Winter 2017 Issue of FORUM Is Available

Learn how to craft and track brief yet productive communications that promote collaboration with your DNA matches from Blaine T. Bettinger, PhD, JD, in "Communicating with Your DNA Matches."

How does your society handle that neverending list of demands and projects? How do you track personal research projects? Cheri Daniels, MSLS, examines steps for finding a project management solution that works for your organization or for your individual needs in "Affordable Project Management Software, Your Organizational Game Changer."

In "Is Your Society Reaping the Benefits of a Writing Group?" Lynn Palermo explains the benefits of a writing group and how to start one.

And that's not all. 

Table of Contents

3 ...... Editor's Message

6 ...... President's Message: The Joy of Memories by Rorey Cathcart

8 ...... Communicating with Your DNA Matches by Blaine T. Bettinger, PhD, JD

12 ...... Affordable Project Management Software: Your Organizational Game Changer by Cheri Daniels, MSLS

18 ...... DNA & the Modern Genealogist by Sara Allen, MLIS

21 ...... Is Your Society Reaping the Benefits of a Writing Group? by Lynn Palermo

26 ...... Ethics & Standards: Keeping Up with the Times by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL

28 ...... Next Generation: Cut Educational Costs with Scholarships & Grants by Shannon Combs-Bennett

30 ...... Beyond Boxes & Binders: Interviewing Grandma: Collecting the Stories – Part 2 by Linda Coffin

34 ...... Records Preservation & Access: Missouri-Born Adoptee News, Digital Collections & More by Linda McCleary, MLS

37 ...... Reviews

45 ...... Before You Go . . .

How to access FORUM:

The FGS website will be switched to a new platform very soon. To ensure that FGS member society leadership and FORUM individual subscribers have access to this latest issue during this transition, we emailed a direct link to the Winter 2017 issue of the magazine.

Current FGS Member Society Leadership:
The email with the direct link to the magazine was sent to the main contact and the delegate for each member society. If your society is an FGS member and you did not receive the link, please email forum@fgs.org.

Current FGS FORUM subscribers (individuals): The email with the direct link to the magazine was sent to the email address on file for each subscriber. If you are a FORUM subscriber and you did not receive the link, please email forum@fgs.org.

Who can subscribe to FORUM? Anyone. You don't have to be a member of a genealogical society in order to subscribe.

Genealogical Society Leaders: If your society is not a member of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, become one today and let your society's leadership begin accessing FORUM and its 25+ year archives which is just one of the many benefits of FGS membership. 

Last Webinar of 2017: Creative Programming for Small Societies

The Federation of Genealogical Societies will be closing out 2017 with a don’t-miss webinar, “Creative Programming Options for Small Societies,” presented by FGS President Rorey Cathcart.

Small and rural societies face unique programming challenges they must overcome to give their members maximum benefit for their dues. Learn about programming options to consider when you’ve exhausted your local speaker pool.

Rorey Cathcart is a lecturer and professional genealogist at The Who Hunter LLC based in Charleston. Research specialties include South Carolina, Southern States and Irish Heritage. She has a special interest in advocating for Social Genealogy, using technology to improve the research process and Social Media in Genealogy. Rorey was a "Genealogy Roadshow on PBS" research team member for seasons 2 and 3. Currently serving as a President for the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This webinar will be held on December 21, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time, and will be recorded for viewing on the FGS website shortly after its conclusion. Please register in advance.

NEXT TIME: The FGS Webinar Series will be back in January 2018 with “An Unlikely Society Ally - the Board of Tourism,” to be presented by David E. Rencher.

About the Webinar Series

Each month, the FGS Webinar Series will feature a new and interesting topic, ranging from recruitment and volunteer management to technology, publications, and working with your local tourism board.

Webinars are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Advance registration is required. Regular updates will be shared via the FGS Voice blog, FGS Voice Newsletter, and social media.

Speakers interested in presenting topics should contact Jen Baldwin, Education Chair, at education@fgs.org.

Are you looking for a rewarding and beneficial way to volunteer? The Education Committee at FGS could use your expertise. Please contact Jen Baldwin at education@fgs.org.

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