Most family historian recognize not only the value of connecting with their ancestors, but also the critical value in establishing close bonds with their living family members. People grow up establishing bonds with parent and siblings, grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins. Some of these connections are close friendships and others are, well, part of the family. Family provides a framework by which people grow and live. Habits, morals, ethics, food preferences, parenting styles, and so much more often begin in the family. However, modern communications and travel capabilities means families live further apart than ever before. Children may not get the opportunity to establish those close connections with many of their family members. Older generations may have gone too long without reaffirming those old bonds. One possible solution is to hold a family reunion.
Your Family Reunion: How to Plan it, Organize It, and Enjoy It will help any interested person prepare and successfully manage a family reunion. The larger the family and the greater the distances family will need to travel may discourage some into not even trying to organize such an event. However, with help from this guide anyone can find the assistance needed to pull off a great event, no matter how large or how small. Working with family needs and desires is all a part of planning a successful reunion.
The book teaches how to determine the size, scope, and location of a reunion. Details cover budgeting and finances, working with vendors, working with others in the family to divide the labor, how to manage the actual reunion, creating activities and lasting memories, and so much more. With the Internet such a big part of modern life, the book even provides a list of online resources to help with the planning and execution of a reunion. No matter who you are, or your position in the family, whether this is a first family reunion or the tenth, this guide can help make your reunion a memorable one.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Why Have a Family Reunion?
- What Is a Reunion?
Chapter 1: The Size and Scope of Your Reunion
- Soliciting Input
- What to Do With the Responses
- Sizing up the Reunion
- A Small Reunion
- A Medium-Sized Reunion
- Larger Reunion
- Location, Location, Location!
- The Hometown
- Convenient In-Between Location
- Timing is Everything!
Chapter 2: Organizing for Success
- Your Starting Point
- Building the Team
- The First Meeting
- The Next Step: Widening the Circle
- Defining a Schedule
Chapter 3: Figuring the Cost of a Family Reunion
- Reunion Expense Categories
- Communication Expense
- Location Expense
- Permits and Licenses
- Catering and Food Expenses
- Transportation Expenses
- Hired Personnel Expenses
- Decorations and Signage
- Commemorative Clothing and Other Items
- Supplies and Equipment
- Developing a Realistic Budget
Chapter 4: Record-Keeping Systems
- Types of Information
- Summing Up
- Software Resources for Record Keeping
Chapter 5: Locating Family Members
- Networking with Your Relatives
- Using Professional and Other Types of Directories
- Internet Search Tools
- Hiring a Professional Investigator
- Combining Your Resources
Chapter 6: Announcements and Ongoing Communications
- Communications for Large Reunions
- Compiling the Family Address Book
- The Series of Communications
- A Reunion Web Page
- The MyFamily.com Site
- Defining a Communication Schedule for Your Reunion
Chapter 7: On-Site Preparations and Set-Up
Chapter 8: Ice Breakers, Mixers, and Games
- Nametags
- Mixers and Games
Chapter 9: Pursuing the Family Genealogy and the Reunion
Chapter 10: Managing the Details at the Reunion
- Locating People
- Signage
- Announcements and Newsletters
- Arrival and Sign-In
- Hospitality Events
- Banquets and Other Food Events
- Transportation
- Cleanup
- Evaluations
Chapter 11: After the Ball
- Looking toward the Next Reunion
- Appendix A: Family Reunion Resources on the Internet
- What is a Search Engine?
- The Best Search Engine
- Using a Search Engine
- What about Using Directories?
- The Ancestry.com Library
- Publicizing Your Family Reunion on the Web
- Building a Family Web Page at MyFamily.com
- Summing Up
Appendix B: Family Reunion Worksheets
- Family Reunion Survey
- Family Contact Sheet
- Registration
- Reunion Planning Summary
- Reunion Announcement
- Registration Cover Letter
- Mail Tracking Log
- Family Reunion Budget Spreadsheet
- Registration Follow-up Letter
- Family Reunion Evaluation
- Thank You Letter
- Family Genealogy Correction
Index
About the Author
Your Family Reunion: How to Plan it, Organize It, and Enjoy It is available from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: TP973, Price: $19.55.