In ten-year increments, it is traditional to welcome alumnae back to the local area for a reunion. This is a time to reunite with classmates and friends—it provides opportunities for networking, exploring the current city and a chance to once again experience some of the social lessons learned in high school.
Each class reunion has a distinctive character. Reunions provide for entertainment, special interests, and reminiscing, visiting old haunts and appreciate additions and improvements to the school.
Your feedback is appreciated. Please feel free to send comments and suggestions regarding this plan and the reunion to:
Contact Information
Angela Sipes Waites
4117 Moody Parkway
Moody AL 35004
(205) 640-4049 Home, (205) 251-9249 Work
Organize all aspects of the class reunion, such as selecting the meeting place, budgeting for the event and other specific arrangements.
Appoint volunteers, outline their duties and responsibilities, consult with them frequently, follow up on plans and make deadlines clear.
Consider choosing a reunion “helper” to complement the interests, abilities and decisions of main person involved.
Work and plan a newsletter and additional class reunion mailings.
Keep a list of itemized spending, monies received, volunteer members, reunion mailings, current mailing addresses, list of those attending and total attendance.
Recruiting Volunteers
The success of a reunion depends in large part of the active participation and commitment of class volunteers. Specific job descriptions are given to the classmate volunteering and ways to accomplish the tasks. There should always be an open channel of communication.
Alumnae Parade Table
It is suggested that an “Alumnae Parade” table be created. Some items of interest and that could be displayed are:
Tables decorated with class colors and mascot
Exhibits of classmates’ personal pictures, artwork, hobbies or handicrafts
Place for personal notes and messages or to post business cards
Exhibit of class yearbooks, scrapbooks and memorabilia
Centerpieces of flowers or plants.
Reunion Schedule
Saturday, July 24, 2004
2:00pm-4:00pm
Volunteers arrive to help with decorations, table arrangement, chair placement, podium set up and food service.
5:00pm-6:00pm
Early registration.
6:00pm-7:00pm
Registration begins and social hour. Cocktails served at open bar.
7:30pm-8:00pm
Buffet dinner available and served. Announcements and thank you’s will be
said
8:30pm-11pm
Band (Freefall) plays with DJ breaks.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
11:00am-2:00pm
Family day at Walker part; hotdogs and hamburgers served.
Encourage Classmates to Attend Reunion
Create a website (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ghsclassof1989/)
Publicize the names of classmates who are attending (www.piratepride.com)
Personal contact (You may reach me at (205) 640-4049).
Local classmates in Blytheville are REQUIRED to attend…ha. ha.
Keep in touch! A reunion is a perfect opportunity!
Create a personal announcement in the local newspaper (www.blythevillecn.com).
Mail outs and emails to everyone updating reunion information on a monthly basis.
Oh yeah, there will be prizes given out at the reunion!
Reunion Class Book
Since the undertaking of printing a class book is very expensive, there will not be one published. Besides, it is generally made for milestone reunions like the 25th and the 50th. There will be a class directory made, though. It will not include photos, but it will have the current name, address and telephone number for each classmate. I believe this will serve well as the class book and there is no fee for the directory. They will be available at the reunion.
Confidentially of Alumnae Information
Each individual entrusts alumnae names, addresses and biographical information to me. This information is confidential and protected. Information is only released to official class officers for the purpose of non-commercial class business. Your permission to publish this information in our directory is given when it is mailed or electronically sent to me. Please contact me if you have questions about these privacy issues.
Class Revenue and Fees
It is my responsibility to ensure that we have adequate resources to meet the obligations of the reunion. It must be ensured that the class does not incur a loss with the reunion event and that the class will have the financial resources to undertake the event and other projects such as decorations, a directory, meal, entertainment and novelty items. The fee is set at $50.00 per couple and $30.00 for a single. That is at a minimum to cover the overhead expenses for sponsoring this event. Overhead expense includes:
The expense of design, production and postage for 3-4 mailings to the class
The expense of volunteers: telephone, faxing, mailing, refreshments
Reunion expenses such as mementos, signs, nametags, centerpieces and decorations
The cost of miscellaneous items such as audio/visual rentals, staging, music, markers, tape, posters, streamers, extension cord and unforeseen expenses (10%)
Catering charges for the meal
Room rental for banquet and dance floor.
Prior to the collection of monies, I have “loaned” money to the reunion cost myself to start preparing for the event.
Reunion Mementos, Novelties or Souvenirs
Items that are being considered are:
Coffee mugs
Tote bags
Buttons
Hats
Pens/pencils
T-shirts
Travel mugs
Buttons
Bumper stickers
Sunglasses
Shot glasses
Beer mugs
If any classmate works for a company that is willing to donate these items to the class, please contact me privately. To cover your cost of attending the reunion, you may sign up for an Internet account with Pay Pal at
www.paypal.com to send your money directly to the reunion account. The account to pay is a0005_@hotmail.com. Or, alternatively, you may mail a personal check or money order to me at: 4117 Moody Parkway, Moody AL 35004.
Reunion Location
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Holiday Inn
1121 East Main Street
Blytheville AR 72315
Phone: (870) 763-5800
Fax: (870) 763-1326
WEB: www.holiday-inn.com
1989 Elected Class Officials:
President____________________
Vice President_________________
Secretary____________________
Treasurer___________________
Reunion status:
05MAR2004 - Whoo, hoo! It is OFFICIAL!!! The date of the reunion is going to be Saturday, July 24, 2004, at the Holiday Inn, in Blytheville. We
will be in the Braves, Paps and Chicks rooms. I am working on a schedule that will include arrival time, registration, cocktail hour, dinner service and music. I will let everyone know as soon as I have it all figured out.
Please remember that our event is informal and will not be a sit-down dinner--it will be a buffet and you can wear
jeans if you like. Be prepared to have great time!
I have asked our classmate, Christopher Webster, and his band, Freefall, to come and play for us for a small fee--ha. ha. One of his band members is also a DJ, so that will an added bonus for all of us! If you would like to visit Christopher, please go to www.freefallrocks.com and check them out! They will have a copy of their new CD available by the time the reunion rolls around.
THANK YOU to all the people that have already sent in their money--you have made this possible by being on the ball! Can't wait to see you all again...
Angela Sipes Waites
The date of the event is looking like the weekend of July 30th, 2004; with the banquet-style dinner being held that Saturday night, July 30th at the Holiday Inn, in Blytheville. Although, the out-of-towners will have to make reservations for a hotel room--I am working with the Holiday Inn to give us a discount on a “block” of rooms. I am waiting to hear from them regarding the rate. As soon as I know, I will send out an email.
The cost of the reunion will be $50.00 per couple and $30.00 per single guest. I have been trying to coordinate someone from our class that lives in Blytheville to go the Farmer’s Bank and Trust to sign up an account for everyone to deposit their money into, but to no avail…no volunteers yet. There is no cost to the person going to the bank to sign up for the account.
Accommodation listings are posted on the Yahoo! Group and if you have any questions about reservations, please let me know. Also, I look forward to hearing from everyone with any suggestions they might have for the reunion…party games, themes, music, announcements and general comments.
**Don’t forget to fill out your Biography or Questionnaire, telling everyone about yourself. This information will go into a Directory that I will give to you at the reunion so that we may all keep in contact after the reunion has passed.**
The date of the event is looking like the weekend of July 16th, 2004; with the banquet-style dinner being held that Saturday night, July 17th. The Blytheville Country Club, Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, MCCC and the Ritz Civic Center are all being considered for the reunion. I have received a few quotes and prices (including availability) and would like a few more to compare before making a final decision. I want to make sure we get the best deal and price. I would like to keep the cost of the banquet under $50.00 per couple and so far, it looks like that will be just about right. Although, all the out-of-towners will have to make reservations for a hotel room.
Next letter will include the definite date, time and place of the reunion and will include accommodation listings.
Please send any suggestions for the reunion…party games, themes, music, announcements and general comments.
