The Class Report and Class Report Chair(s)
Harvard encourages classes to publish class reports at the time of quinquennial reunions. Starting with the Class of 1963, Harvard and Radcliffe have published combined reports.
The Class Secretaries usually serve as report chairs or appoint other classmates to serve. The report chairs should be chosen by February of the year preceding the reunion. At this time, the HAA sponsors a workshop dedicated specifically to the subject of report planning, a general “nuts and bolts” meeting for all appointed report chairs. Sometime later that spring, the appointed chairs meet individually with the Class Report Office (CRO) to determine the report format, following past established guidelines, and scheduling, allowing adequate production time for books to be mailed to classmates prior to the reunion.
Except in the case of the 25th and 35th books, the CRO and the HAA recommend that the format for a combined H&R report be a paperback volume containing a statistical summary (name, addresses, occupation, spouse, children, graduate degrees, etc.) followed by a brief narrative concerning interests, family and career news, and activities during the past five years. The volume for the 25th book is greatly expanded with a much longer statistical section and narratives that may run several paragraphs in length. The 25th is traditionally a hardbound volume, including photographs of each class member, if available from the yearbook or freshman register, along with a current picture, if submitted, of the questionnaire respondents. The 35th and 50th traditionally are hardbound volumes with the 50th including informal photo galleries or spreads. Beyond the 50th Anniversary Report, the Reports become smaller and more informal, progressing toward a class directory typical of a class celebrating a 60th or 65th Reunion.
The report chair is responsible for writing the initial letter that is to accompany the report questionnaire mailed to the class as well as the text for any follow-up reminder postcard(s). Report mailings may be combined with general reunion mailings, particularly in the late summer when the reunion dates are announced. Follow-up report mailings generally go only to those classmates who have not responded to the first mailing. The report chair is also solicited for his or her input on the occasional question that might arise concerning suitability of responses received and is responsible for the material to be included in the front matter of the book. Of course, if any report chair has the time or inclination, he or she is welcome to look over any questionnaires received before the report is published.
Each class must raise the necessary funds to cover report production expenses by actively soliciting its members for contributions. It is suggested that prior to the 25th all classes ask for donations with a suggested amount between $50 and $75 with the exception of the 5th anniversary class, which typically asks $40-$65. At the beginning of each report cycle, the CRO establishes an account for each class and, as class contributions are received, they are deposited and remain in this account until the book is billed. After the report is published, the CRO then bills the class for the total of all costs associated with the production of the book, including printing, binding, book mailing, mailings sent out during the year, and an editorial charge for CRO service: compiling questionnaires, computer-keying copy, editing and proofreading, and general office service such as photo copying and telephone calls. Total costs for books up to the 25th average between $25,000 and $30,000. During the past few years some classes have raised more than the amount necessary and receive a surplus check for their class treasury once the report and reunion bills are settled.
The CRO is prepared to assist the classes with all aspects of report production.
