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UPDATES FOR 2026 REUNIONAPRIL 25, 2026 Update WHY WE NEED HELPOur 4-member organizing group’s stated goal is to support NCHS64 class events for all for this year and annually into the future as long as there is group interest. We recently assessed classmates’ interest from 295 classmates via a survey to which nearly 100 classmates responded. The response was positive for continuing with get-togethers. This interest was even indicated by classmates from outside of Wyoming, ... which historically comprise 1/3rd of annual attendees ..., and this group of classmates spend significantly more for travel and hotel/motel expenses than local classmates. The message was apparent that if we are to maximize attendance among classmates with wide economic means, we must make the reunion events cost-effective, free or nearly free to those anonymous classmates who cannot afford it, and disability-friendly for as long as there our aging classmates support it. When we revived this class reunion project 4-5 months ago, we were unaware that the NCHS64 class bank account had any available money in it. We subsequently discovered there was a little over $2,000 in the account. Included in our bank account has been money in amounts ranging from $50 to $500 per year donated by a small number of NCHS classmates since 2018 … mostly anonymously ... with the intent of making the reunions affordable for classmates with limited resources. In recent years, classmates attending recent picnics and reunions have paid less than per person costs such that cash reserves in the NCHS64 class bank account have gradually dwindled. As many of you already know, the 2025 reunion was funded ENTIRELY from our 2024 bank reserves without any cost to attendees. Were it not for those prior contributions by generous classmates to NCHS64, our class bank account would now be empty. Moving forward into the future, the 'no event cost to attendees' option for funding NCHS64 class events no longer exists. The current reserves in our NCHS64 bank account are insufficient to meet currently scheduled 2026 event costs while simultaneously lacking sufficient funds in reserve to finance future NCHS64 class reunions, even if there was interest. As a result our management team adopted a somewhat schizophrenic approach in which our bank account reserves covers 20% of the $25.00 per person classmate charge for the Tate Pumphouse venue from bank account reserves … with 80% paid by individual classmates. We simultaneously maintain bank reserves to cover 60-80% of expected costs for planning a future reunion event. As a result, our current effort to revive and fund future reunions is dependent upon a short-term recruitment of funds from alternative sources. This group decision reflects the divided opinions of our organizing group … plus an advisory group of Casper classmates that we convened. Some classmates have limited interest in continuing with future annual events beyond 2026, and our compromise decision has been to maintain minimal cash reserves for events in 2027 and beyond on a year-to-year basis. If checking account reserves after the 2026 event fall below $1,000, we will cancel future reunions because of lack of adequate funding to plan events. Hence, any additional contributions toward NCHS64 cash reserves for future events … probably totalling at least $500 for 2027 … are appreciated. Future NCHS64 reunion events are at a critical juncture. Our only means to sustain annual reunions is a pay-as-you-go funding by participating classmates supplemented by additional donations that will maintain an annual reserve in the NCHS64 checking account to cover start-up costs for the 2027 year. In order to continue with annual reunion events, I am hopeful that classmates with economic means will continue to support our annual event. Given anticipated aging-related disabilities and deaths of our classmates, we realize that future events requires a year-to-year reevaluation and decision. NOTES ON BRUBAKER BREAKFASTSince only 50% to 55% of respondents to our survey who expressed interest in attending the 2026 reunion indicated any interest in attending the breakfast event, we are keeping the breakfast costs separate from the Tate Pumphouse venue. Harry and Linda Brubaker asked to prepare the breakfast in their home for those who attend, and NCHS64 will remunerate them for their costs. We plan to provide a cash collection bucket … without a cashier … where classmates can contribute as they like. Again, as a reminder, please confirm your intent to 1) attend or 2) NOT attend the breakfast at the same time you confirm your plans to attend the Tate Pumphouse event. |
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