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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.
- Dr. Ione Vargus
FAMILY REUNION PLANNING TIPS
Planning a family reunion? Click below for tips on:
- PLANNING A FAMILY REUNION on GENEALOGY QUICK START TV (video)
- ASSEMBLING A PLANNING TEAM (worksheet)
- WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW
- GET ORGANIZED
- COUNTDOWN / TIMELINE
- REUNION ACTIVITIES
- SUZANNE & DOUG'S FIX FOR 1ST TIME PLANNERS
- SWEET TIPS FOR FAMILY REUNION PLANNERS
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ALSO check out our FAMILY FEATURES, interviews of families discussing their journey towards a successful reunion. Click the links below to meet the families and read their stories.
- https://nationalfamilyreunioninstitute.net/meet-the-hancock-family
- https://nationalfamilyreunioninstitute.net/meet-the-mitchell-family
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NEED HELP with a Sticky Reunion Situation?
- Check the SRS Archives (CLICK HERE) -OR-
- Contact us (CLICK HERE).
REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH
REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH
REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH
Ancestor Appreciation Day is observed on September 27th, giving us a chance to appreciate our ancestors, reflect on family lineage, and learn about ancestors we may have never known or heard about. Take some time this month to interview family elders and conduct research to discover more about our families. Then be sure to share what you've uncovered with family members before and at the next reunion.
September is also Intergeneration Month, is designated as a time to connect generations and prompt varying age groups to befriend and learn from each other. We can use our family reunions to intentionally focus on connecting generations to better communicate age-related gratitude and needs, build relationships that close the generation gap, and cultivate intentional interaction with each other. Take some time this month to bring your family generations together to inspire ideas and activities that can make your reunion more intergenerational.
FAMILY TIME
REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH
REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH
September is when we try to stretch-out the last days of summer, focus on back-to-school learning, begin thinking about (or continue planning) our next reunion, and searching for more ways to have fun with the family. This September we’ve listed 70 observances and holidays that you can turn into great family time including Wife Appreciation Day, Grandparent’s Day, Stepfamily Day, Baby Safety Month, Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day, Childrens’ Good Manners Month, Intergeneration Month, Ancestor Appreciation Day, National Love People Day, and Suicide Prevention Month.
September is also host to Labor Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, National Day of Service and Remembrance, National Preparedness Month, Air Force Birthday, Hunger Action Month, Clean Up The World Weekend, National Courtesy Month, Respect Day, Good Neighbor Day, National Voter Registration Day, National School Success Month, Women’s Health and Fitness Day, Family Health and Fitness Day USA, Self-Improvement Month, Healthy Aging Month, Square Dance Month, and so much more.
Worth Repeating...
Worth Repeating...
Worth Repeating...
...Quotes About Learning and Being Prepared
“Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and to learn something new.”
– Former President Barack Obama
“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”
- Zig Ziglar
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” - Marian Wright Edelman
"No time is ever wasted if you have a book along as a companion." – Marian Wright Edelman
“Let us resolve to be ready for any crisis and work to inspire a new generation of Americans, vested with the knowledge and experience to protect themselves, their families, and their communities in the face of any challenge.”
- Former President Barack Obama
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Worth Repeating...
Worth Repeating...
Worth Repeating...
...Quotes About Fall
“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall” – Oscar Wilde
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”
– Unknown
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree” – Emily Bronte
“Autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.”
– Unknown
“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” – Jim Bishop
STICKY REUNION SITUATION
The one reunion issue that came up over and over again this summer was getting young people involved in the planning. In this month's Sticky Reunion Situation we revisit this issue with words of wisdom from Dr. Vargus.
The Situation: WHO WILL LEAD OUR FUTURE REUNIONS
We'd love to see our family reunion continue well into the future. Our problem is not being able to get younger family members interested in the planning. They like coming to the reunion, but when it comes to taking any kind of lead with the planning, they're nowhere to be found. What can we do to turn this around?
PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING
REUNION FEEDBACK
Have you ever planned events and activities for your family reunion that did not turn out as well as you thought they would, and the planning team is having a hard time understanding why? The best way to find out what happened is to ask your family members. You can provide a survey that can be completed online (and anonymously if needed). Or you can call and speak with family members directly. Whichever way you go, ask straightforward questions in a caring way so that you get the direct answers you need to make the next event or activity successful.
If reunion attendance was low ask those who did not attend if the absence was due to any of the following: Day, Date or Time; Location; Cost of Reunion; Number of Days; Activities Planned; Travel Expenses; Family Emergency or Illness; or something else.
If an event was not well attended ask those who did not attend what about the event did not appeal to them. Ask if there is an alternative event that they would like to see the family have.
Don’t be afraid to approach family members about reunion-related events and activities. Doing so is the only way to plan something good, great and wonderful that most (if not all) of the family will enjoy.
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