James Richard Family Reunion

Celebrating - Sharing - Preserving
Our Family Heritage

Family Tree

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Family is the foundational social structure and the most important social unit in any society. Family should always be a top priority. A healthy family experience is important for one to develop and maintain social and mental health. Family provides acceptance, encouragement, guidance, and counsel. Family members have a bond sealed by common blood. The spiritual well-being of the family cannot be taken for granted. It takes years for moral and spiritual character to be built within the family unit and passed down to our children. In the family, strive for healing, communication, and understanding among one another.

Family came from the mind of Almighty God. Family is an institution established by God. Family is an institution blessed by God. Family is one of the four (4) institutions/covenants God established:

1. Individual
2. Family
3. Church
4. Government (Romans 13:1-7)

God gave the gift of family to the human race to maintain sanity and stability. One of the greatest resources God gives us is the family. Family relationships are so important in God’s eyes. Do not neglect family. Anyone who neglects their family responsibilities has denied their faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

The strength of a nation is in direct proportion to the strength of its families. Strong families build strong communities. Strong communities build strong cities. Strong cities build strong states. Strong states build strong nations. You see…it’s all relational.

A man without his family is like a lion without teeth; he has the heart and he has the power, but he cannot overcome his prey. A woman without her family is like a branch that does not know it is part of a tree; her access to family resources will be inhibited. Worse yet, a child without his or her family is like a ship caught on a rough sea without a rudder.

Any system that deprives a people of its family structure denies the humanity of that people.

Historian's Corner 1974

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The year was 1973 when Frances James-Harden had a conversation with her mother Helen Ernestine Richard-James. Frances indicated to her mother that everyone should come together. Ernestine had a strong desire to bring the family together and keep them together. Everyone was scattered all across America. As a result, Ernestine began telling all her children that we were going to have a family reunion. Ernestine and her sister Queenie Mae Richard (a.k.a. “little Honey”) jointly facilitated organizing the first family reunion.

The following year, all the children and grandchildren of Ernestine James came “home” to Monroe, Louisiana to gather together for the 1st James Family Reunion. It was held in Ernestine’s backyard on Thursday, July 4, 1974.

The James Family Reunion began as a 3-day weekend event. Each year the family reunion continued to grow. Then, to be more inclusive, Richard was added. As a result, it became James Richard Family Reunion.

Each year the family reunion moved between the four cities of Monroe, Louisiana; Dallas, Texas; Kansas City, Kansas; and Chicago, Illinois. After so many years our family reunion branched out to various cities outside of these four. During our 1991 family reunion in Kansas City, Kansas, it was decided to start having our family reunions during the first weekend in August of each year.

Our children continued to grow and wanted to see more of America. Many could not afford vacation coupled with attending a family reunion in the same year. Family members wanted to make the family reunion more of a vacation combined with family. This would employ the opportunity for family members to see America. Therefore the family reunion redirected its focus on moving to different cities and states year to year. The James Richard Family Reunion then became a focal point for a family reunion/vacation for many families.

Past Reunion Locations

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# Year Location

1974 Monroe, Louisiana

** "Where it all began" **


#1 1975 Monroe, Louisiana


#2 1976 Dallas, Texas


#3 1977 Monroe, Louisiana


#4 1978 Kansas City, Kansas


#5 1979 Chicago, Illinois


#6 1980 Dallas, Texas


#7 1981 Monroe, Louisiana


#8 1982 Center, Texas


#9 1983 Kansas City, Kansas


#10 1984 Chicago, Illinois


#11 1985 Dallas, Texas


#12 1986 Dallas, Texas


#13 1987 Kansas City, Kansas


#14 1988 Chicago, Illinois


#15 1989 Oakland, California


#16 1990 New Orleans, Louisiana


#17 1991 Kansas City, Kansas


#18 1992 Milwaukee, Wisconsin


#19 1993 Salinas, California


#20 1994 Dallas, Texas


#21 1995 Chicago, Illinois


#22 1996 Kansas City, Kansas


#23 1997 Salinas, California


#24 1998 Dallas, Texas


#25 1999 Orlando, Florida


#26 2000 Shreveport, Louisiana


#27 2001 Atlanta, Georgia


#28 2002 Baton Rouge, Louisiana


#29 2003 Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin


#30 2004 Monroe, Louisiana (30th year--"Back to our roots")


#31 2005 Dallas, Texas


#32 2006 Kansas City, Missouri


#33 2007 Sparta, Georgia


#34 2008 Hot Springs, Arkansas


#35 2009 Houston, Texas


#36 2010 Chicago, Illinois


#37 2011 Dallas, Texas


#38 2012 New Orleans, Louisiana


#39 2013 Baton Rouge, Louisiana


#40 2014 Orlando, Florida


#41 2015 Kansas City, Kansas


#42 2016 Shreveport, Louisiana


#43 2017 Galveston, Texas

       2017 Family Cruise


#44 2018 Atlanta, Georgia


#45 2019 Monroe, Louisiana


       2020 CANCELLED COVID-19


       2021 CANCELLED COVID-19


#46 2022 Monroe, Louisiana


#47 2023 Mountain Home, Idaho


#48 2024 Kansas City, Kansas

       2024 Family Cruise


#49 2025 Monroe, Louisiana

Reunion By-Laws
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Article I. Name:

Section 1. James Richard Family Reunion.

 

Article II. Purpose:

Section 1. The purpose of this organization is to promote harmony and bond of kinship among our family members and to encourage continuous respect and pride to each generation of our family heritage. Social unity is promoted within this organizational process.

 

Article III. Members:

Section 1. The membership of this organization shall be family members of the James Richard Family Reunion.

Section 2. James Richard Family Reunion dues shall be set by the Executive Committee (The Executive Committee consist of officers and the past National Chairperson).

 
Article IV. Officers:

Section 1. The officers shall be a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Historian/Parliamentarian, and Regional Directors.

Section 2. Term of office. There are no set number of years a Chairperson can serve in succession. A Chairperson shall serve until he/she is ready to relinquish their post or family reunion members vote them out of office. In which case, a successor shall be named.

 

Article V. Duties of Officers:

Section 1. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings and shall take the lead in all official business of the organization.

Section 2. The Vice Chairperson shall assist the Chairperson.

Section 3. The Recording Secretary shall keep records of all proceedings at all business meetings.

Section 4. The Corresponding Secretary shall assist in all family correspondences.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall receive, receipt and deposit all monies and assessments from James Richard Family Reunion members.

Section 6. The Historian / Parliamentarian.

   a. Shall compile and research all James Richard Family history and

   b. Shall interpret the by-laws of the James Richard Family constitution.

Section 7. Regional or City Directors.

   a. Shall gather and disburse information to family members of that region or city.

   b. Make reports to Chairperson.

 

Article VI. Election of Officers:

Section 1. The election of officers shall be held whenever a vacancy is created.

   a. Voting for officers shall be done by a show of hands at the business meetings at the James Richard Family Reunion.

   b. The election of officers shall be an agenda item of the family business meeting.

   c. Voters of this organization shall be family members of the James Richard Family Reunion.

 

Article VII. Meetings:

Section 1. A business meeting shall be held at the conclusion of every James Richard Family Reunion. The host or chairperson shall determine the time and place.

Section 2. A quorum shall consist of family members present at the announced time.

 

Article VIII. Order:

Section 1. The proceedings and deliberations of this organization shall be governed by the James Richard Family Reunion by-laws.

 
Article IX. Amendments:

Section 1. These by-laws may be amended or altered at the regular James Richard Family Reunion business meeting by a simple majority vote of members present provided the proposed amendments have been submitted to the Chairperson and the Regional or City Director of their area, in writing before the meeting.
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