Some people are just plain social and these people like reunions and end up organizing them.<\/p>\n
Walt Whitman High School alumnus Rick Neuman (class of 1970) has been organizing some very successful reunions and he kindly gave me permission to share his tips here. For the record, my own 20-year WWHS reunion last year was not that fun – and in retrospect I think Rick’s ideas would have improved the night a lot. I think that good attendance is the most critical aspect to a successful reunion.<\/p>\n
SOME WHITMAN REUNION SUGGESTIONS:<\/p>\n
WE IN THE CLASS OF 1970 HAVE HAD SIX REUNIONS. THE LAST THREE WERE BY FAR OUR MOST POPULAR AND BEST ATTENDED. HERE ARE SOME ASPECTS THAT HAVE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR US.<\/p>\n
1). CASUAL ATTIRE IS A MUST. 90% OF US DON\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T WANT TO \u00e2\u20ac\u0153DRESS UP\u00e2\u20ac\u009d FOR THESE DEALS. WE WANT TO BE LAID BACK AND JUST HANG OUT.<\/p>\n
2). WE AVOID THE TYPICAL \u00e2\u20ac\u0153HOLIDAY INN\/BIG HOTEL\u00e2\u20ac\u009d TYPE OF FACILITY. IT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122S EXPENSIVE, BORING, AND THE FOOD IS LOUSY. WE DON\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T WANT A SIT DOWN DINNER. WE WANT TO MOVE AROUND A LOT, HUDDLE IN CORNERS WITH OLD FRIENDS, RELIVE EVENTS, LIE, SHARE PICTURES OF FAMILIES, MOURN DECEASED PARENTS, AND BADMOUTH CLASSMATES WHO ARE NOT THERE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES!<\/p>\n
**WE THINK THAT THE CLARA BARTON CENTER ON MACARTHUR BLVD IS THE PERFECT FACILITY FOR VIKING REUNIONS. WHITMANITES KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT IS . THERE IS PLENTY OF PARKING, A HUGE, CLEAN DANCE HALL, BIG KITCHEN, PLENTY OF TABLES.**<\/p>\n
3). WE NO LONGER HIRE REUNION COMPANIES TO DO OUR WORK . I PERSONALLY MADE THIS MISTAKE TWICE, FOR THE 2OTH AND 25TH, AND BOTH EVENTS WERE LACKLUSTER AND BORING. A SMALL CLASSMATE COMMITTEE CAN EASILY DO WHAT THEY DO, AND DO IT BETTER. ALMOST EVERY CLASSMATE CAN BE FOUND THESE DAYS, WITH THE INTERNET DATA BASES AVAILABLE.<\/p>\n
4. WE DON\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T HIRE A LIVE BAND. A GREAT SOUND SYSTEM WITH A CD PLAYER CAN EASILY BE SET UP, AND THE MUSIC CAN BE EASILY PROGRAMMED WITH ALL OUR MUSIC FROM OUR SELECTIONS. A CLASSMATE OR DJ CAN PLAY EXACTLY WHAT IS CHOSEN, AND AT THE RIGHT TIME.<\/p>\n
5). NO SPOUSES OR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, UNLESS THEY ALSO WENT TO WHITMAN. NO KIDS. THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR COMPONENT OF OUR LAST 3 REUNIONS, AND HAS HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR BIG INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE.<\/p>\n
6). LITTLE EXPENSE! A BUCK IS STILL A BUCK. PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO SHOW UP, AND CERTAINLY TO TRAVEL, IF THEY DON\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T HAVE TO SHELL OUT AIRFARE AND $100 OR MORE TO A STIFF, SEMI-FORMAL BORING DEAL. WE CHARGED $20 AT OUR 35TH, AND STILL RAISED $2000 FOR THE SUSAN B. KOMEN FOUNDATION FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.<\/p>\n
7). FOOD AND DRINK: WE HAVE A B.Y.O.B FORMAT THAT WORKS WELL. A BUNCH OF US PROVIDE HEAVY APPETIZERS, WHICH IS ALL WE NEED.. I STILL MADE THE MISTAKE OF PREPARING TOO MUCH FOOD THIS LAST TIME. JUST HAVE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO GRAZE ON FOR 6 HOURS. NO MAIN COURSES. BEER. WINE, SOFT DRINKS, AND BOTTLED WATER IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED!<\/p>\n
ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE EMAIL ME. TIDALCOM@AOL.COM<\/p>\n
RICK NEUMANN
\nCLASS OF 70 CHAIRMAN<\/p>\n
PS IT WAS FUN FOR US TO HAVE A \u00e2\u20ac\u0153CLASS OF 1970 AT 50\u00e2\u20ac\u009d PARTY IN 2002\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6..WE HAD ONE OF OUR BEST TURNOUTS\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6NO REASON WHY IT WOULDN\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T WORK FOR 30, 40, OR 60!.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Some people are just plain social and these people like reunions and end up organizing them. Walt Whitman High School alumnus Rick Neuman (class of 1970) has been organizing some very successful reunions and he kindly gave me permission to … Continue reading