You've seen the custom t-shirts that say "I survived my family reunion." Although it's meant in jest, a family reunion can be a trying event, especially if you are in charge. These time tested tips can help you ensure a successful event that is memorable and worth repeating.
Create
The most important thing is to create a plan, including activities, the start date, and the completion date required for each task. To complete the plan, you'll need to determine the type of event. These can range from inexpensive picnics or barbeques at a family member's home, a meal at a fancy restaurant, to a destination event for a dispersed family, such as a trip to a Colorado resort or a golfing vacation in Hilton Head.
The type of event selected depends on your family's preferences as well as their budget. When travel or facility rental is involved, more advance planning is required so that families can save for the trip. If it's a low-cost local event, you can plan it beginning two months in advance. If it's a vacation destination, it's best to start planning as much as a year in advance. A great online planning resource is familyreunion.com
Communicate
One person can probably handle all the planning for a small local reunion for fewer than 25 persons. But you'll need help for a larger group. Be sure to incorporate input early in the process so others will feel vested and eager to help. Create a family survey to determine preferred location, timing, type of event and budget. Using a free on-line tool like Survey Monkey will make it easy to collect opinions from a large group of people.
You'll also want to do ongoing communications, to build momentum and to inform as plans and details change. You can accomplish this with an email distribution list or an email newsletter program, which will let you show pictures and images.
Delegate
After you select the type of event and location, it's time to delegate! Set up committees for Finance, Food, Activities, Communications, Event Photography, and Set Up and Clean Up. You can use your survey tool to ask for volunteers, and then try to make assignments as needed. No one ever volunteers to clean up, that's always a drafted position!
Commemorate
You'll probably want a special souvenir of the event. Custom family reunion t-shirts are a perennial favorite, because they are relatively inexpensive, are appropriate for all sizes, and can include the theme, the location, and the date. If you have a creative artist in the family, you can create a custom design. Or, your local screen printer can usually show you some clip art ideas that can be customized. If your event is in the winter or you want a more formal keepsake, why not design a family crest for an embroidered polo shirt or mock turtleneck? There are online sites that can help you design a coat of arms. The hardest part is getting all the sizes ordered. Use your survey tool to solicit input. The survey tools have automated reminders to bug people who haven't responded.
Although many will take pictures at the event, make sure you assign an official photographer so you're guaranteed to get good photos. You can share the photos on Facebook, or you can use an on-line site to create a digital scrapbook or even a physical photo album that gets shipped to everyone after the event.
Following these tips can help you move beyond merely "surviving" your family reunion, to thriving with a first-rate celebration.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Family-Reunion-Planning-Tips&id=6409275
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