MAMA BEAR FAMILY REUNIONS
Why Plan a Family Reunion?
The answer: It simply helps to bond families together, in a time when everything is tearing families apart.
Family reunions can be described as an event or a function in which family members come together to share a common experience. For adults, family reunions normally comprises of time together visiting (about the past, present and future), sharing meals together, participating in activities and various forms of entertainment. For kids, most family reunions mean games, excitement, interesting things to do and fun activities. Family reunions help families stay in touch. Family reunions can also be used as a social networking platform for making new connections and strengthening older ones. Today, when we live in an age where families are under attack, a family reunion can help rebuild your family if you are suffering from dis-unity. By having a family reunion, it will help your children feel more connected to their roots. At first some may not want to participate in a family reunion, but with time, even the most stubborn family members usually give in.
The main reason why family reunions should be taken seriously, is because human beings are social in nature. Interacting with others and sharing lives, will help benefit children (in the sense of belonging to something) and help them in becoming good citizens, in turn contributing to society in a positive way. If you think about it, the whole reason gangs became popular, is children needed to feel part of something. Kids will also get to know about extended family members, as well as their family history. Knowing your family history is very important for each member of the family - because it tells about who you are and where you came from. Family reunions also help in rejuvenating old relations that have become strained and lifeless due to the lack of communication. Kids also get the chance to meet their cousins and establish connections.
Here are a few things to consider when planning a family reunion. These 10 steps will help make your reunion a success.
STEP (1) Make a plan - Start by picking a date and location. You need to begin planning about 12 months in advance. Your best first step, is sending questionnaires to family members to get input on when, where and what they want. Gather a committee to select three possible dates and locations. Send questionnaires asking family members to rank the options. While you can’t meet everyone’s needs, a survey is the best tool for finding out what works for most relatives.
STEP (2) Recruit and delegate - No one person can manage all aspects of a family reunion. Surround yourself with people who are capable, enthusiastic and willing to help. As a Family Reunion Coordinator, you will be responsible for handing the communications between committees. For small events with 20 or 30 people, you’ll need only a few volunteers. For large events with 30 people and over, you'll need more help. The best way to achieve this, is by breaking the tasks down into committees. Here are some suggested committees that can help you.
* Family Reunion Coordinator: Have one family member responsible for coordinating the activities of all committees.
* Communication Committee: They handle the communication between all family members. Who is coming and who is not.
* Finance Committee: They handle the checking account, writing a budget, gathering the dues and making the purchases.
* Accommodations Committee: They handle finding accommodations and negotiating group rates and discounts.
* Catering Committee: They hand the menu planning, who will be bringing what, and if anything will be catered.
* Entertainment Committee: They handle and organize activities for all ages.
* Welcoming Committee: They handle making name tags, agendas, and signage for the event, also welcoming family as they arrive.
* Set Up / Clean Up Committee: They handle the setting up of the various events, as well as cleaning up after each gathering
STEP (3) Create a command center - A reunion will generate paperwork, even a small reunion. For larger reunions with committees, we recommend passing copies of information (such as contracts, food vendors, updated registration information and lodging details), to a family reunion coordinator. You can keep everything in one simple file folder, or you can file everything into separate folders by committee. By keeping your records organized, this will help towards the success of your reunion.
STEP (4) Build a budget - Cost can be a big factor in attendance for many people. So you will want to start by creating a budget. We recommend starting as early as 12 to 18 months in advance. Get an idea of lodging accommodations, where to stay and how much it will cost. Put together a meal plan, and calculate how much it will cost to feed each person per day. If your planning on any activites or entertainment, call in advance and get these prices, be sure and ask for group discount rates.
STEP (5) Prepare a back-up plan. If your reunion will be outside, reserve a pavilion that can accommodate all the attentees in case of unexpected weather (like rain), pack a few board games for activities indoors.
STEP (6) Get the word out - Send invitations as early as possible. You might opt for a simple flyer, an elaborate newsletter or a postcard.
Use mailings to relay information and incite interest. Opt for e-mail or website communications, if your family is plugged-in keeping the cost down.
STEP (7) Offer something for everyone - Offer a range of activities to meet a variety of ages and interests. Try to accommodate your activities so everyone is involved. You also can have excursion and outings to fun attractions or historical places. For kids, aim for a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. Teenagers can organize the younger children’s games.
STEP (8) Start with a bang - Getting everyone involved as they arrive is essential to setting the right tone. Here are some suggestions:
STEP (9) Share your family’s story - No matter how different your relatives are, your family heritage is one thing you all have in common. Celebrate it by sharing old photos and memorabilia. Incorporate food, music, entertainment & decorations from your family’s ancestral homeland. Encourage family to bring copies of old family photos to share. If you have a designated person at the reunion, with a scan, lap top computer (and access to internet), you can upload these photos immediately to the family reunion website. Photos are a great way to tell your family story on a website. Additionally, if you have someone who is an excellent writer, ask them to conduct family interviews during the reunion. For many, it's often hard to sit down and think of everything to say - in telling your story. If they can do so in a relax family environment, many of these facts and information simply roll of peoples tongues. Then have these written interviews published on the family reunion website.
STEP (10) Maintain the momentum - After the reunion date and location has been set, be committed to staying in touch with everyone. The best way to stay in touch is by creating either a "Reunion Group Chat" on Facebook or Whatsup. If someone in your group is internet savvy, have them build a family reunion website, this is a great way to keep family up-to-date on recent changes. Encourage family members to go to the website for more information. Websites, should generally be handled by the communication committee. Include pictures of the past family reunions, as this helps to build excitement for the next family reunion.
The main reason why family reunions should be taken seriously, is because human beings are social in nature. Interacting with others and sharing lives, will help benefit children (in the sense of belonging to something) and help them in becoming good citizens, in turn contributing to society in a positive way. If you think about it, the whole reason gangs became popular, is children needed to feel part of something. Kids will also get to know about extended family members, as well as their family history. Knowing your family history is very important for each member of the family - because it tells about who you are and where you came from. Family reunions also help in rejuvenating old relations that have become strained and lifeless due to the lack of communication. Kids also get the chance to meet their cousins and establish connections.
Here are a few things to consider when planning a family reunion. These 10 steps will help make your reunion a success.
STEP (1) Make a plan - Start by picking a date and location. You need to begin planning about 12 months in advance. Your best first step, is sending questionnaires to family members to get input on when, where and what they want. Gather a committee to select three possible dates and locations. Send questionnaires asking family members to rank the options. While you can’t meet everyone’s needs, a survey is the best tool for finding out what works for most relatives.
STEP (2) Recruit and delegate - No one person can manage all aspects of a family reunion. Surround yourself with people who are capable, enthusiastic and willing to help. As a Family Reunion Coordinator, you will be responsible for handing the communications between committees. For small events with 20 or 30 people, you’ll need only a few volunteers. For large events with 30 people and over, you'll need more help. The best way to achieve this, is by breaking the tasks down into committees. Here are some suggested committees that can help you.
* Family Reunion Coordinator: Have one family member responsible for coordinating the activities of all committees.
* Communication Committee: They handle the communication between all family members. Who is coming and who is not.
* Finance Committee: They handle the checking account, writing a budget, gathering the dues and making the purchases.
* Accommodations Committee: They handle finding accommodations and negotiating group rates and discounts.
* Catering Committee: They hand the menu planning, who will be bringing what, and if anything will be catered.
* Entertainment Committee: They handle and organize activities for all ages.
* Welcoming Committee: They handle making name tags, agendas, and signage for the event, also welcoming family as they arrive.
* Set Up / Clean Up Committee: They handle the setting up of the various events, as well as cleaning up after each gathering
STEP (3) Create a command center - A reunion will generate paperwork, even a small reunion. For larger reunions with committees, we recommend passing copies of information (such as contracts, food vendors, updated registration information and lodging details), to a family reunion coordinator. You can keep everything in one simple file folder, or you can file everything into separate folders by committee. By keeping your records organized, this will help towards the success of your reunion.
STEP (4) Build a budget - Cost can be a big factor in attendance for many people. So you will want to start by creating a budget. We recommend starting as early as 12 to 18 months in advance. Get an idea of lodging accommodations, where to stay and how much it will cost. Put together a meal plan, and calculate how much it will cost to feed each person per day. If your planning on any activites or entertainment, call in advance and get these prices, be sure and ask for group discount rates.
STEP (5) Prepare a back-up plan. If your reunion will be outside, reserve a pavilion that can accommodate all the attentees in case of unexpected weather (like rain), pack a few board games for activities indoors.
STEP (6) Get the word out - Send invitations as early as possible. You might opt for a simple flyer, an elaborate newsletter or a postcard.
Use mailings to relay information and incite interest. Opt for e-mail or website communications, if your family is plugged-in keeping the cost down.
STEP (7) Offer something for everyone - Offer a range of activities to meet a variety of ages and interests. Try to accommodate your activities so everyone is involved. You also can have excursion and outings to fun attractions or historical places. For kids, aim for a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. Teenagers can organize the younger children’s games.
STEP (8) Start with a bang - Getting everyone involved as they arrive is essential to setting the right tone. Here are some suggestions:
- Have a welcoming committee greet arriving guests (either at the airport, at the park entrance or by the front door).
- Create a blank family tree and have each member fill in his/her information.
- Provide an agenda of activities so no one gets left out.
- Create welcome banners.
- Have each family bring something to give to others, as a momento of the trip. It will leave a lasting impression and surely touch the hearts of everyone in attendance.
STEP (9) Share your family’s story - No matter how different your relatives are, your family heritage is one thing you all have in common. Celebrate it by sharing old photos and memorabilia. Incorporate food, music, entertainment & decorations from your family’s ancestral homeland. Encourage family to bring copies of old family photos to share. If you have a designated person at the reunion, with a scan, lap top computer (and access to internet), you can upload these photos immediately to the family reunion website. Photos are a great way to tell your family story on a website. Additionally, if you have someone who is an excellent writer, ask them to conduct family interviews during the reunion. For many, it's often hard to sit down and think of everything to say - in telling your story. If they can do so in a relax family environment, many of these facts and information simply roll of peoples tongues. Then have these written interviews published on the family reunion website.
STEP (10) Maintain the momentum - After the reunion date and location has been set, be committed to staying in touch with everyone. The best way to stay in touch is by creating either a "Reunion Group Chat" on Facebook or Whatsup. If someone in your group is internet savvy, have them build a family reunion website, this is a great way to keep family up-to-date on recent changes. Encourage family members to go to the website for more information. Websites, should generally be handled by the communication committee. Include pictures of the past family reunions, as this helps to build excitement for the next family reunion.
