Audience: business friends and family
Message: We will miss you; best wishes as you go.
Tone: both serious and light
Timing: 10-30 seconds

1

(Name), as you go, may the warmth of the moment and the goodwill of the group leave you with lingering memories of some wonderful times together here. All our best wishes for your future happiness.

2

“Thanks” seems like such a short, simple word. It’s not much to describe our appreciation of everything you’ve contributed here. Our appreciation of your upbeat attitude. Our dependency on your advice-giving—from career goals to caterers. Our notice of your listening nature during the times we shared the good and the bad. Yes, as short, simple, and inadequate as “thanks” sounds, I want to say it anyway from the bottom of my heart—thanks. Our best as you go.

3

I want to take this opportunity to make an announcement that will confirm what we’ve all heard through the grapevine. Here’s the formal announcement: See Jane. See Mark. See Jane and Mark see each other. See Jane and Mark get married. See Jane and Mark go to work in different cities. See Jane wave bye-bye. As you may have noticed, I’m not exactly eloquent on sentimental occasions. So I’ll just wrap it up with this: We will miss Jane and Mark. Jane and Mark, have fun.

4

Robert Louis Stevenson defined a friend as a present we give ourselves. Well, (name)’s smile, his genuinely teachable attitude, and his creative thinking have all been a part of the present we’ve given ourselves during the (number) years he’s been around. (Name), you’ve been a great present that we intend to keep on enjoying through the years, whenever your name comes up in conversations around the water cooler. Thanks for contributing to our lives. We’ll miss you.

5

Those people who, when you ask them how they are, say “can’t complain” just aren’t trying hard enough. Well, I’ve been one of those people, but I’ve started to complain—the day I heard (name) was leaving us. (Name), we’re going to miss your talent, your savvy, and your comedy routines. Which of those can you leave behind? Seriously, we’re going to miss you more than you know. Our best. But remember we’re still going to complain about you’re leaving from time to time.

6

Rarely will there be so few who have changed the lives of so many! You are one of the few. Thank you for your committed caring, your genuine spirit, and your practical, hard work. You came into our department at a most difficult time, and your contribution was priceless. We will miss you.

7

The feelings that go deepest are the most difficult to express. And, for that very reason, I can only hope you’ll hear “between the lines” of this toast. You have meant a great deal to us here and we will remember you often in special times of fun and also in meaningful moments of hard-won victories and jobs done well. May your future work and relationships bring you as much happiness as you’ve supplied around here. Our best.

8

Thank you for what you’ve added to our work and to our personal lives here. You’ve added thoughtfulness and fun and lots of excellent work. In exchange, we want you to take a little of us with you—our admiration and genuine goodwill.

Audience: associates in immediate department or larger group
Message: I will miss you, but I’m eager to get on with life.
Tone: informal, light
Timing: 1-2 minutes

Thomas Edison once remarked, “I start where the last man left off.” Although I’m certainly not comparing my successes to Edison’s, I do feel his modesty about those achievements you’ve mentioned in your earlier comments tonight.

Whatever I’ve been able to accomplish in these (number) years at (company) has been due in great part to the team spirit we have here. I’ve never considered myself to be a lone ranger. Whatever the project, there was always someone around—many of you in the audience. To give advice…. To lend support…. To bend the budget…. To approve the exceptions…. To applaud the results. That team spirit is what makes success sweet.
Thank you for making me look good on the projects and in the positions others have mentioned today.

Despite the enjoyment in working with you, I do not approach retirement with reluctance and regret. I’m looking forward to relaxing without fear that a customer will phone and catch me daydreaming. To eating a big lunch and not caring whether it makes me sleepy in the afternoon. To traveling without having to type up a trip report when I get off the plane. Although—I will probably miss those airfare and hotel reimbursements on my paycheck stub.

And I will miss making copies on the Xerox machine. And (name)’s weekly football statistics and predictions…. Sincerely, I will miss you all individually—your wit, your warmth, your willingness to help me out whenever I’ve called on you.

Keep up the good work here. You’ve been a wonderful team to work with. God bless.

Audience: associates in immediate department or larger group
Message: You are my friends, and I will miss you.
Tone: informal, light
Timing: 2-3 minutes, depending on insertion of personal anecdotes

Next week, I’m going to be a neophyte again…. You’re wondering how anyone at my age could be new at anything? The new task will be readjusting to more than six hours’ sleep and honestly listening to my wife when she talks. Why is it that some companies—when you retire and time is no longer so important—give you a watch?
I see good news and bad news in all that. The good news is that I’m going to be spending a lot more time on the lake. The bad news is that I’m going to be spending a lot of time missing you guys.

But one of the joys of retirement is that I can look back at you younger guys and be thankful I don’t have to go through all that pain of uncertainty again. Will I get the job, or won’t I? Will I meet the deadline, or won’t I? Will I get through traffic to my appointment, or won’t I?

Sitting on my boat, I’m sure to recall times like when

[Insert one or two personal anecdotes.]

Although I have plans to travel and to delve into several hobbies such as woodworking and stained glass, I will think often of you. Your laughter…. Your concern…. Your support in the emergencies…. You have added immeasurably to my professional success and to my personal well-being.

Thank you for the good times. I plan to stay in touch.