DJ or Master of Ceremonies? That’s a key question for the MCHS ’60s Reunion & Celebration of the ’60s organizing committee
The following edited discussion highlights one of the topics the MCHS 60s Reunion organizing committee is currently working on.
The reunion takes place on Oct. 17, 2015 at Old Mill Toronto.
We welcome your comments.
The reunion is for any person who attended, or taught at, Malcolm Campbell High School at any point in the 60s. That includes people who started at the school in the 60s and graduated in the 70s.
Input and suggestions from 60s graduates are a key consideration in the planning process connected with the reunion. The organizers live in cities across North America with quite a few – but by no means all of them – concentrated in the Greater Toronto Area.
Each person who attends the reunion has the opportunity to play a key role in the shaping of the event. What’s a key way that you can help us? You can help us by letting your network of contacts, from your days at MCHS, know about the reunion. Ask them to join the reunion database. Join the database yourself, if you have not yet done so.
If you wish to add your name to the database, and have not yet done so, please contact Howard Hight at hahight@gmail.com
MCHS No. 1 on Nov. 26, 2014 at 4:43 pm said:
MCHS 2015 organizing committee met in Kitchener on Nov. 26, 2014. A subcommittee meeting takes place in Toronto on Jan. 10, 2015 at 12:00 pm. Next meeting in Kitchener is on Feb. 4, 2015 at 11:30 am. Left to right, Nov. 26: Peter Mearns, Lynn Hennebury Legge, Jaan Pill, Gina Davis Cayer, Scott Munro, David Dodds
We had an A-1 meeting in Kitchener today. Scott, Peter, Gina, Lynn, David, and Jaan attended.
Everybody spoke very highly of the Reunion Newsletters. Very impressive and effective letters.
Also, Lynn mentioned that she should have her Hennebury name included in the database printout as otherwise many people don’t know who she is. She mentioned some other women from those years, who also need to have maiden names included. She will get in touch with Diana and Howard regarding this.
We spoke of people that we can round up in our respective networks, to add to the database. Gina knows quite a few people. Lynn mentioned she knows quite a few people also.
Instead of a DJ, the thought was that a person is needed as a Master of Ceremonies.
It was great that Gina Davis Cayer, who attended MCHS in the 1960s, was able to join us. Great to have David, our accountant, join us again as well.
One of the key things we noted: When people are talking at the buffet time, that’s not when we want loud 60s music drowning out the conversation. What an excellent point! One that would not have occurred to me, were it not for today’s meeting. At another stage, of course, we can have music based on a playlist and music for those who want to dance.
We discussed many things. It was a great meeting.
MCHS No. 2 on Nov. 26, 2014 at 6:13 pm:
If you are all in agreement that the newsletter provides a focused source for communication to the classmates, then should we use it to communicate out to them. How about a pointed summary of the topics covered today. How about any resolutions and seek opinions.
Bear in mind, the newsletter is the only medium we have to contact them.
Each time let’s add on the latest list of whom we have on our list. How many have committed to coming
And most importantly how many have paid.
MCHS No. 3 on Nov. 27, 2014 at 6:13 pm:
We talked a little bit about a Master of Ceremonies for the reunion, a name came to mind. Check him out.
MCHS No. 1 on Nov. 27, 2014 at 7:59 pm:
You mentioned: We talked a little bit about a Master of Ceremonies for the reunion, a name came to mind.
For sure, the idea of a Master of Ceremonies instead of a DJ is something that we talked about in Kitchener on Nov. 26.
I think it’s a great idea to explore the idea.
I’d like to start by sharing the idea with the rest of the organizing team. For such decisions, it’s great to get discussion and input from all possible sources.
Let’s see what the rest of the team thinks of this idea.
MCHS No. 2 on Dec. 17, 2014 wrote at 8:31 pm:
You asked for other opinions. Not being one to not have one, here goes.
My feeling is that folks are looking forward to this gathering for the opportunity to meet again with old friends and acquaintances. It is an occasion to eat, drink, talk and dance.
The concept of a DJ fits into that mold. A Master of Ceremonies makes it feel like an awards dinner or Rotary Club dinner. By that it takes on a formality beyond the expectations. Just a thought.
We really need to ramp up the fun aspect of this………….
MCHS No. 1 on Nov. 17, 2014 at 8:39 pm:
That’s a good point. Your input is a key consideration in the ongoing conversation regarding such decisions.
MCHS No. 4 on December 17, 2014 at 9:40 pm:
I agree with MCHS Grad No. 2’s thoughts.
MCHS No. 5 at 11:52 pm on Nov. 17, 2014:
I agree with MCHS Grad No. 2’s comment.
MCHS No. 6 on Dec. 18, 2014:
Thanks for sending the various comments about enlisting the help of a Master of Ceremonies at the reunion.
Here’s my personal input – if there isn’t someone “in charge” of making announcements, presentations, comments, possible humourous anecdotes, possible silly quizzes, this role may fall on YOUR shoulders, or one of the other organizers. Actually, if it’s arranged beforehand, possibly several of the organizers may wish to volunteer to be in charge of an aspect of the evening (ie, the slide show) and act as an “intermittent” M.C. I’m thinking that an M.C may be helpful BEFORE the DJ starts the loud music and people start to dance.
To me, a DJ essentially introduces songs, takes special requests, and mixes the music, but doesn’t say too much. There will be time to socialize with old friends, before, during and after the dinner, and these interactions could still occur even when an MC is making announcements, etc.
These are my thoughts, but whatever you and the organizers decide, I’m sure it will be a great evening.
[Conclusion of comments from six MCHS 60s graduates]
We welcome your comments
You can comment via this website (by sending a Reply below) – or via email or Facebook or you can phone me. My contact details are at the bottom left of the page you are now reading.
In the event I’ve missed anybody’s comments, from the above-noted discussion, please let me know. I do my best to keep track but sometimes things may slip by.
I know I received notice of the reunion and certain details , but I cannot find the information in my files nor do I see the info posted visibly on this web site . May I suggest a large banner , allowing easy access to all the info , including the cost , how to remit payment , guarantee if the event has to be postponed , or if the attendee must cancel , refund policy , hotel arrangements ( if any) and other FAQs .I believe many people are hesitant to send in payment this far in advance without a refund guarantee . It would also be appreciated if we knew how many classmates in each year of graduation have committed to attend . John
I totally agree John. I think those details in one place would be so helpful to everyone. Thanks for making that suggestion.
Good to read your message, John.
We’ll work on the banner, and the points of information that you’ve suggested, including getting information out about how many classmates from each year of graduation have committed to attend.
Jaan
We are working with with Bruce Walden of Walden Design to reconfigure the landing page for the Preserved Stories website, in order to get the details about the reunion all in one place. The recent message from John Kovac, which is very helpful in moving our planning process forward, is the starting point for the reconfiguration project.
By way of visual identity, we’re working with three images – the MCHS school crest; the MCHS cougar; and the bagpiper silhouette that appears on the cover of the 1960s and 1970s yearbooks.
We much value feedback – and participation in the planning process – from each potential MCHS 2015 attendee. We seek to ensure that each person attending the reunion has a strong sense of ownership of the event.