HOW TO PLAN YOUR REUNION

By Gail Thibodeau 75

A.        CREATE A REUNION COMMITTEE - THIS IS A BIG JOB!

1.         Start planning at nine to twelve months prior to when you hope to schedule your reunion.  Invite a few who served on the committee for your last reunion as they likely will have contact info that can be used in planning the next reunion.

2.         Ask classmates if they would consider being on the planning committee.  If possible, it’s helpful to ask classmates who still live in the area as they can be most helpful and attend planning meetings.

3.         The easiest way is to create a Facebook group for your reunion. 

4.         Once you have found approximately five others willing to help, schedule a meeting.

B.        FIRST COMMITTEE MEETING

1.         Ask who is interested in being chair, vice-chair, treasurer and secretary of the committee.

2.         The secretary or vice-chair should consult with the chair to put together an agenda for each meeting.  The secretary records minutes and sends to committee members.

3.         Consider several venues for your reunion.  Contact the banquet managers to get menus, pricing, dates available, etc. after you’ve  confirmed some dates that the committee is available to attend.  Visit venues if possible.  The committee can select what items you want on the buffet.

C.        FINDING CLASSMATES

1.         Start with the list from the last reunion.  One person should take the lead on noting who we still need to find contacts info for.  Check Facebook, www.fastpeoplesearch.com.  I don’t recommend classmates.com which requires a member fee and unless the person you’re looking for is a paying member, they won’t be able to read a message you send to them (even though you are a paying member).  Once a list has been created as to classmates you’d like to locate, share that list with the committee so they can see if they are friends with them or know of their whereabouts. Also check instagram and google as well as white pages.com.  Make all attempts to find people so you can keep the cost of printing and mailing the flier to those where we only have a snail mail address.

D.        CREATE A FLIER

1.         Once a date has been established and a price has been set, create a flier that can be shared on social media. 

E.         DECIDE IF YOU’LL HAVE AN AFTER-PARTY

1.         Check out possible venues not too far from the main event.  Visit and pick one.

F.         MUSIC

1.         DJ - get recommendations on affordable great DJ’s. 

G.        CREATE AN “IN MEMORIAM” LIST

1.         Some reunion committees put together a slide show that can play during the reunion of classmates who have passed.

H.        PICTURES

1.         Some committees decide to put together a keepsake book of their reunion.  It is recommended that if the committee decides to do this that they ask for payment in advance.   Need to ask someone to take photos at the event to save on costs.

I.          BANKING/TICKETS

1.         Establish a bank account with two committee members on the account.  Create VENMO as this is very popular for ease of making payments for tickets.  Also have a mailing address publicized for those who want to send a check. 

            Sometimes people  ask if they can pay at the door.  It is wise to add $5-10 to the ticket price for those who choose that option.

J.         PHOTO BOOTH?

1.         This is a fun add on but you need someone on the committee to take charge of creating this.  The other option is to pay  about $400 for a professional to bring one to your event.

K.        SETTING TICKET PRICE

1.          Determine what extras will cost such as balloons, DJ, decorations (find out what decorations the caterer will provide such as red, blue and gold  napkins).  Add some extra $ to what the caterer charges.  Don’t forget the wait staff gets tipped too.  Set a cut-off date as last date to buy tickets at the discounted price.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the Age of AI, let's see what goodies AI can add to this great How To Plan Your Reunion Tips. See below.

AI - Generated Signature Reunion Experience Ideas

1. “Then & Now” Showcase

Display side-by-side yearbook photos with current pics.

2. Time Capsule Reopening - If your class created a time capsule, open it at the reunion.

3. Retro Prom Reboot or High School Reboot Costume Reunion

Prom Reboot—Recreate prom with better music,  re-wear  or re-create what you wore (or parody)

High School Reboot Costume Reunion - Dress like the era you attended Frankford or a TV/movie character or pop icon from that era.

4. Hall Pass Reunion

Decorate the venue like the original school with “detention,” “homeroom,” and cafeteria zones.

Decorate standing lockers or locker photo backdrops for people to pose in front of.

5. Video Yearbook Wall

Collect short video clips from classmates who can’t attend and loop themm on a screen with

music.

6. Alumni Mixer Bingo

Ice-breaker Cards like: “Find an alumni who married their high school sweetheart.” “Find an alumni who has a name tattoo.” “Find an alumni who didn’t attend the prom,” etc.,  

7. Playlist Memory Lane

Ask former classmates to submit songs that remind them of high school. Play them during the reunion and send out the Spotify link upon request post-reunion.

8. Letters to Our Teen Selves Display

Write notes to your high school selves prior to reunion and share on a wall at the reunion.

9. 15 Minute Scavenger Hunt - Ice breaker