> The Family Reunion Institute Home ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- http://www.temple.edu/FRI/familyreunion/conference.html The 14th National African American Family Reunion Conference will be held March 4-6 , 2005 at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel. Whether you are planning your 1st or 50th reunion, there's something useful and rewarding for everyone. We are still planning the program but in the meantime here is general information about the Family Reunion Institute Conference. The Family Reunion Conference is the only national meeting ground for family leaders. The conference provides resources and information for families who want to start a reunion tradition as well as for those who have held them for years but want new ideas. Organizations which work with children and families and who wish to use the family reunion concept as a way of strengthening families will also find this to be a helpful conference. The goal of the annual conference, according to Dr. Ione Vargus who has conducted extensive research on family reunions, is to enhance the strengths of the extended family. The program usually begins on Friday. Ten different workshops are offered between Friday and Saturday. . Within the ten workshops, however, there are about twenty to thirty different topics. Besides sharing basic information about organizing and funding the reunion, panelists present on interesting new activities at the reunion, instilling cultural rites and traditions, telling the history in different ways, identifying family decision-making strategies, involving the total family in the reunion planning, and passing the baton to the younger generation. Preserving memories through crafts as well as workshops dealing with social issues are usually included. Some examples are “Celebrating Family Diversity ” which looked at how we are handling the identity issue of bi-racial children and family members ; "Grandparents to Grandchildren" acknowledged our reslience in keeping the family together and “Land Conservation and Historic Preservation” explored how to conserve and preserve land left to the family. A Speak Out plenary session allows for networking and an interchange between families to raise specific issues not covered by workshops. The Sunday Worship Service helps families be sensitive to the religious diversity in their families by involving clergy and others from different World Religions and denominations. Bringing families together, one reunion at a time. For conference information, or to be on the mailing list call: Sylvia Ford-George, Portfolio Associates, Inc., 215 627-3660 or email: sfordgeorge@porfolioassociates.net. Also call or e-mail this contact if you wish a copy of the advertising and sponsorship rates. or to discuss the program, call or e-mail Dr. Ione D. Vargus 215-204-6244 or ivargus@temple.edu Hotel Reservations & Transportation For hotel accommodations contact: Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303 1 877 667-7210 and ask for the Family Reunion Conference The room fee is $89 plus tax per night for single, double, and triple The Registration Form should be complete and available after December 1, 2004. The following registration fees and form are from a previous year. The fees for the 2005 conference have not been decided as of July 31, 2004. HOW TO REGISTER These are the instructions for registering when we do have a conference. Full conference registration fee of $175.00 per person includes admission to all events, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday worship service. Friday only $100 includes admission to Friday , plenary session, workshops, reception and Sunday worship service Saturday only $100 includes admission to Saturday Speak Out, general session, lunch, workshops and Sunday worship service. Special rates of $125.00 each for family or organizations registering four or more, full time students, and persons over 65 Please print out, complete, and return the reservation form and send. Make your check payable to Temple University and mail to: Family Reunion Institute Temple University, School of Social Administration 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave. Philadelphia, Pa.19122 Continuing Education Credits offered by the School of Social Administration at Temple University. $10.00 For registration by phone, credit card and for further information contact: Visa, or Master Card accepted.