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Our Motto

family reunions are more than just a picnic.

We believe reunions have the power to nourish and strengthen families of all races and ethnicities. Reunions can encourage healthy extended family relationships, provide a sense of belonging, restore family pride, nurture and respect all generations, and impart wisdom, knowledge and a shared purpose. Our goal is to strengthen, inspire and support family reunion planning; share useful information and resources; and advocate for the teaching of family and reunion history, values and experiences.


PLANNING A FAMILY REUNION? NEED TIPS? Click below for tips on:


  • PLANNING A FAMILY REUNION on GENEALOGY QUICK START TV (video)
  • ASSEMBLING A PLANNING TEAM
  • COUNTDOWN / TIMELINE
  • GET ORGANIZED
  • REUNION ACTIVITIES
  • SUZANNE  & DOUG'S FIX FOR 1ST TIME PLANNERS
  • SWEET TIPS FOR FAMILY REUNION PLANNERS
  • WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW


NEED HELP WITH STICKY FAMILY REUNION SITUATIONS? CLICK HERE.

STICKY REUNION SITUATION

FAMILY = ADOPTED MEMBERS TOO

                                         THE SITUATION


A family cousin has adopted three siblings she’s been fostering for over five  years. The children have been part of the family since she first got them. She has signed them up to receive several of the educational awards we provide to school-aged students. However, some family members say the awards should be for blood family members only. These children have been part of our lives for 5 years, it seems wrong not to let them be included. What do you think?  


                                         CLICK HERE FOR THE FIX


Dr. Vargus reminds us...

JUNETEENTH WAS THE BEGINNING OF FAMILY REUNIONS


“Slavery in this country disrupted the family structure, particularly since slavery allowed for no legal marriage, no legal family and no legal control over the children. As soon as slavery ended, women and men went about trying to put the family back together. The stories of the formerly enslaved trying to locate their families after the original Juneteenth is inspiring, to say the least." 


To read her full statement in the current press release CLICK HERE  

JUNE 2022

CELEBRATING DADS & GRADS


June is the month for dads, grads, and summer fun—including family reunions. The month of June is significant not only because of Father’s Day, but for Juneteenth, (also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day), an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery. Loving Day, an annual celebration held on June 12th, the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia which struck down all anti-miscegenation laws remaining in sixteen U.S. states. And World Refugee Day, June 20, identified by the United Nations to raise public awareness about refugee situations throughout the world.  


June is also the month for the Army’s Birthday, National SAFE Day, Let It Go Day, Forgiveness Week, Say Something Nice Day, Make Life Beautiful Day, Sauntering Day (meaning: slow down and take it easy), World Environment Day, World Oceans Day, Nature Photography Day, National Nursing Assistants Week, Men’s Health Week, Community Health Improvement Week, National Garden Week, National Play Catch Week, Great Outdoors Month, and so much more. Check out our list of  75+ June observances and celebrations on FAMILY TIME. We’ve got dads and grads covered with this month’s REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH, WORTH REPEATING, poetry, and more. Dads are an important part of our family structure all year long. And while they often get shortchanged on gifts and cards, let’s do our best not to take them for granted. Let’s embrace, encourage, enjoy, and show them much love. (And if your own dad is not around to be the recipient of your expressions of love, search out another family dad, particularly elders. I’m sure they’d appreciate the extra attention.)  


Here’s hoping you and your family are able to spend more time together celebrating family dads. We hope 2022 grads are able to celebrate their accomplishments by donning caps and gowns and walking down aisles. And we’re hopeful we all get to spend a plentiful amount of time with family—at live reunions—having fun. Let’s continue to vax, mask and test so we can (finally) put covid to rest.   


Until then be safe. Social distance responsibly, wash your hands. Stay well. And enjoy the end of Spring and the beginning of Summer.   


-------------------------- 

NEW NOW:  

- Reunion Tip of the Month 

- Family Time 

- Support for Dads 

- Becoming a Better Dad 

- Worth Repeating for Dads 

- Worth Repeating for Grads 

- Poem for Dads 

- Poem for Grads

- Juneteenth   

- Sticky Reunion Situation 


LATER THIS MONTH:

- Practical Family Reunion Planning 

- Did You Know??? 


reUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

reUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

reUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

Did you know that according to the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, in 2020 15.3 million (21%) children live with their mother only compared with 7.6 million (11%) in 1968. And that 3.3 million (4.5%) live only with their dads in 2020, compared with 0.8 million (1%) in 1968)?  Because so many children visit with dad rather than live with him, it’s important to take the time to really get to know who your dad is. One of our best pieces of advice for Father’s Day is to spend time getting to know him. 


Do you know what you have in common with your dad? Do you know what the dads in your family have in common with each other? Use this month to ask questions and get answers. And get dad (or his parents to show you pictures of him growing up. Ask questions about their favorite time of year, color, food, book; childhood memories and family traditions; favorite school activities, subject and hang-out spot growing up; best and worst job; what they’re most proud of; their biggest fear; if they could get a “life do-over” what would they change, etc.  


Ask family members to interview their dads and send responses to a designated family member who can put all the information together for sharing with the whole family. And don’t forget to take new pics of dads with their kids! 


family time

reUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

reUNION TIP OF THE MONTH

June is known for Summer fun, Father’s Day, National Garden Week, National Play Catch Week and Great Outdoors Month, and that’s where most folks are clamoring to be in June—outdoors, especially for gardening and barbecuing with dads, grads, family…and family reunions. So take a look at all the different days that can be observed and celebrated this month and make a plan to spend family time with dad—and the rest of the folks. Take time out to make new memories, and don’t forget to take pics!  


Looking for something creative, different, and fun to do with the family this month? Want to spend more time together? Check out our selected list of June observances for your family to celebrate, explore, and enjoy…together! Turning these observances into great family time is easy. On days that celebrate foods, incorporate them into your family meal, show the kids how it’s made, or research why that date was selected. On dates with activities, incorporate them into your daily plan. On all other days have a discussion, do some research, discover something new about the day. Make a game of it, get the whole family involved, and have some fun!   

click here for more ...

support for dads

becoming a better dad

becoming a better dad

Dads are often thought of as one or more of these types: absentee, affectionate, coach, compassionate, cool, geek, handyman, interactive, involved, loveable, nurturing, overbearing, playful, proud, provider, responsible, superman/hero, teacher, thoughtful, workaholic, etc. Some people even think of dads in military terms: MIA (missing in action), AWOL (absent without leave), Reserved Duty (slow to interact or reveal emotion), Active Duty (all in, all the time).  As children we want our dads to show up and be present. To help and not hurt us. To teach and not impair us. To embrace and not wound us. To love and not fail us.


But what do you do if you’re a male, on the cusp of being a father, with no role model or anyone to help you navigate one of the most important undertakings of your life? Afterall they say you can’t teach what you don’t know.   


You get help. Do some research to find resource(es) that can help you become the father you want to become. Here are two websites to help you get started your journey:  https://thedadgang.com/ 

https://www.allprodad.com/ 

becoming a better dad

becoming a better dad

becoming a better dad

There's a list, 100 Ways to be a Better Father. We picked our favorite list of "10" below, and we challenge all dads to checkout the list for themselves, pick their favorites, and then daily, weekly or monthly add a couple more to yo


1. Be present with your children. 

2. Say I love you. A lot. 

3. Heap lavish amounts of praise on your kids. 

4. Focus on the positive when speaking to your children.

5. Don’t be afraid to show your emotions. 

6. Listen to your kids with all of your attention. 

7. Hold your kids accountable for their actions and words.

8. Spend some one-on-one time with your child. 

9. Forgive dad for any grudges you hold against him. 

10. Make amends when you’re wrong. 


WORTH REPEATING...for dads

WORTH REPEATING...for grads

WORTH REPEATING...for grads

“What makes you a man is not the ability to have a child — it’s the courage to raise one.” —Barack Obama


“Every father bears a fundamental obligation to do right by their children.” —Barack Obama 


“Above all, children need our unconditional love — whether they succeed or make mistakes; when life is easy and when life is tough.” —Barack Obama 


“One of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” —Howard W. Hunter 


“Every father should remember one day his son will follow his example, not his advice.” —Charles Kettering 


“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” —Frederick Douglass 


"The value of a loving father has no price."  —Unknown  


"A great father is no great man unless his child respects him." —Unknown 

WORTH REPEATING...for grads

WORTH REPEATING...for grads

WORTH REPEATING...for grads

“Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” —Martin Luther King Jr.


“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” —B.B. King


“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” —Arthur Ashe


“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” —Steve Jobs


“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” —Anthony Robbins


“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” —Milton Berle


“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.” —Leonardo da Vinci


“To those of you who received honors, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you too may one day be president of the United States.” —George W. Bush 


poem for dads

poem for grads

poem for grads

Perfect Dad Blend  by Joanna Fuchs 


I am glad you're my father, 

You're really the best, 

As a dad, you're a fine one, 

I'm so very blessed. 

You're smart, and you're strong, 

Just a perfect dad blend, 

You're my father, my counselor, 

And a really good friend.


poem for grads

poem for grads

poem for grads

Always Be A Student  by Joanna Fuchs 


Keep on learning, though your graduation's done, 

Your whole life's an education, that has only just begun. Your diploma is the first big step, 

For knowledge is the special key, 

To winning what you want in life, 

And being who you want to be. 

If you'll always be a student, 

You'll find the secrets to success, 

And travel on the golden road, 

To peace and happiness. 


In case you missed it...

The Family Reunion Institute held a 

VIRTUAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNERS WORKSHOP

on Saturday, April 30, 2022 l 12pm-2pm EDT

We had a great time with fellow family reunion planners,

and enjoyed information provided by our sponsor

VISIT FAIRFAX.

HERE'S WHAT ATTENDEES HAD TO SAY,

followed by ratings they gave the workshop: 

-Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.  

-This was great!!  

-Great job!  

-Good information.  

-Very informative.  

-Thank you for a great workshop and presentations!   

Overall, how would you rate today’s workshop?

Overall, how would you rate today’s workshop?

Overall, how would you rate today’s workshop?

57% (Excellent) 

38% (Very Good)

 5% (Good)

How organized was the event?

Overall, how would you rate today’s workshop?

Overall, how would you rate today’s workshop?

60% (Extremely)

40% (Very)

how Was event lengTH?

Overall, how would you rate today’s workshop?

on a scale of 1-10, How likely are you to attend a future workshop?

95% (About Right) 

  5% (Too Short)

on a scale of 1-10, How likely are you to attend a future workshop?

on a scale of 1-10, How likely are you to recommend a future event ?

on a scale of 1-10, How likely are you to attend a future workshop?

64% (10 - Highly Likely) 

17% (9) 

  5% (8) 

on a scale of 1-10, How likely are you to recommend a future event ?

on a scale of 1-10, How likely are you to recommend a future event ?

on a scale of 1-10, How likely are you to recommend a future event ?

71% (10 - Highly Likely) 

12% (9) 

  5% (8) 


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