Alumni Associations are sometimes considered "School Booster Clubs".  That truly is not the case here.  Des Moines Technical High School's doors were closed in 1986.  However in the following years since, graduates of D.M.T. asked questions as to why we could not do things like other school alumni or alumni groups. 

In 1990, a small group of Tech Alumni began the work to host "Homecoming 1990" for the alumni.  During the planning of that event, many alumni asked if we were going to continue with the efforts past the 1990 dance.  Internal discussions lead us to the conclusion that we could offer services to the Alumni and keep the "Tech Spirit" alive, even though the school had closed.

During 1990, we data based all 14,000 Des Moines Tech Graduates, which we maintain to date.  We began the work of updating all alumni records so that reunion committees could begin their work with more complete and updated class lists. 

In the Fall of 1991, we hosted "Homecoming 1991".  Just like Homecoming 1990, we had a parade through town to the dance, just as we would have in high school.  We had representation from each of the 44 classes for both events.  Entertainment was provided by Local D.J.'s who covered 50 years of music.  The Alumni Association awarded the first two "Lifetime Achievement" awards in 1990 to Mr. Elmer C. Betz and Mr. Donald Blackman for their service to the community, Tech High School and it's students.

During those early years, we had requests from individual Class Reunion Committees for additional assistance.  For many events, the updated class list we provided was the first thing that the class reunion committees needed to begin planning.  However we offered more.  Everything from selecting an event site to decoration ideas were items that we helped with.  Catering, entertainment, and photographer recommendations were things the Association had some experience with.
Our service does not stop with Class Reunion Committees.  Over the years we have had numerous requests from classmates and friends to locate Alumni.  We are quite pleased when we are able to make the connection for the parties involved.  When we cannot make the connection, we note in the Alumnus' file that a request to find had been made, as well as the contact information, so when located that information can be passed on.

We continue to support the Class Reunion Committees in their reunion efforts.  Each year we assist with finding "lost" alumni, in addition to supporting the committees with information, advice, and materials.
We keep the "Tech Spirit" alive at public functions.  The Association was present at events during Des Moines' sequential-centennial and Central Campus' Open House.  Tech's heritage was vast, and many find it nice that the Spirit continues when we show up.
Speaking of Tech's heritage, the Alumni Association took an active role in protecting the trophies <Link>, and saving the trophy cases <Link>.
Although we are not a booster club, we do support the Technical - Vocational Education concept.  Almost every Des Moines Tech High graduate knows of the value of quality training in career choices.  On occasion we have spoken in support of Tech - Voc. Education. 

Truly, that answer lies with you.  Your membership participation, your help with organizing activities and events, your support of our endeavors will all contribute to what we will do.
Proudly, D. M. Tech can boast a very intelligent, resourceful, energetic, and seasoned group of Alumni.  With your involvement in our Association, we can have better Class Reunions, more Alumni events, and enhanced services to the individual Alumni. 
Volunteers to assist with the functions are always welcome.  We have had requests to form Regional Chapters in areas that Alumni now live.  We have also had requests for Core-Area events; diners, weekend outings and shopping excursions.  We would love to host these activities, and we could with dedicated help from the Alumni.
Some have even suggested that the Association consider administering a Technical -Vocational Educational Scholarship Fund.  More than one conversation has touched on the Association starting an Endowment Fund for Trade Programs.  Do you have any thoughts that you would like to forward?
Your help with the Web-site, our newsletter (Engineering Times), and researching Tech's history - we have a better story to tell.  Involvement in any of the Committees; Trophies, Events and Activities, Awards, Reunion Committee Roundtable, Membership, and Publicity insures that Tech Spirit lives on.