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NOTES ON REUNION PLANNING
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If you suddenly realized that it’s been 10, 20, 25, 30, 40 or 50 years since you graduated you might be wondering, What’s up with the reunion? Quite often other classmates are thinking the same thing but no one has taken the first step to plan the party, just waiting and hoping someone else will take the lead and mail you an invitation once all the plans have been set.
But if plans aren’t already underway and you’re itching to get the ball rolling, there’s no better place to start than with the alumni association. Keeping classmates in touch with one another is part of our mission. Contact us if you need to reach out to fellow grads who are members. We’re also here to offer planning guidance and to help publicize your event. The FHHS Alumni Association DOES NOT run class reunions. They must be arranged by members of the individual graduating classes.
The technology that exists today makes reunion planning easier than ever. Many websites offer advice. The one we like the best is Class Reunion Planning 101: http://www.reunionclass.com/ They have a comprehensive step-by-step guide that will make your head spin! Read it all – but use only the parts that make sense for what kind of reunion you want. Not everyone has the time to sign up national corporate sponsors or to design a website like our friends at Kokomo High School, Class of 1986: http://kokomo1986.com/ but you might pick up tips from them, too.
However you proceed, it is strongly recommended that no one plan a reunion without a trusty committee. Make a pledge not to let egos get in the way or to take things personally. This is supposed to be fun. The enthusiasm of the committee will spread exponentially and ensure a successful event. Use your email contacts, Facebook friends, flyers in supermarkets, etc. to reach out to classmates to form the committee and, once plans are in the works, to sell tickets to your event.
The process may seem daunting at times, but once the big day has arrived and you feel the hugs from old friends, hear the laughter and see the smiles, the years apart will melt away and you’ll be glad you didn’t sit around waiting for an invitation that never arrived.
