I have created a family reunion website at the MyEvent.com for my family members. This website was fairly easy to set up and the monthly fee is reasonable. With this website, the cousins who can’t make it to the reunion can still interact with each other as it has pages like family profiles, photos, memorials, family memories, family recipes and guest book besides the reunion schedule, registration, travellers’ information etc. They have lots of good information on their website and also send you weekly email newsletters.
https://myevent.com/family-reunions
I coordinated the first family reunion in 1993 and learned a lot from this experience. This time I am making sure that I recruit more volunteers in advance and have set up a reunion planning committee. With the first family reunion, I was working a full-time job and this time I am retired. I also have one brother living in the same city as me who is very interested in this and is helping. In the beginning I listed out some potential locations and he went with me to see them. It is very important to bounce off ideas with family members and friends.
To cut down on expenses, we are looking at borrow items like the photo booth and props, outdoor games, decorations, etc. And I am looking at Etsy for some purchases and doing some DIY projects. One can even rent the DJ equipment with an iPad and pay a third of the price compared to hiring a DJ with equipment.
I am also approaching people who I know in the local Ukrainian volunteer community to assist with the Ukrainian entertainment, staffing and table displays etc. For example, I might have a lead on a Ukrainian newcomer who can edit the 1993 video of our last family reunion. The staff who we have to hire at the event (liquor ticket sellers, security), I am hoping to get Ukrainian newcomers. I am lucky that some of my cousins still speak Ukrainian as this will add to our heritage theme.
We are also holding this reunion at the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex in Edmonton, AB so of course we will be served Ukrainian food at the banquet buffet!
Social media has made it a lot easier to locate cousins especially with Facebook. And obituaries have helped to fill in the information on marriages, children and grandchildren.
As mentioned in my previous article, I am using Evernote and Trello to keep organized and on track.
One of the exciting new projects is a family heritage cookbook and there are lots of ideas online and even some templates. However, note that the printer told me to be careful on which fonts I use as they can get messed up with the printing equipment. One can print the cookbooks locally at a reasonable price and with a short timeline. I checked out a few different printers’ websites first. I am using College Copy Shop in downtown Edmonton at https://collegecopyshop.com/
Social media has made it a lot easier to locate cousins especially with Facebook. And obituaries have helped to fill in the information on marriages, children and grandchildren.
As mentioned in my previous article, I am using Evernote and Trello to keep organized and on track.
One of the exciting new projects is a family heritage cookbook and there are lots of ideas online and even some templates. However, note that the printer told me to be careful on which fonts I use as they can get messed up with the printing equipment. One can print the cookbooks locally at a reasonable price and with a short timeline. I checked out a few different printers’ websites first. I am using College Copy Shop in downtown Edmonton at https://collegecopyshop.com/
One of the hardest tasks is locating all of the cousins as my ancestors came to Canada in 1897 and I am inviting all of the descendants of the first couple who stepping on Canadian soil, Elko and Anastasia Kalynchuk. Quite a few of their children, had many of their own and it continued! My estimate is that I have at least 300 cousins! Thirty years ago in 1993, I was in contact with more of my elder Aunts and Uncles. Now I am mainly working with a new generation, who are spread around the world. And now I am the Auntie. I am also doing a second family history book, this time for the period of 1994 - 2024.
As I continue working on this family reunion, I will be editing and updating this article as I want to include all of the lessons learned and tips.
As I continue working on this family reunion, I will be editing and updating this article as I want to include all of the lessons learned and tips.
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Family Reunions: 10 Steps to Plan (and Save Your Sanity)
Family Tree Magazine.com, by Mary Snyder
https://familytreemagazine.com/reunions/10-steps-to-family-reunion-success/
Family Reunion Planning Checklist Free Download
By Family Tree Editors (excellent checklist)
https://familytreemagazine.com/freebie/free-family-reunion-checklist/
Checklist: How to Plan a Family Reunion
Join Cake.com, by Sarah Kessler
https://www.joincake.com/blog/family-reunion/
The Complete Guide to Planning a Memorable Family Reunion
KOA.com, August 29, 2023
https://koa.com/blog/family-reunion-planning-guide/
Family Reunion Checklist
https://www.familyreunionhelper.com/media/docs/family_reunion_checklist.pdf
Family Tree Magazine.com, by Mary Snyder
https://familytreemagazine.com/reunions/10-steps-to-family-reunion-success/
Family Reunion Planning Checklist Free Download
By Family Tree Editors (excellent checklist)
https://familytreemagazine.com/freebie/free-family-reunion-checklist/
Checklist: How to Plan a Family Reunion
Join Cake.com, by Sarah Kessler
https://www.joincake.com/blog/family-reunion/
The Complete Guide to Planning a Memorable Family Reunion
KOA.com, August 29, 2023
https://koa.com/blog/family-reunion-planning-guide/
Family Reunion Checklist
https://www.familyreunionhelper.com/media/docs/family_reunion_checklist.pdf
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