Volunteer to serve as the reunion committee chairperson.
Contact Visit Winston-Salem to request a complimentary copy of the Winston-Salem Family Reunion Planning Guide.
Mail a survey to family members asking for their opinions and suggestions for food, entertainment, themes and events.
Select a reunion theme.
Select dates for the reunion.
Create a budget for the reunion.
Research possible locations for your reunion; contact
Visit Winston-Salemfor list of local hotels, meeting rooms, attractions, parks and other sites.
Compile a list of family members and their addresses. Use a computer and save it on a disk so as to easily share with other family members and to have a back-up, just in case.
Send out an initial mailer to family members, in order to give advance notice of reunion dates and events.
Research and determine if any family members have special talents in the event you need entertainment during the reunion.
Contact Visit Winston-Salem for assistance with accommodations for out-of-town guests.
If needed, plan fundraising activities.
Design and mail invitations.
Visit the reunion Web site, for general set-up details; develop a room layout for the reunion meeting room/picnic shelter.
Select a committee member from each branch of your family tree, so as to improve communications.
Assign duties to family members; ask for volunteers to serve on committees such as welcome, fundraising or local host.
Determine if your family has a genealogist who can provide information about your family's history.
Look for family memorabilia to display.
Compile historical information about your family.
Plan activities.
Plan games.
Plan entertainment based on earlier survey results; contact Visit Winston-Salem for a list of local entertainers.
Plan menu based on earlier survey results; contact Visit Winston-Salem for a list of local caterers or ideas for food.
Hire a photographer to document the major reunion events and/or take a family photograph.
Develop a schedule for the reunion.
Mail a reunion reminder to family members.
Rent/secure equipment needed for games or activities.
If holding games or other activities, buy or prepare awards, certificates and prizes.
Prepare name tags or contact Visit Winston-Salem to learn more about our name tag service.
Make sure the video camera battery is charged and the camera is loaded with film; be sure to have extra film and batteries at the reunion.
Staff the reunion with a welcoming committee to greet attendees.
Host the reunion.
Host "icebreaker" activities to encourage everyone to get acquainted.
Take plenty of photographs.
Collect updated information from family members before they leave.
Ask guests to evaluate the reunion with a post-reunion survey.
Solicit a family member to chair the next reunion or serve on the committee; pass on a "reunion notebook" with this checklist along with your year's worth of work.
Settle finances with all vendors and family members.
 
 

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