Getting Help With Family Reunion Tasks

Wearing Lots of Hats?
Well I guess it's official. I am now recognized as a writer, author, artist and yes, musician.
Titles are one thing, but I actually love what I do. Still if someone were to ask; Mark, how you do it? It would be much easier to just show them the finished product.

I'm the kind of guy who likes to do it all myself. Admittedly that means taking full responsibility for all tasks and assignments. If you don't mind being the fall guy or love the sheer delight of complete exhaustion I highly recommend it. Still even I have to ask for help now and then.

When you're getting close to deadlines getting needed support can seem almost impossible. That said, when winding down the final action items on your reunion task list consider getting support from other family members as soon as possible.



Getting Reunion Task Help
It's important to get help when planning a large family reunion. If attendees are 15 or more don't attempt to plan and manage it all yourself. Your  first step is to put the word out and get volunteers and ideas from the family. Sometimes to get help you do have to barter. People need to know what's in it for them. So put together a list of the benefits of the event and throw in an appreciation gift of some sort if you need to.

Next form a reunion planning group or committee. Then get rock solid guidance from an experienced family reunion planner, join a family reunion workshop or get your hands on a reunion planning workshop text book. How do you go about select a good event planning book? Consider the authors profile.



Family Reunion Book Features
Here are a few author profile and content features for the book "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner"

1. Written by an experienced reunion planner
2. Written by an experienced family member
3. Written by family counselors
4. Written by a husband and wife team
5. Contains priority information regarding planning, organizing and managing your reunion
6. Connects to resources with even more information
7. Includes 5 complete reunion planners
8. Includes the in demand checklist timeline planning format
9. Includes guides tips and words of wisdom
10. Include scores of department worksheets
11. Includes The Authors signature family reunion poems such as "Finding Our Way Back Home"
12. Includes complete luncheon/dinner programs and recommended daily itineraries.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Seasonal Book Sale
"Fimark's Family Reunion Planner" is now on sale for 17.99. Regularly priced 29.00 at Createspace.com and Amazon.com. Buy two books and qualify for free shipping. http://goo.gl/fvLl2

Get the full reunion event planning package including the book and CD with great templates and printables and spreadsheet application for $69 and save $30 on the regular price. Plus free shipping. For more information go to http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Crafts: Family Reunion Table Settings

What a ball we had last summer. It was a veritable feast in the park. Our family and friends love to cook and eat and work it off with fun activities. Somehow the grills, the smells of simmering and roasting food set it all  off just right. Yum!

Still you want everyone to keep in mind the theme of the occasion so they will anticipate theme related activities and prepare to work and play in harmony with the theme.

Remember to plan to decorate the family reunion venue in harmony with the theme. The items you chose to decorate has   much to do with that. The theme we chose last summer was centered around having fun with our children.

We called it "Fun In The Park." So we decorated with the fun activities in mind.

Activities included the kite flying, dodge ball, bubble blowing contests, a bible drama, water balloon relay and winning and eating lots of snacks.

Water Balloons: The kids could not wait to get their hands on these. As a matter of fact some did try.

We had to post a guard around them for fear the balloons would all disappear before the games began. 

Bubble Blowing Contest: This captivated the kids for hours...

and hours...

.
Brenda made beautiful table centerpieces based on the theme.

Table Centerpieces Made of Bags of Candy

 
What You Need:
1. Spindles of colored ribbon
2. Party bags
3. Wrapped and boxed candies (Choose candies that hold up on warm sunny days.)
4. Helium filled balloons (Any size or shape will do.)
5. Scissors

Sort the candies so a few of each kind goes in each bag. Fill the bags evenly. Run the edge of your scissors over about 12 inches of the ribbon to produce a twirl on the end of the ribbon string. Tie the ribbon in a knot around the bag opening leaving about 10 inches to twirl about the bag. Attach the other end of the ribbon to the helium filled balloons. Place the bags evenly along the center of the picnic tables.

The colorful ribbons, balloons, party bags and the sweet smell of candies will raise the fun and excitement to the next level.

Happy Family Reunion Planning!

So Precious

This weekend Brenda and I enjoyed our granddaughter for two full days and one night. This was the second time she spent the night with her grands. Her personality is blossoming. Bubbly and full of wonder.

I've yet to sing her a lullaby, blow bubbles or run around the park with her. But I can see that day will come soon, and when it does we'll be lost in wonderland. So precious will ours days be.

I only fear that she will grow up too fast on this side (the faster side) of the world in which we live. But I will do my best to show her all the wonders of nature, science and the arts. Most important will be teacher her to  deeply value, respect and dignify her relationship with others combined with the satisfaction that comes from seeing good for all her hard work.


It's In There

So you want to take your reunion planning to the next level? If you're an apps person who likes to work with online or stand-alone software just download the Family Reunion Planner software.

If you're a keepsake kind of person who likes to work from a hardbound or paperback book complete with worksheets, get Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Guide Workbook and Keepsake at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net.

I love what Brenda and I have done with this book.
1. Contains priority information regarding planning, organizing and managing your reunion
2. Connects to resources with even more information
3. Include 5 complete reunion planners
4. Includes the in demand checklist timeline planning format
5. Includes guides tips and words of wisdom
6. Include scores of department worksheets
7. Includes Mark Askew signature poem "Finding Our Way Back Home"
8. Includes complete luncheon/Dinner programs and recommended daily itineraries.

Just after the event details page it opens with an excerpt from the poem "Finding Our Way Back Home". As you advance through the pages planning the event excerpts of the poem seem to follow you, helping you motivating you as you complete one task after another

There are keepsake journal entry pages and a family recipe compilation section. The Themes section details suggested activities and banquet dinner programs. Looks like you'll have your family reunion event planned and organized in no time at all.


Well Said

"The most beautiful thing I have ever seen, is that one should eat and drink and see good for all his hard work all the days of his life, for that is his portion."  Read other "Well Said" quotes on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/fimarkhome/


What? Don't have Fimark's Award Winning Family Reunion Planner Yet?
Just Go to... http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Learn How To Get Those RSVPs

2012 Family Reunion Planners. Have you received all RSVPs? If not it's time to send out reminders via facebook, email and  texting. Fortunately this only takes a few minutes using your Attendee Registration database in the Family Reunion Planner spreadsheet/workbook.

The Attendee Registration database is an excel spreadsheet database that includes input of names, ages, t-shirt size, number of shirts per person, RSVP status and dues balance as well as polling results for desired reunion location and activities. Entry of Department assignment and committee status is included in the workbook.

The Attendee Registration database spreadsheet/workbook can be uploaded to your Google Docs account and shared for live viewing and editing when consulting with attendees and committee members. It's a great program for running polling and status reports when conducting committee meetings.

Your goal should be to have all t-shirt orders in by months end and distributed in April. Suggestion: Send out an RSVP reminder today and another Saturday morning with March 31 as your deadline. If your looking for fun activities for your event consult your Family Reunion Planner Keepsake Book. https://www.createspace.com/3601499

Want the Family Reunion Planner book and software with the Attendee Registration database spreadsheet/workbook? Go to http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Happy Family Reunion Planning!

Mark And Brenda

A Few of Our Favorite Things

Inside:
1. Union vs Reunion
2. What We've Learned
3. Do More Than Compromise
4. Schedule a Date Night 
5. "A Few of Our Favorite Things"
6. New Keepsake Book Soon To Be Released

Union vs Reunion
When marital union and family union is strong Family reunion is all the more sweeter. As ordained ministers Brenda and I have the special privilege of assisting in organizing and officiating wedding ceremonies while  providing family counseling for the newly wed couple. This season we are assisting several couples in one way or another to keep putting their hearts into their union. That's our calling.

What We've Learned
Too often couples get so caught up in their jobs, careers and past-times, like all engrossing sports, bands and clubs of the day that they begin to see their spouse as someone who is getting in the way of their fun and begin spending less meaningful moments with the love of their life. This can happen to anyone. At first it's just a casual oversight. But over time hearts break, silence becomes the loudest spoken word and the two drift apart emotionally and spiritually.

Do More Than Compromise
This past Sunday we talked to a very special couple married for over five years. He's contending with a new job and new congregation responsibilities that sometimes leaves them both a bit overwhelmed. That said, we reminded them both to prioritize each other and asked them both to consider this... When they come together for fun, do more than just compromise! Spend time doing things that they both enjoy doing together instead.

Schedule a Date Night 
Ask any truly happy couple what kept them together and they'll tell you that they're still dating. They eat together. Listen to music together, joke and tell stories together. Dance together. But the key to making date night work is not just doing something together as some activities can actually drive a couple apart. So what's the key to an enjoyable date night?

"A Few of Our Favorite Things."
Sometimes we are too tired to think about what we have in common and we settle for what ever comes to mind for a date night activity. We all love the musical called "The Sound of Music." Particularly the part we fondly call "My Favorite Things." It was that moment in time that the family bonded. So it is with a young couple.  Everyone likes to eat. Everyone likes music. Most like movies. On date night, share a favorite dessert you both enjoy. Watch a movie you both will like. Select music that has meaning to both of you. If you're at a loss as to what to do this would be a good time to consult the "favorite things list."

Soon To Be Released
In our newly written book "Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding Planner" Brenda and I have dedicated three pages to a keepsake list called "A Few of Our Favorite Things." It's a keepsake checklist of the things the couple has in common. Things the couple both enjoy doing together in the area of music, books, movies, sports, food, etc.  This "favorite things list" is something we feel a couple cannot do without. Our book "Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding Planner" is now available at Amazon.com. http://goo.gl/fvLl2

Whether you've been married for a few months, 6 years or 31 years, whether your a single parent or a house of siblings, we all can do better than compromise. Discover things the whole family has in common  and turn it into a traditional activity. When you're really having a good time together you're happier and enjoy better health. Loyalties solidify and love deepens. A happy, healthy family union is a happier family reunion for everyone involved.

Happy family reunion planning!

Mark and Brenda

A Weekend Like No Other

This weekend was a very special one. Brenda and I bonded with our granddaughter. Needless to say she is a cutey. But this weekend was extra special because it was just Brenda, our grand-d and me. We ate at a favorite restaurant and discovered that she loves all things  coconut - just like me. She remembers parts of conversations and repeats the dialog with precision timing. She slept over for the first time. No fuss.

She loves all things mechanical. If there is a button to push a knob to turn or a door to open She's on it. She seldom cries unless she's awakened abruptly. She likes to play with books and cards and loves to sing and dance to music. We took pictures with our smart phones. I think we're up to about a thousand pics.

I composed a lullaby that features a little ditty her father (the son who did his own genealogy research online.) made up when he was about her age. I added the very first song I made up at the age of 8. When she immediately broke into her happy dance it was obvious we had a hit on our hands. She loved it. So that just makes me love her more. Another fond memory made.

Making Family Reunion Keepsake Booklets
In a recent newsletter we discussed where you want to be on the "Family Reunion Timeline Checklist". Complete ordering t-shirts. You should have also collected photos, stories, genealogy research and have started on your photo and genealogy presentations. These can also be added to your family reunion keepsake booklet.

Collecting Photos
You will want to do one of two things with your photos.
1. Scan them into your computer
2. Take a picture of the photo using your digital camera, camera phone or cell phone and transfer them to your computer.

Now that your photos are on your computer use your photo editing tools to crop (cut-around) the images into a perfect square.

Documenting Family History
Next, from your family history files put together two paragraphs of information about your ancestors from the earliest records available. Include full first names, middle and surnames of both father and mother, marriage dates, education, trades and employment, residents, migration and births leading up to the eldest living family member.
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/family_reunion_booklet.html

Putting together your family reunion keepsake booklet can be one of the most rewarding projects associated with the event, so remember to get the family involved.

Happy Family Reunion Planning!

Don't have the latest version of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner?
Get your copy of the award winning Family Reunion Planner 3.0 at
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Great Fundraiser Ideas

Hello Family Reunion Planners! You're family reunion event is just arround the
corner. Do you know where your family reunion money is?

Time to put deposits on reception rooms, picnic areas, tourist packages and
entertainment? Ideally you would have collected 75 to 90% of registration funds
by now. But this may not be the case. If you don't have enough funds to cover
the deposit expenses don't panic. Your fellow family reunion planner has the
solution.

It's time to start putting together a fundraiser! A well-organized fundraiser
can bring in as much as $500 to $5000 in just a matter of hours. 

What To Sell?
Many attendees are frugal and will only put money on an item that
will likely help them save money on the family reunion event. That
said, sell baskets of coupons, a collection of gift cards and the
ever-popular Entertainment Book which sells at a discount and
free shipping this time of year. Have a bake sale, yard sale or art sale. Have
an heirloom exchange auction or sponsored games. Ask for family members to
donate cars, bikes, tool sets, musical instruments or sell books.

Books, CD's, DVD's and more Books
Nothing sells better than books, CD's DVD's and more books. Does your family
like to read or be entertained? Who doesn't. Sell best seller books they always
wanted to read

Rallying Support
Send out flyers, emails, text messages and invitations at least three weeks in
advance and a reminder each week until the event. List
some of the items or categories that will be available. Have those
who will attend the fundraiser also share in organizing and managing
some aspect of the event to ensure that they will be present to bid.

Remember, your fundraiser is to raise reunion funds not to spend reunion funds.
That said, make sure that all who attend bring a dish, drinks and supplies to
equalize the expense and prevent having to dip into the reunion account.

A Fantastic Fundraiser - "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner A Reunion Planning
Guide Workbook & Keepsake"

Making a family heirloom that will last for generations has never been easier, more meaningful and practical.  
An heirloom is  more than a scrapbook or hand-me-down. It is a dignified personalized token of your love and your generations life made specifically for the generations to come. 

It's an event planner. A book of poetry. A recipe compiler. A journal and family
genealogy research documentation tool. 

Put it all together and you have a very personal family heirloom for generations to come. What could be a more ideal fundraiser and gift? "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner A Reunion Planning
Guide Workbook & Keepsake" 

Best of all it's now 55 percent off the original price for a limited
time.  Go to http://alturl.com/46jik for our Early Bird Fundraiser Special. Order
multiple copies and get free shipping at amazon.com. Spread the word!

For more ideas to get your fundraiser off the ground consult
"Fimark's Family Reunion Planner A Reunion Planning Guide Workbook & Keepsake" -
Don't have one? Go to at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net