Class Reunion Planning: Estimating Expenses

In Class Reunion Planning: Reunion Committee, you’ll find tips on creating a class reunion committee and a sample agenda for your committee’s first meeting. In Class Reunion Planning: Locating Classmates, you’ll read about some resources that can help you find contact information for classmates with whom you’ve lost touch. In this article, you’ll find advice on how to begin to create your class reunion budget.

To create a budget for your class reunion, you’ll need to first make a list of potential expenses that will be necessary to hold your event as well as a list of possible sources of revenue that will cover those expenses.

Start with your “dream” list of expenses. What would you and your committee ideally like your class reunion to be like? Are you picturing a sophisticated affair with linen tablecloths and a catered dinner or a casual get-together with beer and pretzels?

To find out if your dream class reunion is achievable, you’ll have to do some research. Hop on the Web or on the phone and start getting price quotes. Make a list of possible expenses.

All the little details have price tags, and they will add up quickly, so be sure to spend some time carefully considering all your possible expenses. It’s better to overestimate expenses than to end up in the red, because you or the members of the committee will have to pay the bills.

The following section, which includes questions you should ask and points to consider when estimating class reunion expenses, should help you begin to create your budget worksheet.

Questions to Ask When Estimating Expenses for Your Class Reunion

Location—Are you renting a meeting hall, hotel meeting room or suite, etc.? How much is the rental fee? Does the site require you to hire security or secure any kind of insurance? If so, how much will it cost?