Planning My Family Reunion
Planning My First Family Reunion
I know first-hand what planning a family reunion is all about. There are many personal issues that come up that I didn't expect. I would like to share some of my joys and frustrations so that others may benefit when planning their own family reunion.
Planning Tips I learned:
1. Engage the younger generation, especially for volunteering for projects.
Originally, I was only dealing with my relatives in my age group. When it came to asking for volunteers to help on projects such as the family tree, family album, memorial board, introduction game at the first event to facilitate family members meeting other family members for the first time, banquet program, and ordering name tag buttons, no one responded.
After weeks of frustration and vowing not to do everything myself since I was working full time and organizing this magnificent reunion, I decided to contact the younger generation. The response had great results. My own children pitched right in to create the Memorial Board and the Family Album. I then asked my cousin's daughters help they did. Another daughter of another cousin offered to create the Family Tree. Voila! Things were looking up!
Finally, the older generation stepped in, two cousins of mine created the program for the Banquet which included slides and videos of the family. My sister then said she would take care of the introduction game and ordering the buttons.
The kids who are worked on the projects were very enthusiastic and could hardly wait for the reunion. They did a fantastic job. My cousin's daughter who did the Family Tree sent out a detailed questionnaire to every family member, and her sister, who is helped with the Family Album then sent another detailed questionnaire covering other aspects of our lives. Our worst problem was getting everyone to take the time to fill them out!
2. Add a contingency cost when determining the registration fee.
Very close to our reunion, I heard that one branch of the family changed their minds about attending because their mother would not pay for their fees. Her kids were all married with children and with good professions. I tried to convince them to come, but was unsuccessful. I became very worried since we included them when we booked our reunion venue that required a 50 person minimum.
Now, about my thrifty cousin. After the first email on the hotel information and the group room rate, my cousin responded by asking us to find a less expensive hotel. But when she checked on www.orbitz.com and found rooms at the same hotel for $30 less than the already reduced price the sales manager gave us, she was happy. I then emailed everyone to make his/her reservations through Orbitz. So that worked out.
However, her next issue was about the Registration Fee. In determining a fee for the entire event, we included a little cushion for incidentals. But again, my cousin baulked. Fearing others would follow, we reduced the fee by $20. Unfortunately, we ran too close to cost, so we had to reduce our appetizers and ask other family members for donations.
These are a few pitfalls I didn't anticipate, but I hope it provides others with a few tips and humor into planning your family reunion!
Ciao,
Connie
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