We all harbor the fear of being the only one to show up at a party. A frequent reason alumni don’t attend their reunion is they think no one else will be there. Unfortunately, that is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is critical that you and your committee members deliver the message that the reunion will be well attended (and equally critical that it is actually well attended). If you are carefully and consistently building momentum month by month prior to the reunion, it will be a success.

How I Know It Works:   Reunions Reinvented consistently sets attendance records for graduate, undergraduate, and independent school reunions.

Marching Orders:  Give your committee members these marching orders before they contact classmates about their upcoming reunion:

• Invite classmates to attend the reunion
• Update their contact information and encourage them to participate in the class reunion book (if there is one)
• Ask for a contribution to the class reunion gift (assuming fundraising is a goal of the reunion).

Providing talking points or scripts is very helpful, but with the caveat that the most effective appeal is a personal one.  The main message is that the reunion will be a scene to be seen, to catch up with old friends, make new connections, and provide great opportunities for networking.

In addition to contacting classmates, explore the possibility of one or more committee members organizing a pre-reunion class get-together, such as a cocktail reception at a local venue or a casual barbecue at a classmate’s house.   Schedule it far in advance of the reunion so that it does not compete with your  reunion. In the spirit of inclusion, invite the entire class. Unless you have a very cohesive class, there likely will not be a large turnout, so plan the size of the space and expectations of the committee accordingly. Most importantly, you are continuing to create the buzz for your reunion, which is your ultimate goal.

Need help getting the message delivered to your alumni that your reunion will be a hit? We are here to help! Call us for a complimentary session.