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Post by Diamondback on Jul 16, 2013 7:50:51 GMT 9
Gents, I was just wondering out of idle curiosity... what kind of leg work does it take to put together a reunion beyond asking around for dates possibly interested people might be available, advertising, arranging a venue and sometimes transportation, meals and accommodations?
With Wright-Pat and the big show getting most of the Sixer scene's attention for this year, I was just starting to think about maybe starting the process of looking into one for the McChord-area ADC/ADTAC community for next summer.
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Post by pat perry on Jul 16, 2013 9:41:51 GMT 9
Gents, I was just wondering out of idle curiosity... what kind of leg work does it take to put together a reunion beyond asking around for dates possibly interested people might be available, advertising, arranging a venue and sometimes transportation, meals and accommodations? With Wright-Pat and the big show getting most of the Sixer scene's attention for this year, I was just starting to think about maybe starting the process of looking into one for the McChord-area ADC/ADTAC community for next summer. DB, 1- Start with a list of every ADC/ADTAC vet you can find in the local area. 2- From them, recruit an organizing committee of 4-6 members. 3- Get the committee together and establish duties for event activities planning, venue, budget, communications, recruiting more vet members, record keeper. Discuss the duties of each position. Make sure you meet often face to face, or conference call as a last resort, so that each member will have input to each of the assigned duties. For example your recruiter will track down former members but everyone else will help by providing copies of old orders to begin the "manhunt". 4- Once you have a couple of good committee meetings, announce your intent to conduct a reunion and establish the dates that have a significant meaning to that crowd because if the first one goes well, they will demand that "we do it again next year". 5- Then, at least 6 months in advance of the reunion date, communicate all of the details to the membership and ask for people to sign up Yes, Maybe, No (Y-M-N) on attending. Then communicate monthly on progress and list those who have signed up Y-M-N. Not many want to attend a reunion if they don't know anyone who is attending. A few of these get brave and attend and they are first to sign up for the next one because they met some new friends. 6- After the reunion send out a report (organization newsletter) with lots of pictures. When you get items 1 and 2 completed, report back to this thread and we'll get ready to do item 3 which is probably the most important key to a successful reunion. Our 456th FIS Alumni Committee started with 4 guys on it. As we conducted 9 reunions the Committee grew to 14 members, (see letter attached). Our smallest turnout was 38 at one of our 1-day mini-reunions at Castle and 156 at one of our 3-day formal reunions. We started with about 30 vet names on our email list before the first reunion and tracked down 350 vets (over several years) from a list of over 800 names from old copies of orders. That enabled us to have reunions not only at Castle AFB, CA but also in Dayton, OH, Dulles, VA and Colorado Springs, CO and get a great turn out at each one. I'm sure Bobski and his committee members can offer more ideas. Some of our 456th Newsletters are at the bottom of this page www.f-106deltadart.com/456fis.htm456FIS Alumni Committee Clock letter.pdf (14.68 KB) Pat P. |
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Post by Diamondback on Jul 16, 2013 10:47:33 GMT 9
Guess I better call my old prof the retired LTC and see if he's game... most of the vets I knew from McChord were my grandfather's old buddies when I was a kid, and they've joined him in going on to their final rest, but said prof once told me there's a group of 25th Air Division alumni that have monthly lunches so maybe if I can con him into being "partners in crime" on another project that might be a foundation to build on.
Thanks, Pat--I knew it was going to be a bigger job than I could handle solo, but never had any idea exactly HOW big. LOL
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Post by bear (Deceased) on Jul 19, 2013 4:33:37 GMT 9
The main thing I would add is to find people at the place you are planning to have the reunion. When looking for names be prepared for up to a 100 of the same name, or just one and it not the right person, and with cell phones the phones book is about useless. Use Pat McGee list of people, make lot of call, hours on the computer. When I started the first Selfridge I got in touch with one troop I knew lived close, he knew two more, and it just grew from theri. If you can find two like Bob and Ken you should have a good Reunion. Good Luck.
Bear
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Post by Jim on Jul 25, 2013 1:51:07 GMT 9
Today, I received a check from Pat Perry saying that he and Bear Bruhn were splitting the shipping costs to get my clocks to bear so he could transport them to WPAB.... Thanks guys for your contribution, will use it to order more movements for future use......
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sixfixer
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Post by sixfixer on May 31, 2014 14:20:36 GMT 9
Guess I better call my old prof the retired LTC and see if he's game... most of the vets I knew from McChord were my grandfather's old buddies when I was a kid, and they've joined him in going on to their final rest, but said prof once told me there's a group of 25th Air Division alumni that have monthly lunches so maybe if I can con him into being "partners in crime" on another project that might be a foundation to build on. Thanks, Pat--I knew it was going to be a bigger job than I could handle solo, but never had any idea exactly HOW big. LOL Hey Diamondback Yes you are correct the 25AD Alumni meets regularly for lunch, I'm not sure who leads the effort (I believe WADS is involved), but I can find out for you and pass the info on to you. Ernie |
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Post by Diamondback on Jun 1, 2014 13:02:57 GMT 9
Ernie, I'd be very much appreciative--would you please, and PM me?  |
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