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Reunion Co-Chairs

The Reunion Co-Chairs play an important role in the success of your class’s Reunion. Communication with classmates, committee members, and your Reunion Staff Liaisons are critical. The Co-Chairs are the chief strategists for class reunion planning and giving efforts.

Primary responsibilities of the Reunion Co-Chairs include:

• Serve as primary liaison between your Reunion Staff Liaisons and the committee;
• Manage participation and engagement of the committee members;
• Partner with Reunion Staff Liaisons to recruit a diverse and enthusiastic Reunion Committee;
• Work with the committee to offer ideas and feedback for class-specific events;
• Attend 2-3 committee Zooms for Reunion Weekend and class gift updates;
• Set revenue and participation goals for your Reunion Class Gift with your Reunion Staff Liaisons;
• Personalize or write 2-3 class communications signed by the Co-Chairs;
• Select 5-15 classmates to reach out to by email, text, or phone, to remind them to encourage them to attend Reunion Weekend, and to make a reunion gift;
• Encourage fellow committee members to engage with their classmates;
• Make a meaningful reunion gift;
• Attend Reunion Weekend, if possible.

Anticipated time commitment: 1-2 hours monthly

Opportunities to personalize the structure of Committee leadership:

• Communications/social media chair
• Programming chair
• Participation chair
• 1794/Major gift chair

Reunion Committee Members

Committee Members play a critical role in assisting with encouraging classmates to attend Reunion Weekend and class gift participation. 

Responsibilities of Committee Members include:

• Attend 2-3 committee Zooms for Reunion Weekend and class gift updates;
• Offer ideas and feedback to your Reunion Staff Liaisons for class-specific events;
• Select 5-15 classmates to reach out to by email, text, or phone, to remind them to encourage them to attend Reunion Weekend, and to make a reunion gift;
• Encourage fellow committee members to engage with their classmates;
• Make a meaningful reunion gift;
• Attend Reunion Weekend, if possible.

Anticipated time commitment: 5-10 hours in total time prior to Reunion Weekend.

Reunion Staff Liaisons

Each Reunion Committee will have designated staff members from the Alumni Relations and Annual Giving teams at º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ. Reunion Staff Liaisons guide your work and provide context for the campus-wide Reunion Weekend programming. Reunion Staff Liaisons are available to answer any questions you may have.

How our volunteer and staff teams partner 

Our amazing committee volunteers

• Partner with Reunion Staff Liaisons to recruit a diverse and enthusiastic Reunion Committee;
• Attend 2-3 committee virtual calls for Reunion Weekend and class gift updates;
• Work with the committee to offer ideas and feedback for class-specific programming during class gatherings;
• Reach out individually to encourage classmate attendance;
• Activate your networks using social media;
• Build momentum for groups of classmates to come back to campus;
• Encourage participation in class fundraising.

The º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ staff team

• Help you to develop your outreach for attendance and class fundraising
• Review and share formal class communications
• Share College-planned programs
• Share core Reunion schedule
• Manage all on-campus meal planning and logistics with campus partners
• Assist in problem-solving
• Keep everyone informed

Meals and Meal Logistics

The º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ staff takes care of all program and meal logistics for on-campus events with campus partners.

• We book campus spaces to ensure all classes have a space to reconnect
• We work with º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ’s Dining Services and College approved local caterers to plan all menus for the weekend
• We include an assortment of beverages at most meals including water, seltzer assortment, soft drinks, beer, and wine at registered bar areas.

Staff and Classes

• 2020 | 5th Reunion: Dominique O’Neil ’12 & Norah Schlax
• 2015 | 10th Reunion: Dominique O’Neil ’12 & Norah Schlax
• 2010 | 15th Reunion: Kat Hand & Isabel Crawford ’20
• 2005 | 20th Reunion: Lindsey Lessard & Jordan Drolet (*until filled)
• 2000 | 25th Reunion: Lindsey Lessard & Jane Camp (*until filled)
• 1995 | 30th Reunion: Lindsey Lessard & Sarah Daniels
• 1990 | 35th Reunion: Kat Hand & Sarah Daniels
• 1985 | 40th Reunion: Carmen Sutyak & Jordan Drolet
• 1980 | 45th Reunion: Dominique O’Neil ’12 & Jordan Drolet
• 1975 | 50th Reunion: Carmen Sutyak & Francie Tolan
• 1970 | 55th Reunion: Kat Hand & Rachel Morse (*until filled)
• 1965 | 60th Reunion: Carmen Sutyak & Isabel Crawford ’20
• 1960 | 65th Reunion: Kat Hand & Isabel Crawford ’20

Reunion Student Ambassadors

Reunion Student Ambassadors are º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ students who play an important role in the implementation of Reunion Weekend. Reunion Student Ambassadors are assigned to Reunion classes to take photos, shepherd the class to and from programming, answer questions, and share their experience as a current student. Reunion Student Ambassadors are hired and trained to take their jobs seriously, and to follow the rules and regulations of Reunion and º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ’s campus. We appreciate the role that Reunion Chairs and Committee Members play in welcoming and supporting these students in their important work.

What makes a successful reunion is the personalization that Committee Members bring to the process—people like hearing from their classmates! 

Reunion class outreach is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and classmates you may not have seen or connected with in a while. The goal of this outreach is to encourage your classmates to come back to º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ for Reunion Weekend and to invite them to join you in making a gift to º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ, in honor and celebration of this milestone year.

Classmate Assignment Selection and Outreach

Shortly after your first Reunion Committee meeting, you will be offered the chance to review a list of your classmates and select 5-15 (or however many you’d like) that you commit to reach out to this year prior to Reunion, to encourage them to attend Reunion Weekend, and invite them to join in making a contribution to your class gift.

Alumni who are contacted by their classmates are two times more likely to make a gift to º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ. But we know it can feel uncomfortable asking classmates to make a gift to the College, so we have plenty of resources to make it easy for you. 

º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ’s Volunteer Resources page offers outreach templates for email and text messages, news from campus, facts and figures about the College to share, responses to typical questions and/or concerns you may field, among many other resources. Your staff liaisons can answer any questions you have and provide whatever else you may need for your outreach.

º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ Volunteer Resources Hub

There will be 2-3 Reunion Committee meetings hosted prior to Reunion Weekend. These meetings are hosted on Zoom, to offer flexibility to attendees.

The purpose of these meetings is to:

• Catch up with your fellow Reunion Committee members and get excited about returning to º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ for Reunion Weekend;
• Learn about campus-wide Reunion Weekend programming and discuss class-specific plans;
• Hear updates on class progress to alumni participation and fundraising goals;
• Strategize on reunion class outreach;
• Ask questions!

Reunion Weekend has many components in the core program that are included in all registration fees. This includes: a variety of lectures and panel discussions with faculty and alumni, campus-wide DJ and live music performances, lobster bakes, transportation to the Schiller Coastal Studies Center, Convocation, activities for children, receptions, and meals – intended to provide returning alumni with a look at the º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ of today as well as the opportunity to remember their own time here. 

Class-Specific Events

While the College organizes the majority of Reunion Weekend programming, we encourage each class to think about what may add something special to their experience. Reunion staff liaisons advise Reunion Committees on special class activities.

Meaningful class-specific events from previous years include:

• Class pick-up games (such softball, tennis, etc.)

• Class specific talk (e.g. life storytelling 4.5 in 45 – a program where multiple alumni share their life journey since º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ in 4.5 minutes. In this case, the 45th Reunion covered 45 minutes in 4.5 minute installments as a class activity)

• Morning running or cycling

• Special remarks at a class reception

Packages and Fees

Reunion registration packages are all-inclusive—no additional fees are charged for participation in Reunion events once arriving on campus. Packages help cover costs associated with all Reunion activities like meals, beverages, entertainment, and much more. º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ strives to make participation in Reunion as affordable as possible, and the College substantially subsidizes the cost of the Weekend. Children ages 17 and younger can attend Reunion for free.

Reunion Packages

º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ is dedicated to making Reunion financially feasible for all classmates. Registration offers Full Weekend, Partial Weekend, and Saturday Day package pricing options. º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ recognizes that for some classmates the cost of attending Reunion may be a hardship. In those situations, financial assistance is available, and requests should be sent to Holly Rogers and Tracie Knight in the Office of Alumni Relations at reunion@bowdoin.edu once registration opens. Please note, assistance is not available for transportation, off-campus lodging, or other non-Reunion fee related expenses. All requests will be considered and will remain confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Receptions and Meals: A trip back to campus wouldn’t be complete without a meal from our award-winning º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ Dining. Arrangements for campus-wide and class meals are coordinated with º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ Dining through the Office of Alumni Relations. Reunion Weekend events adhere to Maine State liquor laws and only serve alcohol in locations with approved alcohol licenses. Questions about meals or alcohol should be directed to your Reunion Staff Liaisons. 

• Off-campus events: Off-campus events with food and beverage outside the core Reunion program cannot be supported by º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ Dining—outside caterers with their own liquor licensing must be contracted. Financial support for off-campus events is not included in Reunion registration fees or the College’s Reunion budget. These types of events are considered “hosted events” (at a person’s home or off-campus event space) and all event costs (such as food, beverage, rental fee, event rental supplies, and bus transportation to and from campus) must be funded by classmate(s) agreeing to underwrite the full cost of the off-campus event. Event and funding details must be finalized by January 31, 2025. For ease of planning and attendance count collection, registration for the off-campus event can be included in the general Reunion registration process coordinated by Alumni Relations.

• Class Headquarters: Each Reunion class is assigned to a headquarters location, which serves as the home base for the class throughout the weekend. The College will provide a Bluetooth speaker to be used (with a classmate’s device) at the class headquarters throughout the weekend. Please note that requests for live multi-instrument bands to perform in a tent or class headquarters outside of the core weekend programming cannot be accommodated. There are many options for music, food, and beverages throughout both Friday and Saturday nights of the weekend.

Where to Stay

On-campus housing is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights of Reunion and available according to registration package. Housing is extremely limited and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Housing can be requested when Reunion registration opens. All individuals must be registered for Reunion Weekend for housing assignments to be made.

Housing is provided primarily in residence halls and College Houses. A limited number of apartments are available on a first come, first served basis and can be requested when registering.

Accommodation in all facilities include twin beds and very minimal furnishings. Each attendee registered for on-campus housing will be provided with a set of sheets and towels, a blanket, and a pillow. Attendees are encouraged to bring additional pillows, blankets, or other amenities such as coat hangers, alarm clocks, etc. There are no private bathrooms. The College makes every effort to house classmates and guests of a given Reunion class in the same building.

College policy prohibits pets in campus buildings including all academic, administrative, and student residential buildings. Please note that this does not apply to service animals, which are welcome.

If alumni choose to stay off-campus, reservations should be made as early as possible as venues book quickly!

Accessibility

º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ is committed to making all of its resources available to each one of its community members. While not all areas of campus are fully accessible, we are committed to helping identify and eliminate barriers—including disabilities, impairments, health conditions, or other access needs—so you can enjoy your time back on campus.

Questions? Contact reunion@bowdoin.edu.