When To Start
Start planning any where from 2 years to 6 months, depending on how elaborate you want your event to be. If your planning an informal event, limited food and entertainment then you can plan it in 6 months. Usually this is for 5 year reunions. Find a venuel, order finger foods, get a DJ and put up a few decorations. If your planning a sit down dinner, or your classmates are not in the immediate area, plan on a year or more of lead time. Most reunions are during Thanksgiving weekend. That means every high school in the area may be looking at similar venues. The more formal the reunion the more lead time you'll need to book your venue.
Class Reunion Websites And Hosting
Class Reunion Websites for graduating classes of Chelmsford High School. Sites can be hosted by the CHSAA if needed. If you would like us to host your site please email us at: president@chsalumni.org. Or if you would like to submit your site to the list send it too: president@chsalumni.org and we will add it to our list. We will also create a page for you to update upon request, just email us and we will get you setup.
Major Decisions
First Meeting: Discuss the following then assign members to get availabitity and prices.
Set a Date (Decide on a few dates)
Venue and Format (Dinner, Finger Foods, Buffet etc)
Contact Local Hotels if necessary for room bookings
Programming (Entertainment, Speakers, Fundraising for charities and etc)
Decorations
Website Development and Social Media (CHSAA will host your website free)
Second Meeting: Discuss findings and assign the following tasks. (CHSAA holds all the leftover class funds. We will also front a reasonable amount of money for deposits. Contact Rob Russo for more info.)
Solidify date and send out deposit. Banquet manager will guide you through the process with the venue
Book Entertainment
Decide additional costs
Decorations
Raffle Prizes
Deceased classmate tribute
Door prizes or momentos
Who will you invite: Often classes will invite Advisors, Teachers and Administrators. This is your reunion,
invite who you want, but plan on pricing to cover their costs.
Set Budget and Pricing
Third and Subsequent Meetings: Leg work
Get the word out. Website/Social Media
Discuss Issues Encountered
Set Deadlines
Meet periodically as needed to ensure a successfull event!
Financing
When a class graduates, any left over class funds are transfered to CHSAA. When it comes time to make deposits contact reunions@chsalumni.org. CHSAA can front money, within reason, if you're a little bit short. Turn around time is a few days so give yourself enough time. CHSAA can also reimburse you if you spend your own money. As with any financial endeavor save all reciepts for expenses whether funded by you and reimbursed or funded directly from CHSAA!
Notifying Classmates
CHSAA will host your website for free. From this site we can link to other social media or sites of your own design. Again, contact CHSAA, at: reunions@chsalumni.org for more info on website development.