Should I contact the school registrar for a contact list of my classmates?
No, the school does not keep contact information in a data base for use by reunion committees. Christina Huvelle, '85, the MDHS Alumni Association contact can help you with that. She just happens to teach at MDHS, and may be left messages there at (925)682-4030 extension 2792, but the school has no information regarding your classmates.
Where should we publicize our reunion?
Keep the MDHS Alumni Association updated regarding reunion planning committee contacts, dates, places, times.... we will post your reunion information free of charge on the MDHSAA reunion page.
Classmates.com is another great resource - not everyone knows about the MDHSAA web site...yet. Other alumni sites such as Reunions.com are not as well-known, but can be utilized for publicizing as well.
Public Access TV Cable will post your reunion information free of charge on the community calendar.
Contra Costa Times/Concord Transcript and other regional dailies/weeklies will publish reunion announcements both online and in their papers.
What if anything does MDHS Alumni Association provide? Is there a fund, is there planning support…etc… ?
We maintain a comprehensive data base of thousands of MDHS alumni - from registrations individuals make via the website, or from personal contacts, and from classes who wish to entrust their list to us to keep in the interim between reunions. When reunion planning is underway, we provide the most up-to-date contact information we have on class members to the planning committee.
Although we do not provide money up front for class reunions, we do hold in trust class funds. Graduating classes may deposit any leftover money they have in their school account with us, and other classes who have money left over from reunions have also deposited their money with the MDHSAA. When planning is underway, the committee can request their class funds for reunion expense reimbursement up to the amount last deposited in the account.
In terms of funding your own reunion, your committee will need to provide the seed money, and then ask your classmates to pay early, perhaps giving early payment incentives, and even raising the price for tickets as time goes on. In my own reunion planning experience, people put off payment until the very last minute, and we had about a dozen people or more say they were coming, but then not come through with the money, and others came at the last minute and paid at the door. You will need to talk about all the contingencies for these occurrences with your committee.
The MDHSAA has not provided planning support, although since I helped to plan the school's centennial in 2001, and my own 20th reunion, I have some experience with it - and other class contacts whose links are on the website can be of assistance, I'm sure - in terms of sharing information. Aside from posting information on the website and forwarding your classmates' inquiries to you, there is no official planning support.
Are we free to do anything we want? Are there any legal issues or restrictions we need to be aware of?
It's your class - it's your reunion. The MDHSAA is completely unconnected, except in terms of the support and services as described above.
Any legalities or restrictions are up to you and your class reunion committee...
Is there a list of resources available to us for planning assistance? Local caterers, local hotels etc…already put together by the Alumni Association?
This has been on my to do list for quite a while now, and there it remains! I would gladly take submissions for this list from committees who have recommendations to make. I do have some information I could dig up from my reunion... and the locals on your team should be able to access resources in the area. Classmates.com has a great timeline for reunion planning and organizing that you could check out for guidelines. We used it a little bit - but these things really do take on a life of their own, particularly depending on your committee members.
If people wanted to tour the school is that possible in June/July 2007?
What has been the most successful time of year for the reunion? Dates? Months?
The Hospitality and Tourism Academy at Mt. Diablo High School have given tours for alumni functions in the past, and Brenda Beteta would be the teacher to speak to about that. If she is not available, you may want to contact Scott Ananos, who is also a teacher in that academy as well as being the leadership teacher. Kids are there during school months, but some may be willing to come during the summer - Brenda or Scott would have more information about that for you.
Reunions are generally held during the summer, although many classes hold their reunions around Homecoming time (usually at the end of October, although the dates vary year to year.)
Can you give me an idea of some other class outings that have been done? Someone suggested a cruise…is that something you think would be possible or do you think that would exclude people and families?
I think cruise reunions are very cool - I attended my parents' 30th high school reunion cruise with them, and there were lots of people who had a wonderful weekend together! During the planning of our 20th reunion, our class didn't think they wanted to be trapped together on a boat for a whole weekend, but at the reunion, we could not get enough of each other, so now we are chomping at the bit for our 25th, when we will have our reunion on a cruise. Weekend cruises are quite affordable, so if people have enough time (years) to plan and save, it should be feasible. And I don't think families need be excluded at all - again, it's up to your class.
Golf, Napa tours/wine tasting, teas, picnics, pool parties, dances, MDHS events (Homecoming events in the fall; multicultural events in the spring, games and performances throughout the year)- whatever sounds like fun!
Can we have a multiple day event and utilize the school for a part of it?
Of course, and yes!
Multiple day events are common, and may consist of any combination of the following - it's up to your class and how much time you all want to spend together. An ice-breaker social (Friday) evening is nice for everyone, but particularly for out-of-towners who have just flown in and are cooling their heels at the hotel. Those who cannot make the main reunion event (Saturday) may utilize this time to see old friends. An afterglow event such as a family picnic (Sunday) is a nice way to get to meet classmates' children, and to be together in a relaxed, casual way, allowing opportunities to finish conversations from the night before. Those who cannot make the main reunion event (Saturday) also utilize this time to see old friends.
If you want to utilize the school, a committee member would need to get in touch with the school treasurer to get a facilities use permit. Once filled in and turned in to the office, the school and district must approve of the date and your use, and will charge your class whatever it costs for janitorial service (which they will charge if it is not during regular school schedule, even if you don't think you'll need a janitor.)
