Suggested Regional Class Activity Structure
Background:[edit]
The HAA has subcommittees which promote alumni involvement – with each other and the university- after graduating. HAA efforts are oriented towards developing and promoting programs which are designed to gather alumni and strengthen their ties to the Harvard community, and is not involved in fundraising. (The Harvard Fund oversees fundraising.) Classes and Reunion Committee is a committee of the HAA, and focuses on reunions and class activities, and, to a lesser extent, cross-class activities. The Class Activity Committee is a subcommittee of Classes and Reunions. The purpose of the Class Activity Committee is to plan events which draw classmates together between reunions. Currently, there is no other formal structure for planning class events between reunions.
Structure of Class Activity Committee:[edit]
Chair[edit]
The Class Activity Chair is usually Boston-based and nominations to the position are approved by the class secretary or during reunion planning. The Class Activity Chair will gather a Boston area committee, and may also recruit and assist regional chairs and sub-committees. The Chair will provide assistance as needed to the regional chairs regarding events, communications and act as liaison with the HAA.
Boston Committee[edit]
A Boston Class Activity Committee composed mostly of classmates who are able to meet near the HAA, will plan events and organize regional committees. Any classmate who is interested may participate. Classmates who have been on the reunion committee will automatically be included. An email inviting the entire class to become active would be sent by the HAA.
Regional Chairs[edit]
Once Boston-based activities are up and running the Class Activity Chair may wish to appoint Regional chairs to plan events in their location. The Class Activity Chair will assist the regional chairs in forming a committee, and as needed for events. The HAA staff will assist by sending broadcast emails to local classmates, and as a source of information and reference.
Regional Sub-Committees[edit]
Regional subcommittees will meet to plan local events. The goal in the first year would be two events. Locations where greater concentrations of classmates live will be targeted for sub-committees, but all classmates are encouraged to participate. Areas where fewer classmates live may form committees with multiple classes to get to critical mass for events. Typically, the areas of highest concentration are Boston, New York, greater New York (CT or NJ), Washington D.C., L.A., San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle. Other cities may work for some classes, but not for others.
Events[edit]
Events need to be self-funding. Most classes and the HAA do not provide subsidies for between reunion events. Events may range in size from a few classmates to large parties, but a few smaller events are fine. Typical events: meet for lunch/drinks/dinner at a classmate’s house or restaurant, walking tour, tailgate party, book signing, reception for a classmate’s opening/performance/lecture, family picnic. Some classes set up monthly standing get-togethers. Whatever the committee decides is great, but all area classmates must be invited.
Regional chairs should report events to the HAA staff, and the Chair, who will report class activities to the Class Secretary.
Boston Committee[edit]
A Boston Class Activity Committee composed mostly of classmates who are able to meet near the HAA, will plan events and organize regional committees. Any classmate who is interested may participate. Classmates who have been on the reunion committee will automatically be included. An email inviting the entire class to become active would be sent by the HAA.
Regional Chairs[edit]
Regional chairs will be identified to gather a committee in their area to plan events locally. The Class Activity Chair will assist the regional chairs in forming a committee, and as needed for events. The HAA staff will assist by sending broadcast emails to local classmates, and as a source of information and reference.
Regional Sub-Committees[edit]
Regional subcommittees will meet to plan local events. The goal in the first year would be two events. Locations where greater concentrations of classmates live will be targeted for sub-committees, but all classmates are encouraged to participate. Areas where fewer classmates live may form committees with multiple classes to get to critical mass for events. Typically, the areas of highest concentration are Boston, New York, greater New York (CT or NJ), Washington D.C., L.A., San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle. Other cities may work for some classes, but not for others.
Events[edit]
Events need to be self-funding. Most classes and the HAA do not provide subsidies for between reunion events. Events may range in size from a few classmates to large parties, but a few smaller events are fine. Typical events: meet for lunch/drinks/dinner at a classmate’s house or restaurant, walking tour, tailgate party, book signing, reception for a classmate’s opening/performance/lecture, family picnic. Some classes set up monthly standing get-togethers. Whatever the committee decides is great, but all area classmates must be invited.
Regional chairs should report events to the HAA staff, and the Chair, who will report class activities to the Class Secretary.
