| A successful turnout to your next family reunion will | | | | volunteers to run the kids corner. This is usually a |
| be directly influenced by the invitation, so you will | | | | craft table filled with fun scrap booking supplies paid |
| want your letter to show some excitement and | | | | for out of the money collected for the reunion. |
| convince them to come, join in the fun. I recommend | | | | 4. If you are going to be charging for something like: |
| you follow these seven easy steps, and by doing so | | | | horse rides; family T-shirts, Family Reunion |
| you should be able to create a letter that helps to | | | | Cookbooks, or collecting recipes to create a |
| bring a record turnout to this years party. | | | | cookbook then let them know who is in charge and |
| 1.First you need to contact everyone, so ask for help | | | | how much it will cost. |
| and compile a list. In order to save money and time | | | | 5. Important details to include are the date of the |
| email as many participants as possible. Set up a file | | | | event, the complete address of where it will be held, |
| folder, or label system depending on how your email | | | | and a map would be a nice added touch. What should |
| service works and label it '2010 Reunion' also set up a | | | | everyone bring? If potluck dishes (make sure they |
| category inside your the email contacts list where | | | | put their full names on tops and bottoms of |
| you can save all their addresses in one spot. Ask | | | | containers), also include a list of what kitchen facilities |
| everyone to reply back, and put in the subject line | | | | are available, or should they bring hot & cold picnic |
| '2010 Reunion' this will make sorting and referring | | | | coolers, beverages, etc., and will alcohol, coffee and |
| back to old emails much easier. | | | | tea be served. Again, if there is going to be a cost, |
| 2. Start a rough draft of the letter and then polish it | | | | then state clearly how much per person or family. |
| up until it is ready to send. You want the title and | | | | 6. Conclude your letter by requesting they let you |
| subtitle to explode out of the page by using some | | | | know as soon as possible if they can attend. It is |
| bold tactics, colors and large sized, fun, fonts. Use | | | | best to send your letter out far in advance before |
| words like: entertaining, enjoyable, amusing, exciting, | | | | people book that date for something else. As time |
| lively, relax, cheer, treat, hoopla, hilarity, laughs, and | | | | draws closer send out some periodic reminders and |
| delicious comfort food. | | | | rehash some of the important points. |
| 3. Tell them how much fun they are going to have | | | | 7. Now, you have your letter completed and ready |
| and then follow up with some great examples. At our | | | | to hit the send button, but before you send it off, |
| family reunions we usually end up with a fake | | | | proof read it again, looking for things that your spell |
| wedding and a hilarious fashion show like no other | | | | checker might not have caught. Try reading it out |
| that you have ever seen before. Invite them to | | | | loud to anyone that will listen, even the dog will do, |
| come out and meet the newest member of their | | | | and see how it sounds. You will never get it perfect |
| family and give the oldest member a hug. Let's not | | | | but when you feel it is good enough - send it off! |
| forget about the kids, so you may want to ask for | | | | |