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Timing is everything, because once you set your reunion date,
you know precisely how many days, weeks or months you have to
successfully pull off all those details. Starting with a strategy
on paper is essential to avoid some complications along the way.
Create a calendar starting with the reunion date(s) and work backward
to ascertain what you should be doing today. In this column, we'll
look at planning for souvenirs, in this case t-shirts, and we'll
also discuss how to choose a location.
Planning
for Reunion Souvenirs
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T-shirts are popular souvenirs, so we'll use that as our
example. If you expect to provide t-shirts for your members,
you must start early enough to be certain the shirts will
arrive in time for the reunion. Nothing is worse than a
large order of t-shirts that doesn't arrive in time so you
have to wrap and ship them.
Getting the information you need to make a t-shirt order,
in fact, should probably be going on right now for a reunion
next summer. You must decide if you're going to get everybody's
sizes and order for each person or guess how many shirts
you'll be able to sell, ordering them and hope you can sell
them. In any case, there are many steps and details to consider
on your way to having your family posing happily for pictures
by next July.
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There
are many steps and details to consider on your
way to having your family posing happily for
pictures by next July.
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You must find out who produces shirts and get samples, estimates
and timetables. T-shirt makers who cater to reunions are listed
in Reunion Resources at www.reunionsmag.com.
You must decide upon a design which can be anything from just
lettering to an elaborate family crest, one color or full color
on a white or colored shirt. Some shirts are simple, others very
complicated and those decisions must be made along the way.
Picking
the Place
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Unless, of course, your reunion is always in the same place,
selecting a location for your reunion may also not be as
easy as it sounds and if your reunion is next summer, it
is a crucial decision to make now.
If, on the other hand, yours is a reunion that travels,
selecting the place becomes part of the challenge. Is there
somewhere everyone has always wanted to go? The mountains?
beach? a theme park?
Once the place is determined, where will you locate? At
a hotel or resort? For smaller families, how about a ranch,
bed and breakfast, or inn? Condos are nice because you can
do some of your own cooking. Or do you want to go camping?
These are all considerations which family reunion organizers
face year after year.
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Selecting a location for your reunion may not
be as easy as it sounds — if your reunion
is next summer, it is a crucial decision to make
now. |
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And no list of possible reunion locations would be complete without
the suggestion of going on a cruise together. Don't be put off
by prices, because there are many ways you can make a cruise affordable
if it is a reunion dream. Cruise prices are all-inclusive so the
individual expenses you might incur at other accommodations are
taken care of: room, food, activities and entertainment. Stay
away from high season, depart from smaller ports, make your own
shore excursions, limit alcohol, and some cruises can be downright
reasonable. Also, consider older ships which usually have very
high quality accommodations and often also have well-seasoned
staffs to make cruising a wonderful experience.
Diana Burkhart, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, wrote to describe a location
conflict the Wolford Family Reunion was having. Many wanted the
reunion in Shelby, Ohio, which is where the majority of Wolford
descendants live. However, several years ago they decided to have
the reunion in Mount Vernon, near George and Phebe Jane Wolford's
homestead where many of their previous 64 reunions were held.
I wondered to Ms. Burkhart about alternating between the two places;
one year in Shelby, the next in Mount Vernon.
Burkhart also lamented that reunions are getting smaller. But
there's also nothing wrong with having a reunion, no matter how
small, with those who really want to come. Then, send a summary
afterward that lets those not in attendance know they were missed.
And what they missed.
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With people scattering, it becomes more important to have
reunions but perhaps not each year. Or have some special
celebrations to entice those who've moved away to come back
for a visit. Plan something different or special that will
attract the attention of your family...and perhaps attract
others' attention as well. Get more people involved in planning
and you'll easily have more at your reunion.
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people scattering, it becomes more important to
have reunions but perhaps not each year. |
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Cres Ganpatt, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, wrote when she started
to plan a reunion. Her dilemma is that many relatives live in
the West Indies while others are in Japan, England, Canada and
the U.S. Ganpatt says, "I felt if I plan a reunion for 2005,
members will have enough time to save for it." For family
so wide spread, this seems like a wise decision.
For we suggested a central location if everyone can afford it.
But also thought with many relatives still in the West Indies,
maybe the others would like the opportunity to visit there.
Ganpatt also wondered if it would it be rude to have a reunion
for her side of the family alone. For family reunions, there are
no rules. Each family defines itself. Many family reunions are
of people who are descended from particular relatives, such as
your great-grandparents. Even though there are no rules, it is
often still wise to invite everyone, because in some families,
mending fences and building bridges may be a goal of getting everyone
together.
"Talk
up" Your Reunion
I am always eager to hear from family reunions about all aspects
of their reunions and particularly the organizing and planning
that goes on before. Share your ideas and triumphs with other
reunions in Reunions magazine, its web page, this column and other
places where audiences are looking for reunion information/news.
How do you incorporate genealogy or family history into your
reunion? Do you have some special ways to display and feature
your family tree? Is it on paper or the computer or both? Do you
incorporate heritage touring? Genealogy research? What aspects
of your family history do you include besides the family tree?
Photographs? Movies? Videos? Artifacts? Memorabilia? Activities
of your ancestors? Travel to the land(s) of your ancestors? Celebrating
your ethnicity?
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