How to Organize HSBP Class of 1972/1973 Sixth Formers Reunion
So colleagues, we’ve been throwing, toying and clowning with the idea of our class reunion. Sure is different from sixth form farewell party or dinner and dance, isn't it? Now, it's time to celebrate life's successes and renew old acquaintances. It's also time to start losing the pounds, covering the gray and planning a reunion to remember……YESTERDAY ONCE MORE!
These are things that we collectively need to do……
o 1 Form a committee. First try exhaustively contacting those contactable classmates from our year 1972/1973. Then find those missing classmates. Assign one person to keep track of the master list and update it as responses come in (by using our newly created blog at http://hsbpclassof73upper6.blogspot.com/ . Delegate other tasks such as securing the site, maintaining the budget, invitations, food, entertainment and music and decorations to other committee members.
o 2 Develop a detailed budget. We'll need to figure out how much each attendee will pay in order to cover the venue deposit, printing and mailing of invitations, and long-distance phone calls. Let’s not waste the money….just use our blog at http://hsbpclassof73upper6.blogspot.com/
o 3 Start sleuthing. Call our former high school friends (same batch or different year, does not matter) to ask if they have contact information. Use Web sites like http://hsbpclassof73upper6.blogspot.com/ . Send out an SOS e-mail message asking for the whereabouts of missing classmates. Check phone books on the Web or in HSBP library. Call HSBP local alumni from other classes. Check our “The Pilot” yearbook for people's full and maiden names.
o 4 Shop for a venue. Find out if a favorite hangout from back then is still operating (Jin Quan, Milk Bar, etc….). Contact BP hotels, BP country clubs or banquet halls. Ask what's included and shop around. Inquire about discounted rates at preferred hotels for families of alumni attending the reunion.
o 5 Select a date (somewhere July 2012 before fasting month) and start publicizing the reunion as early as possible so attendees can make travel plans. A long weekend, Public or school holidays allow alumni to plan their vacations accordingly.
o 6 Decide how the event will be structured. It can be anything from a one-night banquet to a weekend-long event. Some may prefer hosting an informal cocktail party(no liquor please!) on Friday night, a sit-down dinner on Saturday night, and a Sunday family barbecue. Or, may be just a camping by the lake or seaside event.
o 7 Select a treasurer to take care of all the transactions. If we have a large number of attendees or an expensive reunion paid for in installments-- a cruise to Pulau Sialu or Pulau Pisang, for instance--this is a must. Never mind…we are not going to have this for the inaugural event!!
o 8 Decide to go with a band or a DJ, then shop around and book one. If we recall a good high-school band, ask those alumni if they'll play a couple of old tunes. If not just get an experienced keyboardist who can serenade sentimental hits.
o 9 Ask classmates for information about their lives (including contact information). Compile it all into a booklet and mail this out to alumni before the reunion so they can be ready to pounce on old friends as soon as they walk through the door.
Tips & Surprises
· Invite a mystery guest -- maybe a student who became a celebrity, or a stand-out teacher.
· Hire a professional reunion planner who can take our event every step of the way, from locating classmates to contacting local media to hiring the band. Or, just use our blog at http://hsbpclassof73upper6.blogspot.com/ .
· Make the invitations fun, incorporating our school mascot or prom song. (Still know all the lyrics to Hotel California, Soldier of Fortune, I Started the Joke, etc….. don't you?)
· Create collages from yearbook photos and newspaper articles (on microfiche at our HSBP library) to transport classmates back into the time tunnel…..
· Set Up a Budget.
· Be prepared to recognize our friends' parents. That's right -- our friends may now look exactly like their parents did when they were in high school. Don't laugh, guys --- we’re all now in the same boat.
· OK Happy Planning for HSBP Class of 1972/1973 Sixth Formers Reunion……….
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