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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
In July we welcome independence by remembering the past and building opportunities for the future.
July is best known for family reunions, Fourth of July celebrations, barbecues, ice cream, water ice, sunbathing, beaches, boardwalks, fireworks, baseball, outdoor concerts, water plugs, water-and-amusement parks—and whatever else your family’s favorite July activity is.
Summer is in full swing this July with vacations to be enjoyed, beaches to lay up on, sunsets to watch, barbecues to savor, and plenty of daylight to appreciate. If you’re looking for things to do, July is loaded with lots to enjoy and observe. We’ve listed plenty in this month’s FAMILY TIME including Parents Day, Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day, National Father-in-Law Day, Aunt and Uncle Day, Cousins Day, National Air Conditioning Appreciation Days, National Grilling Month, Ice Cream Month, Clean Beaches Week, International Reggae Day, Fried Chicken Day, Chicken Wing Day, Chicken & Waffles Day, Strawberry Sundae Day, Slurpee Day, Social Wellness Month, Compliment Your Mirror Day, Cheer Up the Lonely Day, Simplicity Day, and so much more. Nelson Mandela Day is also observed this month, and we commemorate him by sharing some of his quotes in WORTH REPEATING. We also provide a few Summertime Quotes to help you pass the time while lounging by the pool, beach, backyard, deck or wherever you're reading this. And this month’s REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH and PRACTICAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING posts suggest ways to keep students engaged this Summer.
Aaahhhh July... full of reunions, fireworks, family, fruit, food and fun. Here’s hoping you find time to relax, savor what summer has to offer, and enjoy your reunions and family. Stay safe and be well.
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NEW NOW:
- Reunion Tip of the Month
- Practical Family Reunion Planning
- Family Time
- Nelson Mandela Quotes
- Worth Repeating (Summertime)
COME BACK LATER FOR:
- Happy Birthday Dr. Vargus
- Sticky Reunion Situation
It’s Summer. Let’s keep our school-aged family members reading and learning. Studies show that students lose as much as 2-3 months of math and reading skills over the summer. So let’s fuel them with interesting things to do—that are as educational as they are fun.
1. Have them research the neighborhood, city and/or state where they live and the people who’ve made an impact there. For example, who is the neighborhood playground named after. What's the history behind the area church or park. Where did your street get it's name.
2. How far back can they trace their family history (one generation, 2, 3 or more).
3. What ideas or suggestions do they have for an upcoming reunion. What suggestions do they have for getting young people involved.
4. Start a word challenge where they identify 2 to 5 new words a day starting with the letter A the first day, B the second day, and so on.
5. Try NBA Math Hoops: The New Basketball-Themed Math Game designed for students in grades 3-8 to learn fundamental math skills through the game of basketball, run by the non-profit Learn Fresh in partnership with NBA Cares. CLICK HERE for info.
6. Visit museums, spend time at the library, etc. Learning can be fun—you just have to do it!!!
In July we greet the heat, demonstrate outdoor culinary skills, savor cool eats, favor the fresh air, and add in some food, sun, and fun to the over 70 July observances we’ve identified to celebrate with the family this month, including
Family Reunion Month, Black Family Month, Family Golf Month, Make a Difference to Children Month, Purposeful Parenting Month, Parents Day, Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day, National Father-in-Law Day, Aunt and Uncle Day, and Cousins Day. Observe National Air Conditioning Appreciation Days, National Grilling Month, Ice Cream Month, National Parks and Recreation Month, Clean Beaches Week, International Reggae Day, Fried Chicken Day, Chicken Wing Day, Chicken & Waffles Day, Strawberry Sundae Day, Slurpee Day, Give Something Away Day, and don’t forget about your family members birthdays, anniversaries, and other special celebrations for a plethora of opportunities to enjoy this Summer.
It may sound a little far-fetched, however Including something educational during the reunion is one way to get school-aged family members interested in attending the reunion and striving to do their best during the school year. There are many ways to pique younger family members interest while encouraging them to do better, including the following list. The goal is to get students enthusiastic about doing their best during the school year, so they can come to the reunion to brag and get rewarded for their good work. Doing so also helps set them up for future learning and success.
WORTH REPEATING
“I never lose. I either win or learn.”
“It always seems impossible until it's done.”
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated.”
“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return.”
“Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely daydreaming, but vision with action can change the world.”
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”
“Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.”
“It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build”.
WORTH REPEATING
“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” – Van Morrison
“Ah, summer – that long anticipated stretch of lazy, lingering days, free of responsibility and rife with possibility. It’s a time to hunt for insects, master handstands, practice swimming strokes, conquer trees, explore nooks and crannies, and make new friends.” – Darrell Hammond
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” – John Lubbock
“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability”.
– Sam Keen
“It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do”. – Walter Winchell
“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” – James Dent
“In Summer: Hair gets lighter. Skin gets darker. Water gets warmer. Drinks get colder. Music gets louder. Nights get longer. Life gets better.” – Unknown
Planning a family reunion? Click below for tips on:
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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).
SUCCESS IS RELATIVE
The Edwards family’s last reunion was relatively successful, but they’d like to see even more relatives show up this year. And they’ve got some unique and creative ideas that should help accomplish that goal.
The Situation: You have family gatherings but still haven't had a family reunion, and you want help introducing the idea of a reunion to your family. Check out this Sticky Reunion Situation from our SRS Archives titled,
TURN YOUR PICNIC INTO A REUNION.
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