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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...
This month's Reunion Tip of the Month is not only a repeat from last year, but also quick and easy (leaving lots of time to spend with family and friends). 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) reunion RSVPs.
FAMILY TIME...
REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH...
REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH...
December is a great time for spending time with family, counting our blessings and honoring heritage with Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and National Roots Day. And, there’s lots to do, celebrate, eat, drink and enjoy including Write to a Friend Month, Go Caroling Day, Make a Gift Day, shopping, cooking, baking, Rosa Parks Day, U.S. National Guard Birthday, Bake Cookies Day, Comfort Food Day, Gingerbread House Day, French Fried Shrimp Day, Egg Nog Month, Peppermint Latte Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, New Year’s Eve, setting goals for the coming year (including your next family reunion). And don't forget your family members birthdays, anniversaries, special celebrations and occasions. Check out the full list of 60+ December observances by clicking below.
CHRISTMAS POEM...
WORTH REPEATING...
WORTH REPEATING...
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.
WORTH REPEATING...
WORTH REPEATING...
WORTH REPEATING...
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
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.
join our mailing list to...
-Be in the know regarding family reunion planning and genealogy
-Join our community of family reunion planners
-Get info, tips and other good stuff.