Our Motto

It’s October and Dr. Ione Vargus, along with the Family Reunion Institute Advisory Board, invite you to join us for the first in a series of workshops designed specifically for family reunion planners. You responded to our recent survey and identified the topics you need help with. We’ve reviewed what you’ve said and have planned workshops in response to your needs. The first workshop is on Saturday, October 23rd, and it’s FREE. Workshop topics are Successful Fundraising Suggestions, Assembling an Effective Planning Team, and Creating a Tech Solution that Fits Your Budget and Skills. Click the link at the top of this page for more info and to register. We look forward to seeing you. 

October is also host to Family History Month,  AIDS Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Global Diversity Awareness Month, Positive Attitude Month, Photographer Appreciation Month, and Learn to Bowl Month, along with Evaluate Your Life Day, Smart is Cool Day, Do Something Nice Day, You Matter to Me Day, Make a Difference Day, Get Smart About Credit Day, Kids Music Day, Train Your Brain Day, Halloween, and so much more. Read all about it in this month’s FAMILY TIME. This month’s REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH matches Photographer Appreciation month with Family History month. Practical Family Reunion Planning shares tips for seniors and elders. And you’ll find quotes about family in WORTH REPEATING.

Last December when the FDA issued the first Emergency Use Authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine, most of us were hopeful that by now the pandemic would be on its way out, and we’d be back to enjoying life again as we knew it before the great 2020 lockdown.  Instead, many variants have been identified, four of which are considered “variants of concern” by the World Health Organization—Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. Schools’ are in some phase of full swing (in person, digitally or hybrid), except for when they’re closed down because of a quarantine situation. Discussions about the wearing of masks and vaccines have gone from being hoped for and cherished, to creating a big divide across the country. And many of our plans for a 2021 reunion were on the chopping block right next to 2020’s. But let’s stay hopeful. 

Let’s hope that everyone will come to their senses and do what’s needed to keep us all safe and rid the country—once and for all—of Covid. Let’s hope that our children will be safely educated and back on track by the end of the school year. Let’s hope that all of the “Help Wanted” signs get permanently removed from our favorite restaurants and stores, and that people get back to being gainfully employed. Let’s hope that our reunions get moving in the right direction again. And that we become a nicer and kinder society.

We hope you have a great October. Take time to enjoy the radiant fall foliage, family, and reunion planning. Wear a mask. Stay socially distanced. Wash your hands. Be well. And don’t forget to register—to vote—and for the Family Reunion Planners Workshop!

------------------------------

NOW:
- Virtual Family Reunion Planners Workshop Registration

- Reunion Tip of the Month

- Family Time

- Practical Family Reunion Planning

- Worth Repeating
 

LATER:
- Sticky Reunion Situation

- Survey Data