This page was last update on March 26th, 2011
We still have well over 3 years before our 50th high school reunion, so don’t fret about getting old yet! Nobody knows what the future holds for us – but there is a better than even chance the 50th reunion may very well be the last “formal / organized” reunion we have. Maybe not – but I would like to plan accordingly – just in case. I’d rather be wrong than sorry!
Having been involved in planning the last two reunions, I have learned that once the overall plan is agreed upon, the actual implementation of the plan is a piece of cake – especially if you delegate! So I have decided to begin the delegation early - by asking all alumni to help us with the four basic issues that always make it difficult to plan a reunion.
1. What date(s) in 2014 should we hold the reunion?
2. What activities should be included?
3. How much do we charge?
4. How do we encourage people who have never attended - to attend?
Some people have suggested we think “out-of-the-box” when planning this reunion. After all, it will probably be the best attended ever, and maybe even the last one. Others believe we need to be realistic in our planning so as many alumni as possible are able to attend. I believe we can satisfy both camps if we begin early enough and get input from all alumni – not just the few people on the planning committee. Accordingly, this is what I am asking each of you to do!
Print this page, and add the printout to your “to-do-list”. As time permits through the month of April, seriously think about the above four questions. Make notes on the print-out. Don’t respond until you have thought thru each question! For example:
· If you can find a 2014 calendar, look to see if you have any dates you would prefer, or prefer to avoid.
· Think about what you would like to do at the reunion. Do you prefer a short (i.e. 1-2 day) reunion, or a longer reunion to fit in a variety of activities (i.e. an “oldies” dance, trivia contests, golf outing, city/regional tours, formal dinner, professional entertainment, web casts with alumni who couldn’t make it, a cruise before or after the reunion, or whatever else you think would be fun!)
· Are there any skills you have that might make one of these activities easier / cheaper to implement?
· Think about how much you are willing to spend, per person, knowing you have three years to plan accordingly. Can you afford to anonymously pay a portion of the cost for an individual who cannot afford to attend? If so – how much? (If you are willing and able to pay for the entire reunion, forget this message, and call me directly!)
When you believe you have put enough thought into this – simply reply with your preferences and thoughts by clicking here. I’m not worried about the length of your response (too short or too long); the content of your response (positive or negative). My only wish is that you respond! And do so by May 1st, 2011.
Reunion committee members, who wish to participate, will review your responses. Hopefully before summers end we can make a decision on the date for our 50th Class Reunion, along with the “most likely” activities. (Only the date will be in concrete – activities may change based on what it will take to implement!). We will then notify all alumni with a “3 year in advance” save the date message via e-mail – as well as a mailing to those we don’t have e-mail addresses.
Thank you in advance for your time and response!
Dwayne Ballard
(Self appointed reunion chair – until someone else wants the job!)