REUNION FEATURES

REUNION COMMITTEES, as will soon become clear, take many forms according to the particular reunion group. Some form of governing group is a good idea for large reunions to decide what shape the event itself will take and who will be responsible for the details. For smaller groups, formal committees may not be necessary but in any case, large or small, someone must be in charge and able to delegate responsibilities for the many details that make up a successful reunion of any size.

It is my firm belief that no one should plan a reunion alone, if for no other reason than that the more people involved in planning, the greater the commitment to the success of the endeavor. In fact, one of my cardinal rules of reunion organizing is that no one do the planning alone.

One of my favorite reunion committee stories comes from a man, (alas, I do not remember who) that loved and so looked forward to committee meetings because the food was always so good! That does not mean that committee meetings require food but if that is a feature, it might be one way to recruit committee members. EW

Tips for effective committees

Teamwork is important for any successful committee. If the committee isn't organized, chances are the reunion won’t be either. m Determine the committee’s purpose.

Committees need to know where they’re headed. Encourage a sense of ownership by making sure every member is involved in planning goals and objectives. Clearly stated objectives give members confidence and a way to assess progress. m Committees make the reunion more democratic, ensuring everyone has a stake. m Set ground rules, goals and determine who calls the shots. m Create a schedule, how often the committee will meet and whether in person, by conference call or ZOOM. m Keep meeting minutes. Send copies to all parties, including those who weren’t able to attend. m Make participation voluntary; ask members to send a representative if they can’t attend. m Use committee members’ knowledge, expertise and experience.

SOME MAYBE NOT SO OBVIOUS REUNION COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Obvious committee responsibilities include the chairperson, secretary, treasurer and someone in charge of the program. The chairperson oversees all aspects of the reunion, delegates subcommittees and is regularly in touch to make sure details are being done. The secretary records and reports meeting minutes, compiles lists, keeps track of attendees, sets up a website, newsletter, facebook page or blog to stay in touch and sends invitations. The treasurer sets and monitors the budget, handles accounts, pays bills and makes financial reports to the committee and often at the reunion. The person in charge of the program has many helpers with any of the responsibilities listed below …

BEFORE THE REUNION

Of course, the committee will have to schedule regular meetings to report and set deadlines, but there are also some details the committee may assign others to accomplish and report back.

If yours is a traveling reunion, is someone willing to do site selection and visit hotels, venues or campsites to determine their suitability? Often retired members can take this opportunity for a short trip. Convention and visitors bureaus (CVB) will help with arrangements and may include complimentary hotel stays, if you are serious about choosing their area. Also while there, talk with the CVB about other services they offer and whether they have souvenirs for your reunion’s goodie/welcome bags.

ON THE WAY TO THE REUNION

Some reunions with a large contingent coming from one place may hire a motor coach and driver to get to the reunion. That will require someone to explore transportation possibilities, make arrangements, collect fares and get everyone to the bus on time to take off!

If members are flying, taking the train or bus to your reunion and there is no shuttle, you may need a transportation committee to meet members at the airport, bus or train depot when they arrive and return them when they leave.

AT THE REUNION

The program/entertainment chairperson will need all kinds of assistants to help organize games, herd members on tours, provide story time, face painting, crafts and other activities for young children. Teenagers can be a great help in these areas.

If the program includes contests, talent, style or fashion shows, someone must set the rules, organize, stage and provide judges. Someone must determine and collect prizes to entice participation. Also recruit a master/ mistress of ceremonies to ensure a successful show.

If you have exhibits, someone must organize, set up and later clean and pack up the area. A historian or genealogist will want

Covid prevented the Baldridge family from flying from Dallas to their reunion in Colorado. They hired a luxury coach with a driver and attendant to serve food and drinks for their 14-hour trip.

time to regale participants with their surprises and finds since the last reunion.

Someone must oversee fundraising activities: sell souvenirs, t-shirts, history or cookbooks, organize and stage a silent auction, recruit an auctioneer and assistants for a live auction, and someone to organize and run a raffle.

For a buffet or picnic, you’ll need cooks and help setting up food, “manning” grills or smokers, serving and clean up. If you include drinking, you’ll need bartenders.

Don’t forget to recruit a assigned photographer and videographer.

It is also wise to have someone experienced in first aid in case of injuries, bug bites or sunburn!

Assembling a clean-up crew is a great assignment for kids of all ages, particularly if there is a reward of sweets or a small amount of cash.

The Willis Connection, according to Franklin Willis, also has the following committees: event committee, scholarship committee, calendar committee, t-shirt and tote bag committee, photo/DVD committee, and a recipe committee.

Committee roundup

SPAULDING FAMILY REUNION

The Benjamin and Edith Spaulding Descendants Family Reunion has a long and storied history of many years. Their officers include a Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer and Chairperson of Hotel and Logistics. Their committees include picnic and social, Saturday night banquet, health issues/workshops, hospitality, registration, souvenirs/t-shirts, souvenir booklet and Sunday morning church service.

Agee Miller Mayo Dungy Family Reunion committee.

FROM REUNIONS MAGAZINE FORUM …

Many years ago Reunions magazine’s website included a forum where planners could ask and answer questions.

Amber asked: How did you guys form different committees? Did you just ask around about who wanted to join in?

Linda Lapinski, McHenry, Illinois, of the Payne Family Reunion answered.

This is just a general outline, there are many tasks to be done in planning a reunion and then making it all happen. Each Committee Chairman is responsible for recruiting their own volunteers. First you need to decide what needs to be done. This is how I labeled my committees:

Development - The main organizer; usually decides where, when and theme, if any. They are the main contact for all other committees to report to. Decides what activities will take place (you may also want to get input from others on this). I produce newsletters and put up our website (this could be done by anyone, depends on what you are good at). Delegate volunteer duties.

Finance - Sets up the reunion checking account, receives all deposits, pays all bills. Reviews all contracts, reports back to Development.

Food/Clean Up - Contacts local caterers for quotes; reports to Development. Puts together a clean-up crew. If refreshments are being served, plans and shops for items. Reviews hall rental contract for clean-up responsibilities.

Entertainment - Scouts out talent amongst family members or local talent for music entertainment. Plans for games, etc.

Membership/Genealogy - Maintains membership rosters; provides for and solicits family genealogies for sharing at the reunion. Organizes the registration table. Works with Development in putting together “goody bags” to be given at the registration table.

How to get people to serve on committees? First, send

emails, make calls or write letters to everyone asking them to volunteer for whatever committee chairpersons you need or to volunteer to be a helper. If your reunion is going to be a simple picnic in the park, you wouldn't need as much. But if you are going to put on an “event,” you need help in the organization and planning. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You may only get away with “designating” duties to your close family members (husband, parents, siblings). Hold meetings regularly prior to the reunion, discuss what’s been done, what needs to be done, brainstorm or ideas.

Again, the best way to get ideas is to read Reunions magazine and the large website at www.reunionsmag.com and on www.Pinterest.com/reunionsmag/invitations. Discussion by Linda Lapinski, McHenry, Illinois.

BRANCH/OUTLAW FAMILY REUNION

Rick Branch, Capitol Heights, Maryland, wrote this to his Branch/ Outlaw family as he began planning their reunion.

This is what family gathering is all about: coming together on a happy occasion and working together without being forced to. Please contact me ASAP if you are interested in participating as a member of the Branch Outlaw (B/O) Family Reunion committee. The committee and I plan to treat this B/O reunion like the movie Field of Dreams where the memorable line is “If you build it they will come.” We want to make the reunion the “Reunion of Dreams” and we want everyone’s suggestions. We want all ages (2 to 99) to let us know what you want. We believe if we create the reunion from your suggestions, then more will come and enjoy it. The stipulations for suggestions are that they are fun, thought provoking, entertaining, enlightening and most of all the suggestions have to be INTERACTIVE for folks to get up: we have all eternity to lay continued on page 30

still. Nothing kills a reunion like a lot of folks sitting and staring at each other thinking “when is this over I am ready to go I am bored.” Please send your ideas for our reunion committee meeting in September. Remember one of the objectives of a family reunion is to strengthen the bond with family members.

In addition to the festivities we will plan, we want everyone to encourage our eldest members to come because they are our most precious commodities and I especially want to interview them so that they can tell us our real history. We will also interview other ages from many walks of life about issues covering various topics. Plus I want to gather information for the creation of a B/O book which will be submitted to and kept in the Library of Congress documenting our family history for future generations. Spread this information to those whom I have not reached.

DIXON FAMILY REUNION

Doris Dixon McCall, Redondo Beach, California, wrote that Dixon Family Reunion committee members posted their photos to gain a “visual” of who was working on the reunion. They were in various parts of the country, different generations, hearing about one another, but not necessarily knowing each other. It was great to see their faces.

The reunion committee started preparation in September for the following summer with family member volunteers participating on the committee, headed by a coordinator. They began with monthly conference calls, which then progressed to weekly calls to share ideas, discuss funds and funding, meet and greet, plan a picnic and banquet and determine what each committee member was responsible for.

CANTY-HARVIN FAMILY REUNION

Marcia A. Jenkins, Newark, Delaware, was chairperson of the Canty-Harvin Family Reunion for their 25th reunion. There are chapters throughout the US and for each reunion, one of the city chapters hosts the event. In earlier years, Canty-Harvin reunions occurred each year but in 2000 they voted to have them every two years. Marcia Jenkins wrote: “Our committee (Philadelphia) was formed right after we took on this huge adventure.” Consequently, they started meeting right away and by the time of the reunion, Marcia and her committee had been planning and putting on fundraising events for three years.

THOMPSON/CAMPBELL/OSGO FAMILY REUNION

Sybel Higgins, Monroe, Michigan, plans a reunion for 160 to 225 people from all over the country. They have committees and let the committee managers do their thing! They assign mini-projects, have regularly scheduled meetings and conference calls with the steering team and committees. Then, six weeks prior to the reunion, they meet and update weekly, then meet daily one week before and re-confirm everything constantly. They have plans, forms and reports in a standard format and expect updates on time. They have a Treasurer and Historian and have a financial meeting the very first hour of the reunion. They keep good records.

Sybel says, “Don’t be judgmental, be helpful and acknowledge everyone's work and input.”

Joan Waters (center) with daughters Rashida Tyler (left) and Jill Waters (right).

CURTIS/BUTLER FAMILY REUNION

Joan Waters, Charlotte Hall, Maryland, said, “our six-member Reunion Planning Committee began coordinating this year’s reunion in the fall. The first mailing to family members announcing the reunion was sent in January followed by frequent email reminders and more mailings before and after registration deadlines. Because this was our first multi-day reunion, we gave everyone the option of paying reunion fees in two installments, due in March and June. Each household was asked to pay a $10 registration fee, plus the cost of the banquet dinner for each family member. Kids’ banquet meals were half price. T-shirts could be ordered when registering for the reunion. Fundraisers and money from the previous reunion provided cash for advance expenses (decorations, deposits, kids goodies, etc).”

KOEHLER FAMILY REUNION

The Frank and Emma Koehler descendants meet every five years. They move the reunion around the country so everyone, no matter their location, has the opportunity to attend. They try to keep lodging and reunion costs as low as possible so expenses are minimal, because they know travel is the highest ticket item. By having the reunion every five years, they can plan for expenses. Many family members extend their stay in the reunion area to see the sights.

This was the first reunion planned by a committee composed of family branch representatives. Instead of host families from an area bearing the expense, they established a per person charge to cover most site and food costs. They had to do this because of the increase of reunion attendees over the years, the decentralization of family from pockets in the US and Canada and they wanted input to meet interests of ages from 1 to 91. There are only five family members in Virginia, two in their 90s, so when they tallied the reunion survey and the majority voted for Virginia, the move made committee planning and a per person fee possible.

As a family member from Virginia, Frances Koehler was responsible for site selection and coordination with other committee members. She had had substantial experience in meeting and

conference planning for community and state agencies and non-profits. She was prepared for this adventure. Having the family branch committee approach has been a great experience because they’ve gotten to know each other better and have become more aware of what’s happening in between reunions. They do not think that they will go back to single family branch hosting.

One thing Frances can foresee for future reunions is a need for more ADA accessible options. They will need to look for sites that can accommodate aging baby boomers. There are not enough resorts or hotels that can meet the needs of aging or disabled travelers. While people without accessibility needs can easily use rooms designed for people who are elderly or disabled, people with these needs cannot use rooms that present barriers. Reported by Frances Koehler, Richmond, Virginia.

The Gillyard, Johnson & Mahoney Family Reunion offers prizes for people who submit their registration and fees by deadline dates. Here Daisy Reed is pulling winners at a committee meeting. Scroll down. Reunion planner, Johanna Roark of Birchwood, Tennessee created this short video to increase Roark-Conner Family Reunion board participation.

The Roark-Conner virtual reunion in the time of Covid was held on Saturday (www.roark-conner.org) which would have been the day they would otherwise have met face-to-face. A Board of Directors ZOOM meeting followed on Sunday in hopes a number of family members would “attend” to catch up since they couldn’t meet face-to-face this year. The Board of Directors hosts a meeting at each reunion for the membership to inform them of various ongoing activities, give reports, host a Memorial Service and recognize family members. Twenty cousins participated in the Board meeting.

BELL-RANSOM COMMITTEE LIST

The Bell-Ransom Committee list is an impressive display of full family involvement in reunion planning and execution. Reported by Jacqueline Bell Pyatt, Fort Washington, Maryland.

You can’t expect a crowd without an invite!

Coordinating a family reunion is not easy, but it should be. In an idyllic world, we would all grow up in big houses in tree-lined neighborhoods full of kids and people who know each other’s names. And we would return to these homes for family get-togethers where you’d never know which happy relative would walk in next. But that’s not the world we live in. It’s a struggle to create reunions that work. Good things take work.

Who do you invite to a reunion?

Let’s start with the easy ones. Class reunions bring together people who attended school at the same time — any level, but usually high school and college. Some schools have all-class or all school reunions. Some include persons who did not go all the way through school together and some include teachers as well. Class reunions are almost always at or near the school attended — although more older class reunions are traveling, to resorts or on cruises.

Military reunions assemble people who served together to reminisce about their experiences at various stages of their military experience in war and peace. They often meet where they were stationed or trained, but also take the opportunity to travel far and wide!

Neighborhood reunions gather people who lived in the same neighborhood, and co-worker reunions bring together people who’ve worked together. There are no such obvious expectations, however, for family reunions.

Francia Talton, Flint, Michigan, shared her Ralph J Bunche Elementary School Reunion invitations. The school opened in 1967 and closed in 2012. She wrote, “Myself, my siblings and our entire neighborhood attended Bunche. I have always wanted to do a reunion. After years of talk, I just decided to do the first annual reunion in 2015 followed the second in 2016. I was not getting much help and paid for pretty much everything myself. So I decided after the second year to let someone else take the reins. Sadly, there has not been another.”

For More Invitations Online …

On The Web: www.Reunionsmag.com/Reunion-Invites/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/Reunionsmag/Invitations/ Podcasts

Who To Invite: www.Reunionsmag.com/Podcast-Invite-Reunion-Anyway/

The Opening Letter: www.Reunionsmag.com/Podcast-Opening-Letter/

The Art Of The Loving Invitation: www.Reunionsmag.com/Podcast-Art-Loving-Invitation/

This website inspired 130 people to attend the multi-ship reunion in Annapolis, Maryland. Many of the attendees had never been to a reunion before! Shared by Louis “Skip” Sander, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, The USS Rankin Association.

Defining family for a reunion

For a family reunion, you must define what constitutes the family. The family can be mom and dad, their children with spouses and grandchildren. Or is it you, your brothers and sisters and all your children and grandchildren? Or everyone descended from your grandparents or great-grandparents? Or everyone descended from a couple who settled in Newburg, Wisconsin, in 1848? Or anyone with the same family name who emigrated from Bavaria in Germany? Or all the women in one family? Or even everyone with the same last name (usually an uncommon name), even if they’ve not yet discovered the relationship? The reunion can be an opportunity to try to figure it out.

You see, there are many ways to define family for the sake of forming a reunion and you probably know even more. And once you decide on a “definition,” you must (and this is only my rule) invite everyone fitting that definition. A family reunion is not a wedding where you pick and choose who to invite. A family reunion should include everyone or at least you should invite everyone. Occasionally there may be family members you’d rather not encounter. On the other hand, not everyone wants to come, either, which is how it often works out. So who is your family reunion?

Where to start?

What if yours is a small family?

Consider this. It’s not unwise to start with a potluck picnic or barbecue in someone’s backyard or a nearby park. Just think through the details for a single day event that is lots of fun and makes many want to repeat it next year and the year after. Some reunions take off slowly and build. Some groups opt for a longer reunion -- commonly a weekend, Friday through Sunday -- and include activities in more than one location. Longer reunions may also be some distance from home and resemble a family vacation, but with a larger group. You may include tours with

Let’s look at a particular issue of encouraging members to come to your reunion. If you’re organizing a family reunion for 150 relatives, you can’t worry about a few not showing up. But if your family is small, a dozen or so, the absence of even one member leaves a gaping hole in the picture. Anything less than 100 percent attendance means your get-together may not rise to the level of “reunion.” Rather, it will be remembered by who wasn’t there. So how do you get all these people in the same place at the same time? They can’t take time off from work. They can’t afford it. Their kids are scheduled to the hilt. The skiers don’t want to go to the beach. The surfers don’t want to go to the mountains. Persuading them seems like a daunting task, and it might be.

Beneath our worries, concerns, excuses and considerations, we all really do want to get together. We want to share meals, enjoy each other’s children, hear the old stories, look into each other’s eyes, go to sleep under the same roof and remember why we love each other. If that’s where you want to end up, then, this is where you must begin.

Leslie Lindeman of Pasadena, California, has helped organize many family reunions and offers his perspective for consideration. No matter how much they protest, whine and complain, they really do want to get together. Let go of your expectations. You may encounter a family member who is utterly compliant, completely grateful you’re taking the initiative and just wants to know when and where to show up and how big a check to write. What’s more likely, however, is that family members may not be jumping to attend your reunion. They may not want to help plan, but they want to be in on the deliberations. Presenting them stops at family-related or local sites, or visits to attractions such as theme parks, museums or the zoo.

ANNOUNCE THE DATE AS SOON AS IT’S SET

If you have nailed down that all-important reunion date, do not waste a minute: get the message out as quickly as possible. Collect as many email addresses as you can to save on the cost of paper, printing and postage. One way is to use email, but another is a bright color, pops-off-the-fridge-door, save-the-date card.

with a fait-accompli is likely to be met with reluctance, perhaps even ire, even if your intentions are entirely good. Even if you try to begin the conversation from a neutral standpoint, if your agenda is fixed (although hidden), you’re in for trouble.

Offer choices. As the conversation coordinator, you’ll have to keep the process of elimination moving along so things don’t disintegrate into a never-ending discussion. While it may seem like the choice approach will be a longer, more frustrating route, the seemingly more direct “one offer, take it or leave it” road too often heads off a cliff.

CONSIDER – ASK – LISTEN

This approach works best for small reunions. The important thing is to let each family member know you’ve thought about them. You’ve considered their likes and dislikes and you want them to be excited about showing up and having a good time. When people feel considered, the pull is almost irresistible. But even though you know these people well, misunderstandings happen. To be sure you are thinking accurately about what they’d like in a family reunion, ask them. For instance, if Ed and Kirsten are the mountain biking family, let them know that one of the campgrounds you talked to rents bikes and has great trails. The lake has a sandy beach, important because their son Noah loves to swim. But a lot of the food will probably be grilled. Is Anya the teenager still eating vegetarian, or would she enjoy grilled salmon? What else would you guys like in a campground? Then: listen.

Your initiative will create interest, probably enthusiasm, but also, excuses. A better word for excuses is, “considerations.” The sales process – and the role of reunion coordinator is a sales position – is uncomfortable at times for most people. Move forward deliberately and do significantly more listening than talking. By listening you’ll discover the ingredients that are missing for each family member.

Let members handle their own considerations. Let them know you’ll work to alleviate their concerns. But know too that when people are within reach of something they want they’re usually able to remove whatever obstacles are in their way.

Start early. Yes, the process can feel like herding cats and it may take months, perhaps a year, depending on how many nuclear families you’re working with and how complicated the logistics. Where children are involved, know summer schedules tend to firm up in February. Many obligations compete for precious break time, so start your conversation far in advance. Ask everyone to agree on a deadline of Martin Luther King Day, the third Monday in January, to decide which summer week to set aside for the reunion. Then set a deadline of St. Patrick’s Day, the 17th of March for an agreement (with deposits) on whether you’ll go to the lake house or the mountain lodge.

Be relentless. Your persistence will be seen as hard work born of a true spirit. People know it’s tough to be the one making the next phone call, and the next, and the next, in pursuit of getting everyone together. It will dawn on them that you’re not going to stop and that what they really want, is to find a way to join you.

Phone calls, emails and videoconferencing are the tools we use to get us through our absences. But sooner or later there is no substitute for standing close, shaking hands and hugging.

Initiating the idea of family reunion

Bell-Ransom Family Reunion

Are you trying to figure out how to initiate contact with family members about a reunion? Jean Johnson of Venice, Florida, asked for ideas to begin a letter to family members about reunion locations, time of year and cost. Ethel Epstein called it an “opening letter” in her request for help to notify her family about starting a family reunion project.

To start, let’s say the question is: I would like to propose we organize a family reunion. Simple! But where do you start? First, I urge you not to do this alone. Start by talking to family members to determine the level of interest. If you’re lucky, the idea will generate excitement. On the other hand, if you need to cajole people, you may need to call in help or re-think your approach. Consider forming a committee of helpers from the very start. See section about committees in this issue.

Decide what kind of event you are willing to take on. A one-day picnic in a park or someone’s backyard? Three-day weekend? Week-long stay? Urban? Rural? Resort? Hotel? Ranch? Cruise? Camping?

What would best get your family's attention? Something simple? Down to earth? Something personal? Something serious that sounds more like a convention or maybe something whimsical and a lot o' fun. Send an explanation of what you have in mind, in whatever form you think your family will react to most favorably: on paper, by phone, by fax, by email, or posted on the web via facebook or blog.

Bell-Ransom Family Reunion invitations reflect a long (43-year history) of preparing for reunions. Each includes a cover sheet with the important facts: when, where and the invitation to gather with family and recognize achievement, excellence, unselfish service, neighborly love and memories. The second page outlines in great detail what to expect at the reunion. A third page lists registration and t-shirt order information with the final, fourth page, a high school award application. The first two pages outline each annual reunion while the latter two pages are consistent in their annual invitations. Examples shared by Jacqueline Bell Pyatt, Fort Washington, Maryland.

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Cover announcements for 40th (above) and 41st (right) Bell-Ransom Family Reunions

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Outside of 2020 Bell-Ransom Brochure Invite

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Inside of 2020 Bell-Ransom Brochure Invite

Austin Withey Family Reunion

The Austin Withey Family Reunion was back in 2021 celebrating their heritage with local family members in Cortland, New York. Shared by Marilyn Thayer, Mexico, Florida

Stewart Family Reunion

Use superheroes, cavemen, mermaids, pirates or circus clowns to enhance your invitations!

Marilynn Stewart’s family reunion always has a theme that starts with the invitation and goes throughout the whole event. The hero invite is from her Superhero reunion, which she says is her favorite. It is clear from her website that she loves creating invitations that help build excitement for the reunion.

For instance, she says, “I can tell my

family that the reunion will be at the park and we're having hamburgers and games or I can send a fun invitation that says, ‘Let your inner beast loose at the Stewart reunion!’ It's all in the presentation. It really helps if your reunion has a theme that you can design your invitations around.”

Visit familyreunionhelper.com to see many more of Stewart’s theme packages and original invitation ideas!

Windham Family Reunion

Encouraging words from a Windham Family Reunion newsletter.

Reunited and it feels so good. Yes, it would. Do you feel the same? Are you ready to come together with #TeamWindham again? Are you ready to eat good? Are you ready to laugh hard? Are you ready to compete fiercely? Do you miss the good times? Close your eyes and reflect on the memories we have made in past family gatherings. What memory comes to your mind? Were you being dragged on a blanket or pulling it? Are you carrying an egg on a spoon in an egg relay race? Are you holding your child or grandchild legs during a wheelbarrow race? Were you snapping pictures while posing in the family frames? Were you trying to get the hula hoop over your head and through the circle? Are you trying to throw or catch a water balloon with a towel? Or were you starting a water balloon fight? All good times and that is what I love about being reunited with my family. I love the games, the food, the fellowship and the fun!!! Covid-19 caused a halt to our family reunion last year. 2020 was not kind to our family, but I thank God that we took advantage of the opportunities we had to make great memories with the people that are no longer with us. That is why I always say “Coming together in Good Times will give you Strength to Endure Bad Times.”

Reunion t-shirts in summer are ubiquitous

Iisee several reunion t-shirts every time I go to the farmers market i(what’s that connection?) and always at the grocery store and lots of other places. Franklin Willis reported that at their Willis Connection Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada, members were stopped and asked about their ancestors. This sparked interest from complete strangers about hosting their own reunions and honoring their ancestors. And T-shirts can be a reunion souvenir, a memento, a billboard and a message. And t-shirts can also be a nice source of income for your reunion. You can either decide to take pre-paid orders in advance and only print those ordered and paid for, or order personalized shirts in varying sizes and mark them up to contribute financially to the reunion. So, one decision to be made is whether your t-shirts are going to be a souvenir, fundraiser or both.

Whether souvenir or fundraiser, you’ll have to decide, design and produce your t-shirts. If you decide your reunion t-shirts are a fundraiser, you’ll have to market and sell them as well.

One important caution is to order t-shirts early enough to ensure their delivery before the reunion. If you do not have them at the reunion, you’ll incur the additional cost of packing and postage to send shirts to everyone after the reunion. And anyway, you’ll want everyone wearing their t-shirts for the reunion picture!

Personalize your reunion with custom t-shirts

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

It is wise to start with the design you intend to put on the shirt before choosing colors because an exceptional graphic printed on even a simple white t-shirt is desirable. Putting the creativity in the design and how the reunion’s name is incorporated is the ultimate way to achieve maximum pop-appeal.

Keep it simple. T-shirts should have large type with straightforward designs so that they are easy to read. Keep phrases to just a few words.

Logos for all sizes. Keep in mind that

a logo for triple-X Uncle Joe’s t-shirt won't fit on a toddler’s t-shirt. Use a small logo for kiddie shirts.

T-SHIRT DESIGN SUGGESTIONS

T-shirt designs can be the name of the family, class/school or group and the year of the reunion, a motto or special message. T-shirts can be customized with special pictures or colors to go with a theme or location.

Family reunion t-shirts are a great way to remember the event, but they can help keep the event running smoothly as well. If the family reunion is held in a location such as an amusement park where non-reunion attendees will be, family reunion t-shirts help attendees recognize one another and remain together as a group.

You can design your own or most t-shirt printers have many designs to choose from. If there is a reunion member who is eager to demonstrate h/her design chops, this may be just the project. Make sure h/she signs the design!

Cityscape: Skylines make cool shirts because they are easy to print. Use a recognizable landmark such as the Statue of Liberty or the St. Louis Arch.

Family photos: If you have a picture of your great-great grandparents, scan it and design your t-shirt around it.

Name game: Use the names of all the reunion participants, separated by dots. There's no need to alphabetize as relatives will have fun searching for their names. Keep a permanent fabric marker handy so members can mark their names or autograph shirts.

Signature: Bring white or light color t-shirts to your reunion along with fabric markers. Have everyone sign shirts as a reunion activity.

Jackson Williams Family Reunion

ORDERING T-SHIRTS

Order a quality shirt. Use a 6.1-ounce

cotton shirt because it’s durable and won’t shrink.

Use color wisely. Printing costs for t-shirts go up when multiple ink colors are used. To keep costs down, purchase a bright color shirt and limit ink colors to one or two.

Wear shirts of different colors: to identify family branches or generations

Prices of t-shirts depend on the quality of fabric and color of the shirt, number of ink colors used, shipping and sometimes the shirt sizes. In most cases, you will need to give the printer at least three weeks or more to complete the job. When ordering reunion t-shirts, consider ordering a few extra for unexpected attendees and to have extra sizes for exchange.

Roberts Family Reunion

RANSOM-SEASE

The Ransom-Sease Family Reunion was held in Niagara Falls, New York. The slogan, printed on the back of the shirt was, “A Strong Family Survives the Falls.” The purple and light blue colors were chosen to honor two key members of the Family Reunion Planning Team who passed away in early 2021. The light blue lettering was to honor Reunion Committee Treasurer Cynthia Vaughn. The purple was to honor Buddy Glover, who co-edited the family Newsletter for 17 years, was President of the local host committee for six Reunions, served as the National Reunion President for 12 years, and was a strong advocate and mentor for the growth and longevity of the yearly reunion gatherings. Also in his honor many attendees wore black Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars, the only brand Buddy wore most of his life. Also, this was the first time, women were given a choice of a round or V-neck shirt. As it turned out, the V-neck shirt was more form fitting and needed to be ordered in a size larger than in the round neck version.

Thanks to Charlotte Glover.

BELL-RANSOM

The front of the Bell-Ransom Family Reuion t-shirt has changed over the years. The back, drawn by family member Tyus Fee, shows the family tree and has remained the same. In the early years of the reunion, Few and his wife, the late Elaine Bell Few, designed and printed the t-shirts. We now order them from a local trophy shop. Family members order t-shirts with their registration and receive the shirts when they arrive at the reunion. The shirts are not a money maker. We give away a shirt as a door prize at the Saturday afternoon reunion dinner. The registration fee and family donations cover reunion costs. Thanks to Jacqueline Bell Pyatt.

Hundreds more t-shirt ideas on www.pinterest.com/reunionsmag/reunion-t-shirts/

A tree is known by the fruit it bears.

T-shirt maker, CustomInk, offered these reunion slogan ideas.

TRADITIONAL SLOGANS

Reuniting the past, and shaping the future. From a common thread. From our roots to our leaves, we are truly blessed. The legacy never ends. Each of us is a link in our family chain, and when united, we stand strong. Blessed to be connected. ________ Family Reunion. We have a story to tell. All roads leads home. Relivin’ the glory days.

LESS SERIOUS SAYINGS

We put the ‘fun’ in dysfunction. Family is like peanut brittle – it takes a lot of sweetness to hold the nuts together. We are the people your mom warned us about. Our chains may stretch a little, but they never break. From the root to the fruit, ain’t we a hoot. Survivor of the ________ reunion. Crazy is a relative term in my family. It’s a ________ thing. You just wouldn’t understand. ________ Family. Livin’ the dream.

Reunion name dilemma

QUESTION

Are they Jordans? Or not?

Leah Jordan Bisel, West Bloomfield, Michigan, wrote their problem is that “We’re not all descended from one family name. We include my sister-in-law's sister's family. So, we can't say ‘Jordan Family.’ How can we handle this?”

ANSWER

There are NO rules about reunion names, other than those you impose. Choose a name and use it. It sounds to me in your case that the majority are “related” to Jordans which might be a consideration to choose that as the name. If you include another family and your reunion name is already Jordan, then stick with Jordan. There is sort of an understanding that you will never be able to include everybody’s names, particularly if you have lots of girls who married: they’re still Jordans. But this group has done several reunions and already has a collection of t-shirts. Circular family design The younger generation made the t-shirts. The first year it just said “Family Reunion” on the front with a tree and the back listed seven surnames. The next reunion was at a niece's wedding. They had a picture of a cake on the front with the bride and groom’s names, and on the back, the seven names. Then, there was the t-shirt with an outline of Michigan with the name of the town where the reunion was held and the seven names on the back. One year they had two t-shirts. A yellow one with the shape of Michigan on it and a blue puzzle theme t-shirt. The latter had a crossword puzzle with all their names and clues on the back.

Sounds like there’s already a precedent for seven names on the shirt and if everyone’s comfortable with that, then, that’s the way it should be!

Jon Rosenson, Noah Jordan, Sarah Jordan Rosenson and Chuck Bisel.

Quilt made from backs and fronts of t-shirts.

Across

3 Our favorite “One of 40 Under 40 6 Legal Eagles (IL) 7 Store their overflow in Deerfield 8 Top Chef 10 Party girl 11 Most organized 12 Most retiring 13 Has hands of gold 14 Still newlyweds 15 Muffy Feldman

Down

1 First-time reunion participant 2 Dog Whisperer 3 Legal Eagles (PA) 4 Primogenitors 5 Would like to be sailing 7 Genealogist 9 Attends most meetings 11 Would like to be golfing

Thanks to Francia Talton

Ralph J Bunche Elementary School

Flint Northern High School

From eHow: these suggestions for making your own t-shirts

You’ll need: t-shirts, t-shirt transfer paper, iron, stencil and fabric paint.

Ask a reunion member artist to create a design. Or use clipart.

Test the design by printing a test page on plain paper. If you like the way the design looks, print it on t-shirt transfer paper following directions provided with the transfer paper. Sometimes a reverse image will need to be printed onto the transfer sheets, especially if the t-shirts are white or light grey.

Check transfer paper directions for the proper heat settings. Transfer the t-shirt design onto the shirt using an iron. Place the finished shirts flat and allow to cool.

T-shirt roundup

Many years ago, Reunions magazine had a forum online where this discussion occurred. Denise Murphy, Antioch, Tennessee, described how she ordered t-shirts. “I had a California company come up with three designs. I told him what I would like in the designs. He worked with my thoughts and came up with some great ideas. Then I sent diagrams to family members and had them vote. The t-shirts looked great, were well-made and priced low. The two designs that were not used on t-shirts were used for an address book cover and information packet that was passed out at the reunion.” • According to Mary Valmer, t-shirts at the Larling Family Reunion had the Bible verse “You will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16” along with names of family members in attendance. • Shirley Savage Harris, Hernando, Mississippi, wrote that her grandfather headed the Savage Family Reunion from the 1960s until he died in the 1990s. Harris has now planned 10 more reunions, most recently at Hugh White State Park in Grenada,

Mississippi. Everyone brought a plain white t-shirt and as an activity, they spray painted them. It was a great time.

Curtis Butler Family Reunion Thanks to Joan C. Waters.

Windham Family Reunion t-shirts • Thanks to Janice Maxine Jones

AGEE MILLER MAYO DUNGY Design by Sonja Branch-Wilson and Angela Booker Thanks to Sonja Branch-Wilson

For their 40th reunion, special ALAFFFA Family Reunion t-shirts were designed by Soon Pak. The front featured the words, “Happy 40th ALAFFFA” using the original ALAFFFA logo as the “0” for the number “40.” High school photos of each of the seven siblings were displayed in mini-portraits across the back. Also special shirts were distributed to ALAFFFA members who celebrated milestone birthdays including one designed in remembrance of John “Pee-Wee” Figlar (who would have turned 80 that year). It was accepted by his granddaughter, Kayla Figlar. Thanks to Liza Alzo

See lots more about t-shirts on www.reunionsmag.com/t-shirts/.

Add your reunion t-shirt pictures to our online. t-shirt gallery The gallery is there to inspire you, showcase reunion t-shirt designs and share them with other reunions. Would you like your t-shirt to inspire other reunions? Send high-resolution pictures to editor@reunionsmag.com.

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