1956

With your indulgence, this column will be devoted to a discussion of the class of 1956 outreach program. Those of you who attended the class meeting at our 25 th reunion last June will remember that the concept was introduced at that time.

Unfortunately, but inevitably, tragedy visits the class. At this writing (mid-March), your secretary has only just learned of the death last September of Bert Whittemore's wife Kevin. Bert, in a letter, admits that "it is difficult at the time" to get in touch with the many friends and classmates who would want to know. Some of us, therefore, find out many months after the time when a few words or a note could be of real support to a classmate or his family in the face of tragedy. It was only a few days after Bert's letter that notice was received through John Nordling of Bob Leighty's death in late February. We have been able to respond somewhat more quickly with expressions of sympathy and support on behalf of the class to Bob's family. John has been most supportive in this respect.

The question raised by these and other unwelcome, but no less certain, events, is what can be done to inform quickly, those classmates who, if they know of a need on the part of a classmate or family, will take action to help. It was this concern that engendered the concept of an outreach program.

There is ample evidence of need. Over 20 classmates have died since graduation. Even a casual reading of our reunion book reveals that a number of wives and children have also died. Less tragic perhaps, although no less concerning, classmates have been and are unemployed for prolonged periods, and some may be affected by alcoholism or other serious illness. Childrenof classmates may be separated from their parents by long distances. And divorce, while more common, is no less hurtful.

The bonds and lasting friendships established during our four years at Dartmouth, which have grown over the intervening years, are of such stuff and sensitivity that help proffered would be appreciated and perhaps drawn upon during times of uncertainty.

An expression of sympathy from the class as a whole by the president or secretary in the event of a death of a classmate or family member is straightforward. What is more important is the immediate and continuing personal contact and support by those classmates who know and are known by the family affected. Support can take various forms — telephone calls, visits, cards, and letters all convey interest, concern, and caring. If it is important at a time of death, is it not as meaningful and as appreciated when a classmate is unemployed, when his wife is ill, or when his child 5,000 miles away from family is homesick?

How often have we said, "If only I'd known, I would have offered to help." This then becomes the problem. How do we ensure that classmates who can help are advised of the need to help in a timely fashion. Each of us needs to be alert on behalf of the class as a whole so that information can move quickly. Many of us travel and keep in touch with one another that way. Classmates' names appear in newspapers and elsewhere in the media. We have friends who are friends of friends who know classmates.

When we hear of something affecting a classmate or his family what do we do with it? If we know the classmate well, we may pick up the phone and call or write or visit. Do we call others though? If we do not know the classmate well, what should we do? Somewhere in the class is a classmate who should be calling or contacting that family. If we do not know who that person is, however, we need a vehicle for communication.

We are dealing with problems of great personal sensitivity, so an outreach program should not be highly structured or burdened down organizationally. Your secretary is willing to serve as a focal point for this effort and has already received offers of help from a good number of classmates who would undertake to make calls themelves or find someone who is appropriate. A couple of classmates have offered to make available professional expertise in the area of insurance. Ideally, we should have available to the secretary a grid of shared experiences which would link every classmate to at least one other classmate. These links might be geographic, occupational, or on the basis of a fraternity, team, or other organizational association at Dartmouth.

What is needed now is an expression of concern and interest to the secretary on the part of each classmate with an offer to help if needed. A loose, informal network could then be put together with the help of a few volunteers. In the end, we will have a means of both obtaining and disseminating information in a timely fashion.

Caring and helping cost so little, but can mean so much. An outreach program can provide us with the opportunity to truly "reach out and touch someone."

Tom Byrne '55 (left) modestly acknowledges the accolades heaped upon him as he is named 1982Hanover "Citizen of the Year." Sharing the podium with him at the early-spring ceremony andcalling for order among the cheering throngs was his classmate Ron Campion (right). AmongByrne's accomplishments cited in the award was his work with the Hanover Recreation Council.

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