Huntley Reunions

When are HNA Reunions held?

Reunions are held once a year, between mid-June and mid-August. A member family volunteers to make the arrangements for the reunion in their area. The family provides an “early bird” reception on Friday evening, finds group-rate lodging, rooms for business meetings, and chooses the restaurant and menu for the Saturday night meal and Sunday buffet. The best option is to have all activities in a hotel, if possible. The Host Family’s Genealogy is usually featured in the Reunion Booklet. A Host Guideline Document is available and previous hosts are always happy to assist new hosts. Everyone who has hosted a reunion states absolutely that it is a worthwhile experience.

How do you decide where to go from year to year?

We use a combination of factors:

  • We try to rotate our places across the country so that those who only attend local reunions can stay involved

  • We ask for volunteers to take on the task of hosting

Can you briefly describe the events of the reunion weekend?

Friday night: Huntley “early birds” gather for an informal reception to socialize and share the year’s events. Light refreshments are served, provided by the host family. Information about the area is made available.

Saturday: Families are on their own to explore and sightsee. The first business meeting takes place on Saturday, either before the dinner, or in the evening after dinner. The Secretary and Treasurer give their reports, old business is discussed, and auditing, site, and nominating committees are formed. The hosts plan activities for after dinner, such as talent night, trivia, a speaker, or entertainment. The host also organizes a silent auction.

Sunday: A Huntley Church Service may be held. At 12:00PM, a buffet luncheon begins, followed by the final business meeting. New business is discussed, the committees formed on Saturday give their reports, the group votes for officers for the upcoming year, and the site of next year’s reunion is announced. Sadly, by 3:00, families begin to depart, but we all look forward to the next year!

One yearly milestone we look forward to is the announcing of:

  • The youngest and oldest Huntleys

  • Newlyweds and longest married couple

  • Family who travelled the farthest

  • Huntley who has attended the most reunions

  • Family attending the reunion with the most generations (usually 4) and with most members (usually more than 20)

  • Closest birthday and anniversary date to the date of the reunion

  • Life members attending (those 80 and older)

  • Charter members attending (those with membership numbers between 1 and 100).

  • Past Presidents of HNA

How do you encourage members to attend reunions?

  • Place articles/notices in local newspapers announcing the reunion

  • Mail Reunion booklets to current AND recent, inactive members

  • Send notes (with dues notice, to save postage) announcing reunions to members in the area

  • Conduct surveys to gather information about what the membership wants

  • Allow flexibility in setting dates for the reunion

  • Make the reunion as affordable as possible

  • Provide speakers about genealogy or historical research

  • Set up historical or other types of tours

  • Get the word out early using the website, e-mailings, and early Spring mailing of the bulletin

  • Create an association and reunion history “scrapbook” on the website

  • Continually ask the membership for input on time and places of interest for reunions

Where have reunions taken place in the past?

The following table will show locations, dates, and hosts of previous reunions. Some places repeat, and since the early days, the reunions have moved out of New England, to New York, to our entire country and Canada!