It's a family reunion: here's your guide to planning the perfect gathering.WHEN IT COMES TO negotiating million-dollar construction deals, C. David Moody Jr., president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of C. D. Moody Construction (No. 87 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $37 million in sales), is in his element. But for an upcoming family project, he is trying to figure out just where to start. Moody will be hosting the first annual Moody Family Reunion Often an annual event, a family reunion takes place on a specified day each year for the purpose of keeping an extended family closer together. Some reunions may be held less often. from July 27 to 29 in Lithonia, Georgia Lithonia is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,187 at the 2000 census. "Lithonia" means "City of Stone." Lithonia is also home to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. , and is trying to make it exciting and affordable for everyone. But he needs resources to get started. "Five of us are trying to brainstorm ideas for events that are informal but informative, and keep costs to a minimum with hotels and restaurants," he says. On the opposite end of the spectrum, The Witherspoon-Strain Family Reunion is celebrating its 47th year. They, too, will be having their reunion this summer, but in Charlotte, North Carolina “Charlotte” redirects here. For other uses, see Charlotte (disambiguation). Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and the 20th largest city in the United States. . The reunion committee expects 150 people, and Fred Witherspoon, the chair, wants to add fun and excitement by learning more about family-oriented games and entertainment. He'd also like to get involved in fundraising activities so that family members in other cities can participate. Whether celebrating their first year or their 41st, families want to know how to carry out a successful reunion. And with good cause: According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a 2005 survey in Reunions magazine, 70% of respondents attend family reunions at least every 24 months. With the summer months just around the corner, we offer seven tips for hosting the perfect family reunion. TIP #1 CREATE A TIMETABLE "The timetable is important because a reunion is a very large undertaking and has many details, all of which you want to pay attention to and can only do if you have a timeframe from the beginning," says Edith Wagner, editor of Reunion and author of The Family Reunion Sourcebook. For example, 18 months to 24 months prior to the event you should determine family interest and attend a seminar or workshop, whereas the host city should be chosen one year in advance. For a detailed timetable, see the sidebar (1) A Windows Vista desktop panel that holds mini applications (gadgets) such as a calendar, calculator, stock ticker and Vonage phone dialer. It is the Windows counterpart to the Dashboard in the Mac. See Windows Vista and gadget. . TIP #2 TRACK GREAT RESOURCES Like Moody, YeRushia Brown is hosting her family's first reunion in Atlanta. Brown is trying to find out as much information as she can about the entire family reunion process, from which restaurants offer a variety of fare to choosing activities for all age groups. For free planning information, try The Family Reunion institute (www.temple.edu/fri/familyreunion), which hosts an annual conference to educate families on organizing a reunion. The Web also has a wealth of free information on every aspect for your gathering, including getting started, workshops, travel, and souvenirs. At www.family-reunion.com, you will learn how to determine the size or expense involved, select a theme, and find the best games. Or use the Net to create your family reunion Website at www.myevent.com. TIP #3 TAKE A UNIQUE SHOPPING EXCURSION excursion /ex·cur·sion/ (eks-kur´zhun) a range of movement regularly repeated in performance of a function, e.g., excursion of the jaws in mastication. Although we don't advocate overspending, for some, shopping at area malls and outlets is the most exciting part of their family reunion. Thus, many planners take shopping venues into consideration. "The key is to make a reservation first so that the center can offer you extra savings that are generally reserved for groups," says Michele Rothstein, senior vice president of marketing for Chelsea Premium Outlets. "These benefits range from free coupon books for each person to meal vouchers for the organizers. To make an online group reservation, visit www.premiumout lets.com/tours." Other national outlet chains are Prime Outlets (www.primeoutlets.com) and Tanger Outlets (www.tangeroutlet.com). TIP #4 LOOK FOR THE BEST ACCOMMODATIONS Sonya C. Waites is host of the Hill-Hough Family Reunion in Indianapolis and is curious about how to negotiate hotel rates and amenities in advance. She would also like to "implement an activity to foster communication among family members who do not know each other." Selecting the hotel is probably the biggest and most expensive aspect of the entire family reunion. In addition to cost, reunion planners should consider proximity to shopping, restaurants, and attractions, plus the amenities within the actual venue. (For Waites, that means a space large enough for the family to have a meet and greet or informal party.) Increasingly, families are selecting four- and five-star hotels and getting great prices. Some places even allow the coordinator to stay for free. Check out Websites such as www.familyreunionhotels.com. "Family reunion coordinators can find out about beautiful hotels and resorts that have availability and offer special group incentives. The Web is easy to use and faster than a phone call," says Donovan M. Shia, president of FamilyReunionHotels.com. "Our Website features family reunion hotels from more than 40 major U.S. cities. You will find direct links to key contacts and Websites to find everything you need to plan your reunion." Cruises are also a great option since they are all-inclusive. TIP #5 RAISE SOME MONEY TO OFFSET COSTS Costs for which funds have been appropriated but will not be obligated because of a contingency operation. See also contingency operation. Reunions typically cost $100 per person for a small gathering of 50 family members. If members are willing to roll up their sleeves and work at fundraising, they can lessen the financial burden of attending. Entertainment Fundraising offers multiple options: the Entertainment Book of discount coupons, Sally Foster (specialty gift and gourmet foods), or Premium Collection Gourmet Cookie Dough Cookie dough refers to a blend of cookie ingredients which has been mixed into a solid yet malleable form but has not yet been hardened by heat. The dough is often then separated and the portions baked to individual cookies, or eaten as is. (https:// fundraising.entertainment.com). ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. Fundraising (www.abcfundraising. com) has Spinners Spinners can refer to:
Even if you do not have the time for fundraisers, make an expense assessment for each family or each family member. "To be fair to everyone, divide the assessments equally. Since reunions must be affordable for everyone, every family must come up with its own solution," says Wagner. TIP #6 PLAN FOOD AND FUN ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE Natalie Reese is the co-chair of the 2008 Dukes-Murphy-Burgess Family Reunion in Savannah, Georgia Savannah is a city located in (and the county seat of) Chatham County, Georgia (USA). The city's population was 128,500 in 2005, according to the most recent U.S. Census estimate. Savannah was the first colonial and state capital of Georgia. . It is the 30th anniversary and Reese wants to add interest through activities that spark excitement. "We usually have the traditional banquet, cookout, and Sunday worship," she says. "How do we make it more fun and interesting for all ages?" Be sure to get brochures and coupons for leisure activities such as amusement parks This page contains a list of amusement parks by
, go to About.com (http://genealogy.about.com/od/family_reunions/a/activities.htm). Also read Fun and Games for Family Gatherings (Betterway Books; $7.70) by Adrienne Anderson. The visitor's bureau can also be helpful with area restaurants. Or call surrounding restaurants to ask if they would be willing to provide meal discounts or coupons for a free appetizer or dessert with a purchase. Linda J. Hoffman, managing partner of Goodman Lauren Publishing, publishers of The Reunion Planner ($15.95), recommends the Zagat Guide (www.zagat.com) to find eateries across various price ranges. TIP #7 CONTACT THE CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU Virtually every expert interviewed says the host city's convention and visitor's bureau (CVB CVB Convention and Visitors Bureau CVB College Van Bestuur (Dutch: Managing Council) CVB Camper Van Beethoven (band) CVB Common Vision Blox CVB Center for Veterinary Biologics ) is the absolute best resource for planning your reunion. "We provide a manual containing many ideas and helpful sources. We do all of the legwork leg·work n. Informal Work, such as collecting information or doing research in preparation for a project, that involves much walking or traveling about. for you," says Jon Manns, president and CEO of Atlanta's DeKalb CVB (www.atlantasdekalb.org). The bureau can assist with hotels, meeting rooms, attractions, cultural arts, group discounts, amusement parks, restaurants, churches, picnic venues, and more. "Our relationship with all of these organizations means that once the visitor conveys their needs, we know how to meet and exceed their expectations in terms of location, cost, and amenities," Manns says. Some give gift bags filled with brochures, coupons, and goodies good·y 1 Informal interj. Used to express delight. n. also good·ie pl. good·ies Something attractive or delectable, especially something sweet to eat. and offer seminars, preprinted name tags, and an ambassador to greet your guests at the welcome reception (all for free). For more information, visit the Website of your host city's bureau. 8 Useful Family Reunion Websites Reunions Magazine www.reunionsmag.com Cyndi's List of Geneaology www.cyndislist.com/reunions.htm Sites on the Internet FamilyReunion.com www.familyreunion.com The Reunion Planner www.reunionplanner.com Hotel Planner www.hotelplanner.com Myfamily.com www.myfamily.com Reuniontips.com www.reuniontips.com African American Family www.reunions.afrigeneas.com Reunion Primer Setting the Reunion Timetable 18-24 months before your reunion ... * Determine interest and start the mailing list An automated e-mail system on the Internet, which is maintained by subject matter. There are thousands of such lists that reach millions of individuals and businesses. New users generally subscribe by sending an e-mail with the word "subscribe" in it and subsequently receive all new * Talk to other reunion organizers * Attend a reunion-organizing class or conference * Form reunion committee(s) and establish duties * Start keeping records of everything * Develop a budget and bookkeeping bookkeeping, maintenance of systematic and convenient records of money transactions in order to show the condition of a business enterprise. The essential purpose of bookkeeping is to reveal the amounts and sources of the losses and profits for any given period. system * Contact convention and visitors or tourism bureaus * Scout locations, facilities 1 year before ... * Set date(s) * Choose location * Send first mailer (1) An e-mail program. See e-mail program. (2) A message sent by an e-mail program. (3) A person or organization sending e-mail. with tentative reunion schedule, theme, and approximate cost * Arrange or hire entertainment, caterer, photographer, videographer A person involved in the production of video material. Videographers shoot the images with a video camera (analog or digital) and may perform minimal or extensive editing of the resulting footage. , and printer 6-9 months before ... * Send second mailer with registration and souvenir order forms and cost * Schedule events and activities: program, speakers * Reserve block of rooms * Begin list of attendees, memory book 5 months before ... * Confirm reservations, entertainment, photographer, and caterer * Choose menu * Announce event to local news media, elected officials 2-4 months before ... * Visit facility with reunion committee; meet with hotel * Select theme, signage, and order printed items * Reserve rental equipment * Submit personalized per·son·al·ize tr.v. per·son·al·ized, per·son·al·iz·ing, per·son·al·iz·es 1. To take (a general remark or characterization) in a personal manner. 2. To attribute human or personal qualities to; personify. souvenir order (T-shirts, caps, etc.) 6 weeks before ... * Complete directory/memory book; deliver to printer * Write checklist for reunion tasks * Designate assignments for volunteers 2 weeks before ... * Purchase last-minute decorations and incidentals * Reconfirm re·con·firm tr.v. re·con·firmed, re·con·firm·ing, re·con·firms To confirm again, especially to establish or support more firmly: reconfirmed the reservations. accommodations * Review final checklist 1 day before ... * Determine location staff contacts * Solve last-minute problems * Review final details with reunion committee Reunion day(s) ... * Set up registration, rental equipment, and displays * Juggle details: volunteers, food, photographer, games, entertainment * Decorate * Enjoy Afterward af·ter·ward also af·ter·wards adv. At a later time; subsequently. Adv. 1. afterward - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently"; "he's going to the store but he'll be back here ... * Reflect and evaluate--note what worked, what didn't * Complete bookkeeping; settle accounts * Write thank you notes * Start planning your next reunion SOURCE REUNIONS MAGAZINE |
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