50th Reunion Planning Committee

Kenyon 50th Reunions are planned by a volunteer committee of 20-25 people and Kenyon staff from the Advancement Division. Planning begins two years ahead of each reunion, with the majority of the planning activity in the 18 months leading up to reunion. The committee is led by Reunion Leaders who work with the chairs of the three subcommittees: Communication & Engagement, Reunion Weekend Social, and Fundraising & Participation.

It is helpful if the chairs have a knack for motivating their peers, are organized, committed, and generous with their time and resources toward Kenyon from the 48th year through the 50th Reunion.

All committee members will be asked to consider making Kenyon a top philanthropic priority during the 50th Reunion timeframe. Committee members are encouraged to participate in all committee meetings, key class events (virtual and in person) and Reunion Weekend (on campus Memorial Day Weekend).

Staffing Structure

Director of 50th Reunion Program, Shayna Daubert

Advancement staff member who is responsible for overseeing all components of the 50th Reunion Program, including working with Reunion Leaders and subcommittee chairs to have a fun, memorable and meaningful 50th Reunion.

Development Coordinator, Kyla Brayshaw

Advancement staff member who works with the Reunion Weekend Social and Communication & Engagement subcommittees on pre-reunion activities and reunion weekend planning.

Annual Giving Operations Coordinator, Terry Dunnavant

Advancement staff member who works with the Fundraising & Participation and Communication & Engagement subcommittees on EverTrue training and annual giving initiatives such as class letters.

Committee Structure

1-2 overarching committee chairs, called Reunion Leaders (liaisons between staff and subcommittee chairs). Subcommittees: (Communication & Engagement, Reunion Weekend Social, and Fundraising & Participation)

1-2 co-chairs
3-10 members

Reunion Leaders

(1-2 members)

Recruited by the director of the 50th Reunion Program and responsible for leading the 50th Reunion Committee as well as helping keep all facets of reunion planning on course. Highlighted below are some of the important functions of this role.

Work with staff to recruit subcommittee co-chairs and a diverse committee that is enthusiastic about Kenyon
Serve as the liaison between the 50th Reunion staff and the subcommittee chairs by maintaining timely communication
Oversee the reunion timeline to ensure deadlines are met
Set an example by marking this once-in-a-lifetime event with a special gift to Kenyon
Organize full committee meetings and encourage each of the subcommittee chairs to give a report on the status of their committee’s efforts
Present updates at appropriate meetings
Consult chairs and committee members from previous years’ 50th Reunion planning for ideas, planning tips and guidelines
Track reunion execution by keeping notes on the experience: important decisions and their consequences, ideas that worked well and others that didn’t. Future Reunion Leaders will thank you!

Communication & Engagement Subcommittee

(5-10 members)

Recruited by the Communication & Engagement Chair(s) and responsible for non-fundraising communication and the creation of pre-reunion events.

Each member of the committee will be assigned to a group of classmates for personalized outreach. They will execute a streamlined communication plan that is in line with the work of the College and the other subcommittees, utilizing different voices and multiple vehicles (phone, email, mail, video, social media).

They will create pre-reunion activities that appeal to a diverse group of classmates. Events planned collaboratively with subcommittees, and 50th Reunion Program staff in the lead-up to the 50th Reunion Weekend, will bring classmates and spouses/partners together virtually and in-person. These events serve a range of purposes: spending time with old friends, reconnecting with long-forgotten classmates, learning more about Kenyon today, and making the case for investment in the College’s future. Every class has its own history, culture, and ideas that should be incorporated into events in a way that resonates with classmates and spouses/partners. The committee will receive frequent reports to track engagement and event attendance.

Committee members will have access to Volunteer by EverTrue to organize and track individual communications. Highlighted below are specific key functions of this role.

Engagement tasks include the following:
- Oversee and develop pre-reunion events (regional and virtual)
- Connect with classmates to get reacquainted and confirm/update classmates’ information
- Solicit ideas for pre-reunion activities and nominations for alumni awards
- Collect photos and archival content
Communication tasks include the following:
- Assist with class letter process
- Create content for class communications
- Direct reunion website content
- Create video messages to connect with peers about reunion and related activities

Leadership: Communication & Engagement Co-Chair(s)

Recruited by the director of the 50th Reunion Program. Responsible for leading the communication & engagement subcommittee and managing the overall outreach effort to the class with engagement and reunion attendance goals in mind. Highlighted below are some of the important functions of this role.

Assist Kenyon staff to recruit a diverse committee
Oversee the design and execution of a streamlined 50th Reunion communication/engagement plan with a focus on reunion attendance, and alumni engagement that is in line with the work of the College and the other sub-committees
Present communication and engagement updates at appropriate committee meetings

Social Subcommittee

(2-5 members)

Recruited by the Reunion Weekend social chair(s) and responsible for overseeing the planning of weekend activities that appeal to a diverse group of classmates. Events are planned collaboratively with 50th Reunion Program staff in the lead-up to Reunion Weekend. The Committee will receive frequent reports to track reunion weekend attendance. Highlighted below are specific functions of this role.

Oversee and develop reunion weekend activities
Survey classmates, with the help of the Communication & Engagement subcommittee, for potential event ideas and identify those who could be speakers or performers
Recruit speakers/performers
Provide feedback on promotional items for the reunion celebration
Determine set-up and audiovisual needs, etc., for each event
Organize a way to honor classmates who are no longer with us (optional)
During Reunion Weekend, work with student hosts to make the class lounge feel welcoming and festive

Leadership: Reunion Weekend Social Co-Chair(s)

Recruited by the director of the 50th Reunion Program and responsible for leading the Reunion Weekend social subcommittee and managing the programming for Reunion Weekend. Highlighted below are some of the important functions of this role.

Assist Kenyon staff to recruit a diverse committee
Collaborate with Communication & Engagement chairs as needed
Propose the reunion schedule for the class
Provide leadership and support for all reunion events
Present event updates at appropriate committee meetings

Fundraising & Participation Subcommittee

(5-10 members)

Recruited by the fundraising & participation chair(s) and responsible for organizing a campaign to communicate Kenyon’s case for support as well as inviting classmates to make a gift to the College during this once-in-a-lifetime event. Committee members will have access to Volunteer by EverTrue to organize and track individual conversations about giving. Committee members will receive frequent reports to track fundraising efforts. Highlighted below are specific functions of this role.

Learn about various types of giving opportunities and share this information with classmates
Secure gifts: the majority of the committee will focus on securing gifts to the Kenyon annual funds, and the others will work with staff to maximize opportunities for major and planned gifts
Contact classmates: committee members will be provided with a list of classmates to talk with by phone, email, and/or at individual meetings to discuss giving
Work in concert with development staff as gift conversations advance and more support is needed

Leadership: Fundraising & Participation Co-Chair(s)

Recruited by the director of the 50th Reunion Program and responsible for leading the fundraising & participation subcommittee as well as managing the overall fundraising effort for the class. Working closely with the 50th Reunion director, a fundraising & participation chair must show an ability to make, solicit, and secure leadership gifts. Highlighted below are specific functions of this role.

Assist Kenyon staff to recruit a diverse committee
Work with Kenyon staff to set an overall 50th Reunion gift goal
Solicit reunion committee members to make their gift
Write personalized solicitation materials, with the assistance of the College, or delegate the task to another committee member or classmate
Present class giving updates at appropriate committee meetings
Set timelines for volunteers to complete their outreach and solicitation
Encourage committee members to follow up with their assigned classmates during the planned times of outreach leading up to the 50th Reunion
Present the class gift to the president during a special Reunion Weekend event