Our Motto

family reunions are more than just a picnic.

We believe reunions have the power to nourish and strengthen families of all races and ethnicities. Reunions can encourage healthy extended family relationships, provide a sense of belonging, restore family pride, nurture and respect all generations, and impart wisdom, knowledge and a shared purpose. Our goal is to strengthen, inspire and support family reunion planning; share useful information and resources; and advocate for the teaching of family and reunion history, values and experiences.

Planning a family reunion? Click below for tips on:

NEED HELP with a Sticky Reunion Situation?

- Check the SRS Archives (CLICK HERE) -OR-

- Contact us (CLICK HERE).

We've got a new name, logo & status

Suzanne Vargus Holloman, Co-Director of the Family Reunion Institute has announced the organization’s name change. “I’m excited to announce our name change to the National Family Reunion Institute (NFRI). We have always been national in scope and the name change reflects that. Our commitment to family reunions and family reunion planners remains our highest priority. As part of this name change, NFRI has adopted a new logo that emphasizes our dedication to family reunions. Our tax status has changed as well. We are now a tax exempt non-profit, and all donations are tax deductible. Donations represent an opportunity to do more for family reunions. Individuals and organizations desiring to support the Institute’s programs that build on the strengths of families, using reunions as the tool, are able to make a donations on the website."

by Sylvia Ford-George

For many of us, December is when all our hard work regarding family, reunions and enjoying life come together. There are trees to be trimmed, lights to be hung, cakes to be baked, food to be cooked and carols to be sung. Gifts to be chosen for family and friends, stories to be read, children to be nestled and put into bed. Toys to assemble, gifts to wrap, holiday movies to watch, Christmas concerts to attend. Parties to plan, celebrations to enjoy, activities to engage and explore. Calls to be made, familiar faces to see, plenty of catching up for you and for me. The celebration of culture and pride, the counting down of Father Time, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne. Through it all we savor great holiday time, meals and memories with those we know and love.

December is a great month for honoring our heritage and legacy. In December we celebrate, eat, drink and enjoy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, National Roots Day, Let’s Write to a Friend Month, Go Caroling Day, Make a Gift Day, Rosa Parks Day, U.S. National Guard Birthday, Bake Cookies Day, Comfort Food Day, Gingerbread House Day, Egg Nog Month, Peppermint Latte Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, New Year’s Eve and so much more. Check out our list of 60+ FAMILY TIME holidays and observances to celebrate. This December let’s bring the family and reunion planning together by communicating and bringing everyone up-to-date (see the REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH), and saluting tradition (see WORTH REPEATING and a Christmas POEM). And, let’s not forget the real reason for the season by providing much love, peace, hope, joy and encouragement to everyone around us.

Let’s enjoy what’s left of 2023, remembering to celebrate responsibly with family and friends. Don’t Drink and Drive. Don’t Drug and Drive. Don’t Text and Drive. Don’t Zoom and Drive. And don’t let your friends. Don’t forget that covid, flu, colds, and RSV are hanging around so get vaxxed and boosted if needed. Wear a Mask. Stay Safely Distanced. Wash Your Hands. And don’t do anything that may risk your health or others.

This holiday season we wish you and your family a great time shopping, cooking, baking and reunion planning. We wish you love, peace, hope and joy. And we hope 2024 produces your best, happiest, and most fruitful year—and reunion—yet.

------------------------------

NEW NOW:

- Reunion Tip of the Month

- Family Time

- Worth Repeating

- Christmas Poem

REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

This month's Reunion Tip of the Month is quick and easy. Use end of year family gatherings to talk up, hype, or get ideas for an upcoming reunion or to secure those last minute (or late) RSVPs.

FAMILY TIME

REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

Looking for something fun and festive to do with the family this month? Check out our selected list of December observances to explore and enjoy. For live and/or virtual holiday merriment in your neighborhood, Google: “holiday events in <name of your city> 2023”, and you’re bound to find great holiday events and activities to make memorable family time out of.

click here for Dec Family Time Observances

WORTH REPEATING

POEM FOR CHRISTMAS

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. – Hamilton Wright Mabie

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family. - Burton Hillis

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. - Andy Rooney

We look forward to the time when the power of love will replace the love of power. - William Gladstone

POEM FOR CHRISTMAS

YEAR ROUND JOY... by Joanna Fuchs

Christmas is full of shiny things,

That sparkle, gleam and glow,

These holiday pleasures dazzle us,

And yet, deep down we know...

That Christmas has its special gifts,

But our year-round joy depends,

On the cherished people in our lives,

Our family and our friends.

STICKY REUNION SITUATION

FAMILY FEUD

THE SITUATION :

My family was scheduled to have a reunion in 2021, but the reunion got postponed due to the pandemic and we have not been able to reschedule a date since then. I'm on the committee but the reunion seems to have fallen off the agenda and the other committee members' are not talking about it. I’m frustrated. I was asked to be on the committee after some disagreements and hard feelings arose between committee members at the last held reunion. Now I'm in a predicament where I feel like I'm leading the event. I've been working hard to get my family familiar with each other and in a better place. I’ve even created a family GroupMe, but hardly anyone participates in the group. I'm frustrated and can't figure out why improving our family's relationships and getting on with the reunion isn't more of a priority than it is. Can you please give me some advice?

click here for the fix

PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING

As this year’s reunions draw to a close it’s time to evaluate what worked and what needs improvement.

Take note of all the things that worked. Consider if and what can be replicated for a future reunion.

Identify those things that didn’t work or could have been better. Were family members not interested? Was more planning needed? Did the weather spoil the fun? Pin down the reason(s) and either regroup and try again or try something else.

Talk with the no shows. Sometimes unexpected things happen. Give them a call to find out why and if there’s something the planning team can do to make the no show a for sure at the next reunion.

Our Motto

family reunions are more than just a picnic.

We've got a new name, logo & status

If you'd like to make a donation to NFRI click here.

If you'd like to make a donation to NFRI click here.

If you'd like to make a donation to NFRI click here.

If you'd like to make a donation to NFRI click here.

If you'd like to make a donation to NFRI click here.

If you'd like to make a donation to NFRI click here.

DECEMBER 2023

REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

FAMILY TIME

REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

WORTH REPEATING

POEM FOR CHRISTMAS

POEM FOR CHRISTMAS

POEM FOR CHRISTMAS

POEM FOR CHRISTMAS

POEM FOR CHRISTMAS

STICKY REUNION SITUATION

MEET THE MITCHELL FAMILY

PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING

Save the date: Sat., Mar 23,2024 for our next workshop.

Save the date: Sat., Mar 23,2024 for our next workshop.

Save the date: Sat., Mar 23,2024 for our next workshop.

Save the date: Sat., Mar 23,2024 for our next workshop.

Save the date: Sat., Mar 23,2024 for our next workshop.

Save the date: Sat., Mar 23,2024 for our next workshop.