Plan and Organize a Family Reunion
Since the advent of the personal computer and network technology, genealogy research by family members has become an addictive pastime that has contributed to many happy family reunions. But what if you were asked to organize the next event? Where would you start? When should you start? Should you hire a family reunion planner, form a reunion committee or do it all yourself?
Contents
Steps
- Ask for other family members to help with planning activities and choosing the time and place. Get the word out - let others know you're planning a family reunion event. Give family members plenty of notice. Usually three or four months advance notice will allow attendees to plan vacation time or make adjustments in scheduling.
- Assign each member of your newly formed reunion committee a specific task. This could be tasks such as T-shirts and memorabilia, genealogy presentations including memorials and historic tours, entertainment, dining events, Reunion Book, entertainment, photography, etc.
- Give each member written instruction regarding how to execute his or her task. Create a time line reminder. Make good use of Family Reunion Planner organizers that feature schedulers and time line reminders. Make use of Event Planning Software with editable worksheets and templates.
- Schedule the next meeting one or two months away and follow up on all action items. Keep the lines of communication wide open.
- Hold each person responsible for their assignment.
- Decide some of the main things that will occur at the reunion. For example, you may wish to honor the elders and accomplished members of the family, acknowledge those who are going through something, etc. Be sure to encourage each other.
- During the gathering have food and drink available.
- Share stories and anecdotes. Don't gossip or spread rumors; keep everything positive and friendly.
- Bring lots, and lots of love. Even for people you usually clash with!
Tips
- What is a family reunion without a family reunion scrapbook keepsake.
- There are many family reunion planning tools online. Make use of planning material that features the following: a time line, preparation reminders, scheduling worksheets, committee assignment sheets, reunion needs lists, meal planners and checklists and T-Shirt Rosters.
- Booklets on CD with video segments are even more memorable.
- There are many ways to do your family reunion on the cheap. You can get free stuff from your local Chamber of Commerce, museums and tourist centers, find free spots to congregate at universities, and get free invitations and eCards online.
- You might like to consider holding a small family gathering to plan and organize a committee for starting annual or regular family reunions. It depends on how much effort you wish to put in.
Warnings
- Don't settle for services simply because they are cheap and local. Get recommendations from folks who do not stand to profit.
- Don't procrastinate.
- Delegate tasks according to skill and competence.
Sources and Citations
- [1]] A popular family reunion planning site with access to family reunion apps featuring fun activity ideas, reunion craft ideas, recipe ideas, a reunion planning ebook, complete step by step reunion planning checklist, reunion todo list tool, attendee rsvp database and spreadhseet, t-shirt roster, t-shirt designer, reception hall floor plan designer, online invitation senders, online surveys tool, printable poems...
- [2]] Pinterest family reunion planning board with pins for family reunion web applications, activity ideas, crafts, recipes, reunion planning books and ebooks, reunion planning checklist, reunion t-shirt designs, printable poems, invitations and flyers...
