Frequently Asked Questions

Purpose and activities

What does SUGUNA stand for?

Sydney University North America Graduates Union

What does SUGUNA do?

We are alumni and friends of Sydney University who run social and networking events throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, aimed at connecting with one another and remaining connected to the university. We are always excited about ideas from our members about how best to do this (see more on how to get involved).

Some of our previous activities have included larger-scale conferences, alumni awards, and scholarships. We welcome students from Sydney University who are here temporarily as part of their studies or training, and we are proud to represent the interests of our members in North America.

For example, SUGUNA was involved in promoting changes in Australian law to allow retention of Australian citizenship upon gaining another citizenship — this change happened in 2002. SUGUNA also contributed a letter to a 2004 Australian Senate Inquiry into the expatriate community that was included in the committee’s final report “They Still Call Australia Home”. This letter encouraged the Australian government to more fully engage with the Australian Diaspora community, and automatically reinstated Australian citizenship to native-born Australians who lost it before the 2002 law change.

Membership questions

Am I a member of SUGUNA?

If you’re receiving emails from the SUGUNA Mailchimp mailing list (sent from a “usydnorthamerica.org” email address), you are a member. Membership does not need to be renewed and is ongoing unless you request removal (this is now a self-serve process, as is updating your membership details).

If you cannot locate an email, and are unsure of your status, please contact us first and we can check otherwise you may create a duplicate registration.

Do I need to do anything to remain a member?

No! Membership continues as long as you wish. Keep your subscription active with a current email address to remain in good standing.

You can update your details such as email address or location. To leave SUGUNA, see this question. All members must provide accurate information about their connection to the University.

Why am I a “member” instead of just a “subscriber”?

Being a member allows you to vote on SUGUNA’s direction! SUGUNA is a US-based 501(c)(7) tax-exempt social club. Our by-laws give ultimate control to members, typically exercised via the AGM. This mailing list helps track members, determine quorums, and notify members of AGMs and membership-wide actions.

Joining the mailing list = becoming a member in good standing.
Leaving the mailing list = stepping down as a member.

The AGM allows members to vote on Board nominations and by-law changes. With virtual AGMs, this list ensures all members are notified.

Learn more about tax-exempt social clubs on the IRS website.

What information do you keep about members?

We maintain minimal information:

First name
Last name
Email address
Membership category (alumni, student, staff, faculty, friend)
Town/City (optional)
State/Province (optional)
Country

Optional items help communicate relevant regional events. Mailchimp may also track updates and logins for list administrators. See our full privacy policy. All information is removed upon unsubscribing.

How do I update my details such as email address or location?

Click Update your preferences link at end of any email sent via the mailing list. See below for where to find this link:

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Clicking on the link will send you to a webpage with a button to “Email Me a Link”, see below:

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Clicking this button will send you an email with a link to a page that will allow you to modify your details. On this page you can update information (e.g. email address, location) that needs to be changed, and then save.

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The link that is emailed to you expires within 24 hours for security and ensures that only you can modify your own preferences, otherwise anyone with access to the email could change your details.

If you cannot find an email, or are unsure if you are signed up as a member, contact us.

Note: If you unsubscribe completely, you will no longer be a SUGUNA member.

Getting involved

How can I get more involved in helping SUGUNA and fellow alumni?

We welcome member involvement! Some ways to participate:

Follow us on LinkedIn and/or Facebook — helps boost our profile and reach more people.
Volunteer to run or help with events — contact us. We coordinate with other nearby members and the University’s “Glocal” meetup system.
Attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) — the next AGM is anticipated in the first half of 2025. This is where Board nominations are discussed and is an opportunity to meet members virtually across North America.
Share your ideas — if you have something else in mind, contact us.

Can my friend join SUGUNA?

Yes! If they are alumni, current students, staff or faculty, they are eligible. Non-alumni and “friends of the University of Sydney” or SUGUNA may also join if they are agree to the mission of SUGUNA. Direct them to the SUGUNA sign-up page where they can indicate their connection to the University.

Contributing financially

Do you have dues? How do I support SUGUNA financially?

We don’t currently have mandatory membership dues, however, we can accept contributions from members. Membership contributions to SUGUNA the organization directly, by supporting expenses for our operations (although have no staff and all operations are run by volunteers, we have hosting and platform expenses). Contributions are not passed through to the University of Sydney.

In addition, although we are a tax-exempt charity, as a 501(c)(7) membership benefit organization, contributions are not tax-deductible for the member. Please contact us for details on how to contribute.

I'm based in North America—how do I support the University of Sydney directly?

United States

Donations to the University of Sydney USA Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) charity are tax-deductible and generally support the University of Sydney, directly. Donations can be earmarked for specific purposes, including SUGUNA-related activities. However, by law, no more than 35% of SUGUNA’s income may come from general donations of this kind, as our primary focus must remain on membership services.
Canada and Mexico

Canadian and Mexican-based supporters can contribute through international giving mechanisms; however, tax treatment varies, so local advice is recommended.

Mailing list

What will be posted on the list?

This list is used to send notifications about SUGUNA governance that must be sent to all members, such as the Annual General Meeting (AGM). It is not possible to opt-out of these notifications unless you choose to leave SUGUNA entirely by unsubscribing.

We also send announcements about SUGUNA events and opportunities to meet fellow alumni and members in your region. You can opt out of these event notifications if you wish. Overall, this is a fairly low-volume list.

Why do I need to subscribe separately if I provided my details to the University?

SUGUNA is legally separate from the University, and privacy laws prevent direct data sharing. As an independent 501(c)(7) organization, we maintain our own member list. Members are encouraged to also update their information with the University here.

Can I remain a member but unsubscribe from the list?

No — membership and mailing list subscription are equivalent.

You can opt-out of all non-essential emails by updating your preferences and unselecting “All other announcements (events etc.)”, ensuring you only receive membership-related emails like AGMs.

How do I remove myself from the list?

You can click “Unsubscribe” from the bottom of any email that you receive from the list and you will be removed from this mailing list and as a member of SUGUNA.

If you change your mind later, you may rejoin by re-signing up at any time, via the SUGUNA website.

If you can’t find any emails from us (search for emails from “usydnorthamerica.org” ), please contact us.

Contact us

I still have questions! Who do I contact?

Email us at: Email us