Next steps in MCHS Sixties Reunion planning process – when and where should we next meet face to face?
Malcolm Campbell High School, as it appeared in January 1960. Source: 1961-62 Malcolm Campbell High School Highlander yearbook
As a follow up to the May 21, 2014 meeting in Kitchener, Ontario, of the MCHS Reunion Committee meeting attended by Peter Mearns, Lynn Legge, and Jaan Pill, I’d like to briefly review the planning process.
Please feel free to share this discussion with others who may be interested in offering input.
During the planning, we’re keen to get suggestions and input from as many people as possible – including from people not directly connected with Malcolm Campbell High School, but who have expertise or interest in the planning of such events.
Click on the photos to enlarge them. Click again to enlarge them slightly further.
1. Planning information
Previous planning information is at the Malcolm Campbell High School category at this website.
One question, for Lynn Legge and Peter Mearns (and anyone else who can join us for a meeting in Kitchener): what is the current feeling regarding the possible range of dates for the next meeting?
2. Volunteer administrative staff
Malcolm Campbell High School, March 1960. Source: 1961-62 yearbook
Our focus was on setting up the volunteer administrative staff for the MCHS Sixties Reunion; figuring out how to contact people; and figuring out how to collect money and distribute tickets for the event.
Lynn Legge has used a program that would enable the setting up of a secure online system for the purchase and printing out of tickets. She will report back to the committee regarding relevant details.
We’re looking at $100 a ticket or $185 for two – as in the case of a graduate and spouse both attending the reunion.
3. We’re seeking a volunteer accountant
We’re looking for an accountant to handle the money. If you know of a likely candidate, can you ask them?
4. Database of contacts
Howard Hight is building a database of contacts. If you’d like to have your name in the database, please contact Howard Hight at hahight@gmail.com
This process is moving along really well. It’s a key part of the organizing.
5. Biographies (200 words) and photos
Cheryl (Casino) Houston has put together a biographical information form that we can use to create 200-word biographies of Sixties Graduates. She’s also willing to help people to develop their texts. Just send her an email care of this website. Cheryl Houston has extensive experience as a Managing Editor. We’re very pleased to have her helping out as a member of the organizing team.
We will not list email addresses, but such information will be available, on a case by case basis, for MCHS graduates who contact the website, and who seek to get in touch with specific individuals.
Hoping that we’ll have a few more bios in place, to add to Jaan Pill’s bio.
6. Possible dates
The school building as it appeared in June 1960. Source: 1961-62 MCHS yearbook
We’re looking at October 17, 2015, November 7, 2015, or November 14, 2015 as possible dates for the event, which will be held in Toronto at Old Mill Toronto. Please let us know if you have thoughts you’d like to share regarding these dates.
7. Block rates for hotels
Lynn Legge will look into which hotels in the general vicinity of Old Mill Toronto are available for block rates for attendees.
8. Reunion format
We’ve discussed whether to break groups into classes or to have graduates of all Sixties years meeting for the reunion all as part of one group.
We’ve also discussed what people have learned about what has worked well, and not so well, at a range of other reunions of this nature.
Any suggestions that visitors to this website may have, regarding the best format for a reunion – one that provides the greatest enjoyment for the greatest number of people – will be read with much interest.
Cheryl Houston has shared some great suggestions and insights, which I will post to the website.
9. Scanning, videography, and photography
We have discussed the making of a video featuring Sixties photos and current photos – that is, Before and After images – of graduates of Malcolm Campbell High School graduates. If you know of anyone with expertise in this area, please let us know.
If you would like to help out with scanning of MCHS yearbook photos, for the creation of a jpeg file for each photo, please contact us. I’ve started to do some scanning.
I have access only to four yearbooks – for 1961-62; 1962-63; 1963-64; and 1964-65. If you have yearbooks for other years, that you can lend us, or make scans from, please let us know.
We’re looking for photographers who can help out, as volunteers, in the taking of class photos of MCHS Sixties graduates at the reunion.
I have already scanned the 1963-64 year book – might save you some time scanning another one.
regarding dates – wouldn’t the Oct date be more likely to have higher temperatures and nicer weather?
Have you scanned it page by page or do you have individual scans for each student?
That’s a good point about the weather. That’s a variable that’s good to include in the conversation.
Gerry’s right about weather, but gotta say Nov. 14 is my birthday.
Also gotta say that usually there is a BIG storm within 10 days of my birthday here in Ontario (and back in Montreal, where there was real winter), which bring me back to my point: Gerry’s right about the weather.
I have the sense, from comments to date, that October 17, 2015 looks good. I await input regarding this topic from members of the Reunion Committee. It’s a decision that needs to be made quickly, as Howard Hight has underlined.
I agree that October would be a preferred date. I will be flying in from Calgary, my sister from Kelowna via Salmon Arm, and weather could be problematic in November for travelling.