National Family Reunion Institute: tax exempt! Continues

Free Virtual Workshops

Suzanne Vargus Holloman, Co-Director of the Family Reunion Institute (FRI) has announced the organization’s name change to the National Family Reunion Institute (NFRI). The new name indicates NFRI’s scope, reach, and status as an independent body. The organization was founded by Dr. Ione Vargus while she was Dean of Temple University’s School of Social Work.

NFRI is now tax exempt and all donations are tax deductible. Individuals and organizations wishing to support the Institute’s programs that build on the strength of families, using reunions as the tool, can make donations directly on its website, www.familyreunioninstitute.net

Dr. Vargus, founder of NFRI, has been dubbed the “Mother of Family Reunions.” Starting in 1990, she developed and organized conferences throughout the nation to help family reunion planners plan effective reunions. Conferences included speakers from diverse backgrounds with varied areas of expertise, ranging from genealogy to quilt-making, as well as specific tips and templates for successful reunions that are “much more than a picnic.”

NFRI has hosted six virtual workshops for new and seasoned family reunion planners since 2021. Topics have included fundraising; overcoming obstacles such as getting young people involved; and how to make reunions memorable. 2023 workshops included one about reunion costs in February. NFRI experts broke down cost factors and options for one-, two-, and 3–4-day reunions, as well as weeklong, destination and cruise reunions. Factors and options included menu, food cost, location/venue, lodging, itinerary/ entertainment, time of year and cost per attendee for each kind of reunion. Budget saving tips and caveats, such as avoid hurricane season if booking a cruise, were included. Edith Wagner, editor of Reunions magazine, made a detailed presentation of a Family Reunion Budget Template, which has proven to be a huge help to family reunion planners.

In April, NFRI presented a workshop about a variety of topics which included “Location, Location, Location” for virtual and hybrid (virtual/zoom) reunions as well as destination reunions. Presentations on “Getting Family Involved in Planning and Attending the Reunion” with specific segments for all ages, from seniors to youth, followed. Registrants, along with NFRI’s panel of experts, also shared and received tried-and-tested tips on multigenerational reunion fun. The next virtual workshop is planned for October 28, 2023.

Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) offer sponsored workshops so they can be totally free to planners who register. Reunion planners are encouraged to go to www.familyreunioninstitute.net to sign up for the mailing list to ensure they get workshop details and have access to pre- and post-workshop materials. Workshops include presentations, participant polling, discussion, and door prizes. h As someone who has organized more than 30 family reunions, I found today’s workshop insightful, informative, and useful. h I got some great information that I can use right away! h You answered questions I didn’t know I had. h Great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. … very informative. h Great presentations … great resource. h This was soooooooooo very helpful for a newbie like me. h This is my first FRI workshop. I plan to attend others in the future.

The following are comments from workshop attendees.

NFRI’s founder, Dr. Ione Vargus, believes “It’s not only important that people participate in workshop(s), but that they leave with tangible help and ideas for their next reunion.”

Co-Director Suzanne Vargus-Holloman agrees and says, “One of the foundations of the National Family Reunion Institute is a commitment to build opportunities for family reunion planners to learn, absorb, and exchange information, as well as receive guidance and advice to keep reunions strong.”