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Family Reunion Institute

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

Click here to make a donation to the National Family Reunion Institute.

Click here to make a donation to the National Family Reunion Institute.

Click here to make a donation to the National Family Reunion Institute.

Click here to make a donation to the National Family Reunion Institute.

Click here to make a donation to the National Family Reunion Institute.

Click here to make a donation to the National Family Reunion Institute.

NOVEMBER 2025

November symbolizes transition, gratitude, remembrance of loved ones, and preparation for the year's end. November represents prosperity, strength, community, joy and longevity. November is full of thrills and chills, and greets us with an extra hour of sleep, chillier temps and picturesque autumn foliage. November means warm and fragrant smells from the kitchen, oven-baked comfort foods and savory desserts. November's when we take time to evaluate where we are with our family reunions, consider what we’ve accomplished so far (or not), and begin populating our to-do lists with actions needed to bring about success. And while the official reunion may be months away, November is here to usher in plenty of opportunity for unofficial “reunion” time with family and friends including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve and a plethora of holiday dinners, parties, gift exchanges and festive celebrations. 


November also means it's time to get out and vote. Voting is a privilege, duty and responsibility. It's important. So no excuses. Let's Just Do It. 


Speaking of just doing it, this month's FAMILY TIME  is a mix of November things to do, holidays, observances and celebrations including Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Military Family Appreciation Month, the Marine Corp Birthday, National Adoption Month, National Gratitude Month, National Inspirational Role Models Month, World Kindness Day, World Hello Day, American Made Matters Day, the Great American Smokeout Day, Chicken Soup for the Soul Day, National Nachos Day, National French Toast Day and National Stuffing Day. This month’s REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH is a list of takeaways from our Oct 25th Virtual Family Reunion Planning Workshop. And WORTH REPEATING is all about Thanksgiving in the good ole days. 


This Thanksgiving Day as we sit around our dinner tables being grateful for those around us, let’s consider spreading more love, joy, encouragement and support. Let’s try to live each day being more helpful, hopeful, peaceful and positive. Let’s treat others as we’d like to be treated. Let's be well, eat well, and do well. And let's continue to grow stronger families—and reunions—together.


Have a great November. Stay safe and keep planning. 


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

NEW NOW:

- Reunion Tip of the Month

- Family Time

- Worth Repeating

REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH...

During our October Workshop/35th Anniversary Gathering, we identified 

35 things we've learned about family reunion planning along the way. Following are Ten Top Takeaways from that list: 

  1. Don't plan alone.
  2. Plan early.
  3. Make sure every family branch is included on the planning committee.
  4. Have a plan for transitioning leadership to the next generation.
  5. Gather contact info for all family members; build and maintain a database.
  6. Budget carefully.
  7. Plan activities that get all family members interacting.
  8. Use the reunion to recognize and reinforce tradition, encourage participation and instill pride.
  9. Be an investigator when researching your past family history.
  10. Make sure to date all documents, materials and pictures with the month, day and year.


FAMILY TIME...

WORTH REPEATING...

WORTH REPEATING...

November is full of lots to do, celebrate, eat, enjoy and make good family time out of. Family Days to celebrate this month include: Thanksgiving, Native American Heritage Month, Family Stories Month, National Family Caregivers Appreciation Month, National Family Literacy Month, National Family Week, National Housewives Day, National Men Make Dinner Day, National Parents as Teachers Day, Inspirational Role Models Month, Gratitude Month, Kindness Day, Veteran’s Day and so much more including your family members birthdays, anniversaries, special celebrations and occasions. Check out the full list of 70 November observances by clicking below.


Want to turn FAMILY TIME observances into great time with the family? On days that celebrate foods, incorporate them into your meals and show the kids how it’s made. On dates with activities, incorporate them into your daily routine. On all other days have a discussion, do some research, discover something new about the day. Make a game of it, get the whole family involved, and most of all, have some fun.

click here for november observances

WORTH REPEATING...

WORTH REPEATING...

WORTH REPEATING...

Langston Hughes, Thanksgiving Time (1921)


When the night winds whistle through the trees and blow the crisp brown leaves a-crackling down,
When the autumn moon is big and yellow-orange and round,
When old Jack Frost is sparkling on the ground,
It's Thanksgiving time!

When the pantry jars are full of mince-meat, 

and the shelves are laden with sweet-spices for a cake,
When the butcher man sends up a turkey nice and fat to bake,


When the stores are crammed with everything ingenious cooks can make, It's Thanksgiving time!

When the gales of coming winter outside your window howl,
When the air is sharp and cheery so it drives away your scowl,
When one's appetite craves turkey and will have no other fowl,  It's Thanksgiving time!

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).


Copyright © 2025 National Family Reunion Institute - All Rights Reserved.

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