Finding Alumni

Probably the funnest part for me with helping plan reunions is finding people. I guess it's the challenge and anticipation that drives me to it. For the 30th reunion I was nicknamed Rick Cadden, PI (private eye). Back then there were so many free sites to use that it was really easy and very successful. Today those sites are almost always a pay site now. So, being the cheapskate I am I still use only use free sites. Google has become the best route for me so far! It's amazing to just google a name and see what comes up. Try your own name! It can be and eye opener.
I could tell you a lot of interesting stories about how I find people and the time it takes. But I love every minute of the challenge. My real motivation is getting them the info about the reunion and then getting them to attend. Our class is so special and there were so many great friendships built in highschool. The other fact is back then people did not move around like they do today. My parents lived in the same house for over 30 years, thus i lived in the same house from K-12th grade as did many of my friends. That means I graduated high school with friends from elementary school. I challenge you to start looking for friends too and see how fun it can be. Here are a few tips that may help you get started.
#1 First google their name. Your first goal is to get their full name somehow.
#2 Now google their full name
#3 scroll through sites that come up until you see their name listed. I could be anything from an article they commented on to being a member of a home owner association.
#4 Watch for deaths, marriages, and divorces that list their name. It could a relative.
#5 Watch for job related posts using their name and then start searching other sites like LinkedIN, Facebook, Twitter, and the like
Good luck
Rick Cadden, PI