Suggested Timeline
(Fund years parallel the fiscal and academic year, from July 1 to June 30)

Six Years to the 50th
Spring:

• Current class officers meet with Williams 50th Reunion Fund staff to: discuss objectives, organization and responsibilities for the 50th Reunion celebration; identify class officers and reunion organizers to lead the class over the next five years; discuss how to disseminate information and generate excitement about the 50th during the 45th reunion.

Five Years to the 50th
Fall:

• Class agents meet with fund staff to review guidelines and procedures for cross-crediting of gifts between the Alumni Fund and 50th Reunion Fund.
• Research is initiated on major prospects that can give $100,000 or more. Winter:
• Class president appoints 50th Reunion Fund chair, who meets with staff to discuss responsibilities and support from the College, plan the first reunion meeting and review past class giving and future potential. Spring:
• Ad-hoc committee of representative class leaders and potential major donors discuss the fund effort and organization.
• Preliminary candidates identified for Williams Today, Presidential Colloquia and other special cultivation opportunities.
• Mailing to class (including widows) from the class president and/or reunion chair sets the stage for the next four years.

Four Years to the 50th
Fall:

• 50th Reunion Fund Committee and staff meet to map campaign strategy and timetable; identify and confirm additional prospective major donors and solicitors; develop cultivation prospects for major prospects; request research on major prospects from the College; and discuss ways to give, with a focus on planned giving.
• Inclusion of widows is discussed.
• A sub-committee is named to determine purpose(s) of the 50th Reunion Fund gift.
• Mailing to class announces formation of 50th Reunion Fund Committee and gift-purpose subcommittee; includes "Facts about Williams." Winter:
• 50th Reunion Fund chair and staff meet to build a knowledge base about classmates using contacts and research in preparation for spring meeting.
• Regional 50th Reunion meetings are held.
• A widows committee is organized and a chair is named. Spring:
• 50th Reunion Fund Committee meets with staff to review progress; confirm and/or make new cultivation/solicitation assignments for classmates and widows; and consider Williams Today and Presidential Colloquia invitations for the next year.

Three Years to the 50th
Fall: (All major gift assignments should be secure, with cultivation/solicitation taking place from now through the 50th reunion)

• 50th Reunion Fund Committee meets with staff, possibly during a mini-reunion, to plan the special gift effort (gifts of $25,000 or more); designate purpose(s) of 50th Reunion Fund gift; and update list of Williams Today and Presidential Colloquia candidates.
• Mailing to class from planned giving chair focuses on gift opportunities; includes "Facts about Williams."

• Regional 50th Reunion meetings are held. Spring:
• 50th Reunion Fund Committee meets in May for a mini-Williams Today program.
• Mailing to class includes fund progress report and a special enclosure from Williams.

Two Years to the 50th
Fall:

• Possible mini-reunion with presentation of planned gifts.
• 50th Reunion Fund Committee meets to plan for the general campaign.
• Mailing to class encourages class gifts and pledges, includes "Facts about Williams."

• Regional 50th Reunion meetings are held.
• Reunion mailing notifies class about Reunion Weekend dates and preliminary schedule.

• 50th Reunion Fund Committee meets to review all assignments for final year of fund-raising effort.
• Mailing to class reports on fund accomplishments to date; includes "Letter of Intent"

• Weeklong Williams-in-Oxford program, offered exclusively to 50th Reunion class.

One Year to the 50th
Fall:

• Pass-the-Baton Weekend is held in October (with previous 50th Reunion class); A Saturday evening reception and formal dinner is held with the president of Williams.
• 50th Reunion Fund Committee meets to review uncompleted solicitations, non-donors and disappointing gifts; re-evaluate assignments; consider return solicitations to reach prospect and campaign dollar and participation goals; and coordinate final year of 50th Reunion Fund and Alumni Fund campaigns (to make sure classmates, particularly those making small gifts, understand the difference between the two).
• Mailing from reunion events chair and class book chair presents details of Reunion

• Regional 50th Reunion meetings are held.
• Two mailings to class request submissions to class book and include lists of classmates planning to attend Reunion Weekend.

• Solicitation is completed at all levels.
• Mailing to class includes final report in anticipation of 50th Reunion Fund announcement at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Alumni during Reunion Weekend.
• Reunion mailing to class includes request for reservations, payment of fees.
• Class book is published and mailed no later than mid-May.

• College hosts cocktails for 50th Reunion Fund Committee on Thursday night.
• Formal class dinner held Friday night featuring Williams president.
• Announce 50th Reunion Fund gift at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Alumni on Saturday.
• College hosts brunch for the entire class on Sunday.

In the Year After the 50th
Summer:

• Post-reunion final report on the 50th Reunion Fund to the entire class.
• College formally acknowledges work of each committee member.
• Class reunion photo mailed.

• Host Pass-the-Baton weekend in October for the next 50th Reunion class.

50th Reunion Program
75 Park Street
Williamstown, MA 01267
413.597.4284