It's A Family Affair: Making Your Family Reunion A Success

You don't have to stay in West Yellowstone for a successful family reunion this year. Event planners are discovering the Centennial Valley's unique brand of pure nature makes a great family reunion setting. Let Elk Lake Resort help you plan your next family reunion to include the best of western Montana. Below, Edith Wagner of Reunion Magazine shares a few tips on successful family reunion planning.

Byline: Edith Wagner

Even with skyrocketing gas prices, families are willing to pile into the family car and go the distance to reunite with relatives. With everybody sacrificing time, money, and sanity to make these road trips, you want to make sure your family reunion is a success. Edith Wagner, editor of Reunions Magazine, was online Wednesday, August 23 at noon ET to take your questions about how to make your family reunion a joyous and memorable occasion.

Reunions Magazine is helpful when planning almost any kind of reunion, such as a class, family, or military reunion. It provides information about planning, and all stages involved with a reunion. It also displays pictures and stories of groups who have had successful reunions.

The transcript follows:

Austin, Texas: "What are the key do's and don'ts for throwing a successful family reunion? Ours is every Labor Day Sunday and includes a family meeting, a lot of eating, a family Olympics that includes simple events - kicking the ball into the target, throwing a baseball into the family's ancient iron washpot, and a revolving urn and plaque."

Edith Wagner: "Sounds like you know your key do's and don'ts and are doing them successfully. If your family's happy with the program, don't try to fix what's not broken. If, on the other hand, you're looking for new ideas, that's my business. Peruse www.reunionsmag.com for new ideas. Request a free copy of Reunions Magazine, or just subscribe for a year and get a free workbook in the deal. Looks like you've got a great reunion going. Send a picture to Reunions Picture Gallery!"

Burtonsville, MD: "How can relatives help some poorer relatives be able to come to a planned homecoming? Who will be responsible for the expenses of travel? We have poor relatives who are beautiful people and quite proud but needy. How did others solve this problem?"

Edith Wagner: "Many families make provisions for everyone by asking for donations to a fund or family foundation one of whose goals is to make sure everyone can attend the reunion. Generous family members always step up. . .but failing that, you must get creative. There are many fun ways to do fundraising before, during, and after reunions; auctions, rummage / toy / clothing / bake sales, contests, selling family T-Shirts, caps, coffee mugs, family history books. . .you get the idea. Ask family members who are able to contribute the cost of something. Most people say they don't volunteer to do things or contribute because nobody asked. And, in families, you must ask.

"All families have members who are young and never have enough and older members who are on fixed incomes. Often, the family members who you think can least afford it, your beautiful, proud relations, may surprise you and make the family reunion a priority they can afford."

Vienna, VA: "Relatives in Oregon and I are assembling a reunion for 150+ people in July 2007. Past reunions have consisted of people sitting around staring at one another, whispering over coffee, with no program, no idea who anyone is, and with nobody as 'leader' or Master of Ceremonies. We've sent out a preliminary survey to drum up interest (44 percent return). The interest received has been a shade over tepid. How do you suggest we 'market' this as a 'different' and exciting reunion so that we can draw out family and connect in a way that will last until at least the next reunion?"

Edith Wagner: "You know what you're doing; so make it fun, market your reunion as the fun event you intend to make it.

"A 44 percent response is terrific! At least you have lots of attention, so it's up to you to jump in and get more.

"Almost half of all reunions in Reunions Magazine surveys happen every year (too much changes in some families to miss) so they must be doing something worth fun or at least worthwhile.

"You describe the before and after: before reading Reunions Magazine and after. To see a copy free, go to www.reunionsmag.com and click on free trial issue. While you're at the site, you might have more questions answered too. You are hereby the leader and will have a very successful reunion because you will it so!"

Fort Washington, MD: :How do you get teens and college students to participate? How do you get them to connect to each other at an event that is twice a year?

Edith Wagner: "These are pretty universal concerns among many family reunions. And yet, it's the simplest answer of all. Believe me! Ask them what they want to do and let them do it. Going to the mall may not be your idea of fun, but for a bunch of cousins who don't see one another often, it could be a hoot. Let kids decide, and you'll have happy kids. Connecting the same way: an email newsletter or round robin email so everyone learns what everyone else is doing. They can't say they don't know their cousins if they are in touch. And, get those with similar interests together. Ask what they're interested in. Send out the list, and they'll soon know who to connect with."