Program – Reunion Class Volunteers – Carleton College

Responsibilities that fall under the category of “program” include helping to create overall messaging or common theme, planning class events and informal social time, making the class lounge feel welcoming, coordinating your class’s Alumni Association Award nominations, choosing an optional identifying item for classmates, and recruiting a classmate to light a candle in memory of classmates on Sunday morning.

There are a few specific roles that committee members can play, and you’ll assign these at CAVE (Carleton Alumni Volunteer Event- the Reunion Planning Workshop) in August.

Based on years of feedback from alumni, the best Reunion experience includes the following:

As you are discussing ideas for class events, consider the following questions:

There are a number of Reunion events that are set in advance and cannot be rescheduled, including events that must be coordinated among many classes (e.g., class photos and meals). 

Because of the large number of events held during Reunion, the Office of Alumni Relations assumes primary responsibility for the overall schedule of events, including class-specific events. As you are planning class events, focus on the content of the event rather than what day and time it will happen. Staff members take a holistic approach to the Reunion schedule — reviewing class-specific event time and location requests, the Alumni College schedule, class photo schedules, and all-class events — to ensure the opportunity for attendees to participate in as many events as possible.

You will be planning a limited number of events specifically for your classmates during Reunion. These events can range from a game of Ultimate to a class panel on a timely topic; from a presentation or performance by a classmate who is a renowned professor, politician, musician, athlete, artist, magician, or dancer to an early morning yoga class. Each year during Reunion, the Office of Alumni Relations oversees nearly 300 events planned in conjunction with reunion committees, faculty, and other offices throughout campus.

To ensure the most efficient use of College resources and staff time, we ask reunion committees to adhere to the below guidelines.

Your committee will continue to work with your staff liaison throughout the fall to further refine the details of your class programming. Your staff liaison will walk you through the various aspects of each event, including the following:

During Reunion, Carleton’s Alumni Association recognizes alumni with the following awards:

There is an archive of past award recipients online. Because the best source of nominations for these awards is fellow classmates, each Reunion class should assign a nominations coordinator to identify and facilitate the awards process.

Nominations are due by November 15, and should include a cover letter summarizing the candidate’s qualifications, letters of support from peers or community members, letters from Carleton staff or faculty (for exceptional service), and a resume or c.v. when possible. Supporting information documenting that a nominee’s accomplishments are a sustained activity, carried out over time, is helpful. Please note that the nominations process is confidential, and that not all nominees will receive awards (about half of nominees receive the award each year). The Alumni Council is responsible for selecting and notifying recipients, who are recognized for their achievements during Reunion convocation.

The ‘C’ Club Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding varsity athletes, coaches, and supporters. New members are inducted into the ‘C’ Club Hall of Fame each year and are recognized at the ‘C’ Club Luncheon at Reunion.

The ‘C’ Club Board sends a call for nominations early each Fall, and nominations are due by November 15.

Nominations should include a cover letter summarizing the candidate’s qualifications and letters from Carleton teammates and/or coaches (when possible). Please note that the nominations process is confidential and that not all nominees will be inducted. The ‘C’ Club Board of Directors is responsible for selecting and notifying recipients, who are recognized for their achievements during the ‘C’ Club Luncheon at Reunion.

Remember the special professors and staff members who really made a difference in your life? Would you like to have them join you for one of your class dinners during Reunion? Your staff liaison will assist you in filling out an online faculty and staff guest request form to indicate which faculty and staff members your class would like to invite to dinner.

For classes who are using Facebook as part of their outreach strategy, a post asking classmates who they would like to see during Reunion can be an easy way to engage classmates and receive suggestions from a broader group.

Final lists are due to the Office of Alumni Relations by February 28.

At that time, the Office of Alumni Relations will send out invitations and manage RSVPs. It’s important to identify someone on the committee who will welcome the faculty at the reunion dinner, introduce them to others in the class, and make certain they feel included throughout the event.

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