Class Reunions the Best Time To Connect with Graduates Denise Salem

Summer months are a great time to schedule outdoor activities, family vacations and time with friends. And, if you happen to be associated with an education foundation, there’s another reason why summer is important: class reunions. The highlight of summers for many, reunions often give foundations the opportunity to introduce themselves to alumni and showcase the good works they do for their district.

But, what is the best way for that to happen? The answer varies, depending on which foundation you consider.

Some foundations spend months coordinating all-school reunions or signature events, such as alumni dinners or recognition-based functions. Others implement a simple approach, like scheduling an appearance at individual reunions, where they can distribute information to a captive audience.

If the latter method is preferred, foundation directors and volunteers can follow these tips in order to effectively reach their graduates:

1. Contact the high schools in your district to find out who is responsible for coordinating each of the reunions. Once you have that information, contact that individual about the possibility of attending the reunion so you can share foundation information. Note: many reunions include organized events such as golf outings, or informal functions at pubs. You are most likely to have quality conversations at formal events, like planned dinners, where a captive audience allows you to share news about your foundation. 2. Browse your local newspaper for announcements regarding class reunions. Many reunion coordinators use their local publications to publicize event details and request information on missing classmates. 3. Search the Internet. Many classes post information about their reunion on Facebook or Eventbrite as a way to share details and track attendance. Don’t forget to visit the district’s web site, as many reunion committees post their event information on their high school’s link. 4. Call your high schools to find out if tours are scheduled. Many former students like to revisit their high schools, especially if there have been additions or major renovations to the buildings. Take this opportunity to greet the graduates and share your information as they come through the doors for their tour. Even better: bring in a principal or favorite teacher who was in your district the same time as your alumni. In addition to touring their old school, seeing a familiar face will be an unexpected and pleasant surprise. 5. Align your foundation with a community-wide festival. Many events draw graduates back home for a big event (annual parade, a centennial, etc.). Even if there aren’t class reunions scheduled during this time, this provides an excellent opportunity to host tours at the local high school for all graduates and former teachers of the district. Offer refreshments following the tour and make sure visitors fill out a card with contact information that can be stored in your data base. As with class reunion tours, recruit a former teacher (or current students) to conduct the tour. 6. Use your own Facebook page to create awareness. Some foundations connect with class reunion committees by “liking” their particular page. It serves as a point of entry with those particular graduates and lets them know you exist and support their events.

While these methods may give your foundation the chance to showcase itself, there’s a potential downside: many reunion committees are opposed to allowing organizations (even their own foundations) inside their event because of “solicitation” policies. If this happens, there are still a couple options to consider:

1. Contact the high school where tours are being conducted and ask if foundation brochures can be left at the building. This will still allow people to take information which they can later review. 2. Contact individuals you know will be attending reunions and ask if they would be willing to bring brochures to the event on your behalf. By doing this, the foundation will still have a presence without being considered intrusive. 3. Coordinate a mailing (either electronic or direct mail) at the end of summer, when alumni are back home. This will serve as a reminder of the fun they had at their reunion and will provide information about your foundation they can review at their leisure. Contact your district or individual schools to see if they’re willing to share home addresses or emails from their data bases.

Above all, keep doing what you’re doing. New foundations need to continually remind district graduates of their mission and reason for existence; established foundations need to capitalize on their achievements and successes. Once graduates recognize there’s an organization that supports district students, they’ll be more likely to appreciate your message and, ultimately, open their wallets.