Brandywine High School Class of 1967 35th Reunion Questionnaire (1967-2002)

2002 marks the 35th year anniversary of the Class of '67. Since we didn't have a 30th reunion in 1997, 2002 would a logical year to hold a class reunion. Many of you have inquired about a 35th reunion, so I thought I'd put a few questions to the group. Who would organize this reunion?. There are companies who do this for a living, mainly;

http://www.reunioncentral.com/

and if you click on their site, you will see that they are planning several reunions currently (including two Brandywine reunions) and the price is per person seems to be around $65. They do all the work, find the venue, research the alumni list, send out the invitations. They need about a 9 month lead time to do this.

Or, as some on the Class of "67 website have said, we could organize the reunion on our own since there are people who live in Wilmington who can research a location and several alumni who have said they would volunteer their time for such an effort to contact classmates, send out invitations etc.

Either way we do it , we should make the first decision to go ahead. So, what I am asking is for us to move this off the "thinking" stage to the "doing" or "planning" stage. Nine months from now would be June of 2002-a logical time for a reunion. If that is too soon, an October date would be the next logical time I would think. Both months would provide the pre-requisite 9 to 12 lead time to plan such an effort.

Since I am not an expert in planning reunions, but have heard many on this board that seem to be in favor of a reunion, I am asking you to make few basic decisions, now, in order to get the reunion ball rolling. You can mark off your answer, cut and past, and send it back to me and I'll publish the results to the group. Here goes:

I am in favor of having a 35th reunion in 2002 Yes______ No___________

I think we should contract with an outside company like Reunion Central to plan our reunion Yes______________ No______________

I think we can plan our own reunion Yes__________ No______________

I live in Wilmington and an willing to work with others locally on planning a reunion site and setting up dates Yes______ No____

I am willing to help in any capacity, contacting classmates, sending out invitations, etc Yes___________ No________

Answers to the Questioniare:

The following represents the responses from approximately 28 people who responded to this questionnaire.

� I am in favor of a 35^th reunion in 2002. Yes=27 No=1

� I think we should contract with an outside company like Reunion Central to plan our reunion. 9=Yes 11=No

� I think we can plan our own reunion. 18=Yes 2=No

� I live in Wilmington and am willing to work with others locally on planning a reunion site and setting up dates etc. 7=Yes 11=No

� I am willing to help in any capacity, contacting classmates, sending out invitations, both written and email etc. 18=Yes 5=No

Committee to Explore 2002 Reunion 12/09/01:

Sue (Atadan) Barnes    Atasuz@aol.com   

Sherry Chapman Grizzel    302-239-7485    SCGrizzel@aol.com

Marilyn Monson Nimitz    mnimtz@svglaw.com

Kathy Lloyd    Caiitsday@gateway.net

Stephen Moores    Smooresdel@aol.com

At least 3 others have responded that they would like to help even though they do not live in the Wilmington area. They are: 

Myself                        kfd@wjhu.org; donohue11@home.com

Mary Kerstetter        mkerstetter@WWNORTON.com

Pat (Walker) Fox    foxbldg@visuallink.com

Kathy (Lyons) Fleming    Kathger@aol.com

I'm sure others will volunteer their time as we go along. Much can be accomplished via email and the Internet in getting the reunion information to the whole BHS '67 Class after the preliminary plans for the location and date are established. Sherry Grizzel suggested that the committee meet shortly after the holidays to begin the planning process.

I have suggested that the reunion coincide with the BHS 2002 Homecoming weekend, which would have the added advantage of adding a football game, and possible school tour to the reunion weekend plans but that idea is just a suggestion. Somebody would have to call the BHS administrative office to ask when Home Coming Weekend is next fall. That date may or may not work out for everybody. Also the Wilmington based people should look at the BHS Alumni/Reunion page for suggestions as to what hotels or restaurants other classes are holding their reunions.

The hard part will be the first step of planning the location and setting the date. It's important to remember that no matter what date is picked, it will not work for some individuals. However, some date will have to be chosen to move the process along. The nine to ten months we have to work on this reunion is should give people time to clear their calendars no matter what date is established.

Someone in the Wilmington-based group should be the point person who sets up the initial planning meeting and gets the planning ball rolling. If crucial date and location decisions need to be made, we can make them as a group, no need for the chair or point person to feel they have to carry the entire load. One person will have to serve as finance person to deposit reunion checks and pay out expenses. Those expenses most likely won't have to be paid out till closer to the reunion date. However, since a check is a reservation/commitment. it also serves as a definite head count. So, it's important we ask for the money early on, no later than by a certain date, say 3-6 months before the actual reunion. 

All these decisions can be flexible and can be established by the planning committee. Even if only 75-125 people attend our reunion, it would still be a success in my estimation. Good luck to the planners and let's keep everyone involved in the planning loop. Have a great and peaceful holiday.

Regards, Kevin Donohue-BHS Class of '67

Great News!-The Reunion Committee is Close to finalizing the Weekend of Oct 4th-5th, 2002 for the 35th Reunion at Harry's Savoy Grill. More details as they are released.