Planning committee shifts focus to our 20 year reunion

The Class of 2007 planning committee is moving its focus to our 20 year reunion. Following missed payment deadlines, limited participation during the planning process, and interest increasing only at the last minute, this year’s Alumni Day activities will move to separate leadership.

Thank you to everyone who has participated, contributed, and stayed engaged over the past two years. Your support helped make two successful events possible. We appreciate everyone who responded, paid on time, contributed supplies, offered help, and followed through.

Alumni Day leadership going forward

Antonio Caswell has volunteered to serve as the main point of contact for the group of classmates now organizing Alumni Day.

The committee will cover the lot fee from the existing class fund balance. Beyond that payment, the committee will have no involvement in planning, managing, or operating this year’s Alumni Day activities.

Antonio and the group taking the lead will be responsible for:

• Making event decisions and communicating plans to the class
• Coordinating food, decorations, equipment, and supplies
• Managing additional costs, payments, and collections
• Recruiting help and assigning responsibilities
• Completing setup, cleanup, and breakdown
• Handling questions, concerns, and issues that arise

The committee will not coordinate vendors, make purchases, organize workers, or serve as backup support. Please direct all Alumni Day questions and requests to Antonio and the group taking responsibility.

Why the committee is moving forward

Over the past two years, committee members have volunteered hours of planning time and contributed personal supplies to support our class events. This year, we again invested substantial time in discussions, research, coordination, and detailed planning. We also built a website explaining the event, costs, deadlines, and participation information.

Payment deadlines were not met. When the committee raised concerns about participation, no questions, concerns, or alternative plans were brought forward in response. Last minute interest could not restore the time needed to order items, coordinate services, and deliver the proposed experience.

Claims that the committee failed to communicate do not accurately reflect the information provided or the opportunities to ask questions.

Regarding the jerseys:

• 26 survey respondents requested a jersey and provided what they wanted it to say. The committee planned around those responses.
• Jersey images were available on the website’s Alumni 2026 event page, although they were not displayed directly on the registration form.
• Anyone who could not locate the images or had questions about the design could have asked before the deadline.
• If preferences changed, those changes needed to be communicated.

We are all adults. Committee members have work, family, financial, and personal responsibilities too. The committee cannot be expected to continually follow up with each classmate for responses or payments. Reading the information, raising questions, and meeting deadlines are shared responsibilities.

Our next priority: the 20 year reunion

The committee will now focus on developing a realistic plan for our 20 year reunion. Funds remaining after the Alumni Day lot fee will be preserved for reunion expenses.

The original reunion survey received 33 responses:

• 13 people, or 39.4%, selected a cruise.
• 13 people, or 39.4%, selected a nearby big city, with Atlanta listed among the examples.
• 3 people, or 9.1%, selected a local one day event.
• The remaining four responses were spread across other options.

Atlanta was the committee’s proposed direction within the popular big city option. It would keep the celebration within Georgia, and the committee also considered the additional transportation needed to reach a cruise port and the potential for seasickness during a cruise. The survey itself did not specifically select Atlanta over the other cities.

However, the missed deadlines and last minute participation surrounding Alumni Day have raised serious concerns about whether a destination reunion is realistic. The committee believes keeping the celebration local may be the more responsible choice unless the class can demonstrate the advance commitment needed for Atlanta or a cruise.

Before moving forward, we are reopening the poll so everyone has another opportunity to share what they can realistically support.

Reunion poll: cruise, Atlanta, or local?

Which option should the committee prioritize for our 20 year reunion? Please select one option, considering your ability to attend, cover the associated costs, and meet payment deadlines.

• Cruise: a reunion cruise, with transportation to the departure port and other travel expenses.
• Atlanta: a reunion in Atlanta, with transportation and any needed lodging.
• Local: a reunion in or near Turner County.

Optional comment: What budget, timing, travel, or activity concerns should the committee consider?

The poll will guide planning. It is not a payment commitment or a final booking decision. Final plans will depend on costs, confirmed participation, and funds collected by the established deadlines.

What we need from the class

A similar pattern affected reunion planning in 2017: plans were communicated, responses and payments were limited, personal money was lost, and classmates later expressed disappointment about not having a reunion. We cannot repeat that experience.

The committee’s willingness to continue volunteering its planning time should not be taken for granted. Future events require classmates to:

• Read the materials and updates being shared
• Respond to surveys and messages by the deadlines
• Ask questions when something is unclear
• Raise financial, travel, or scheduling concerns early
• Communicate changed preferences
• Pay on time and follow through on commitments

Next steps

• Alumni Day: Antonio and the group taking the lead will handle all further planning and communication.
• Class funds: The committee will cover the lot fee and preserve the remaining balance for reunion expenses.
• Reunion poll: Classmates should select the option they can realistically support and share any concerns.
• Reunion update: The committee will post an update by the end of this month, including the next steps in planning.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported our class over the past two years. Our focus now is making our 20 year reunion a celebration we can realistically support, plan responsibly, and enjoy together.