How To Increase Event Funds

Your family reunion is just around the corner and you need to increase event funds fast? Fund raisers can be costly. Who wants to end up investing more than what was made.

To make your fun raiser a festive, colorful and interest event for all get as many involved in donating used items and craft items.  The more creative the better. Keep in mind that having a fund drive is a craft in and of itself. Setting up attractive displays takes some forethought.

Make items eye catching, inviting and laughable with punchy, witty price tags and colorful persuasive labels.

The key is to sell items that cost close to nothing but are valuable to the buyer. Here are some great DIY Fund Drive ideas courtesy of Fimark Home Online.

DIY Fund Drive Ideas provided by www.fimark.net
Visit us at www.pinterest.com/fimarkhome 

Like three or more of the listed ideas? Why not combine them all. The more variety the more support your fund drive will receive. Detail exactly what will be featured at the fund drive event and send out at least three reminders up to the day of the event.

Online Payment Systems

Many reunion planners have lamented about getting reunion dues in on time. If you are asking attendees to mail you money or drop off cash you're in for a long wait. Why? Some folks don't write checks or handle cash daily anymore. They pay bills online. That said,  setup your Paypal, Google Wallet or other online payment system asap or get a website that takes payments like the one reviewed here...http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/familyreunionwebsite.html

Send online payment ready emails to each family member to make the payment process easier. 

Inspiring Incentive

Sometimes attendees need incentive to get those fees paid. Here are some dues payment incentives. Offer rewards for the first 10 0r 20 payees. Offer special seating at the reception for those who send payments early. Offer a special party favor to early payees. Offer mention in the family reunion keepsake booklet. 

Hand out certificates, a baked item or award them with a favorite keepsake heirloom like the family reunion planning keepsake book featured at Createspace... https://www.createspace.com/3601499.  This 132 page Family Reunion Planner keepsake book can be given to timely payees. The event planning book contains a family reunion planner, family tree, pedigree, family recipes section, journal and reunion themes and games. Makes a great fund drive offering, gift, reward and family heirloom. It also contains detailed cost saving fund drive ideas to raise money for your event.

Visit us at www.pinterest.com/fimarkhome

Planning For The Unexpected

Throwing a family reunion event can be very the catalyst to creating sweet memories that will last for many generations to come. Suffice it to say, celebrating life, family bonds and the principles that maintain them is the ultimate gift all attendees will receive. That said, no matter what happens or does not happen good times will be had.



Time And Unforeseen Occurrence
An ancient book once said, "Enjoy the fruitage of your labor." Still as with any event there will be those unexpected and unforeseen situations that bear the mark of disrupting the most well planned reunion event. That same ancient book reads, "Time and unforeseen occurrence befalls us all." That said, the question is; how do you navigate through the unexpected and unforeseen?


Brace For Impact - Soften The Bow
I am reminded of a certain family member who after donning a particularly nice dress, tripped,  broke a heel and landed on her bottom. She laughed, got up and was thankful for having a soft cushioned backside that broke the impact of the fall. She is the one and only person I know who can brace for impact and control her fall always landing on her bottom. The lesson? When planning your event anticipate the unexpected, brace for impact and prepare in such a way that you cushion the blow.


Often the unexpected comes in the form of an unexpected expense or an unforeseen need. The situation may  require the cushion of extra funds while the unforeseen need may require additional time, manpower or other resources. Having on hand additional volunteers, extra place settings, chairs, tables and t-shirts will quickly resolve many problems.


A Little More Is Better Than Not Enough
Consider having plenty of food and drink instead of just enough. Just enough can easily translate into not enough when unexpected guests arrive or there is a spill. Have an extra room available for an unexpected arrival and above all schedule as much advanced preparation time as possible. Do you have a family member with a medical background? Make sure they are visible and ready to respond to any health related emergency that may come up.  If you're traveling to an out-of-town event remember  pack an emergency kit.


It is best to have everything associated with the banquet reception completed 2 hours or more before the event so there will be plenty of time to respond to the unexpected. While you cannot foresee every possible scenario, the principle of being well prepared for the unexpected can help cushion the blow when the unforeseen occurs allowing the reunion event to proceed as planned.

Remembering To Give Back

Nature survives based on the principle of procreation, duplication and restoration. We survive based on the principle of giving back. That said, what ever we glean we replace or restore so that when taking, all is not used up, lost or discarded.

Harvest season leads to a season of restoration and a season of planting in order to Harvest once again. As we pick, prune, weed and replenish top soil we are rewarded for our hard work.

 Family members have long held to the tradition of giving back to fathers and mothers so that they are able to see good for all their hard work. We give back by handling them delicately in their golden years and instilling confidence, honor and love as they age.

The Giver is The Receiver

We are both the giver and the receiver. The taker and restorer. The user and replenisher. As such I certainly am in good company. Most of my readers have in some way given back to me and Brenda for our efforts to inspire, entertain and provide practical guides and tools to families the world over. It is gratifying to see thousands of users spending precious time making use of our event planning tools and tips. But most gratifying of all is when you the reader take those 3 seconds to say "I like this" and leave a comment or two that lifts our spirits so much that we fairly bust with more creativity ideas, tips and tools. In other words you're giving back makes us give you even more. Giving back is usually an easy touch and go process. 3 second opportunities to give back are available anytime and anywhere.

Giving Back Opportunities
This concept of giving back reminds me of my recent visit to my Pinterest page at http://pinterest.com/fimarkhome/pins. You'll notice today that the most prominent pin is our book Fmark's Family Reunion Planner. Why so high in the page of pins? Because Pinterest users took the time to give back. Over 22 users liked the book in just three weeks. 77 user repinned the book to their own Pinterest page. Brenda and I can honestly say we see good for all our hard work.

Giving Back On Amazon.com
Still there is a dilemma when it comes to how users give back by way of recommendations, comments. likes and support of our resource. For example, over the years Google Wallet users have rewarded Fimark Home Online resources and books with a good star rating, we still enjoy the #2 ranking spot for keyword "Family reunion planner" on Google search engines. So what's the dilemma?  On Amazon.com our most esteemed users seem to hesitate rating and reviewing the reunion planning book. This has baffled us of late considering the fact the we get so many positive reviews elsewhere. That said we invite you to visit our Amazon.com page at goo.gl/gVsY6 and take 3 seconds to rate our Book Fimark's Family Reunion Planner. Thanks for giving back.

Family Reunion Planning Reminders

Weekend Reminders

Family reunion planners, we are heading into May. Nothing is more important at this time then following-up and wrapping up all event planning loose ends. See your Complete Family Reunion Planner personal event planning interface timeline to keep up-to-date with tasks.

Answer these questions:
1. T-shirt orders out? (see T-shirt panel on the event planner interface)
2. Keepsake Reunion Booklet complete? (see booklet icon)
3. Camera media and batteries purchased? (see Store panel)
4. Complete itinerary sent out? (see theme selector panel/itinerary icon)
5. All outdoor and indoor event supplies acquired? (see Budget and Store panels)
6. Are all department volunteers and committee members on the same page regarding tasks, deadlines, times and places to meet for setup?
(Access all department worksheets on the Workbooks panel)

Money Saving Tips
Need to save money? Here are three money saving tips and one new money saving feature in your complete Family Reunion Planner 3.0 intereface.

1. Ask attendees to donate supplies to the event such as grills, decorations, lawn furniture, canopies, coolers, music equipment, etc.

2. Have attendees purchase there own last minute t-shirts online. (See T-shirt Designer panel)

3. Ask family members to donate services toward the event in exchange for advertising in the Family Reunion Keepsake booklet. Such services may include photography, Keepsake CDrom, DJ, Catering, discounted travel packages, limo services, etc.

4. Get free printables - Patrons of the Complete Famiiy Reunion Planner 3.0 can download all 5 reunion theme printable packages at no additional cost. Each package includes theme based Reunion themed poems, reunion cards, flyers, invitations, banners, honorary award certificates, t-shirts, caps and aprons. Use the link on the family reunion planner dashboard called "Get Theme Printables Here."

You can download theme based printables and print them yourself or edit and order prints online. Bulk discounts apply to select print orders. Free shipping available on seasonal/select products at
http://www.zazzle.com/zzibcnet*/ or go to http://www.customink.com/cink/r.jsp?img=16&kbid=1914 

Access the Print Shop from your Complete Family Reunion Planner Interface. If you purchased the Family Reunion Planner at any time between 2005 and 2010 you are entitled to the online access link to the Family Reunion Planner 3.0. Simply send your purchase number to fimarkhome@gmail.com

Those using the evaluation version of the family planner are directed to the public theme printables page at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/spectacular-events-planner.html where theme based printables can be purchased and downloaded.

Don't have Fimark's Family Reunion Planner yet? Enjoy season discounts on the complete family reunion planner and save up to $35. Regular price $99. Discounted as low as $65 at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Happy Family Reunion Planning!

An International Celebration

What wonderful family reunions this family must have. Herbert and Zelma have been married for 86 years. Both over were over 100 years of age when this picture was taken. They received a signed commendation from President Obama with a promise of an official invitation to the White House to meet him.  

Does this handsome couple hold the Guinness World Record for the longest marriage of a living couple?

Down in the Guinness Book of World Records they're long lasting marriage was pinned. http://www.aarp.org/relationships/love-sex/info-08-2009/couple-maintains-world-record-for-longest-marriage.html

The couple actually have a twitter page. When asked what is their secret to staying together so long. Zelma says “There isn’t any secret. It was only God that kept us together.” 

Herbert and Zelma live in the home he built in 1942. They enjoy the visits of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. A testimony to the endurance of true love as written in a best-selling 1900 year old ancient guidebook: "love endures all things... love never fails" Congratulations Herbert and Zelma and Happy 86th Wedding Anniversary!

For more tips on developing an enduring marriage read the closing 10 pages of our book "Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding Planner" an excellent gift for those recently engaged. 

Words of Wisdom and Movitation

Some words of wisdom and motivation for all our 2012 family reunion planners out there.





"Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful."

"Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful."









"Individually we are special. Together we are spectacular"


"Where there is love, there is life."

Visit my Pinterest "Well Said" board for more inspiration.


A Book of Wisdom: Fimark's Family Reunion Planner. Everything you need to plan a memorable family reunion. Includes the popular family reunion poem "Finding Our Way Back Home."


Happy family reunion planning!

A Fresh Family Reunion Theme

While family reunions often feature traditional activities such as recipe swaps, a family music list, familiar stories and outside games many times families intend on digging deep into one's history and sharing it in an organized meaningful and exciting way. But good intentions are often met with distractions and a project long left undone.

That's where a good planning guide comes in. With it you're able to schedule and track tasks until the project is complete.

One of the most meaningful family reunion themes provided in "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner and Keepsake" book  and application tools is one centered around family genealogy projects. Most families usually have one or more members who collect family photos, memorabilia, articles and clippings centered around the family. Now they can present them at the reunion event in a deeply impacting way.

The Genealogy and Homestead Tour Reunion Planner
To help families get their research work off the ground and in the family reunion program Fimark Home Online and Legendary Heritage Heirlooms would like to introduce the Genealogy and Homestead Tour Family Reunion Themed Planner.

The Family Reunion Planner guides you thru the process of throwing a successful and enriching genealogy family reunion. With online tools that help you do your genealogy research, you'll have your family reunion event planned, organized and ready to manage in just a few hours using Fimark's Family Reunion Planner 3.0 and/or book. Get the complete family reunion planner package with instant download at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net.

Fimark Home Online has been developing family reunion planners since 2004 and each release just keeps getting better. Get the Genealogy and Homestead Tour Family Reunion Themed Planner -  Includes a logo, matching invitations, theme banner, access to matching t-shirt, cap and apron ready to edit and order online. You also get the family reunion planner software and workbook.

Other themes in the planner package include:
Family Reunion Cruise Theme
Family Reunion Family Fest Theme
Traditional Family Reunion Theme
Living Legends Ball Theme

Preview the family reunion theme planner and themed printables at...
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/spectacular-events-planner.html.

The Books that Bond
Plan your family reunion with "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner and Keepsake" Save 30% during our spring savings special. https://www.createspace.com/3601499.

Family members who are engaged will love learning how to save money, budget and fully bond to their partner following the wedding planning activities in our new book "Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding Planner". Makes a great gift. https://www.createspace.com/3824647.

Buy both books and get free shipping at www.amazon.com http://goo.gl/fvLl2.

Happy Family Reunion Planning