Top 10 Crummy “Reasons” for not attending a Reunion
 

10. “It’s too far to go.”

Some people come to our reunions from Europe and Asia. If they can make it, so can you.

9. “It costs too much.”

The Association makes no money from registration fees, which are only enough to cover most (but not quite all) of the reunion expenses. You may be able to save on your hotel cost by sharing a room with a classmate or a friend from another class. More to the point: People who’ve been to past reunions agree that it’s worth it—many say they’ll come back to future reunions, no matter what it costs!

8. “I’m not sure my schedule/commitments/job/family/[you-name-it] will allow me to come.”

Unless you’re absolutely positive that there is no way you will be able to come, register: Once you make the commitment to come, it’s amazing how the rest of your life can be arranged to make it possible. And if it turns out there’s no way you can make it after all, the cancellation fee is less than the difference between early and later registration fees. (See also reason #7.)

7. “I can’t be there for the whole thing.”

Why not? (See reason #8.) If this is really a problem, don’t make that an excuse not to come at all. The events covered by the registration fee run from Thursday evening through Sunday morning.  If you really can’t be there during that entire period, partial registrations are available; contact the registrar, Carmen Berlanga-Adams at P.O. Box 464, Homer, GA 30547 (706-335-3311) e-mail: Carmen Adams.

BEWARE: Don’t use the availability of partial registrations as an excuse not to be there longer. Everyone who has been there for only part of a reunion has wished they were there for the whole thing. Of course, a partial registration is better than nothing—but only if nothing really is the only other option you have.

6. "There's nothing to see or do in that city."              
  
That’s not true—but even if it were, it wouldn’t matter. The main attraction of our reunions is the people—we could have a great reunion in the middle of nowhere! (Ed. Note: Just as life is what you make it—so is a party!)

5. "I don't want to come without my spouse/significant other, and I don't think they'll have any fun." 

If our past experience is any guide, this is a non-issue. Most spouses and significant others quickly become “honorary madrileños y madrilènes” and have a great time. Some even say they’d rather come back to another one of our reunions instead of going to their own.

4. “I know what high school reunions are like—it’s just a bunch of boring people standing around bragging about their jobs, their marriages, their kids, etc., etc."

Yes, that’s the stereotype of what many Stateside high school reunions are like. Ours aren’t like that. There’s something about having gone to high school overseas that makes our reunions different. It doesn’t take too long to realize the special bond we all have. It’s like getting in touch with your roots—or coming back home. There’s nothing else like it.  

 3. “I won’t know anyone there. Or they won’t remember me. Or they will remember me for the wrong reasons.”
 

It doesn't matter.  We'll treat you like one of the family anyway.  Many newcomers and old timers who have been to several reunions have made more "NEW" friends with classmates from other years. It really is about the comon experience you shared living overseas.  
 
2.  "The people I know won't be attending." 
 
Come anyway—you’ll add to your list of people you’ll want to see next time! And if there are some people you really want to make sure are there, it’s not too late (if you get started now) to track them down (if we haven’t already found them), and then call them up and tell them you want them to be there.        

1. “I’ve gained weight, I’m not successful enough, I’ve been divorced, etc., etc., and I’m concerned about what people will think of me.”

No matter how real or how strong these feelings may be before you arrive, you’ll soon find out that none of this stuff really matters. The plain truth is: We want to see you!
 
 

On top of all the options to fill your day before or after the reunion, you'll highlight it all with the days of the reunion itself, something you will be talking about for months after the event is finished.  Begin making your plans now - we want to see you there to join in the fun, frolic, and festivities of Reunion 2011!