How Social Networking Has Affected Class Reunions
Let's face it. Technology is a wonderful thing and constantly changing. The advent of MySpace (which is not as popular as it was 5 years ago) and Facebook, the giant of social media, have actually helped spark more interest and increased attendance at class reunions. Social networking sites have made it much easier to find people. It's a phone book hub, so to speak. Still, there are people who haven't jumped on the Facebook and Twitter bandwagon, or, if they have, rarely post anything. So, it may mean that they are not regular users of these sites. Interestingly though, many of these sites' infrequent users or lurkers are regular class reunion attendees. Statistics do show that the more people that post about their upcoming reunion, and visit and post on others' walls, the more likely others will start to follow suit. Curiosity turns into excitement and anticipation.
Yes, we can easily see what others might be doing or thinking at any given moment that they feel the desire to post. We can view photos of pretty much anything that they want to share. All good. The truth is, we have been communicating and sending photos as attachments or embedded in e-mails since the personal computer became everyone's household staple. A computer is a machine. Nothing replaces in-person face to face contact, that handshake you can embrace, that laugh you can hear, that hug you can feel and the wonderfully fun event you will experience. And for most classmates, the opportunity only comes around once every five years. Seize the moment, then tweet about it!
August 25, 2011 by Fran McLean
Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Five Star Reunions.
May 22, 2012 by Fran McLean
Creative Ways to Fund Your Ticket to Your Class Reunion
You really want to attend your class reunion. You really want to see Dave or Michelle in person and not just on Facebook. And, come to think of it, you would also like to see John, Joe, Beth and Erin, among others. You know that a class reunion only comes around once every five or ten years. You really understand the value of the event, especially in priceless memories. You realize that a class reunion is more than a nice dinner and a DJ; that it costs money to research classmates to obtain the most current contact information, to create, print and mail invitations, to create name tags with your senior photo, to decorate, to staff the event, that there are taxes, gratuities and venue charges in addition to other services contracted by your committee and that no person's or company's labor is free. You don't want to live your life with regrets. But, you are not sure if you will have the money to go.
You are not alone. Here are six creative ways to get some cash to go and even bring a guest:
1. Since invitations are mailed out about four months ahead of your reunion, ask for payment plans. Five Star Reunions is happy to work with all classmates with a payment plan that is suitable for both.
2. Got any items that are not needed or wanted anymore? An item that you can part with? Try eBay. It works. Toys, jewelry, collectibles and more.
3. Hold or participate in a yard sale.
4. Ask a local business for sponsorship, especially if you frequent that business. In turn, they will receive a FREE full page ad in the Memory Book at your class reunion.
5. Hold a bake sale at an event at your high school. Most schools will allow this, especially if it is a class reunion. It can be combined with other alma mater fund raising events, such as Booster's Club, Marching Band, cheerleaders, etc.
6. Perform a service for someone who needs it and is willing to pay for it, such as pet sitting, yard work, running errands, etc. Most of the time, all you have to do is ask.
Contact Us
P.O. Box 433
Buckeystown, MD 21717
Fran@FiveStarReunions.com
240-439-3138
Office hours of operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00am-7:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm
