Ideas for a Lighthearted Retirement Luncheon for a Secretary
- Create a quiz for all attendees of the luncheon about the secretary's time with the company or organization. Include questions such as "How many bosses has (name of retiree) had?" "What positions has (name of retiree) held here?" and "In what year did (name of retiree) start working here?" Read the questions out loud and have employees write down the answers. Arrange a small prize for the winner.
- Make the secretary the boss of the luncheon and have the boss be the secretary. Have the boss sit with a notepad or laptop at the table and take minutes of the conversation at the luncheon. Allow the secretary to demand that the boss fetch coffee and dessert. Have the boss read out the minutes at the end of the luncheon and show how difficult it is to take minutes.
- Ask each employee before the luncheon to come up with one or two special memories of the retiree. Ask them to write down especially what they will miss about not having the secretary around. Encourage them to write funny and lighthearted responses, such as "I will miss the sound of (name of retiree's) loud typing on the keyboard" or "I will miss how perfectly (name of retiree) took coffee orders every morning." Read the responses while everyone is eating or before dessert.
- Celebrate the retirement of a secretary by presenting him with a funny award for service. Name it something like "The Golden Typewriter Award." Theme your party as an awards show, incorporating the theme in the invitations and decorations. Get a trophy and a certificate detailing all the vital tasks the secretary performed over the years. Announce the award with a results-bearing envelope and some suspense. Encourage the retiree to make an acceptance speech.