Goal: What are you trying to accomplish with the reunion?

Tasks necessary – pre- reunion:

1. graphics for email and snail mail
2. collect pictures and remembrances for memory book
3. print book
4. a Software for input of information
5. input of Family Tree information
6. collect relatives’ information
7. name tags
8. centerpieces
9. register attendees at event

Technology to help get you started

1. Reunion Planner software
2. www.reunionsmag.com
3. www.Family-reunion.com
4. Start your own website

Day of Reunion needs

1. Venue
2. Food
3. Program
4. Media
5. Attendees’ kits
6. Displays

SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Joan Glanz Rimmon
JoanGR@aol.com 

First things first:

Why create a newsletter?
What kind of news do you want to share?
Is it just going to be a “what’s new” kind of letter, or an educational and informational publication?
How often are you going to publish?
Who is your target readership?

Make a list of recipients.
Should you send by mail or e-mail?
Production and mailing costs.
Create mailing labels.
Organize them by family.
Get helpers to “stuff and stamp”.
Post that baby!!

Select your format
Computer generated or Typewriter (what!)
Black and white or color
Items to include:
News Items
Photos
Family Contact lists (keep them private)
Family trees
How many pages
Columns
Solicit reporters and guest editors.
Ask family members for information and stories.
Use photographs
Print old as well as new photos of family members and events.
Use your genealogy software to create birthday and anniversary lists.
Include family history and world events.
Find old newspaper articles about family members.
Recipes
Request family recipes to share.

Dealing with pictures
Digitally created or old photos?
Scan any old photos for use in the newsletter.
Use current photos of events:
New babies, Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Family Reunions, Anniversary parties
Birthday parties
Family Trees
To give the family members a sense of where they are on the growing family tree, include a tree every so often. Be sure to add new additions such as babies, spouses, and in-laws.

Last But Not Least - DON’T FORGET TO COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK.