Planning your Reunion: Step-by-Step Help and Tips
Alumni/Development Office Services
- Two mailings: this includes, supplies at the discretion of the Development Office, assistance with design, and postage. The committee will be responsible for labeling and stuffing mailings
- Publicity and contact information on the EC web site and publications throughout the year
- Committee meetings can be held at Eastside Catholic School with the assistance of the Development Office
- Photos from archives, annuals, and clippings from class files can be borrowed to make nametags, pamphlets, or a class collage. The committee will need to be responsible for setting a up a time to gather this information and return it in good condition to Eastside Catholic
- An EC Spirit package that contains logoed merchandise
- The Development staff will work with the committee to secure any appearances by President Sr. Mary E. Tracy or Chaplain William Heric
- The Development Office will not staff your Reunion events
Committee Suggested Timeline
| October/November |
|
Form committee; choose committee chair October/November |
| November/January |
|
Update class mailing list |
| January |
|
Reserve venue; return updated list to the Alumni Office |
| February |
|
Plan Events & First informational mailing to classmates |
| April |
|
Second mailing to classmates for reservations |
| April-May |
|
Plan awards, special programs, and any handout pieces |
| June |
|
Alumni Weekend and Reunion |
Committee Responsibilities
- Writing Letters
- The first informational mailing should provide the main details for the class reunion and include a biographical survey to help plan additional activities based on family status, interests, etc.
- The second mailing is to take reservations and payment. Including a pre-addressed envelope and/or e-mail/web site to help expedite responses if desired
Updating the Class List
- Calling and/or e-mailing classmates to verify addresses
- Using directories, internet searches, and classmates to find missing addresses of classmates
- Report all changes back to the Alumni Office
Handling Class Funds
- Locating any existing funds if there have been previous reunions
- Setting up an account with a local bank
- Collecting and depositing checks (if using a bank)
Handling Event Details
- Reserving the facility, caterer, photographer band, and/or DJ
- Choosing decorations, arranging deliveries, and forming a set-up committee
- Staffing events including finding volunteers to serve as event set-up and take down, greeters, money collectors, photographers, etc.
Communicating with Classmates
- Creating a class e-mail list for regular updates
- Organize a phone effort to encourage attendance and update addresses
Suggested Venues
- Inexpensive or Cost Free
- Eastside Catholic School
- Classmate’s Home
- Apartment Clubhouse
- Church Social Hall
- Party Room at Restaurant
Restaurants/Lounges
Hotels
Suggested Photographers
Suggested Caterers
Other Suggestions
- Try to use alumni for catering or other services
- Have a family event on Saturday
- Bind a biographical survey into a booklet and give out at the reunion
- Copy senior write-ups, class prophecies, and class wills to display or hand out
- Create a class directory
- Display class photos, memorabilia, or old uniforms
- Vote on “most changed,” “greatest distance traveled,” “most number of kids,” etc.
- Create nametags with class photo and have spouse wear the photo as well
- Contact local newspapers and radio stations and have them announce the reunion
- Invite former teachers, coaches, event non-graduates who were in your class
- Video activities to watch at a later reunion or send to those who cannot attend
- Hire a professional photographer to take a class picture
- Make a class contribution to Eastside Catholic School
- Utilize the EC web site to get information out about reunions and post pictures from the reunion
Back to News and Events