Reunion Update May 21, 2008

Reunion Update - May 08

The success of the reunion still depends on participation in the planning and execution of the event. We are blessed to have so many who have volunteered to help in one or more ways. In particular we are delighted that Lucy DeBruin has agreed to apply her experience, expertise and energy to organize and lead the planning for the heart of the reunion, which are the Friday and Saturday events.

Overall, the enthusiasm for the reunion seems to be building and many volunteers have begun to engage in the work to make this a fun, memorable and smooth running reunion. Help from across all areas of the is needed to keep the workload balanced and the programs on target. Please feel welcome to post your reactions on the blog or any other way you prefer to communicate. Help for blog use is available from me for any that need some familiarization on how to use it.

We are now entering the portion where the planning needs to be refined and the major workload needs to be met by the cousins and the elders step back. Please review the tasks below to see what you are responsible for. If you have been chosen as a team captain, you are responsible to coordinate your task with your other team members as you see fit and to complete the task on time. If you have questions about your what task entails, please call or email Lucy.

Kids Network Activity

Team: Linda and Matt

Task: Create a network for the kids attending to get know one another prior to the reunion.

Maps and Directions

Team: Michelle

Task: Once venues have been determined, she will provide maps and directions for people.

Thursday PM - Arrival

Team : The elders, Ginny and James

Task: Venues and general plans have already been decided. Now the details need to be developed to greet participants, prepare a welcome package of information and prepare the hospitality room.

Friday AM - Opening Welcome & Mingling

Photo Montage Team leader: Uncle Charlie
Task: To develop and produce a Bruce Family video photo montage as part of the opening welcome. Please check out accompanying blog entry for details.

Mingling Team: Joe (team captain), Sean and JB.

Task: To arrange mingling for both adults and kids. This activity is to be held in the room reserved for us at the hotel.

N.B. This is a required activity for everyone. If a family has to accommodate morning naps they should contact Joe to help him know how to plan for this.)

Friday - Lunch Will be provided at the hotel after the mingling.

Chefs: Cousin Charlie (team captain), Pete and Rick (Kay).

Task: To create a lunch menu and coordinating it with Kay (Kay is going to be there early to do shopping and will also work with Bev regarding the budget for the meal).

N.B. This is a required activity for everyone.

Friday - Afternoon at a park.

Team #1: Kathleen (team captain) and Browns,.

Task: Plan and supply gamesand/or activities for teens/adults at the park.

Team #2: Erin (team captain), Mike and Katie.

Task: Plan and supply games and/or activities for kids at the park.

Team #3: Kerry, John and Kay will select a venue by 5/20.

N.B. We would like everyone to attend this activity. However, some may choose not to attend because of naps, need for a break, etc.

** If you're not attending it would be helpful to give the team captains as much notice as possible.

Friday - BBQ Dinner at the park.

Chef's: Charlie (team captain), Pete and Rick

Task: Provide a dinner menu. Coordinate it with Kay (Kay will arrive early to do shopping. Kay will also work with Bev regarding the budget for the meal).

N.B. This is a mandatory event for everyone. (If we are rained out people are on their own. They can tour Cleveland, go swimming or hang out at the hotel, play games, etc. But we will all meet up at a restaurant for dinner.)

Friday - After Dinner

The famous band, Mook, is tentatively booked to provide some after dinner entertainment. Rob Bruce, aka "Mr. Hands," is both a family member and a Mook member.

The alternative is no set plans so you may enjoy the night as you choose - if we can't confirm Mook's performance. You can check out Mook at: http://www.myspace.com/mookband

Saturday - ZOO - 10am

Team: Lucy (team captain), Michelle and Heather

Task: Coordinate the trip to the Zoo.

N.B. This is a mandatory event. (If we are rained out for the zoo, people can go to Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame or the Children's Museum in the morning.)

Saturday - Zoo - Lunch - 12 noon

We will have leftovers from the Friday meals and purchase food from Zoo vendors as people so choose.

Team: Charlie (team captain), Pete, Rick and Kay

Task: Pack up and bring leftovers to the zoo.

N.B. This is mandatory.

Saturday - Afternoon

N.B. The afternoon once again is open for people to do what they want.

We will have a church hall starting at 3:30

Team #1: Krista (team captain), Lauren, Beth, and Emily

Tasks: Provide fun for kids and adults with games/crafts/activities (coloring, drum circle, card games, board

games, dominoes, etc.)

Team #2: Kerry and John

Task: Find a hall for the afternoon and evening (preferrably with a refrigerator and oven) by 5/20.

Saturday - Dinner - 5:30pm – at the hall.

We will have dinner catered in for everyone .

Team #1: Pete (captain) and Charlie.

Tasks: Select caterer, choose menu, and arrange delivery. Talk with our CFO, Bev, about cost. (We hope to have an oven and refrigerator in the church hall to keep food at appropriate temps. Check with Kerry or John about same)

Team #2: Ginny (captain) and Patrick. (no need to report to Lucy on this task.)

Task: To organize the clean-up of the church hall.

N.B. Dinner is mandatory.

Saturday - After Dinner

On your own.

Sunday - AM

Plans for the closing event have been started but are incomplete. The room in the hotel is reserved. Ideas for a short closing program have been proposed, but not completed.

Team: Elders

Task: Ba-bye program.

Important Notes

- If you want to swap teams with someone, that is up to you and the person you are swaping with. If you are going to swap teams you need to do this by 5/20.

- If you want to help/advise a team you are not assigned to, please feel to join that team. Just contact the team captain.

- If your team is having a problem with a team member or the assigned task, let Lucy know and she will work with the elders to resolve it.

- If your task requires spending money, please contact our reunion CFO, Bev. She is handling the budget for the event.

- PROGRESS REPORT DUE: 6/1/08, 5PM, CDT. Captains email or phone report to Lucy.

-- FINAL REPORT DUE: 6/14/08, 5pm, CDT. Captains email or phone report to Lucy.

- Lucy will combine and distribute all the team reports.