We have all seen them.  Those ads on websites inviting you to register on some "alumni" site to find old classmates and friends.  All you have to do is go to some website and fill in the blanks.  Presto!  You have signed up.  Now all your classmates can find you.  In some cases, for a fee, you can contact someone else. 
Every time you come back to the website, you may be bombarded with web-advertising. It doesn't stop there.  With the information you give, advertisers can target market their pitch to your exact demographics.  You may have given permission for your personal information to be sold and used by advertisers to "spam" your e-mail and fill your post box with junk mail. 
We have witnessed several dozen such sites pop-up on the Internet in the past several years.  Some of which have disappeared into obscurity.  Sites such as; Alumni.net, Reunion.com, Planetalumni.com, Namesdatabase.com, Schoolnews.com, Gradfinder.com, and others have sought your attention and information. 
These sites are in business for a profit.  They must derive their operating budget from some revenue source to stay in business.  For some, your yearly dues will add to their bottom line.  Additionally, some may generate operating funds from banner ads on the pages you visit.  For the others, it only follows that the information that you provide is the commodity they can generate funds with.  

What makes us different than the others?

For us, our business purpose is quite the opposite.  We focus on one school - Des Moines Technical High School!  We serve only one clientele - The Alumni of that school.  We assist with Class Reunion Committees and their function.  And lastly, our goal is to preserve the heritage and memory of Des Moines Technical High School. 

Next time you consider putting your name in a third-party alumni site, ask yourself, "When was the last time this organization showed up at your class reunion and helped decorate - - - or go to the school to clean the trophies?"
We would appreciate your support with the Blue and Gold Alumni Association.