Retirement parties
are the gateway to playing golf as much as you like
Retirement parties are best when the employee's direct supervisor takes charge of the planning and brings in other team members to assist. Play games to highlight the employee's accomplishments and to rib the employee in a lighthearted way about some of his personal habits, such as being a neatness freak or arriving at meetings very early. While the retiree is being honored the current associates bond more closely with the company and morale improves as a result.
Retirement Roast
The supervisor chooses a number of fellow associates to tell good-humored stories that rib the retiring guest of honor. Fellow associates know the associate extremely well and will have plenty of material to present. The supervisor conducts a meeting to review the presentations, and the group votes down anything bordering on embarrassing or mean-spirited. To complete the roast, the supervisor speaks from the heart with a glowing endorsement of the guest of honor and thanks him for his service and contributions to the company. The family of the retiree is present to participate in the enjoyment of the experience.
Video Scrapbook
Develop a video history from old photographs, company newspapers, company parties, magazine articles and high points in the career of the retiree. The supervisor teams with upper management to discuss with the group some of the events seen in the video while the guest of honor, on his own, talks about some of his experiences. In a lighthearted way, upper management tests the employee's memory and puts him on the spot by having him elaborate about the events on the video that happened long ago or were not that notable at the time. Comedic questions, answers and discussion are encouraged.
Outdoor Barbecue
Arrange an outdoor barbecue featuring grilled chicken, ribs, bratwurst and brisket with all the appropriate side dishes and beverages. The event takes place during lunch of the workday and extends for at least an hour afterward. Rent a dunking booth and allow the retiree to throw balls to dunk cooperative upper management. Then give other employees several chances to do the same. The good will and camaraderie that develops is priceless. A stick-horse race between upper management and the retiree, with an amusing announcer, is entertaining and full of laughs, providing that they really ham it up. Finish up with a watermelon eating contest, with as many participants as possible.
Tags: upper management, guest honor, about some, Retirement parties