Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Having Fun with Family History

Life is full of surprises. One sunny day you're enjoying the golden daffodils and the brilliant display of colorful tulips while listening to the breeze ruffle the leaves of swaying trees. As chirping birds dash and swoop from limb to limb suddenly the clouds roll in and rain begins to fall. 


First a sprinkle and a shower,  then it pours.  A nice surprise for the trees and grass but the rest of us gather our things together and head for shelter. Why do we run from the very thing necessary to keep us alive? 

Whenever there is a severe drought nobody runs from the rain. On the contrary, they call everyone they know, they stand looking up at the sky as the rain falls on their relieved and happy faces. they soak it all up, wading in it, walking in it and laughing in it. Today? Today we run from it!


While watching it rain from the inside looking out I often think of how lush and brilliant the foliage will grow thanks to this good watering and then I think about the personal growth I strive for, a goal that has shaped my families life for three generations now. 



Personal and Family Growth

When I think of the growth made it can only be defined by the results. I'm proud of my hard working wife Brenda who woke up today singing  a song as she scurried out the door on her way to serve a community of college bound youth. I'm proud of my mother and father who also have devoted themselves to providing wisdom, hope and practical assistance to the residents of our city. 


I am equally proud of my son Jonathan and his wife who both do volunteer work at a local congregation helping the younger generation manage a life of turbulence. These are some of the notable things I put down in our family history logs preserved for the next generation to come. But that's not all that made the history books. There were sunny days and cloudy days, droughts and surprise showers, stooping lower to dig deeper and reach higher with many lessons learned along the way. Best of all a lot of laughter and spontaneous fun. These times deserve to be recorded as well.


Having Fun With Family History

And speaking of family history logs It's always best to keep a log, journal or blog of your family life including genealogy, community contributions, life growing up. But family history does not always have to be cut-and-dry. 

Add some life to it by including some funny photos of baby in a bath full of soap suds or the toddler frantically chasing bubbles in the park. Include silly pranks like dumping water on dads head while sleeping on the porch or baby's first attempt to feed himself while making a complete mess of what was a perfectly prepared spaghetti dinner. 

Add some light anecdotal stories from family interviews and include some excerpts from humorous text messages to and from family members. Step back in time to yesteryear and take a stroll on the funny side of life. Collect bridesmaids dresses and tux worn over the years. Remember the dances or the days the kids decided to take over the kitchen and make dinner? Record the secret shower serenades. There's nothing like viewing photo stories and video of failed attempts at inventions, recipes and art compared to the look of glee when after many attempts they finally succeed.


Presenting Your History At Family Reunions

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 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. What's needed is a goal, some organizing and inspiration.


Helpful Tools To Record and Present Family History

To help families get their research work off the ground and into the family reunion events program is the Genealogy and Homestead Tour Family Reunion Themed Planner found in Fimark's Family Reunion Planner.

The Family Reunion Planner guides you through the process of throwing a successful and enriching genealogy themed 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 web app and ebook. 


Our company, Fimark 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 themes, logos, slogans, matching invitations, theme banner, matching t-shirt, cap and apron ready to edit and order online. 



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

Planning a family reunion? Don't have Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app yet? Get it at this summers discount special. List Price $49. Now $39 for a limited time. You save $10 dollars. No coupon code needed. For more information about the family reunion planning app click on the link found on this blog page or go to profiles.


Happy Family Reunion Planning!
Mark and Brenda

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Making Your Family Reunion Keepsake Booklet


In our last newsletter under Reunion Preparation Reminders we discussed where you want to be on the "Family Reunion Timeline Checklist". You should have collected photos, stories, genealogy research and have started on your photo and genealogy presentations. These will go in your family reunion keepsake booklet.


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.


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


Attendee Registration Roster/Database

Add a list of all attendees to your keepsake booklet. The Family Reunion Planner includes the Attendee Registration Roster which is a database for keeping attendee information such as contact information, returned survey data and t-shirt orders by person and household. 

Now the Planner provides an attendee application that gives multiple family members open access to the same attendee roster. The online attendee database allows family members or committee members to update the database in real-time. Allowing others access to the database helps improve the accuracy and expedite updates in a more timely manner not unlike a wiki-project.


Family Business

Add a family business page to your keepsake booklet. As you put together your attendee registration database include information regarding the various businesses owned by family members including those who sell Avon products and such. Family members may wish to purchase a space or whole page in the booklet to provide more details regarding the business. Proceeds go to the event or committee treasury. Use the blank page found in the booklet template for adding additional business pages.


In Memoriam

The In Memoriam section can include information from the obituary of recently deceased elders and other family members. Some like to add excerpts from a bio as well as a poem or two in this section. http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/family_reunion_poems.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.


Fimark's Family Reunion Booklet

Includes: A Beautiful Booklet Cover, Page to place a copy of the Welcome Letter
from Town Officials, Our Family History Page, In Memoriam Page,
Dinner Banquet Program, Family Business Cards Display, Address/Phone Directory,
Acknowledgements, Blank Templates for adding other features including reunion events,
other photos and more.


Booklet Cover Chairperson Welcome Official Welcome History Page In Memoriam Reunion Activites
Dinner Program Family Businesses Address/Phone Directory Acknowledgements Blank Template


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  at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Gotta Love It!



Here is a shout out to family reunion planners in
South Carolina, 
Maryland and Virginia!


1. Gotta Love It!

"I love this application!" That's what users are saying about Fimark's Family Reunion Planner. Remember that the planner also comes with a family reunion planning book that ships out as soon as you get the immediate download. And don't forget to check out the spectacular family reunion themes included!


2. Great Themes For Your Reunion

In case some of you did not know we made major changes to how you plan your family reunion event. Now our online family reunion planning interface begins with selecting your theme. That feature was introduced back in 2010 with Fimark's Family Reunion Planner upgrade. Think that was exciting? Now the spectacular family reunion theme planning package is better than ever!

After we partnered with zazzle.com we put together a themed based package that allows reunion planners to select event wear and correspondence by theme. The  beauty of this is now you don't have to stress over how to conceptualize a theme idea, related activities and dinner program that is inspiring, motivating and above all mutually understood by all in the event group. It's all there for the taking. Just review, edit and your done!

Five Beautiful and Inspiring Reunion Themes

In the Family Reunion Planner there is an application along with worksheets for each family reunion theme.
A total of five themes are featured. These themes include:
The Traditional Family Reunion
The Family Reunion Cruise
The Family Fest Reunion Theme
The Living Legends Ball Family Reunion
The Genealogy & Homestead Tour Family Reunion

Now each theme comes with it's own official theme logo. Included in the package is a correspondence package consisting of matching flyers, greeting cards and invitations. But that's not all! There is now an ensemble of matching three piece reunion event wear including T-shirt, cap and apron. Best of all each attendee can order their own reunion event wear once they have received an invitation and url or link to the order web page.

Preview the ensemble of reunion event wear at
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/spectacular-events-planner.html


3. Reunion Preparation Reminders

Now is the time to check where you are on the "Family Reunion
Timeline Checklist". You should have collected photos, stories, genealogy research and have started on your photo and genealogy presentations. These will go in family reunion keepsake booklet.
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/family_reunion_booklet.html

Your T-shirts order should be submitted and in process. If not, order them today! No more time to delay. When the shirts arrive you'll need to check each one and return a few for replacement. Plan to have your t-shirts on hand by the end of April or early May. Haven't settled on a vendor yet? Get bulk discounts on t-shirts at http://www.zazzle.com/zzibcnet* and save up to 57%.

Committee members should have their department assignments and task worksheets found in Fimark's Family Reunion Planner (Workbooks sections). Make sure they are making progress on assigned tasks.


4. Reunion Planner Tips

Some attendees will simply not get the t-shirt fee payments in on time. Once you have ordered the t-shirts and received the bulk discounts others may still want to order more. Just email them with the reunion event theme and this link(unaltered) http://www.zazzle.com/zzibcnet* No more worries.

April is crunch time! Don't put off in an hour what you can do this minute. That's right if it's on your mind and you have a few minutes to spare first write down your task, then have at it.


5.  Money Saving Time

It's also money saving time. Lot's of event planners are making pit stops at Dollars Stores. Yes Dollar Stores to find materials and creative ideas for decor, games and party favors. But if you really want to save shop at Online Stores like Amazon.com  Brenda and I bought our next generation phones from Verizon. We were excited when they were delivered early in the week. 

We went to the local Verizon store for setup service. While there we looked over the accessories but found the prices rather steep so we went online to my favorite shopping place Amazon.com. We found the same accessories for half the list price and were able to get other items with the money we saved. In addition if you buy over $25 in qualified merchandise you get free shipping. Needless to say is was a great money-saving shopping day.

Mobile devices can help you save hours carrying out event planning, organizing and management tasks. Invest in a next generation mobile device such as an ipad, android tablet or one of the larger phones.
For more information go to http://www.amazon.com

Planning a family reunion? Don't have Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app yet? Get it at this summers discount special. List Price $49. Now $39 for a limited time. You save $10 dollars. No coupon code needed. For more information about the family reunion planning app click on the link found on this blog page or go to profiles.


Happy Reunion Planning Everyone!

Mark and Brenda

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

5 Great Fund Raising Ideas


So your family reunion event is just around the corner and your reunion dollars are low. How do you use those few dollars to make more funds?  One word. Sell. Find free or cheaply prices items, mark them up and sell them at your next fundraiser. It really is that simple. But it can get even simpler.

Online Fund Raisers


One of the most time efficient and cost effective ways to raise funds is to promote a fundraiser to all family members via your google+ or facebook page. You can do this easily using your FRP Social Interface. Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social features great fundraiser ideas which I will discuss later in this article.

Another way is using a standalone application and pre-built website all in one by the MyEvent.com people. These folks have been online for 11 years and have learned out to give the online community want they need in terms of a functional fundraising application Take a tour at Myevent.com

Another great way to raise funds is selling family reunion t-shirts.  T-shirts are designed to promote awareness and to send a message about the importance of standing together. Much more attractive compared to signs and when priced right they encourage contributing to the cause. It's amazing how easy it is to design and promote t-shirt sales online.  Simply design the shirt, price the shirt and send reunion attendees a link to the design.  You can adjust the price of the shirts to include additional funds in care of the event.  A great place to go to do this at Customink.com

Park and City Square Fund Raising


Consider raising funds for your event by holding a performance at a busy local city/town square or street corner. Simply have very talented volunteers perform at the busy location for two or more hours. Carefully place a hat or collections pan near the performing artists. If talent is limited consider having a bubble show in a park or open area. Make sure you are a considerable distance from oncoming traffic. Review this video for setup and location ideas.




Backyard Fundraisers - What To Sell?

Now lets say you want to have a fundraiser in your backyard. Many attendees are frugal and will not buy just anything. Offer coupon books, gift cards and event accessories such as coolers, bags, caps and outdoor sportswear. Print and frame poems that will be featured at the family reunion banquet dinner. You'll find 5 popular artistically designed printable family reunion poems in Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app.

Books DVD's Music CD's and more Books
While frequenting weekend flea markets Brenda and I found the the hot sellers were books, music CD's, DVD's and vintage posters. The trick to big sales  at your fund raiser is knowing the titles of books and DVD's your attendees will want to buy. So how do you start?

You could email all your family reunion attendees and ask for suggestions on book, music and movie titles they're interested in. Create a log list of titles then start collecting books by asking for donations from the family, friends and acquaintances  Most family members are more than happy to donate books to free up space in an apartment or small home. Collect books from library book sales and giveaways.  

Dollar stores are a great place to find 5 to 10 year old best sellers dirt cheap.  Now is the perfect season to go on the hunt for most wanted titles at yard sales and flea markets. Flea market and yard sale managers tend to cut prices much lower during the late summer month compared to early spring.

Don't have time for all that footwork? Go online to places like amazon.com or Google shopping. You'll find books as low as 50 cents. Don't forget to take advantage of free shipping. Makes it all worthwhile.  


Getting The The Book and DVD Titles Right

Knowing how to stocking up on cheap books and DVD's in preparation for your fund raiser is just half the battle. You also need to know how to get books and DVD's your buyers want.  You could ask. But chances are you'll get little response.  A time saving approach would be to make use of your FRP Social Interface. Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social features a sortable searchable database listing all your facebook friends and family who members who have facebook accounts.  The database contains their photo, name, birthday, relationship status and interests in books, movies and music titles in categorical order. Takes all the guess work out of finding titles, movies and music they are sure to like.



Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social is a family reunion planning application. Get this browser based application along with the award winning family reunion planner with the reunion planning ebook. 

Acquiring Hot Sale Items


How To Find Book Titles:  After get access to Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social locate the Invitees Interest List database on the interface. Move the slide bar to the Books category. Notices the titles of books listed by each friend and family member. Focus on the titles listed buy folks likely to attend the fund raiser. Copy and paste the title onto a list. Once you have the most popular titles go to an online price comparison market and purchase the books at the lowest price.  You may even consider purchasing other titles written by the same author.  Even if the attendees who listed the title do not purchase the book they will likely recommend it to others at your fund raising event thus promoting sales. 

How To Find Music Titles:  Look over each attendees favorite titles as listed in the FRP Social database and purchase the more popular music titles listed. in addition, if you notice that many of your attendees like the same titles and artists consider purchasing several titles by that particular artist. 

How To Find Movie Titles: Use a similar method when purchasing movie DVD's. Focus on the more popular movie titles of the same genre by the same director.


Find dirt cheap new and used books CD's and DVD's at discount warehouse prices at online stores. Compare prices and buy cheap. Take advantage of free shipping offers. Fimark Home Online has a gateway to some of the best quality and lowest priced products and goods online.  



Sell Restored Vintage Photo Keepsakes

Nothing touches tugs and pulls at the heartstring more than a family reunion keepsake and heirloom in the making. 

Here are some 5 great family heirloom fundraising ideas to make your family reunion fundraiser a great success. 

1. Framed Extended Family Photos
2. Framed Vintage Family Photos 
3. Restored Dated Family Photos
4. Combine Subjects of Two Separate Photos into one Restored Portrait.

Restoration: How to do it. 
Step 1. Create a fundraising account with paypal. 
Step 2. Take a digital picture of each photo you want restored or combined. 
Step 3. Send them to Fimark Home Online via email. Submit to fimarkhome@gmail.com with the words "Photo Restoration Request" or "Combine Subjects Request" in the Subject line and attach photos to the message. Your photos will be process within 48 to 72 hours.
Step 4. Once the work is done you can view the images on a private webpage. 
Step 5. After purchasing the restored high resolution digital image you can print it and frame it for sale at your fundraiser.

You can also send family members to the private photo viewing page. When they purchase the image they are forwarded to the high-res page via email and funds are added to your paypal account within 24 hours. 


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 attendees share in organizing and managing some aspect of the event to ensure that they will be present to bid.

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.

For more ideas to get your fundraiser off the ground consult Fimark's award winning Family Reunion Planner Social web app for use in your Chrome browser. What, don't have FRP Social yet? Good news. The app is reduced from $49 to only $40 for a limited time.

Planning a family reunion? Don't have Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app yet? Get it at this summers discount special. List Price $49. Now $39 for a limited time. You save $10 dollars. No coupon code needed. For more information about the family reunion planning app click on the link found on this blog page or go to profiles.


Monday, March 4, 2013

How to Design Family Reunion T-shirts

It's family reunion t-shirt designing time! This month you want to wrap up your family reunion planning tasks and jump to the task of designing your family reunion t-shirts. That means getting the committee to adopt their mission and vote on the family reunion theme, slogan, logo and color.  

Before you take a vote there are a few important event defining items to put on the table, five to be exact. 


1. Event Title    2. Theme    3. Mission    4.  Slogan    5Logo


Event Title: It's important that the committee making the final decision on the t-shirt design are familiar with the meaning behind the event title and how it relates to the mission. The title can be printed on the t-shirt, banner and any event keepsakes and party favors.

Theme: The theme may address the direction you will take to accomplish your mission. It may focus on the activities involved providing a central definition of purpose in just a few words. 

Example: "2020 Cousins United." 
In this example the theme focuses on reuniting the cousins of the family and all that this may imply including meeting and greeting, exchanging contact information, sharing photos or slideshow presentations of days gone by.  Enjoying entertainment characteristic of the cousins generation. Visiting the homestead and enjoying festivities as a group.

Mission: The mission is the vision of purpose. It defines the ultimate purpose and objective for having the event and therefore sets the bar or standard for each participant to fulfill as well as the elements needed to realize that purpose. 

Example: "Our mission is to discover, promote and manage family interests while introducing a  community built by the hard work of a strong house. It is our objective to give our children a sense of purpose and place and pass the torch of family responsibility and reward onto them."

Slogan: The slogan is the motivating catchy phrase that encapsulates both the mission and theme.

Example: "Knowing Our Purpose, Discovering Our Place, Enjoying the Rewards."

Once these elements have been defined it's time to design the shirt.

Designing T-Shirt Logos
Most of us are not masters of brush and canvas. But that okay. Not everyone is a rocket scientist either. The fact is art is everywhere. In creation art is free for the taking. So take pictures and use it as a guide to design your logo. Take a look inside your photo editing application and you'll likely find free images ideal for logo design. 

If you have access to Fimark's Family Reunion Planner web application you have access to scores of family reunion logos ideal for your t-shirt design project.  If you're still looking for logos there are plenty to choose from at http://family-reunion-t-shirts.fimark.net 

Once you've settled on the t-shirt logo design it's time to pull it all together adding the Title, logo and slogan on a colorful shirt of your choosing.  Use a quality t-shirt design web application like those found at Zazzle or Custom Ink.

Zazzle.com
http://www.zazzle.com


Custom Ink
http://www.customink.com

Once you choose a pre-designed family reunion t-shirt you can select the color, fabric and shirt style according to size, age or gender. Edit it adding the Title and them and create a link to your design. Families can view the design and purchase shirts from their own device. No need to collect orders! 

Take into account t-shirt design app services that Free Shipping No Minimums and bulk order discounts. Prices as low as $12.00 a shirt. 


Taking T-shirt Orders 
There are three ways to do this. Collect orders from family members. Contact households that have registered but have not submitted all the information you need regarding t-shirt sizes and quantity. Remind family members that they may wish to order a few extra in case of accidental spills, tears,soiling or as a memento

Organizing T-shirt Orders

The Family Reunion Planner including the Attendee Registration Roster 

The Family Reunion Attendee Registration Roster is an Excel and Open Office compatible spreadsheet for entering t-shirt order information such as orders by household, family member, t-shirt size, cost and payment status. In addition, use the spreadsheet database as contact  record. Easily enter survey data and create preference ranking reports. Transform surveys into charts for committee meetings and newsletters. Also enter committee members and departmental assignments. Using Google Docs the  Attendee Registration Roster can be edited in real time from most devices.

Features include: Household Count, Household Names, Age, Relation,
Home Address, Phone Numbers
(Home/Cell), Email, Attending - Yes/No, Dues
Paid, Balance, Number of T-shirts Ordered, Special Needs
(Disabilities, Allergies, etc.), Survey Entry,
Committee Member, Assignments and more.

Get the Family Reunion Attendee Registration Roster in Fimark's Family Reunion
Planner. For more information go to... http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Happy Family Reunion Planning


#t-shirts, #how to design a tshirt, #how to design family reunion t-shirts, #reunion t-shirt designs, #family reunion t-shirts, 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Family Reunion Activities and Observances

Here's a shout out to family reunion planners in Detroit, Michigan, Chicago, Baltimore, MD and Washington DC.

Have you payed homage to the African American contribution to society yet? If so, congratulations. I hope you were inspired by the courage, insight, wisdom and humanitarian interest reflected in each story. It's not too late to schedule a weekend tour of Blacks 'n Wax in Baltimore MD, The Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum in Baltimore MD or checkout special tours and presentations at the Smithsonian in Washington DC.  

Family Activities Inspired by Black History Month:

  • Join or form a Family History Society
  • Donate to your favorite cultural charity
  • Visit a cultural museum or community art gallery
  • Write about your families contribution to history and your community.
  • Read a grade level book regarding notable achievements to your children.
  • Volunteer in some way to give back to the community.
  • Visit sites that focus on contributions from people of other cultures. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/bhm/index.html
    http://black-history.fimark.net

Other Monthly Observances
  • May 12 to June 16 - "Family Reunion Month"
  • July - National Family Reunion Month
  • November - Named November as "Family Reunion Planning Month
  • November 21-24 as "Family Reunion Planning Week.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_reunion

Family Reunion Activities
Want to make your family reunion more a historic appeal. Add one or
more of the following activities to your family reunion program:

Historic Skits Reenactments
Highlight pivotal points in a family's history. Participants are
introduced to the art of developing a timeline as well as period
research with a focus on costume design, customs, dialogue and
social, economic and technological developments.

Story Telling
A fascinating art that brings to life tales of ancestors and their
accomplishments. Along with stories of legends of the past, life
lessons are taught. The meaning behind family traditions are shared
while relaying important family history factoids and the ties that
bind.

Genealogy Tours
Take the family on an exciting tour of important genealogical hot
spots including the family homestead, the towns in which the family
settled, the jobs they held, machines they worked, markets they
traded and streets they walked as well as social activities they
immersed themselves into.

Genealogy Presentations
A Presentation of historic documents and vintage artifacts that
identify timelines, economic status, historic events and locations
of ancestors.

Family Reunion Keepsake Booklets
Get more details about these activities using Fimark's Family Reunion Planner at
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

7 Tips To Plan Your Family Reunion

I hope to take Brenda on a much needed cruise and visit Hawaii's reunion planners while photoing some of the most fascinating exotic islands along the way and then I'll upload them all on my Pinterest Board. http://pinterest.com/fimarkhome

2. Planning A Family Reunion Cruise
Did you know that hundreds of our readers and web application users have successfully completed their family reunion planning early? The question is how did they do it? 

If you're anxious to get your family reunion event planing off the ground consider travel packages. Family reunion cruises are gaining popularity. Best of all you only need to handle group booking and can enjoy all the savings and special amenities group plans include. Now's the time to look for great deals on summer and fall cruises for 2013 - 2014.  For more info go to http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/reunion-travel-vacation.html 




7 Tips To Plan Your Family Reunion

1. Delegate ASAP
Form a reunion committee comprised of at least one additional member per 20 attendees. Get a checklist of event planning tasks. Recruit and delegate tasks immediately. Follow up on progress made and keep everyone from getting in each others 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 knows 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 well in advance is all that's needed to rally
support. Give them a heads up on when the event will take place, what the activities are and how they can help. Now they can schedule time off or adjust their vacation plans to include the reunion. That said, I recommended that the event be planned at least 7 months ahead of time. 12 or more months advance notice would be ideal.

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 follow-up promptly.

For example, if there is a need to schedule a tour of a resort, order catering and have a professional on location photo shoot you'll need to know when to make those 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. By the way, if you're considering a family reunion cruise it's all in the package. Like that Lionel Richie song, all you need to do is "Go, Go, Go..."

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. Reunion Planning Web Applications

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. Fimark's Family Reunion Planner web application includes a family reunion Cruise Planner complete with activities and itinerary.

7. Event Planning Books 
Prefer an event planning book? Get Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Keepsake Guide Book http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007VFVM4K. 
The Family Reunion Planner book includes a family reunion Cruise Planner complete with event planning checklist, packing checklist, activities and  itinerary.

Now's the time to look for great deals on summer and fall cruises for 2013 - 2014. For more info go to http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/reunion-travel-vacation.html