Hello Bennie,
I am somewhat familiar with your situation. In my family, the person who started the reunion incorporated both sides of his family - maternal (Family 1) and paternal (Family 2); therefore, our two-family reunion began. Only a handful of people were related to both Family 1 and Family 2. A majority of the reunion attendees (90%) are from Family 1, including myself, and of the 10% from Family 2, just half of them are in Family 1 too.

Well, as much as we tried to avoid it, there have been some hurt feelings because of the founder's opinion that Family 1 has taken over and are trying to weed out Family 2; but the truth is, very few folk in Family 1 actually know members of Family 2. Also, consideration was not taken that Family 1 is a much, much larger family (with a reunion spirit) than Family 2. We tried to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable, but there are times in situations like these that differences will occur. Also, it's been my understanding that a number of folk like to attend a reunion knowing that most of the people are actually blood relatives. But we do welcome others who want to take part in a reunion. Believe it or not, many folk just want to feel apart of something, despite if there's a blood relation or not, and I personally don't like to turn people away. However, I must realize that many prefer a FAMILY reunion of consanguineal kin. So, we truly have to limit the non-consanguineal folk.

There's nothing wrong, in my opinion, of making it known who started the reunion, rather it's in the history write-up or history presentation, etc. It is what it is - a reunion started by Family 1. Those are just the facts. But just make sure that it is done in a tactful, respectable manner. Sometimes, when conflict arises, it just ends up destroying the whole reunion altogether, and that is something you don't want. So proceed with caution and care.

As far as events, just continue planning the events as a Two-Family Reunion. Don't separate events by family. Have you all - members of Family 1 - thought about just planning a single-family reunion just for Family 1? Perhaps an amicable separation...if that's possible?

Good Luck!
Mel