How To Start Planning Your Reunion

Search Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook and you'll see that family reunions are one of the most popular events of the year. If you need help getting your event off the ground you'll need to check out the tips herein.  The developer of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social and Author of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Keepsake Guide ebook was interviewed about the 3 things you need to know before planning your next family reunion.  Here's Part 1 of the interview I hope you'll find helpful -  I'll post Part 2 Saturday Morning.

What is your #1 piece of family reunion planning advice?

The first step in planning your family reunion is getting family members on board and committed it having one. As explained in great detail in the book and web app, get the family involved in the planning process as early as possible. Start with the question? What would be a good theme and activities for our next family reunion? The book presents five fascinating themes complete with activities you can suggest to get everyone involved. The book and web app contains tips, templates and worksheets for sending out surveys to narrow down the theme and activities most will enjoy. 

How do you establish a reunion tradition and get family members to count on and plan for the reunion each time?

Be open to suggestions and solutions. This is important to the process of event planning because as I point out  in " Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Keepsake Guide ebook", those who make the more practical suggestions should be considered when assigning volunteers to head up various departments. When considering the theme, activities and location, get everyone involved by including activities everyone will enjoy.

How do you get people to attend?

Talk it up, talk is viral. Ask for suggestions, suggestions are proactive and interactive. Get excited, excitement is contagious. Assign each family member to a department that is compatible with their particular skill set and interests. Getting everyone involved in the planning process is the means to getting them to participate at the event. That's why we developed Fimark's Family Reunion  Planner Social web app. It's an event planner that has a tool for facebook users with the skills, education and interests of your entire family displayed in spreadsheet format. As I mention in the web apps tutorial, “Select activities everyone will enjoy, from the little kids to the elders of the family.”

Find more information about the Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app from the link on this blog page.

Free Family Reunion Planning eBook

They say "the best things in life are free" and who doesn't like getting something for nothing. 
There comes a time when you have to show your love in a big way and that's just what you're doing. Consider yourself fortunate because if you're a patron of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner you're in for a big treat. A free reunion planning ebook.

The inspiring 132 page family reunion planning keepsake paperback book hit the presses in 2011. It's everything you need to plan, organize and manage a family reunion event with scores of fun themes, games and meaningful family reunion activities. A workbook, guidebook, keepsake and family heirloom for generations to come. At Amazon, you can step inside the book  for a free sneak peek. But that's there's more...

Like keepsakes? Who doesn't? Fimark's Family Reunion Planner guide book has several keepsake features that transform your event planner into a veritable family heirloom. The keepsake features include a signature of ownership page, an event details page, an event planning journal and a family recipe compiler complete with sections to record the history behind the family recipe. 

Free Family Reunion Planner eBook

Other keepsake features include an heirloom record, family tree worksheets, and other genealogy worksheets. The reunion planning workbook includes planning tutorial for individual planners, groups, and committees. There are recommended games and activities, itinerary, survey letter and luncheon/dinner programs.

We love it when you like us on Facebook. If you bought this 132 page paperback book within the last 2 years you're in for a real treat. Take 5 seconds to rate the book at Amazon.com. Once you do email us at fimarkhome@gmail.com and we'll send you the Family Reunion Planner ebook completely free. Our way of saying thanks for the likes and happy family reunion planning.

Big Event Planning Made Easy

When planning your event it’s always best to take the course of least resistance on your time and budget without compromising the tone and ambience of the event. The first and foremost step in planning is establishing the theme, activities, date and ideal location. Regarding establishing the date for the event, choose a date that gives yourself plenty of time to plan, organize and manage the event.

If you have little time to work with solicit the help of experienced event planners who know how to work under tight time constraints. Gather your planning committee early. Hold a motivating meeting and have prearranged tasks and deadlines for each department. You'll benefit from a wealth of  time saving suggestions that will get the ball rolling. Appoint those who are most time efficient as key personnel for immediate follow thru on suggested action items.

Creating The Guest List

Once you have put together your guest list it’s time to give more thought to the menu. Write down your initial thoughts regarding hors d’oeuvres, drinks, the main course, desert and party favors. Keep in mind that some will be allergic to nuts, soy and food additives such as sodium, and glutens. 

Carefully assess the number of individuals you would like to invite. Write up an initial guest list and review it with your planning committee to make sure no one is overlooked. Established a budget for  decor, stationary, entertainment, the catered menu and event location. This can be best accomplished when by contacting reception halls or other venues appropriate for your event. Once you've established cost estimates 

Sending Out Invitations

Nothing is more crucial to a successful gathering than the timely delivery and reply of invitations. The best time to send out invitations is at least four weeks prior to the event. Most invitees will RSVP within a week or two. For those who have not responded, send out a final reminder via email, phone call or postal mailing.

Sending out invitations is easier than ever. For family gatherings in the home and other less formal gatherings a quick list of invitees can be drawn up and these can be contacted by phone. Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social contains an event creator that sends out invitations to selected Facebook users and email contacts. It includes and RSVP report and list of invitees interests and demographics.

Giving Guest Due Consideration

If you’re using a public or private facility such as a reception hall and your inviting seniors, determine the convenience of wheel chair access and van drop off points available. Sit seniors closest to emergency exists and pickup points.  Take into into consideration the location of the lobby and restrooms when preparing your seating chart.

Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social includes a reception hall floor planner ideal for creating seating charts and designing a floor plan that's most compatible for your entertainment, program of service and serving.