How to Plan And Organize A Family Reunion

What if you were asked to organize a family reunion? Where would you start? When should you start?

1. Ask for other family members to help with planning activities and choosing the time and place. Get the word out - let others know you're planning a family reunion event. Give family members plenty of notice. If your family is spread out over the U.S or abroad, planning one to two years in advance will allow attendees to plan vacation time or make adjustments in scheduling.

2. Assign each member of your newly formed reunion committee a specific task and hold them responsible. Plan on purchasing commemorative items imprinted with the family name and date of the event. For a summer get together ideas like this would be beach towels, T-shirts, imprinted beach balls, sunglasses. visors, drawstring totes, and lanyards to keep money and room keys available and dont forget disposable camera's or memory books.

3. Give each member written instructions regarding how to execute his or her task: Venue coordinator, Event (games, tours, weekend outings etc), Invitations and Follow up coordinator, and a Buyer for commemorative items with a pre-determined budget in mind.

4. Create a time line reminder or create an inexpensive calendar with dates clearly marked. Make use of online planning material that features the following: a time line, preparation reminders, scheduling worksheets, committee assignment sheets, reunion needs lists, meal planners and checklists and T-Shirt Rosters.

5. Schedule the next meeting one or two months away and follow up on all action items. Keep the lines of communication wide open.

6. There are many ways to do your family reunion on the cheap. Talk to the local Chamber of Commerce, museums and tourist centers, find free spots to congregate at universities, and get free invitations online.