Riverside/Brookfield High School
Class of 1958 50th Reunion Committee Meeting

Date: October 18, 2007

Attendance: Carl Birkelbach, Sally (Spiller) Barnard, Jay and Betsy (Howe) Ward, Susan (Nerad) Sazama, Jack Brochmann, Bruce and Judy (Maxant) Beem, Phyllis Belokin (Mikoda), Sharon Dunn, Sandy (Mann) Epperson, Merle and Gail (Glienke) Denker, Dale Kanak. Lois Chinnock,

Meeting Place: Riverside Brookfield High School

Start Time: 4:00 p.m.

Ending Time: 6:00 p.m.

Number in 1958 Graduating Class: 356

Attendees:

All attendees introduced themselves giving family information, place of residence and employment/retirement status. Attendees signed in.

Distributed Materials:

Revised Agenda
Riverside Brookfield High School 2007 Report
Reunion Suggested Events Handout
Registration Form and Letter with attached questions

Agenda:

Revised agenda was distributed and reviewed by Carl Birkelbach. Attendees agreed that all votes would be “hand votes” with 50% being a quorum and voting by “Parliamentary Procedures” only if deemed necessary.

1958 Classmate List:

Review of current “Classmate List”. Missing: 45. Departed: 41. Sharon Hodges resigned from the committee due to family illness. The committee thanks Sharon for all your hard work in helping to find alumni.

List of classmates was review and updated. Bruce and Judy Beem volunteered to work with Sen to update the “Classmate List” with the people from Sharon’s list to be included. List of 1958 RB Graduates still missing to be send out with the next Newsletter.

Treasurer’s Report:

Jay Ward, Treasurer reported that he had set up an account with the current balance being $1,501.06. Three benefactors contributed a total of $1,500.00.

Discussed the need to request 1958 RB graduates become benefactors in the next Newsletter. All Board members were asked to see Jay if they wish to make a contribution as a “benefactor”.

Reunion Event Planning:

Susan Sazama with the assistance of Sally Barnard, Phyllis Belokin and Sharon Dunn brought everyone up to date on suggestions for the “Reunion Weekend”.

Dates for Reunion: October 17, 18, 2008

Headquarter Hotel: Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge

1200 Burr Ridge Parkway

Burr Ridge, IL 60527

630-986-4100

Headquarter Hotel Rates: $109/night which includes tax.

Rooms To Be Reserved: 50 rooms (increased from 25)

% Rooms Guaranteed : 80%

Discussion:

Number of Events:
Welcome Reception, Friday Night: October 17, 2008
Time: 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Welcome Reception in a private room that will accommodate 200. Appetizers – light or heavy – with more follow-up needed on price. Cash bar – approved but needed to determine the cost of liquor options and the cost of extra bartenders (one bartender per 100 people is provided). Discussion on need for music, tables/chairs, decorations, name tags (large print), games, DVD/video show, displays, entertainment. Sandy showed the name tags used by the 1957 Class – with 1958 picture, name (maiden and married), and current place of residence. Friday Night registration desk to be manned by “Organizing Committee” members – each member taking a turn. Committee will investigate and follow-up on all suggestions.

Saturday Daytime: Jay Ward volunteered to help organize this portion of the reunion. Lois, Merle and Dale volunteered to assist with this planning. Sharon Dunn, Hospitality Committee, stated that a tour of RB High School would be nice and she would look into transportation from the Hotel to RBHS. Sally will consult with the group. Discussion pertaining to other daytime activities took place with no consensus. Further suggestions and investigation needed.
Formal Evening, Saturday Night, October 18, 2008
Cocktails: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cash Bar

Dinner: 7:30 p.m.

Music: 9:00 p.m. to midnight

Discussion followed on appetizers, menu, cost per plate, decorations, centerpieces, (tea lights provide), napkins (Royal Blue napkins with white tablecloth), wine, music, games, skits, and program. Suggested no appetizers with drinks – maybe just assorted nuts on each table. Everyone agreed wine on each table – 2 bottles white and 2 bottles red. Gail said she would look into DJ’s and cost. Discussion on using RB Bookstore memorabilia for prizes for games. ”The “Program” was discussed with suggestion that Carl Birkelbach would MC. Program Committee: Jack Brockmann, Jay Ward, Carl Birkelbach. Discussion on DVD and Directory of Classmates – no decision as need to investigate cost and a “Pictures/Directory” Committee needs to be formed and a chairperson/s selected. Ray Simpson, RBHS Class of 1957 might be a resource.

Pricing:
Discussion on “One Price for Weekend” versus “Price per Event”. Agreed that a separate price for each day would be best to accommodate those who can only make one evening. A price around $125.00 for the entire weekend might be feasible but still need to decide cost of DVD, pictures, or whatever else might be included in the price. Price of hotel will not be included in the price.

Residual Funds:
Discussion on what would be done with any residual funds after all bills were paid. One suggestion was donating to the “Riverside Tree Bank”. Sally volunteered to investigate existence of a “Riverside Foundation” as a scholarship donation is also a possibility.

Newsletter Committee:
Members, Phyllis, Susan, Sharon Dunn and Carl. Need to compile and distribute in January after the next meeting. Include request for “Benefactors” and list of “Missing 1958 RB Graduates”.

Extra Volunteers Needed: Discussion for the need for additional volunteers – other than our Committee members. Send out a list of other volunteer opportunities with the invitations as we will have a better idea of what help we need by then. .
Next Meeting:
When: Early January

Where: RBHS

Time: 4:00 p.m. with dinner after for those interested

To Do List:

Bruce and Judy Beem update Classmate List and Missing Classmate List
Newsletter Committee - Newsletter written and distributed in early January. Include “List of Missing” in Newsletter when it is sent out and request for “Benefactors”.
Saturday Daytime Committee – Jay, Merle, Lois, Dale investigate possible activities and costs.
Evening Hospitality Committee – Susan, Phyllis, Sally and Sharon Dunn continue to investigate questions pertaining to Friday and Saturday evening events.
Gail Denker - look into DJ’s and cost for DJ for Saturday night.
Program Committee: Make suggestions for “Program” for Saturday night event. Jack Brockmann to accumulate “Classmate Trivia” for Program Committee
Need to form a “Pictures/Directory Committee” and select a chair.
Set a price for each event.

Carl & Lynda Birkelbach

 

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