Reunions That Work: How to Engage Alums and Save Time walks through a practical framework to help K–12 schools design reunions that alumni actually attend without burning out a small advancement team. You will see how to set up your reunion “engine,” use volunteers and multi channel outreach to spark RSVPs, and turn your RSVP page into a social proof hub that keeps momentum going all the way to event day. Throughout the session, the hosts use real examples from peer schools to show how small shifts in planning, messaging, and landing page design lead to stronger turnout and future giving.
What you’ll learn
- How to build your reunion engine early by securing and aligning class agents, setting clear attendance goals, and planning backward from your target number of attendees.
- How to use ambassadors and class reps as distribution channels, not copywriters, by giving them ready made touchpoints that leverage their social capital.
- How to run multi channel outreach that combines email, text, social, and peer to peer messages so alumni see consistent, compelling reasons to register.
- How to personalize email and text at scale so your messages stand out from the noise and feel like they are coming from people alumni know and trust.
- How to design an RSVP and registration hub that shows who is coming, highlights class momentum, and removes friction so excited alumni actually complete their registration.
- How to adapt these approaches whether you are relaunching reunions after a pause, refining a long running program, or running reunions from a very small shop.
Who this webinar is for
- Advancement and alumni relations leaders at K–12 independent and faith based schools
- Annual fund, reunion, and special events staff
- Communications and marketing partners who support reunion outreach
- Small shop teams who manage reunions alongside many competing priorities
Featuring real examples from
- Western Reserve Academy (OH) and Gould Academy (ME), including how they structure reunion communications and RSVP experiences.
- Q&A with peers at schools like Detroit Country Day School, Saint John Neumann Catholic High School, La Salle College Prep, and more, covering topics such as building early momentum, motivating class reps without overwhelming them, choosing the right reunion format, and engaging younger or long disengaged alumni.
