Welcome to Reunions Magazine. Reunion planning starts here.

Communication

There are many ways for families to communicate. While receiving mail is always fun, it’s become a lot easier to communicate by e-mail which is what more and more reunions are doing. Reunion organizers universally ask about not only getting the mailings out but getting the responses back in again. If you have some sure-fire ways to help others succeed at reunion communicating, e-mail us.

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Ensure a response
Many businesses are eager to share information but mounting postage costs add up. When requesting materials, particularly items offered free, it is wise to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). In most instances a #10, business size envelope, with a Forever stamp is appropriate unless something larger is specifically called for. Also, when requests are received, the ones where materials can be slipped right into a SASE often receive immediate response.

Letter Kit solves lots of problems
This is another example of a product I wish I'd invented! The Family Reunion Letter Kit answers many requests for samples of letters for reunion planners. The Letter Kit is from The Family Reunion Institute, the same folks who recently breached the void of information about reunion bylaws.

The kit includes letters designed to assemble a working committee, explain a survey, follow-up the survey, registration letter and final letter. Samples of surveys are also included; one with date and location options and one with activity and souvenir options. The registration letter includes a sample registration form. Alternatives to letters (flyers, newsletters, e-mail and web page) are briefly described and reasons for using them. Finally there is a letter to solicit a photographer or other professional services.

This kit is intended as a jumping off point for what you want to say about your reunion. These ideas are not etched in stone but for the many people who contact us year in and year out, it will be the blessing they need to help them know where to begin.
This kit is the beginning! EW

To acquire a The Family Reunion Letter Kit, send $8 to The Family Reunion Institute, c/o School of Social Administration, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Rm 659, Philadelphia PA 19122.

For those who did not attend
Dr. Marion B.W. and Philip Holmes, Wyncote, Pennsylvania, shared an open letter to children and other family members who'd not attended their Berry-Harrison-Hardman Family Reunion in Atlanta.

Atlanta hostesses mother and daughter, Dolores Berry Jones and Roxanne Butler, showed off their city with tours of the Coca Cola Pavilion (with generous samples), the 3-D Cyclorama Center and Stone Mountain Park where they enjoyed dinner and a laser show - and that was only the first day. One rainy day was spent in a state park with lots of food and games which ended in muddy fun for everyone from five to 80. On Sunday everyone was bussed to a family church and a show demonstrating great family talents that enjoyed rave reviews. Yet another day was spent doing the Southern Black Heritage Tour.

If the Holmes' purpose in writing this extensive report was to promote their 1999 reunion in Cleveland, they convinced me! EW

Report to the missed
Pam Wodzicki, Bethlehem PA, Coombe Family Reunion, sent letters after the reunion to everyone who did or did not attend. Here, edited to fit space, is what she sent.

"Well, the reunion has come and gone and I'm writing to let you know what occurred. I'm sorry you could not attend. You missed a fun day and you were missed. Perhaps we can meet some time in the future. Fifty-three attended.

Name badges were made for everyone with a rainbow imprint, our name, the date, and the person's name. Identification was less burdensome for those with short memories. Each person attending also received a pencil embossed with Coombe Reunion and the date. Each family received a very sparse family tree constructed from the information received from mailings. Everyone was asked to scrutinize the tree and update information.

The day was filled with relatives reuniting, meeting for the first time, and sharing old and new memories. Scrapbooks filled with old photos as well as obituaries and other information were very interesting.

Everyone gathered at 6 PM in the pavillion for dinner. There was a large sheet cake decorated in red, white, and blue, with Coombe Family Reunion written on it and an English flag on top. Glow in the dark necklaces were provided for children when the sun went down.

The day was very pleasant. Everyone seemed to have a good time. I would say the reunion was a huge success!

Sincerely,
Pam Wodzicki

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