Planning My First Family Reunion

 

Lindas note:

Connie, our marketing and sales director, is doing the planning for a family reunion in August.  We thought it would be fun to follow her saga through the big event and the aftermath.

 

Now I know first-hand what planning a family reunion is all about. Ive been selling our book and software and have read the book and am using our software.  But there are things that you learn from actual experience.

 

The one important aspect of planning a family reunion, which will take place on August 9^th of this year, is to engage the younger generationespecially for volunteering for projects.  Let me explain.  I began by emailing all the information only to my cousins, asking them to keep their kids up on everything, thinking that family groups would plan their airfare, hotel reservations, as a family.  As far as that wentthat was an OK decision. 

 

Then it came to asking for volunteers for projects which I wanted to be donesuch as the Family Tree, the Family Album, the Memorial Board at the reunion, introduction game at the first event (were having three) to facilitate family members meeting other family members for the first time, to take charge of the Banquet program, and to order buttons for each attendee.

 

Well!  Guess what?  No one volunteeredremember I was only emailing my generation.  After weeks of frustration and vowing not to do everything myselfit was enough that I was working full time and organizing this magnificent reunionI decided to email the younger generation, also.  With great results.  Two of my kids probably felt sorry for me and one volunteered to do the Memorial Board and the other volunteered to do the Family Album.  I wouldnt let him do the Family Album himself as I felt that was a tremendous job so I asked two sisters, daughters of my cousin, to please assist him.  They immediately said that they would.  Another daughter of another cousin volunteered to do the Family Tree that will be incorporated in the Family Album.  Voila!  Things were looking up!  Then the older generation stepped intwo cousins, who are two brothers, said they would do the program for the Banquet.  A program of slides and video of the family will be shown.  Then my sister said she would be in charge of the introduction game and ordering the buttons. 

 

The kids who are doing the projects are so enthusiastic and can hardly wait for the reunion.  They are also doing a bang-up jobBrenda, who is doing the Family Tree sent out a detailed questionnaire to every family member, and Michelle, who is helping with the Family Album, sent out another detailed questionnaire covering other aspects of our lives.  Now we are hoping that family members will take the time to fill them out!

 

Then I found out that one branch of the family are not coming because their mother will not pay their Registration Fee!  Her kids are all married with children of their own and with good professions.  I have cajoled, begged, pleaded, but still to no avail.  This has me worried as we were counting on them to make up the 50 people we guaranteed the hotel for the banquet.  Does anyone have any ideas?

 

 

Now I have to tell you about my thrifty cousin.  First, after the first emailing, telling everyone what the hotel gave us as a group price per room, she sent back a missive asking if we couldnt find a less expensive hotel.  That was number one complaint.  But she did find that the cost of rooms for our same hotel was $30 cheaper on the website, www.Orbitz.com, than the fantastically reduced price the sales manager had given us.  So I emailed everyone to make his/her reservations through Orbitz.  So that was a plus for her (took away the minus).

 

But, next she complains about the cost of the Registration Fee.  We figured the Fee with a little to spare for incidentals that always pop up.  But we bowed to her demand and reduced the Fee $20, thinking that if she thought that way it may be too much for the other family members, also.  Now we are running so close to cost we will probably have to cut out a few hor douerves, etc., especially if we dont have the guaranteed 50 people at the Banquet. 

 

We are not through with Miss Thriftythe next complaint came about the aforementioned questionnaires that were being sent out.  Some questions, she said, were overlapping, and why did they have to fill out the same questions, etc.  I emailed her back saying they were probably doing it for accuracys sake.  I am waiting for the next grumble from her.

 

What happens next?  I will keep you informed with the next installment of my FIRST planning of my family reunion with all its trials and tribulations.  Maybe it will help guide you on how to avoid pitfalls and give you some good ideas plus add humor to your life!

 

Ciao,

Connie

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