Reunion Planning Guide

Getting Started

Start, ideally, a year in advance of the actual date of the reunion. However, if you have less time, a nice reunion can still be planned in a short amount of time.

Often the location of a reunion needs to be booked a year in advance. See below for venue suggestions.

Locating classmates can be time consuming. Facebook can be your friend. Reach out to Brittney Silkworth, Director of Alumni Engagement, for assistantance in providing a list of Warren Central Alumni.

Join the Warren Central High School of Indianapolis – Alumni Facebook page to connect with old classmates. https://www.facebook.com/groups/warrenalumni

Committee Formation

Reunion Planning Guide

Include a variety of former students to provide balanced planning and encourage diverse, creative ideas to help attract as many of your former classmates as possible. 

  • Classmates who were active in school activities.

  • Class officers.

  • Sports participants.

  • Organization leaders.

  • Other classmates willing to help, especially those that live in the area.

Sub-Committee Suggestions

Treasurer and Finance Committee

  • Prepare budget for committee.

  • Establish checking account.

  • Maintain all financial records & pay bills.

Registration and Mailings Committee

  • For help finding classmates, reach out to Brittney Silkworth, Director of Alumni Engagement at bsilkwor@warren.k12.in.us

  • Prepare items for check-in areas such as nametags with graduation photo, name in large print and current city and state of the attendee.

  • Design registration materials to be sent out. A great resource for this is Eventbrite and Canva.

  • Create your class Facebook page and post to the Warren Central High School of Indianapolis- Alumni Facebook page.  Keep in mind there are other Warren Central High Schools out there, so you may want to include Indianapolis in the page name to avoid confusion. i.e. Warren Central Class of ’75 (Indianapolis)

  • After the reunion, send a copy of your updated address list to the Warren Central Alumni Association to aid in future reunions and mailings.

Site, Food, Activities, and Decoration Committee

  • Set the dates and select a location. Contact motels, hotels, country and golf clubs, banquet halls, and other facilities to host your events.

  • Secure a block of rooms for out-of-town attendees. Many hotels/motels will offer a discount whether you hold your event at their facility or not. Ask them!

  • Select a menu (or caterer) for your event and determine the final price to charge those attending.  

  • Contact the Warren Central Alumni Association to schedule a school tour.

  • Consider a golf outing, late night breakfast, or a family picnic.

  • Display class memorabilia that might include letter jackets, pep club sweaters, buttons, bumper stickers, play programs, or pictures. Example: If you graduated in the 1970’s, items might be a lava lamp, beanbag chair, and an eight-track tape and tape player. Ask alumni to submit photos and put together a slide show to show at the event. Canva is a great, free resource!

Select Leadership and a Date

Once the committee has been formed, there are some important decisions to make immediately.

  • Select a chairperson with strong leadership and organizational skills.

  • Select a treasurer with strong accounting skills.

  • Select a secretary to maintain records and minutes for future reference.

  • Select a date as soon as possible.

  • Inform the Warren Central Alumni Association of your reunion date and event details.

  • As soon as your plans are finalized, contact the Warren Central Alumni Association to have your reunion plans posted on the website and social media page.

  • Contact Brittney Silkworth, Director of Alumni Engagement to help schedule a tour of the high school.

Start-up Funds

Funding for temporary operating expenses such as postage, printing, and deposits can be a problem, especially for a first-time committee. The committee members could advance “seed money” for these operating funds and, later, their donations could be used toward paying for part or all of their registration fees. Another idea is to approach alumni-owned businesses to sponsor an activity in exchange for some advertising. Be creative. Use the Internet to appeal to other graduates for some start-up funds.

Contracts

All vendor arrangements for the reunion should be in writing. Be sure that all contracts contain the type of service, date, time, price, equipment to be used, menu items, tips, etc.

After the Reunion is over

Schedule a post-reunion meeting or gathering to celebrate a job well done with other committee members.

  • Discuss what worked well and what didn’t work so well.

  • The secretary should record responses for reference for planning the next reunion.

  • Discuss who will be responsible for housing the records, leftover yearbooks, decorations, etc.

  • Discuss what to do with leftover funds. Consider donating additional funds to the Warren Central Alumni Association/Warren Arts & Education Foundation, and provide opportunities and generate experiences for Warren Township students.

Venue Suggestions

Community Life Center

Indianapolis Marriott East

The Neidhammer

  • Address: 2104 E Washington St, Suite 2, Indianapolis, IN 46201

  • Phone Number: 317-759-0602

  • Capacity: 150-250

  • For more information: https://www.neidhammer.com/

The Rathskeller

The Warren Central Alumni Association can help you:

Make a gift to your high school. Set up a scholarship. Honor a teacher. Think of creative ways to support your alma mater.

Enjoy! Reunions are fun and rewarding. Thanks for your efforts.

For additional resources and help, please contact:

Warren Central Alumni Association at bsilkwor@warren.k12.in.us