50th Reunion Program: Class Officer Structure, Responsibilities

Class Officers: Cabinet
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Alumni Fund Agent, Planned Giving Chair - all identified at the 45th Reunion

Reunion Officers

• Reunion Weekend Chair - well-organized and experienced class leader, a motivator and delegator, and an effective public speaker. Attention to detail a real plus. Knows how to create and manage a budget. Should be identified at, or soon after, the 45th Reunion.
• Class Book Editor-In-Chief - appointed by the class president; an experienced "copy man", who can both seek and edit free-flowing copy from his classmates, and assist in the design and publishing of a 50th Reunion class book. An outside consultant has assisted recent classes. Requires persistence over an 18-month long process. Budget: College contributes up to $13,000; recent costs have ranged from $12-17,000; balance comes from Reunion fees or Class account.
• Reunion Fund Chair - appointed by the class president, in close consultation with the development office. Organized, motivating, committed, generous. Responsible for leading the fundraising effort for the class's 50th Reunion Fund gift, presented to the College on Reunion Weekend. Works closely with the class president and leadership cabinet, this person must show an ability to make, solicit and secure leadership gifts. An intense commitment of time is required, beginning soon after the 45th Reunion, and lasting through the Reunion and the following fall. A Fund Committee is established in order to implement a comprehensive fundraising drive, reaching all classmates on a personal basis. This work is conducted in close collaboration with the Alumni Fund.
• Gift Purposes Chair - appointed by the class president, this individual works closely with the College administration in identifying the needs of Williams and the various areas of interest among the class. The goal is to recommend a list of 2-3 projects that will motivate significant enthusiasm from class donors and meet the priority needs of the College.

Weekend Vice Chairs:

• Recruitment - responsible for maximum attendance to Reunion Weekend; works through a network of fraternity liaisons, regional whips, industry concentrations. Should begin the canvassing effort two years' out from Reunion Weekend. Works in close collaboration with Weekend Chair, Alumni Fund Agent and Class Secretary. Needs commitment and persistence; can begin after the 45th year.
• Accommodations - a classmate, preferably a local, who would secure blocks of rooms at appropriate hotels, and keeping in touch with the hoteliers as to class registration updates and remaining room availability. Needs to be started early, two years' prior to Reunion, with periodic updates.
• Meals - subject to the Weekend chair's discretion, classmate(s) may be assigned to help the steward and caterers on details of meal arrangements. Menu and wine selections are top priority. Can be started one year prior, with completion by winter of 50th year.
• Entertainment - a classmate who will make arrangements for musical entertainment during class dinners (usually on Friday and/or Saturday night). Needs a good sense of what the class will want to have: dixieland, jazz, ballroom, pop. This can also entail the creation/editing of a Williams Song Book, securing a piano, and recruiting class musicians, as available. Bookings should be started one year prior, with confirmation by winter of 50th year.
• HQ Coordinator - a classmate who will assist in the registration process, as well as oversee the collection of class memorabilia, artwork, books, and other "show and tell" submissions. This could be a job for 2-3 people; a local curator would help. Can begin in the fall of the 50th year, with heavy workload during Reunion week.
• Golf - the only person in the class through whom Taconic starting times can be made (the pro shop will direct any/all individual calls to this class person); should be experienced in arranging foursomes, fun competitions, securing prizes (may have to charge a nominal fee to participants for prizes); presenting prizes Saturday night. Needs to be started in the fall of the 50th year, with heavy load in Spring of 50th year.
• Tennis - works with the college's manager of the tennis center, securing court times; should be experienced in arranging matches, fun competitions, securing prizes (may have to charge a nominal fee to participants for prizes); presenting prizes Saturday night. Needs to be started in the fall of the 50th year, with heavy load in Spring of 50th year.
• Decorations - a committee of 5-10 people (often wives) who will create and implement a tasteful décor to the Friday and Saturday night meals, along with the class's Reunion Headquarters. Having a local contact is helpful (florists, decorations, material, storage). Centerpieces, flowers, balloons, streamers, Gul posters / cut-outs! Should be in place by fall of the 50th year. Budget: subject to class treasurer (not supported by College budget)
• Class Website Master - a classmate who is well-trained in computers, home page design and listserv management; works closely with the Alumni Office; can make a commitment of time and expertise, assuring an attractive and up-to-date class home page. The position can begin anytime after the 45th Reunion.
• Widows Chair - a widow from the class is asked to both encourage attendance at Reunion Weekend, as well as solicit support for the class gift. This latter responsibility can be delegated to another widow in the class. The position should be in place by the spring of the 49th year.