Date: June 5, 2007; Venue: 422 Canterbury Hinsdale, IL 60521
Attendance: Carl Birkelbach, Sally (Spiller) Barnard, John and Betsy (Howe)
Ward,
Sharon Hodges (Heslop), Susan (Nerad) Sazama, Jack Brochmann,
Bruce and Judy (Maxant) Beem, Phyllis Belokin (Mikoda), Sharon Dunn,
Merle and Gail (Glenke) Denker.
Number in 1958 Graduating Class: 356
All attendees introduced themselves giving, family information, place of residence and employment/retirement status.
Agenda was distributed and reviewed. Lynda Birkelbach agreed to take the minutes.
Chairperson for Class of 1958 Reunion Committee was assigned to Carl Birkelbach
Voting on issues was determined to be by “simple majority vote” with 50% being a quorum. Voting could take place in person or on the internet. On complicated issues it was agreed that “Parliamentary Procedures” would prevail (for which any member could call for at any time.)
Discussed results of the questionnaire. Approximately 250 people were sent the survey, 88 returned the survey and 78 responded they would plan to attend the 50th reunion.
Sharon Hodges (Heslop) volunteered to review and update the list of 1958 graduates with names and addresses. Gail Denker and Judy Beem volunteered to help Sharon
Carl Birkelbach reviewed the handouts and updated attendees that Newsweek had rated Riverside/Brookfield High School as 6th in the State of Illinois for academic achievement.
A request was made for any High School (and Grade School} photos to be sent to Carl Birkelbach to be incorporated into the Web site. It was agreed that a personal page could be established on the web site by each alumni (which could include personal data, messages and pictures}
The possible dates for the 50th Class Reunion were narrowed to the following weekends in 2008. September 26,27, 28 or October 3, 4, 5. Merle Denker agreed to investigate the dates for feasibility with attending a home RB football game. ( at noon on Saturday)
Susan Sazama volunteered to investigate the location for the 50th Class Reunion. Five sites were discussed: Brookfield Zoo, Drake Oakbrook, Oakbrook Hills, McDonald Corporation and The Marriott. Final consensus was to investigate only hotels in the Western Suburbs Other volunteers to assist Susan included: Phyllis Belokin, Sharon Dunn, Sally Barnard and Judy Beem. Their may be a need for deposits once the events are approved. (see benefactor donations below).
Ideas for the reunion weekend included the following:
Friday Night: Casual, cocktails with heavy appetizers or light buffet dinner.
Saturday Morning: Tour of RB
Saturday Afternoon: Football Game or Open House
Saturday Evening: Cocktails, Dinner and Dancing (50’s music)
Susan and committee will investigate the possibility of the above and the cost.
John (J) Ward volunteered to be the Treasure for the 50th Reunion. Discussion continued regarding a class gift – a charity or scholarship, and benefactors to help with the overall costs to keep prices down as so many alumni were retired on limited budgets.
Discussion on accumulating “Classmate Trivia” concluded with Jack Brockmann volunteering to take on this responsibility.
A motion was made by Judy Beem that we should establish a fund with money donated by benefactors. This money would be donated anonymously to the Treasurer, John Ward. This money would be used to lower the general cost of the Friday and Saturday events and still provide a first class setting. The motion was seconded by Sharon Dunn. All were in favor. The Treasure was given the authority to open an account for the Reunion. As soon as that account is established, benefactor donations can be made by Committee members.
It was suggested that the 50th Reunion Committee should meet 4 times prior to the reunion in the fall of 2008. Possible times include, late August/early September 2007, January 2008, and June 2008. Sally Barnard agreed to host the next meeting in September 2007.
Need for a Hospitality Committee for the reunion was discussed and Sally Barnard volunteered to take on this responsibility. Sharon Dunn agreed to assist Sally.
It was suggested and everyone agreed on the need for a “Newsletter” to go out in early September to update everyone on the progress of the 1958 - 50th Class Reunion Plans. This newsletter would include a request to provide information about 1958 graduates that cannot be located, general information about the progress of a date and place for the reunion and a request for benefactors. Carl Birkelbach volunteered to produce the Newsletter to be sent out in September, 2007.
Next meeting to be announced for late August/early September.
Meeting closed with the RB school song (Harold Collins)
Thanks to all that participated and volunteered to make the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1958 a fun and memorable event.
Carl & Lynda Birkelbach