FGS Call for Volunteers - Great Opportunities Available

Ready for your next adventure involving genealogy and family history? Looking for ways to get more involved with the genealogy community? Put your current skills to use and develop new skills by joining the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) management team.

A national genealogy society doesn’t run itself nor can it provide a meaningful membership experience without the help of its volunteers. FGS is currently looking for individuals to assist with upcoming projects and activities; these run the gamut from managing national conferences and events to providing benefits to FGS member-societies. FGS delivers key resources to genealogical societies within the United States and we need your help to make this happen.

A variety of skill sets are needed, including:

• Preserve the Pensions: Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas to help spread the word about preserving the pensions of the soldiers from the War of 1812. Skills needed include writing articles for publications and blogs, contacting societies, suggestions for advertising, using social media, and promoting the project.

• Outreach: Work to form partnerships and relationships with people and organizations outside of the family history community; build community ties to local history and genealogical societies (e.g., librarians, archivists, historians, etc.).

• Education: Assist in producing and planning the FGS My Society radio show; help manage the FGS Wiki, webinars, and other online educational platforms.

• Membership: Interact with FGS members to help create and implement membership benefits; work with current and help develop new membership acquisition and renewal plans.

• Administration and Office: Assist with general FGS operations on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis including managing e-mails, website management, and other key roles.

E-mail volunteers@fgs.org and provide your contact information, a brief bio and list of skills, and please identify which volunteer opportunities you feel are best suited to your skills.

Office Assistant-Part Time (Round Rock, Greater Austin area)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies, a non-profit organization, is looking for office support in the greater Austin area. FGS is looking for self-motivated professional with great work ethic for a support staff position. This position is an independent contract position beginning 1 January 2014. While workload will shift from month to month, it is estimated that the contract will require 5-7 hours a week with heavier workloads during January, February, June, July, August and November.

Duties to include:

• Handling society mail- collect, open, sort, scan and forward appropriately
• Making bank deposits
• Updating excel files
• Answering phones (limited)
• Sending and answering e-mail
• Other projects as directed

Requirements:

• Ability to follow directions and attention to detail
• MS office software (Word, Excel and outlook)
• Reliable, honest, trustworthy
• Home internet access

Contract position is available now. Please send resume to: administration@fgs.org.

Compensation: $500 a month - Contract for first 3 months with an option to extend to full year upon evaluation. This is a contract position.

FGS Announces Three-part Webinar Series on Genealogy Society Membership and Communication

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) welcomes George G. Morgan, President of Aha! Seminars, Inc. and VP of Membership for FGS, as he presents a three-part webinar series on genealogy society membership and communication.

• Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 8:00-9:00 pm EDT
  The Shape of the 21st Century Genealogical Society
  We've come a long way as genealogical and historical societies. New technologies such as blogs, print-on-demand publishing, Facebook, Twitter, mobile phone apps, podcasts, webinars, and others have drastically changed what we can do for our societies. This session discusses how the modern society can provide a rich experience for its members and get its message out to the world.
  Click on the link to register for the webinar:
  https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/409683718

• Monday, November 4, 2013, 8:00-9:00 pm EST
  Harness the Power of Email in Your Society
  Email is a powerful tool that, within your society, can build excitement and encourage member participation. Learn the types of email communications that capture attention. Create a professional presence for your organization. Discover strategies for effectively using and managing email. Uncover ways to publicize who you are and what you offer. Attract and keep members!
  Click on the link to register for the webinar:
  https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/421955302

• Monday, November 18, 2013, 8:00-9:00 pm EST
  How to Develop and Implement Affordable Membership Benefits
  Genealogical and historical societies are struggling to attract and retain members while striving to stay solvent. It is essential to offer tangible benefits year-round. This session discusses best practices that can be put in place to provide affordable benefits to members.
  Click on the link to register for the webinar:
  https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/111785582

George G. Morgan is president of Aha! Seminars, Inc., and an internationally recognized genealogy expert who presents at conferences and on genealogical cruises around the world.

George is the prolific author of hundreds of articles for magazines, journals, newsletters, in genealogical publications, and at online sites internationally. The third edition of his bestselling tenth book, How to Do Everything: Genealogy, was published in 2012. He and Drew Smith have co-authored a new book, Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques, that was published by McGraw-Hill in August 2013 and leads the genealogy sales charts at Amazon.com.

He has been the Vice President of Membership for the Federation of Genealogical Societies for the past four years, and has been an officer for many other genealogical and professional organizations. He is a member of the APG, ISBGFH, and other societies in the U.S. and the U.K.

He is co-host with Drew Smith of The Genealogy Guys^SM  Podcast, the longest running genealogical podcast, with thousands of listeners around the globe.