Class Note 1980. The role of an association secretary is to “ensure smooth organizational operations, maintain accurate records, and handle official correspondence.” This may not entirely apply to Dartmouth class secretaries, but we communicate with the class every couple of months via DAM. This month I would like to examine other ways the class stays in touch with each other. So how do Dartmouth classmates stay in touch? In-person reunions are the most obvious way to gather. Unfortunately, our formal reunion occurs just once every five years. Given the years between reunions, they may not support retaining or building close friendships. Mini-reunions, held in different areas of the country, such as the mini-reunion in the Florida Keys (May 3-7), provide a way to gather more often, but even these are often held more than a year apart.
The “80Connect” program, led by Todd Young and developed by Todd and Scott Osman based on Scott’s work at 100 Coaches Agency, is currently in its fourth round, with many classmates returning each time. At 100 Coaches Agency, Scott and his team facilitate meaningful connections between top executive coaches and Fortune 500 leaders. “80Connect” brings that same philosophy to our class—giving participating classmates a way to get to know others they may not have known before or to reconnect more deeply. Even those we knew during our four years in Hanover aren’t the same people today. We all have experiences to share.
Information on mini-reunions and “80Connect” is available on the class website, 1980.dartmouth.org. You can also read the latest class newsletter as well as past newsletters (“Communications” tab).
How do you stay in touch with friends within your affinity groups, such as the Dartmouth Outing Club, sororities, fraternities, Afro-American Society, and many others? During the pandemic Peter Fowler reached out to his fraternity brothers (and, more recently, sisters) and invited us to a monthly one-hour Zoom session. These monthly meetings have continued to the present. Attendance is whoever is available. Sometimes a few of us participate, and the conversation often becomes very personal. Other times most of the members join the meeting, and we share updates on what everyone is doing. These meetings have allowed me to rekindle friendships with brothers I had lost track of. Are any other groups using a similar virtual method of staying in touch?
At the individual level, do you have classmates that you communicate with on a regular basis? Do you schedule calls, call on the spur of the moment, or stay in contact via text? Have you always done this or only since some milestone, such as the 45th reunion, the pandemic, or since someone moved away?
I would like to know how you stay in touch with your classmates. I know there are many good ideas out there. Send me (Jennifer) what is working for you and your Dartmouth friends, and in a future Class Notes I will share some of these best ideas and practices.
—Jennifer W. DesCombes, 256 W 7th St., Claremont, CA 91711; (909) 921-3402; jennifer.descombes@gmail.com; Kal Alston, 948 Euclid Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210; alstonkal@gmail.com; Wade Herring, P.O. Box 9848, Savannah, GA 31412; (912) 944-1639; wherring@huntermaclean.com