An agreement was signed this year between the Alumni Association and the University of Manitoba which will strengthen the partnership between the two organizations and all university alumni. Graduates are now given no-fee memberships and the complete range of benefits from the Alumni Association, including the Alumni Journal three times a year. The Alumni Association was unique in Canada in that its members consisted only of those who paid dues, in contrast to other such associations and institutions that include all alumni as members. The agreement came as a result of the recommendation in the Task Force on Strategic Planning which identified the need for increased communication with all graduates.