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

Our History Our Story

Hello family reunion planners! In celebration of Black History Month I watched the BET Awards the other day. Has this been a month for honoring history or what? Actors, writers, singers, poets, history makers and artists were acknowledging the contributions people of color have made nationally and internationally.

Still so many who have done much to instill courage, hope and educate the soul go unnoticed. It's good to know that they find their reward in the work itself and the good fruitage it bears over the years. This is enough for them. To these unknown heroes we wish to say congratulations and thank you. Brenda and I send our love hope and greetings to their families the world over. Many families have already taken the time to show their appreciation in meaningful and imaginative ways.

Our Story
Fimark Home Online's family reunion planning group began in the year 2005. The concept evolved when my wife Brenda and her sister Shawn decided to attend a Galla event by none other than Ethnic Expressions. Inspired by their rich decor and art I encouraged Brenda to join me in promoting our own line of fine art, greeting cards, portraiture services and clothing line. Our cousin LaTavia immediately came on board and the two of them proved a perfect team.

 Brenda, and her cousin LaTavia successful planned family reunions, community outreach events, weddings, receptions and parties. So planning an event that would feature our products and services was a breeze. We soon got the idea that we should focus on family reunion events. Before long our primary focus became Family oriented event planning products and resources. For me, an artist and web developer by trade, taking Brenda's Reunion Event Planner and turning it into an award winning web application with easily downloaded templates was a no-brainer. Now we feature most of our products online with a focus on services aimed at the family. Find out more at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Our Recent Contribution
Our most recent contribution is "Fimark's Family Reunion Planning Guide and Keepsake", a 132 page reunion planning guide book. It contains our signature planning timeline, tips tools and worksheets for the individual planner as well as planning committess. It include many keepsake feature, an ideal heirloom. The Book is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. You can access it at http://astore.amazon.com/best-sellers-book-store-20

Did You Know?
To date well over 600,000 visitors have passed thru our online doors. We average scores of family reunion announcements per month. Thousands of users have downloaded our application and templates. Our web application was mention in Woman's Day Magazine and our reunion event planning work acknowledged by Bigelow Tea. We are grateful for the many awards and acknowledgements we have received from Cnet, ZDnet, Familyreunion.com and many others. Fimark's Family Reunion Planner ranks number one for family reunion software and we are now listed on scores of top family software download sites. We are proud to have made our contribution to family reunion event planning. Happy Family Reunion Planning!

Don't have access to the award winning family reunion planning web application yet? Go to ... http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

How To Organize And Manage Your Reunion

Wanting to throw a successful family reunion is one thing. Planning, organizing and successfully managing the event is another. Yet thousands of our readers and web application users have done just that with a little help. The question is how did they do it? Here's 6 ways to plan organize and manage a great reunion event.

1. Delegate ASAP
Form a reunion committee comprised of at least one additional member per 20 attendees. Get volunteers to commit asap. Delegate all tasks. Your task is to follow up with the progress of each task delegated and keep everyone from getting in the other persons way.

2. Get The Word Out
You've heard it said "if you build it they will come?" That may be true when it comes to planning a special event. But if no one tells them you built it you won't get much company. That said, it's important to get the word out as early as possible.

3. Advance Communication
Often good communication in well in advance is all that's needed to rally support. At the very least give them an idea when the event would take place, how they can help and when the next meeting will be. Details can follow later. Now they can schedule time off or adjust their vacation plans to include the reunion. That said, I recommended that the reunion be planned at least 7 months ahead of time.

4. Mark Good Use Of Worksheets
To keep reunion meetings from getting bogged down with too much information and little time to follow up with delegated tasks make use of reunion committee worksheets, review action item and followup promptly.

For example, if there is a need to schedule a tour of a hotel site, order catering and have a professional on location photo shoot one needs to know when to make calls, who to contact and when to follow up with that person. To avoid forgetting important tasks all that's needed is a timeline checklist and worksheet.

5. Great Reunion Planning Tools
We recommend making good use of reunion planning tools that include a timeline checklist with preparation reminders, attendee database, scheduling worksheets, committees assignment sheets, reunion needs lists, meal planner checklists, a music checklist, supplies list, invitations, flyers, itinerary template, dinner program template, announcement submitter, budget and cost estimator as well as other essentials for time and cost effective family reunion planning.

6. One such planner is called Fimark's Family Reunion Planner 3.0. Check out the free evaluation version at...
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/step1.html


Happy Family Reunion Planning!

Black History Month Observation Tips

While January 2011 went out as quickly as it came, winter is still showing it's frosty face. Here are a few winter weather reminders Brenda and I try to keep in mind each winter.

1. Grab a few bags of de-icer on the way home.
2. Keep a few shawls hanging around in each room and in the car so when the temperature drops you can wrap up instead of turning the heat up all the time.
3. In case of power loss pick up some battery operated lamps. Oil lamps are also useful as these generate both light and heat when electric power is out. Place them in a safe area.
4. Check your roof for leaks when the weather is mild and patch them up quick. Heat escapes from rooftop leaks and raises your heating bill significantly.
5. Heat the room your in rather than the whole house. This will save hundreds of hard earned dollars each year.

Did you get a chance to make a dent in your new goals for 2012? Brenda and I did. As part of a group that serves the community voluntarily I managed to put in over 50 hours. In addition I'm preparing for many events that promote family unity and good citizenship in March and April.

February is a great time to get up to speed regarding the years
monthly observances. It's a time to review how you will contribute
and support causes and principles that have much meaning to you and
your family.

Monthly Observances:

February - Black History Month - See http://black-history.fimark.net

Black History Month,(BHM)is an obervance of important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in the month of February, while in the UK it is held in the month of October.

Black History Month was established in 1976 by African-Americans for
the Study of African-American Life and History. The month-long
celebration was an expansion of Negro History Week, which was
established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, director of what was then
known as the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.

Initially celebrated almost exclusively by those of African heritage,
taking place outside of the view of the wider society. Increasingly,
however, mayors and governors, especially in the North, began
endorsing Negro History Week and promoting interracial harmony. Now
Black History Month is a national observance oberserved by all races. Family Activities That Focus on Black History Month:

Join or form a Family History Society

Donate to your favorite black charity

Visit a black museum or art gallery

Write about your families contribution to black history

Read a grade level book regarding notable black achievements to your
children

Volunteer in some way to give back to the community

Visit sites that focus on contributions from African Americans
http://black-history.fimark.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month

Other Monthly Observances

November - Named November as "Family Reunion Planning Month"
Be proud, it is our group for which you are a member, that spearheaded the movement to name November Family Reunio Planning Month. What can you do as a member? Increase membership and support.
Read group Manager, and author Mark Askews contributions to wikipedia.org at...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_reunion

Family Reunion Planner and Keepsake
A Family Reunion Book inspired by Brenda Askew and written by Mark Askew that helps you plan your family reunion and document your heritage. See more at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net