Weaver High School

• Approximately 50 weekend passes have been purchased for our class reunion. 
• 50% of our Hotel bill will be paid by this week.   

DJ Selection: Music will be provided by DJ Mike Barko for Saturday’s event. All committee members & classmates can send in your special music requests to:  cacinar@yahoo.com  “Aw..Suke Suke, Now!" is already on the list. 

God Bless!

• Bank Account Balance: $1,649.63
• Registered Classmates: 49
• Reunion Tickets Purchased: 14
• Reunion Installment Plans: 3 
• Active Profiles: 64 (number of classmates with updated profiles on the website)

• The bowling party was a success. Our goal of a $200 was met and exceeded! 
• Some of our participants included:  Joia & Jania Clay-Bey, Melinda Hemphill & daughter, Cynthia Brown, Kellena Nelson, Andrew "Peter" Walker & Family, Robert Hales, Patricia Richards (Ann King Sis), Martin Jones, Jr., Tammie Parker, Leona Redman & daughter Camry Brown, Michelle Robinson, Alpha Hales, Maxine McDonald, Derrick Devonish, Victor Gillespie, Recina Reynolds, Jackie Johnson, Jerome Vale, Devon Latney, just to name a few.

• Invitations sample has been ordered. 
• Actual invitations will be ordered in bulk (51 or more) in order to receive an additional discount.  
• Official Invitation packages will be mailed out in early June. 
• Reminder letters were mailed to graduates last week requesting registration fees and reunion ticket purchases prior to the April 30^th & June 1^st deadlines, respectively. 

• Various ideas for favors were discussed.
• It was agreed that whatever was decided, it would be personalized. 

• Tasting at Sheraton will take place May 22 or May 29, an email to be sent out as soon as the date and time is determined.   
• DJ process selection was discussed.  Agreement:  At our next Meeting members are asked to bring in a tape or make the case for their DJ of choice.  The committee will take a vote.  Shortly thereafter, a contract and deposit will be given to the Disc Jockey selected. 
• Principal Paul Copes, Advisor Ms. Lee, Mr. Carr, Ms. Noel, Mr. Davis, Ms. Whitaker will be mailed invitations to attend our reunion. 
• We are asking Dr. Copes to give remarks at the gala, if possible. 
• Follow-up calls will be made by committee members. 
• A special tribute will be made to deceased classmates & faculty
• Deceased members include: Mr. William McKinley (Class Advisor 1983), Mr. Patrick Tallman (VP), Jack Middleton, Troy Jones, Raymond Duncan, Victoria Steele, Derek Sweet, Curtis Johnson, Maurice Higginbotham, Darryl Mitchell, Henry Tate, Michelle Douglas?  
• Photo Montage is currently being produced; please contact Cacina to include your photos.

• Val suggested that the cocktail sip fundraiser be tabled due to required planning efforts and possible timing conflict with actual reunion; still to be considered as future fundraising event
• Our next bowling party fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2008.

• Click on “Fundraising” link for more details. 
• Martin will ask Patrick Jones to DJ.
• Cacina to send PSA to WQTQ.
• Ann Scott to update flyer and send to Val for distribution to classmates via website “Email Blast” functionality
• Tickets will be distributed to committee members within the week.

• The Northend Agent's ad is paid in full.  The Ad has been updated is very well done inclusive of our Beaver.  The P.O. Box and the Payable to:  will be changed in next week’s issue.  The due dates have already been changed.
• The committee discussed establishing an “on-line store” on the website as a means to raise funds during those years between reunions.
• Products for sale would include: T-shirts, mugs, magnets, calendars, etc.
• The name of the store would be called "The Dam Store" at Ann King’s suggestion (The dam being the residence of a beaver).  
• The old class list was revisited and committee members were asked to follow up with lost graduates.

God Bless! 

• Account balance: $1,015.27
• Tickets & Registrations Update: 
  • 37 fully registered class members
  • 9 class members are paid in full
  • 3 class members set up installment plans

• The Beaver as an “Ice Sculpture” display was presented.
• One company quoted a price of $250.00.
• The committee agreed that the ice sculpture is a good idea.
• Additional quotes will be presented at the next meeting.

• The bowling party is on schedule for April 18, 2008.
• Val will blast a reminder email to current registered class members.
• A cocktail sip fundraiser was posed by Val Clay-bey.
• Proposed location for the cocktail sip: The Mezzanine at 960 Main Street, Hartford, CT.
• This and other fundraising options will be presented at the next meeting.

• Committee Voting Process Established:  The committee agreed that the majority of all votes will stand with present committee members casting their votes.  Members will be notified in advance when a critical vote is scheduled to take place at a meeting.  Members are encouraged to make every effort to attend all meeting, particularly meetings involving voting.  If members are not able to attend they can email their thoughts on the topic but will not be able to vote unless present.
• The following DJ's were recommended:
  • J.K.
  • Mike Barko
  • Ricky Brown
  • Martin's DJ
• It was suggested that we have a battle of the DJ's at our next fundraiser, if possible.  This idea will be discussed further at our next meeting. 
• We need to select a DJ prior to May 30 due to the demands of the summer season. 
• The committee agreed that our website will have an on-line contest.  The winner will be announced at our Reunion Gala. Details to follow soon. 
• White Linen is the unofficial attire suggested for the gala.  To be discussed at a later date.
• New updated budget will be emailed to committee members prior to next weeks meeting to be discussed and adopted. 
• Registration Reminders will go out by the end of next week via airmail & email.

Next Meeting: Sunday, April 27, 2008, 4:00pm, 115 Roxbury Road, East Hartford, CT (568.4730)  

 

'Til We Meet Again,

God Bless!

March 30, 2008

• The Reunion Planner functionality is now being offered as a website option to help streamline our planning capabilities. It includes establishing a free PayPal Business Account. The PayPal account would be linked directly to our reunion account bank held at Peoples Bank and it provides an easy, more convenient method of payment for those who would choose to use it. The Reunion Planner also offers us the capability of selling products online (i.e., reunion tickets, T-Shirts, calendars, videos, photo albums, tickets for fundraisers, etc.). 
• The majority of the committee voted for the “3^rd version” of our reunion invitation. A completed sample of the invitation will be presented at the next scheduled meeting. 
• The cost of each invitation is $2.45. 
• The invitations will be ordered in bulk once we reach a total of 50 ticket sales. Subsequent tickets will be ordered as needed.

• Our Bowling party is scheduled for April 19, 2008, at Ten Pin Bowling in South Windsor, CT.   
• Cacina will print and mail tickets to committee members this week. 
• Tickets will also be sold at the door.

• The prospectivebudget for the reunion activities was presented by Cacina and committee members were asked to review and pose any questions or suggestions at the next meeting. 
• Marcella Milner presented many samples of her work which included name badges, picture montages, flyers, etc., from previous class reunions that she has been a part of. She suggested that we consider Anthony Williams, a member of the WHS class of 82, for photography services. She shared his pricing packages and incentives. Marcella is meeting with Cacina, Val and Ann Scott to discuss next steps.  As a “Thank You” for all of her hard work and dedication, we will comp her ticket for our reunion as agreed.
• The committee was excited about the new Reunion Planner functionality. It was agreed that we should move forward with setting it up on the website. It will increase our efficiency and give our classmates the comfort of managing their own payments. 
• Remember our goal for registrations is 50 graduates. We are on our way!  While over 50 class members have updated their profiles on the website, we have not received everyone’s $20 registration fee. So let’s continue to encourage those who have not officially “registered” to do so as soon as possible. The registration form can be printed directly from the website.     

God Bless! 

Next Meeting (Updated):

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 114 Cornell Circle, E. Hartford, CT (528-5735), 4:00pm

• Our website is getting more buzz everyday!  We have 30 registered class members as of 3/14/08.
• Strong Recommendation:  ALL MEMBERS who have not registered on the website, please register today.  
• The revised Registration Form has been added to the website.  Class members can print it directly from the website and send it in.
• Reunion details have been updated on the website
• Mr. Beaver in his Tuxedo is currently being designed to be used for the actual reunion invitation.  The invitation itself is currently under construction.
• Our domain name (weaver83.com) has been secured for 2 years.  We’ll receive a reminder to renew it prior to expiration.  (Thanks again, Martin Jones!)
• I spoke with Marcella Milner and she gave me an update on her progress with our yearbook pics.  At this point, there was nothing that she needed me to do.  She is still planning to attend one of our meetings where she will give us a full account of her progress.

• We have over $400 currently in the bank.
• Our PO Box has been secured by Cheryl McKenney
• We have paid $100.00 for our first Northend Agent ad which is scheduled to run in Mid-March
• Several committee members purchased reunion tickets today. As agreed, remaining committee members will purchase tickets by March 31, 2008

• Bowling Party will be advertised on weaver83.com; click on Fundraising link for specific details
• All committee members are asked to help promote the Bowling Party
• Bowling Party will also be advertised on WQTQ

•  How to Market the Reunion
•  What not to say
•  How to assist those unable to pay in full before deadline
•  How to follow up with graduates
•  Keeping a great tone at all times

God Bless! 

• 2 “Reunion Announcement” flyers were presented for approval
• The ’83 Weaver Beaver logo is being designed by a local 13 year old artist
• New website is up and running; all committee members should register ASAP

Other:

February 17, 2008

Minutes Weaver High School Class of 1983

Attendence:  Curtis Booker, Johnathon Thorton, Val Clay-Bey, Cheryl Mckenney, Angela King, Martin Jones, Gwen Tullis, Cacina Reynolds, Greg Covington, Stacy Robinson, Tanya Harris .

We went through our Class lists.  Yes, over 200 Names and addresses!  Committee members were selected as point of contact persons for over 50% of the list.  The list of names who's contact information is still needed will follow shortly. 

All registration forms with updated addresses will be mailed out by Cacina this week.  Please everyone get Greg your registration fee ASAP. 

Val Clay-bey will update flyer and bring copies to next meeting.  Val Clay-bey will assist in updating our website.  

Cheryl Mckenney is our contact for Classmates.com she has a list of selected classmates that have already registered on the website.

Greg Covington gave a financial report on registrations and tickets purchased.  He has opened a class account at Peoples Bank.  He will secure our deposit on the Sheraton Hotel this week.  We agreed that our ad in the Northend Agent won't run until March, April & May.  The deadline to purchase tickets is June 1, 2008. 

$20 Registration fee covers the following:

                       Classmate ID Badge

                       Class picture

                       Place you on active list for future reunions

                       Advertisements

Marketing:   We agreed that representatives will go on Public Access Televion Show to market our reunion.  Details will be worked out and more information will be given at our next meeting.

Martin Jones will be contacting some of our deceased graduates family to invite them to the reunion for special tribute.  To date, Darryl Mitchell, Henry Tate, Maurice Higginbotham, Victoria Steele, Troy Jones, Raymond Duncan and Mr. McKinley are the names that we have listed currently.  

The Sheraton Hotel East Hartford is our Reunion location.  We have the entire 8th floor reserved.  Booking information will be given out at our next meeting.  Rooms (King size bed) are $89.99 per night.  The weekend Pass of $75.00 includes the Reception Friday evening includes light fare and drinks, the dinner dance, and the after party (light fare & drink)  It is a great deal.  The hotel has an indoor heated pool and full scale restaurant.  

Our reunion is open to friends of Class of 83 as well.  Cost for reception is $15/person; Cost for Dinner Dance is $60/person. The Hot buffet will consist of three meats, two appetizers, two salads and, of course, dessert.

Our next Meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2008 3:00 - 5:00 @34 Putnam Heights Hartford, CT (860) 247-0887  

 

Til we meet again, God Bless