Talking Points Draft – Rev 6-25-24 FM
Saint Edwards Seminary Alumni Gathering 2024
Background
2024 is the 60th anniversary for the high school graduating class of 1964.
A small group of former seminarians was talking about an idea of bringing together alumni, classmates, family members, and friends from the Seminary from the 50s, 60s, 70sfor a gathering of the people who influenced their lives years ago in the school.
Appreciation
We each had an appreciation for our mutual memories and friendships from a simplertime when we were preparing to become Catholic priests to serve the people of Washington State in ministry. We each valued the classical education we received from the professors and support personnel of our former Alma Mater, Saint Edwards Seminary.
Class Connectors
We are seeking two or three representatives from each graduating class to invite their classmates in our “Golden Years’ to reminisce and enjoy some of the memories of the “thrilling days of yesteryear!”
Alumni Gathering
We have selected a Wednesday , September 25, 2024, for the gathering and are working with the Events Coordinator at the World Class Lodge at Saint Edward Park that once was our high school. We thought we could start with a basic plan for the day and incorporate ideas and input as we made contacts with former students. We have tentatively arranged for the Squire Room on the main floor for a central meeting room, for activities.
A Preliminary Schedule
- 1:00pm to 2:00pm – Arrival, parking, settling in, informal contacts
- 10:00am to 10:30am – Introductions of attendees (name HS class, current hometown)
- 10:30am to 11:00am — Signatures for Appreciation Plaque (View Memorabilia)
- 11:00am to 11:30am – A welcoming speaker- Father Mike Ryan – Saint James Cathedral
- 11:30am to 12:00am – Optional guided tours of Saint Edward Lodge
- 12:00 noon to 1:00pm – Lunch together
- 1:00pm to 2:00pm – Free time for visiting old friends/seeing old special places
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Opional guided tours of Saint Thomas chapel
- 2:00pm to 3:00pm Social hour on Chef’s Patio
- 3:00pm to 4:00pm – A memorial remembrance activity for deceased students
- 4:00pm – Departure
Planning Committee Members
Roy Kauer – 1964 – roykauer3@gmail.com
Bill Collins – 1967 – billandjanet2@comcast.net
Fred McCarthy – 1964 – greenlake3@comcast.net
Steve Lequire – 1963 – stevelq@yahoo.com
Roger Murray – 1967 – rogerpaulmurray@yahoo.com
Fr. Jim Coyne – 1967 – coyne4@comcast.net
Financial Considerations
Basic Participation Free Will Offering – $25 per adult – estimate 100 adults = $2,500
Meeting Room rental (Squire Room – First Floor) $500 waived by Lodge
Parking – normally $10 – waived by Lodge
Total food and beverage costs (20% discounted for buffet lunch and related staff) – $6,256.98
Down Payment to secure calendar date for Lodge – $1,250
Down payment to be front funded by six planning committee members – $200/$250
Advanced registration preferred and encouraged to include free will offering and contributions
Attendees with financial means to do so are asked to give extra towards total costs above the $25 level
Special “Extra Mile” Donor Certificated Levels of Additional Funding Gifts
Legate – $500
Tribune – $250
Prefect – $100
Additional costs anticipated
Memorabilia packets for attendees
Consumables
Misc supplies and materials
Appreciation plaque for developer
Any extra funds collected above the final costs will be accounted for by the planning committee after consulting the membership.
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• (Proposed) “Talking Points for Phone Calling Alumni: (Callers might choose one or two items that fascinate them for their first contact with each person.)
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• CONTENTS: TALKING POINT TOPICS
A. Gathering
B. Location
C. Activities
D. Cost
E. Memorabilia
F. Appreciations
G. Attendance
H. Space
I. Assistance
J. Interest
K. Special Options
• ADDENDUM: Cold Calling and ListeningTips
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• INTRODUCTION to TALKING POINTS:
* Hello my name is _________________________
* I am from the high school graduating class of ________ of Saint Edward Seminary (or: ________).
* I am attempting to contact _______ from the class of __________.
* Is he available to talk? ________________.
• TALKING POINT OPTIONS:
A. Gathering: A few alumni of St. Edward’s Seminary are planning an alumni gathering for Wednesday, September 25, 2024 starting around 09:00 am, and ending at 04:00 p.m.
B. Location: It is planned at the Lodge at Saint Edward Park in Kenmore, WA.
C. Activities: The following activities are currently being planned:
1. Welcoming speaker/s
2. Introductions
3. Optional Guided Tours of Saint Edward Lodge
4. Snacks and Lunch
5. Optional Guided Tours of Saint Thomas Chapel
6. Free time to visit with old friends and see old places
7. Socializing with old classmates in Lodge Pubs or on the grounds
8. Memorial Remembrance of Deceased Alumni
D. Cost: The Planning Team is planning on a minimal cost of $25 per adult.
E. Memorabilia: Alumni will receive a packet of information and memorabilia for attending.
F. Appreciations: We plan to express appreciation to Mr. Kevin Daniels, the developer, for the high quality restoration of our old school.
G. Attendance: We expect 50 to 100 people to come representing all alumni from the 1950’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s.
H. Space: We are arranging for the Squire Room in the Lodge. It was the first floor Study Hall and will hold 100 people for gathering activities.
I. Assistance: If cost is a factor, some alumni have agreed to help others with the participation cost or other administrative costs.
J. Interest: How would you feel about participating in some way in this adventure?
K. Special Options:
1. Guest Speaker/s
2. Sharing Life Sketches
3. Sharing Personal Narratives
4. Old times entertainment
5. Unique presentations
6. Other suggestions . . . .
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* ADDENDUM:
• Cold Calling Tips: (use as appropriate)
A. Some purposes for Cold Calling Tips:
1. When Bill Collins and Roy Kauer discussed the difference between a “Gathering” and a “Reunion”, we realized that in our 2023 Gathering many gatherers will be associating with alumni from other class years, not just their own same year classmates. So the concept of a “Gathering” might be a new idea for some of our alumni.
2. Sometimes people naturally say “no” to a new idea. So, to avoid an immediate response of “not interested” in a “Reunion”, why not start the conversation on a personal level?
3. For example, start a conversation by establishing rapport in a personal natural way. (Consider “ice breakers” or a unique way to start a personal introduction.)
4. That could emphasize the Caller’s sincerity and interest in the project and that’s what could encourage participation! (e.g. I would love to visit with you there.)
B. The gradual, indirect approach:
1. Would our callers be comfortable considering the first call as a “friendship building” call that might involve an invitation to a special event?
2. Depending on the willingness of the alumnus to receive an invitation, the caller might introduce and discuss the idea of a Gathering, using a couple of the “Talking Points” that he really likes.
3. If they seem open to the idea, the caller could then indicate that we are looking for input as we develop the program and will get back to them soon for any questions or suggestions they might have.
C. The “Cold Calling” Process:
1. To prepare for each call, a Caller might review the “Talking Points” and decide on a couple key points he could share with enthusiasm. (personal involvement)
2. When contacting, he first identifies himself as an alumnus of St. Ed’s Seminary with a special invitation to an event that he is excited about. (inspire curiosity.)
3. Then, as an ice breaker, he could ask what the alumnus remembers about St. Ed’s or mention a point from his “Life Sketch” that might trigger some small talk.
* e.g. “Later in life I applied my seminary experience in this way.. . . ” (establish rapport)
4. Finally, the Caller could share a couple of exciting points from the “Talking Points”, ask for a reaction from the alumnus and offer to update the Alumnus as the program develops. (soft close)
5. The caller should then write a note about the response or reaction of the alumnus, indicating when or if to make the next contact.
6. Then pass those notes to the Class Connector.
D. Conclusions for initial cold calls:
1. In “cold calling” the idea is to make a brief contact with a friendly approach that honors and validates the alumnus. (rapport building)
2. It could even be the start of a friendship. (find common interests)
3. It should only share one or two Talking Points and offer to follow up. (create a sense of mystery and inspire curiosity)
4. It uses open ended, fact finding questions, not ones that seek a yes or no answer. e.g. “How do you feel about participating in an alumni Gathering in some way”?
E. LISTENING SKILLS: (To relate to the Listener – Consider as appropriate)
1. People usually only remember a few words, principles or concepts from any form of presentation. They often remember “IMAGES!” That is why, using the phrase “Glorious days of Yesteryear” is so powerful. (I can immediately see the Lone Ranger, Tonto and Silver.) Also some folksy songs can evoke the same response.
2. People generally relate to what they’ve already experienced but overlook new words or concepts.
3. For that reason, the Caller might reflect on the images of the Gathering that have stimulated a reaction in him, and then share his feelings about those images of the Gathering. (Create a “word picture”)
* That could emphasize the Caller’s sincerity and interest in the project and that’s what encourages participation!
• e g. I would love to visit with you there.
4. Next Step: When the person being called is speaking, fully listening for images might provide a clue for the next appropriate exchange.
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