School Reunion Checklist - What Needs To Be Done

Class reunions. Thinking back to your high school and college days brings all kinds of emotions and memories to the forefront of your mind. School days seemed to be the perfect mix of independence and a little responsibilty. The world was full of endless possibilities. Keeping that in mind, you want your reunion to be filled with the same sentiment of all the great things from the past while reconnecting with old friends in the present. When it comes time to plan your class reunion, mapping out the details is critical to the success of the event. We hope to make it a little easier with our School Reunion Checklist.

Checklist-What Needs To Be Done

Form a committee
Choose a committee head
Decide the frequency of comittee meetings
Survey classmates for ideas
Date selection
Determine event venue and format
If planning a multi-day event, create themes for each night/day, plan games and activities
Create subcommittees for even distribution of planning responsibilities
Event program (speakers, tributes, etc)
Select lodging accomodations
Financing
Establish a budget- elect a treasurer
Establish ticket price
Classmate contact listing
Postal addresses, email addresses, phone numbers
Search for missing classmates
Web site development / maintenance
Create/order decorations
Select entertainment
Select a photographer
Create/order registration forms and name tags
Purchase/Create momentos
Create/ Print reunion / memories booklet
Novelties
Prizes / awards
Create and place marketing & communications (mailers, newspaper ads, web postings, emails etc.)
Create deceased classmates tribute
Arrange school tours, pre & post reunion events and other additional reunion activities
Decide on class gift to your school
Decide who will staff your event - Some facilities may provide this service for you or you might want to consider asking friends or family members to handle this for you. You might even be able to make arrangements with volunteers from the class year ahead of you or behind you to provide this service in turn for providing this service at their reunion. Given the likelihood that they may know people in your graduating class it could be an attractive opportunity for them as well to help out
Upfront Costs

Building and adhereing to a budget is key to any event’s success. These are some items that may need to be paid up front by the committee.

Stationary supplies
Postage
Printing (reunion booklets, name tags)
Gifts / novelties
Decorations
Web site development & hosting
Liability insurance
Reunion facilities deposit
Entertainment deposit
Deposits for additional activities (tours, etc)
The amount of lead time you need really depends on how elaborate of an event you are planning, but generally speaking the more time you give yourselves the better! Now that you know what needs to be done, check out our other reunion related articles to help ensure your event is a huge success! Reunion Timetable, 10 Steps to Successful Reunion, Class Reunion Venue Ideas, and Class Reunion Decoration Ideas.

Best of luck in planning your event. Use PurpleTrail for all your event management needs!