Suggestions for Planning Class Reunions

A class reunion is among the most common, pleasant ways to reconnect with old classmates and teachers. But if you had a fairly large graduating class, planning your class reunion can become a bit overwhelming. Luckily, if you take the time to form a reunion committee, keep in contact with those members at regularly scheduled intervals and erect a class reunion Web site for online registration, your class reunion will turn out to be a successful, fun and memorable event.

Reunion Committee

Contact several members of your graduating class. Tell them of the class reunion plans and ask if they have time to become a member of the class reunion committee. Appoint a reunion chairperson, treasurer and classmate contact coordinator. Schedule a regular meeting time for all class reunion committee members to meet to discuss the reunion's progress. Have committee members set up Skype accounts for designated conference calls.

Subcommittees

Divide your class reunion committee into subcommittees that will focus on individual class reunion projects. Some subcommittee tasks that will need individualized attention are event venue, format and program, financing, decorations, prizes and awards, advertising, deceased classmate tribute, games and other activities, as well as a collective class gift or donation.

Single-day or Multiday Event?

Brainstorm the advantages and disadvantages of having a single-day event or multiday event. While a single-day event can be enjoyable, multiday class reunions offer classmates further time to catch up with old friends and teachers and can give out-of-towners more bang for their buck.

Multiday reunions can be kept fresh with games, specialized activities and events and even "field trips" to favorite off-campus hangouts. But if a single-day event is the only feasible option, a formal or retro-themed affair can make the event more fun-filled and enjoyable.

Web Site

Set up a class reunion Web site. Include the class reunion announcement, a classmate list, a teacher and classmate registration section, a photo gallery, an in-memoriam section, and a guestbook. Assign several committee members to update the Web site weekly. Include a committee member's e-mail address for specific questions. Include local hotel and rental car information.

References

• Reunion announcements: Planning the perfect class reunion
• Class Web site information

Resources

• Reunions