BFS Representatives, Red and Blue cohorts are popping up in new locales. “During the pandemic, our younger alumni moved to cities like London, Los Angeles, and Miami,” says Buckheit. “This is a way for them to connect over their shared love of Penn in the cities they’ve fallen for.”
Regional Reps bring Penn communities together. We are geographically similar but diverse across graduation years, schools, and backgrounds. It’s energizing to come together around the shared goal of giving back to Penn in a meaningful way.”Kent Hutchison, W’18, Regional BFS Representative
In 2023, plans are underway for YAPL events in London, Los Angeles, and Miami. Stay tuned for more details. “Being a regional rep has allowed me to have a greater impact for Penn,” says Alyssa First, C’18. “Penn gave me so much, and alumni support is critical to providing these opportunities to others.”
Alumni can apply to be a Regional BFS Representative and start connecting with other graduates by contacting The Young Alumni and Student Philanthropy Team in The Penn Fund.
