Reunions

P. Tong

Now that the Pui Ching trademark issue is in the hands of trusted lawyers, perhaps it is time to think about our reunions again. Speaking of reunions, the last three Lighters reunions were astoundingly successful and I trust the next one will fair just as well. As I ponder the good times we had together so recently, it occurred to me that the next reunion is only 18 months away and I am disturbed by the controversy that surrounds it.
Just consider how many more reunions lie beyond the 45th, perhaps we can take some time to think about ways to make the most of them.

Each of us has his/her own criterion as to the purpose of reunions: to experience exotic culture, visit great scenery; sample good food etc. Paramount on my list is the opportunity to meet as many Lighters as possible. During each of the reunions I have attended, I got reacquainted with schoolmates that I had not seen or spoken to for many years. I had also met others that I was not acquainted with even when we were in school together! All in all, it was an experience that was hard to replace.

Let me take the liberty to assume that you share my feeling that one of the most important reasons for going to reunions is to get reacquainted with old friends and, when lucky enough, to make new ones as well. Then it follows that our goal is to attract as many Lighters as possible to our reunions.

We have always had a voting process to select the next reunion location. I am sure we will do so again in the future. I believe that some modifications of this process will reach a broader consensus. Here are some ideas for everyone’s consideration:-

• We will divide ourselves into groups. We will find or select one coordinator for U.S., one for Hong Kong, one for Canada, one for Australia and the rest of the Lighters around the world.
• These coordinators will seek the inputs of fellow Lighters in their locale. They will research the feasibility of their proposals. ( e.g. the availability of facilities and the man power necessary to host the event, the cost and the duration etc.)
• The coordinators will consult together and, make a number of selections as possible sites for the following reunion to be presented to all Lighters for voting.
• It occurs to me that outcome of voting process can be misleading if, for example we limit the voting process to only those who are in attendance of the current reunion or to those who are on our e-mail list. Doing so, we can easily exclude 50 to 75 % of our classmates. Since our aim is to attract as many Lighters as possible for our reunions, we must make an effort to reach every one even if that means sending a ballot by regular mail.

In the past, each voter voted on his one favorite site. My twist on this process is :-

• A voter will mark every one of the choices that he/she is willing to attend, instead of just the one he/she likes best. For those who are not willing to go anywhere, he/she will mark none of the choices. Write-ins will always welcome.

This way the winning location will be the one that the most Lighters are willing to take part in, and will be the most consistent with the stated goal of our reunions.

Often, it is difficult to get families together during holiday seasons. So, it should be expected that for various reasons not all Lighters could attend all reunions. However, what is to prevent us from holding smaller mini reunions on alternate years or the same year. I have known other classes to have had them and, were successful.

Let us hear your idea on this matter as soon as practical. It might seem to you that we have a great deal of time for this and there are more urgent matter that require your immediate attention. OK, just remember while you may live to be a hundred, some of us are not going to be that fortunate.