FAQs

CORRECTION, ADDED 8/15: Beer, Wine, and Liquor policy for reunion

You CANNOT bring liquor, at all.

You CAN bring BOTTLES of beer or wine BUT the bottles can only be consumed inside the Burba Lake Cottage. 

You CAN bring canned or boxed beer or wine, which can be consumed indoors or outside in the picnic pavilion. 

We will not be providing any beer or wine.

ADDED 7/18: Registration for the 2019 family reunion has closed.

ADDED 6/1/2019: Are buses or large vans (larger than family-sized minivan) allowed on Fort Meade grounds?

A bus or large van (i.e. a van larger than a family-sized minivan) can only get access to Fort Meade if the driver is an active member of the military or current civilian Department of Defense employee with identification to confirm their status (not a contractor). The driver would also be required to vouch for everyone traveling in the vehicle.

ADDED 6/1/2019: Are wheelchairs available at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and do they provide someone to push the wheelchair?

Manual wheelchairs are located behind the Security Desk near the Madison Drive entrance and are available to borrow on a first-come, first served basis. The museum does not provide staff members to push guests who are in wheelchairs.

Do I have to register to attend the reunion?

YES! You MUST register to attend this year’s reunion. Because the reunion is being held on a military base, you will not be allowed to enter the grounds without being a registered guest.

How do I register to attend this year’s reunion?

You must submit a completed registration form AND pay the registration fee IN FULL to FINALIZE your registration.

How can I get the registration form?

There are three (3) ways to get and submit your registration form:

Option 1: Complete and submit the form online. You can access the online form by clicking here.

Option 2: Print the form and mail it to the Planning Committee. You can download a printable version of the form here:

Option 3: Request a form be mailed to you by the Planning Committee.

Submit a request for a mailed form on the Contact Us page on this website.

Please only choose this option if you do not have internet access. We want to keep costs down and having to mail forms will require funds that could be used on other reunion costs.

Does everyone in my house need to complete their own form and pay fees separately?

NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! 🙂

There is only one (1) form and payment needed per household. You can include people who do not live in your household on your form if you want to. However, we prefer that you only include a person on your registration form if you are also responsible for his/her registration fee.

What is included with my registration fee?

Your registration fee covers food*, beverages (non-alcoholic), activities (included on this site), a t-shirt.
*There is a surcharge (per person) if you want crabs.

How do I pay the registration fee?

There are three (3) options available on the registration page:

Option 1: Pay in one (1) lump sum online*. You can access the payment site directly by clicking here. If you complete the Registration Form online, you will be linked to the payment site automatically. A receipt for your online payment will be emailed to you. *A small payment processing service fee will be added to your registration fee.*

Option 2: Pay in one (1) lump sum by mail. Download and complete the printable registration form and mail it with a check or money order in the full amount. A receipt will be mailed to you.

Option 3: Pay in two (2) installments: Complete the registration form (online or by mail) and submit initial payment of $15 per person by May 31, 2019 with the remaining balance due by July 15, 2019. You can pay your deposit online
by clicking here or you can mail a check or money order (payable to Dougherty Family Reunion) to the below P.O. Box.

Mail your final payment in the form of a check or money order (payable to Dougherty Family Reunion) or pay it online by clicking here by July 15, 2019. If paying by mail, be sure to include the name you’re registered under with each payment.

MAIL FORMS, PAYMENTS (payable to Dougherty Family Reunion), OR CORRESPONDENCE TO:
Dougherty Family Reunion
P.O. Box 4012
Upper Marlboro, MD 20775

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Whether you pay your registration in one lump sum or through multiple payments, all registration fees must BE PAID IN FULL no later than July 15, 2019 for your registration to be valid.

I would like to attend but don’t think I can afford to. Is there help?

We completely understand. If the full cost is a challenge for you, please contact the Planning Committee also:

–   Consider carpooling. If you are coming from out of town, for example, we can put you in touch with others in your area. If you are interested in carpooling and need help connecting with someone who has room in his/her car, email the Planning Committee here, and we help you find what you need.

–   Bunk up!  Find a roommate and split the cost of the hotel room. If you are interested in looking for a roommate, email the Planning Committee here and, we will try to connect you with someone else who is also looking for a roommate.

What is the refund policy?

We know things happen and  your plans may change. However, please understand that we are entering in to contracts with the location and any vendors and will be obligated to pay the contracted amounts. Therefore, we cannot issue refunds after July 22, 2019.

Can I bring beer, wine, or liquor?

You CANNOT bring bottles of beer or liquor. You CAN bring bottles of wine and cans of beer. We will not be providing any beer, wine, alcoholic beverages or accessories (e.g. wine bottle openers, bottle openers).

***THIS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED & REMEMBER, YOUR VEHICLE MAY BE INSPECTED WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE ENTRY GATE.***

What are the hotel accommodations?

We secured a group rate at the Courtyard Fort Meade BWI Business District (2700 Hercules Road, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701).

YOU MUST RESERVE BY JULY 18, 2019 TO SECURE THE GROUP RATE.

• Group Rate: $109.00 per night (plus taxes & fees)
  

• Applicable Nights: August 16th & August 17th (no minimum number of nights required). NOTE: The rate can be extended to August 15th if you want to come on Thursday, but you will need to make your reservation by phone.

• Book Online: Click here to make your reservation online at this rate

• Reserve by phone: Call Marriott Reservations at 1(800) 321-2211 or (301) 498-8400. You must identify yourself as part of the Dougherty Family Reunion August 2019 group staying at the Courtyard Fort Meade BWI Business District.

What if I need special accommodations at the reunion?

We want to make sure everyone who wants to come is able to come and have a good time with the family. If you have any special needs or considerations, including food allergies, please let us know ahead of time, so we can make the necessary accommodations.

Do you need volunteers?

Absolutely! Once we finalize the types of help we will need, we will send a request for help out via email.

What things are there to do in the area other than the reunion activities?

We have included a printable flyer on the Hotel & Travel page of this website with ideas of things to see and do in the area. You can also download the flyer here.

How can I get updates on the reunion?

E-News Updates! Because we live all over the country, it is not financially prudent to mail paper newsletters. We will share all reunion updates through an emailed newsletter that you can access with any device (i.e., computers, cell phones, tablets) and on this website. Sign-up to receive the e-news updates by completing the form on the bottom of this page (or any other page on this website).

I can’t make it to the reunion, but I would still like to support the family. How can I help?

There are always unexpected costs with an event like this, so any donations are greatly appreciated! Download and complete the donation form and mail it and your donation in the form of a check or money order (payable to Dougherty Family Reunion) to Dougherty Family Reunion, P.O. Box 4012, Upper Marlboro, MD 20775 or donate online by clicking here. *If you donate online, a small processing fee will apply.*

Can I see how reunion funds are being spent?

Absolutely! The Planning Committee is responsible for maintaining the reunion bank account and dispersing funds to pay for reunion costs. We will provide a copy of the bank account statement upon request to any person who is registered to attend the reunion. Simply email a request for a copy of the statement(s) to info@doughertyreunion.com.

Still have questions? Please email all questions, comments, or suggestions to info@doughertyreunion.com and someone will respond to you as soon as possible.