NFRI 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
REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH...
PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING...
PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING...
April is Celebrate Diversity Month. It was initiated in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding all of us be it gender, race, ethnicity, faith and other factors—while honoring the common essence of humanity. By celebrating differences and similarities during this month, the hope is that people will gain a deeper understanding of each other and begin treating one another better. Diversity can foster a more inclusive and respectful environment and that's something to be applauded, commended and recommended—not stifled, dismissed or ignored. Let's welcome it. Favor it. And embrace it.
Our lives and families are full of diversity. That’s one of the things that challenges our reunion planning. For instance how do you plan fun activities for all generations without leaving someone out? How do you plan food for vegans, vegetarians, differing ethnic populations and the rest of the folks within the family? How do you plan events for drinkers and non-drinkers, party people and church goers, and the mix of religious denominations within your family?
One reunion family turned their Saturday dinner banquet into a “Saints & Sinners” event. The first two hours were non-alcoholic and calm enough musically for everyone to enjoy. The last two hours were turned-up for the party people. And everyone liked it so much it became an annual event for their reunion.
Use this month to think about the diversity within your family, and creatively plan reunion events where everyone feels recognized, respected, wanted and loved.
PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING...
PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING...
PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING...
TIPS FOR BUILDING STRONGER FAMILIES...
Appreciate each other
Be flexible
Be encouraging
Be patient
Be respectful, no yelling, no cursing, no name calling
Cook together
Create healthy habits (including chores for kids)
Discipline when necessary
Discuss current events
Do your best each day
Drink more water
Eat together
Encourage more reading
Encourage saving money
Encourage sharing of thoughts, feelings and ideas
Exercise together
Handle conflict fairly
Have routines
Laugh more
Limit phone time
Listen to each other
Make healthy eating a priority
Make relationships a priority
Plan family fun days
Plan family meals
Read together
Respect each other
Reward good behavior
Set boundaries
Spend quality time together
Support each other
Work together as a family
FAMILY TIME...
WORTH REPEATING...
WORTH REPEATING...
April Showers bring May flowers and 80+ hand-picked observances to get you celebrating, exploring and enjoying great family time this Spring including: Celebrate Diversity Month, Couple Appreciation Month, Financial Literacy Month, Jazz Appreciation Month, National Humor Month, Encourage a Young Writer Day, Honesty Day, Kiss Your Mate Day, National Love Our Children Day, Pillow Fight Day, Siblings Day, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, Tell a (family history) Story Day, and so much more. Click for the full list and ways to observe the days.
WORTH REPEATING...
WORTH REPEATING...
WORTH REPEATING...
"Spring is the time of plans and projects.” - Leo Tolstoy
“Spring wakes us, nurtures us and revitalizes us.”
- Gary Zukav
"I glanced out the window at the signs of spring. The sky was almost blue, the trees were almost budding, the sun was almost bright." - Millard Kaufman
"Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul."
- Luther Burbank
"You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."
- Walter C. Hagen
“Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth’s lips spoken without sound.”
- Edwin Curran
STICKY REUNION SITUATION
TAKING FULL CONTROL OF THE PLANNING
Yay…our young people want to get involved in planning the family reunion! However, they’re asking for full control even though they’ve NEVER done any planning before. We don’t want to say okay which seems like we’d be setting them up to fail. We also don’t want to say no. What’s the middle ground so that everybody’s happy.
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
- https://nationalfamilyreunioninstitute.net/meet-the-edwards-family
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NEED HELP with a Sticky Reunion Situation?
- Check the SRS Archives (CLICK HERE) -OR-
- Contact us (CLICK HERE).
join our mailing list to...
-Be the 1st to know about our no cost Virtual Workshops for Reunion Planners
-Be in the know regarding family reunion planning and genealogy
-Join our community of family reunion planners
-Get info, tips and other good stuff