Showing posts with label RPAC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RPAC. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

FGS Announces Webinar Series on Society Management

Monthly webinars will be free to the general public.


The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the launch of our Society Management webinar series, scheduled to begin July 20, 2017. This series of free events will bring a much-needed aspect to the array of learning opportunities currently provided in the genealogical community; focusing solely on the leadership and management of non-profit societies.

The series will begin July 20, 2017 at 7:00pm central with a presentation by Fred Moss discussing The Open Death Records Initiative. The August session will feature David Rencher, CG, presenting on the best practices – and challenges – surrounding The Nominating Committee.


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

Registration will be necessary, and regular updates will be shared via the FGS Voice blog, FGS Voice Newsletter, and social media. Webinars will occur every 3rd Thursday of the month.

Registration for the July program can be found here.

Update: Did you miss the live webinar?  You can watch the recording here.

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

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Latest FORUM Issue Is Out: Planning a Washington, D.C. research trip, meet the Next Generation, & more!


Read the latest issue of FORUM via FGS.org.
Dive in to FGS FORUM!

Rain or shine, it's time to kick back with this latest issue of FORUM which is bursting with helpful research hints, volunteer opportunities, society project ideas, and technology help for both today's researcher and today's genealogical society. Dive in!

Go Prepared


With so many repositories and libraries located in Washington, D.C., having some kind of research plan and knowing what to expect and what will be expected of you before you go is imperative. Easily get prepared with these insider tips from expert Darcie Hind Posz, CG, in "Planning a Research Trip to Washington, D.C.

Does a genealogical society hold the key to solving your research challenges? 


Or are you looking to find a project you can volunteer for to help give back to the genealogy community? Don't miss new FORUM column, "Spotlight on Member Projects" by FGS Vice-President of Membership Caroline Pointer. The column reveals what activities FGS Member Societies are involved in throughout the genealogy community and features great cemetery, indexing, digitization, and fundraising projects in the works as well as other types of activities. Plus, society leaders will enjoy being inspired to try a new type of project or activity for their own society!

Meet the Next Generation


What do they like? What do they not like? What do they expect? What makes them tick? How do they research? How do they volunteer? In her new column, Shannon Combs-Bennett begins this all-important dialogue that will unveil incredible insight into this huge demographic with takeaways for societies and their leadership which will help them understand how to reach — and even meet — the next generation where they are. Plus, she'll be sharing advice with the next generation of genealogists on how to get involved and to help them along with their research.

And that's not all. Take a peek inside:


Table of Contents

3......From the Editors

6......President's Message

8......Planning a Research Trip to Washington, D.C. by Darcie Hind Posz, CG

15.....10 Reasons to Use Wordpress for Your Society Website by Taneya Koonce

23.....Global Family Reunion, A Success by Randy Whited

26.....A Look Back at the FGS 2015 Conference by Linda McCauley

30.....FGS Regional Conference: New York State Family History Conference

33.....Spotlight on Member Projects: Indexing Projects, New Databases, and More by Caroline Pointer

37.....Next Generation: Who Are the NextGen of Genealogy? by Shannon Combs-Bennett

40.....Records Preservation and Access: Genealogists' Declaration of Rights, Preservation Projects, and More by Linda McCleary, MLS

42.....Reviews


How to access FORUM:



Current FGS Member Societies: Sign-in now to start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device. (After signing in, click on FGS FORUM – Latest Issue in the sidebar.) Don't forget to renew your membership in order for your society's leadership to continue to access FORUM and its archives.

Current FGS FORUM subscribers (individuals): sign-in now to start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device. (After signing in, scroll down and click on Vol. 27, No. 1, to read.)

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

Not already a subscriber? You can subscribe today to the FGS FORUM and start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device.

Genealogical Societies: If you are not a member society 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. Read more about how else FGS empowers Member Society Leaders to manage successful societies.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Access to Vital Records is Under Attack! How Can You Help?

Access to Vital Records is Under Attack! How Can You Help?
Records Preservation and Access Committee
Access to Vital Records is Under Attack! How Can You Help?

Thursday, 12 February 2015, Session T221, 4:30 p.m., Room 255A

Vital records are being threatened at both the state and federal level. Learn about the 2011 Revision of the Model State Vital Statistics Act, which if passed in your state will close access to birth records for 125 years and death records for 75 years.

Also learn about how the 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act signed at the end of 2013 has limited access to the Social Security Death Index for three years after someone’s death. Although the Interim Rule allowed forensic genealogists to become certified for access to the Limited Death Master File during the embargo period, the proposed final rule increases the costs and security requirements making access prohibitive for a small business which includes forensic and professional genealogists.

Attend session T 221 and learn how the genealogical community has responded to these attacks and how you can help.

RPAC has initiated a “Genealogists’ Declaration of Rights” advocating open access to federal, state, and local public records. More than 5,000 genealogists have signed online at http://bit.ly/gen-declaration or at conferences and other gatherings of genealogists. Stop by the RPAC Booth #1115 and sign the Declaration in the Exhibit Hall. For more detail see our previous blog post at: http://www.fgs.org/rpac/2014/11/06/genealogists-declaration-of-rights-we-need-your-support/

What is RPAC?
The genealogical community works together through The Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC), a joint committee which includes The National Genealogical Society (NGS), the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) as voting members. The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG), the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen), and the American Society of Genealogists (ASG) also serve as participating members. RPAC also includes participation from a few of the commercial providers of genealogical information including FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and ProQuest. RPAC meets monthly or more often if required by current events, to advise the genealogical community on ensuring proper access to vital records, and on supporting strong records preservation policies and practices.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Come Visit the FGS Booth #1109 in the Expo Hall

Click image for a larger view.

If you are attending FGS 2015 or Rootstech this week, come visit the FGS booth #1109 in the Expo Hall!
  • FGS will be in booth #1109. Come talk about how societies can help you with your family history in the all new Society Showcase and get a FREE small gift while supplies last*
  • Help preserve history. Donate to the Preserve the Pensions in booth #1115 (right next to FGS).
  • Sign the Genealogists' Declaration of Rights in booth #1115 (same booth as Preserve the Pensions).
  • Purchase FGS session recordings Fleetwood Recordings in booth #1218 (right next to Preserve the Pensions).

*Different LIMITED-SUPPLY FREE gift each day in the FGS booth #1109 after you visit the FGS Society Showcase:
  • Thursday - Keep healthy this week & research on with the FGS Hand Sanitizer.
  • Friday - Keep that screen clean so you can find your ancestors with the FGS Screen Cloth.
  • Saturday - All that stuff you bought in the Expo Hall? Carry it around with our FGS Drawstring Sportpack.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

New FORUM Issue: Tips for Writing Your Family History, Help with DNA Test Results, & More!

Latest issue of FGS' FORUM is now available.

Latest issue of FGS' FORUM is now available! FGS.org

How are you keeping track of all your DNA test results?

DNA Testing for genealogy has become a very popular tool to help you with your family history research. However, handling all the test results that come back for a typical autosomal DNA test can be overwhelming and quickly become unwieldy. In the latest issue of FORUM, the Gadget Guy, Randy Whited, takes a look at a comprehensive research tool for organizing all of your autosomal DNA test results in "Genome Mate: A Comprehensive Research Tool for Autosomal DNA Results."

How to write your family history in an entertaining yet accurate way?

With the holidays comes visits with family and loved ones...and questions about when you are going to get started with that family history you keep talking about writing year-after-year. One particular problem that seems to trip up family historians and delays the process is trying to figure out how to turn your facts into entertaining reads for your loved ones. Walking that line between historical accuracy and telling a captivating story about your ancestors can get tricky. In this latest issue of FORUM, Hazel Edwards gives some great tips to help you out in "Writing a Non-Boring Family History."

Plan for your society's success in 2015 with a webinar program.

Here at the end of the year is a perfect time to be looking ahead to what programs and activities you are planning for your society's success in 2015. A very important area to consider for all societies is educational programs. In today's world, reaching out to members and potential members near and far is growing increasingly important for today's genealogical society. In this latest issue of FORUM, Julie Cahill Tarr takes a look at how a society goes about beginning a webinar program and points out key issues societies need to consider before beginning a successful webinar program.


FORUM Table of Contents


3     From the Editor by Sue Zacharias

6     President's Message by D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, FGS President

8     Genome Mate: A Comprehensive Research Tool for Autosomal DNA                Results by Randy Whited

13   Writing a Non-Boring Family History by  Hazel Edwards

16   Implementing a Webinar Program for Your Society by Julie Cahill Tarr

21   Netiquette for the Twenty-first Century by Drew Smith, MLS

25   Family Associations by Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG

27   Developing a Blog Reading List by Amy Coffin

31   Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) by Linda McCleary

34   Book Reviews by Paul Milner

How to access FORUM:

Current FGS Member Societies: Sign-in now to start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device. (After signing in, click on FGS FORUM Archives in the sidebar, scroll down, and click on Vol.26, No.3, to read.) Don't forget to renew your membership in order to keep receiving your 2 complimentary issues of FORUM.

Current FGS FORUM subscribers (individuals): sign-in now to start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device. (After signing in, scroll down and click on Vol.26, No.3, to read.)

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

Not already a subscriber? You can subscribe today to the FGS FORUM and start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device.

Genealogical Societies: If you are not a member society of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, become one today and receive 2 complimentary subscriptions to the FORUM as just one of the many benefits to membership. Read more about what else FGS offers its member societies.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Records Preservation and Access Committee and Your Genealogy Society

October is National Family History Month and National Archives Month. In the spirit of giving both equal attention, let's talk about the Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC).

RPAC's mission is to advise the genealogical community on ways to support "strong records preservation policies and practices" [archives] and ensure "proper access to historical records of genealogical value" [family history].

Teri Flack, Chair of FGS member society Texas State Genealogical Society's RPAC and the state liaison to the national RPAC, discusses the work that RPAC does, and how you and your society can help RPAC's mission on local, regional, and national levels.

If you're interested in getting involved individually or as a society, check out the downloadable publications for more information on ways to help. There are still many states that do not have liaisons, and it's a safe bet that existing state liaisons could use an extra hand or two.

Listen to the archived broadcast of "Records Preservation and Access Committee" on the blogtalkradio My Society channel by FGS, or you can listen below:



Check Out History Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with mysociety on BlogTalkRadio

Monday, February 27, 2012

A Threat to New York Records - Your Help Needed

[Editor's note: Once again, your access to records as a genealogist and family historian is being threatened. Please read the following information below - your help is needed!]

The following letter is of utmost importance for anyone who wants to access archives in New York City. Please read this and then go to http://www.nycarchivists.org/doris_petition and digitally "sign" the petition.

* * *

At the behest of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the New York City Council has proposed legislation that would eliminate the autonomy of New York City's Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS), the agency that is responsible for the records and archival documents produced by past and present City governments. The proposed legislation (Int. 486-2011) would place the currently independent agency within the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).

If passed, this legislation would significantly downgrade the authority of DORIS within City government and potentially put at risk its ability to preserve, protect and make accessible the intellectual legacy of one of the world's greatest cities. A full position statement on the proposed legislation is available on the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York's website at http://www.nycarchivists.org.

Please add your name to the sign-on letter to oppose the proposed legislation, and advocate for the preservation of DORIS as an autonomous records agency, with the financial support and professional respect it deserves. The sign-on letter is located at http://www.nycarchivists.org/doris_petition. Every signature matters. Help New York City, as an international cultural and financial leader, and the place with the greatest variety and highest density of archives in the world, set the standard for how a democratic government preserves and makes accessible its documentary heritage.

Sincerely,

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

Monday, February 13, 2012

SSDI Call to Action Kit Now Available

The Records Preservation and Access Committee has created a Call to Action Kit to support the Stop ID Theft NOW initiative.

Access the kit at http://www.fgs.org/rpac/sddi-call-to-action-kit/.

If you have questions concerning the Social Security Death Index and its possible loss as a resource for the genealogical community, please check all the resources available in the kit including:

  • Educational videos and FAQ sheets.
  • Form letters that you can use to contact Congress and let them know you do not support removal of the Social Security Death Index.
  • And ways to spread the word to other members of the genealogical community.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

RPAC Announces Stop ID Theft NOW! Campaign with White House Petition

Instructions for signing up at WhiteHouse.gov and signing the petition can be found at http://fgs.org/pdf/rpac_petition.pdf.

For Immediate Release

February 7, 2012

RPAC ANNOUNCES STOP ID THEFT NOW! CAMPAIGN WITH WHITE HOUSE PETITION

Genealogy Community Responds To Efforts To Remove Access to Social Security Death Index and Other Records
February 7, 2012– Austin, TX: The Records Preservation & Access Committee (RPAC) – a joint coalition of international genealogical societies representing millions of genealogists and family historians – announces the launch of its Stop ID Theft NOW! campaign with its We The People petition posted at WhiteHouse.gov.

Call To Action For IRS To Do Its Job

Each year, fraudulent tax refund claims based upon identity theft from recently deceased infants and adults are filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The current target is the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) or Death Master File since this file, as found on numerous genealogy-oriented websites, could possibly be the source of identity thieves acquiring a deceased person’s Social Security number.

The IRS could close the door to this form of identity theft if, in fact, it were to use the Death Master File for the purpose for which it was created: to reduce fraud. If returns claiming a tax refund were screened against the Master Death File and matching cases identified for special processing, the thief should receive a rejection notice for the filing.

Tax Fraud and Identity Theft: Genealogists Are Not To Blame

The House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Social Security is proposing to completely shut down use of the SSDI by genealogists as well as other industries such as banking and insurance that rely upon its information. Such an attempt is short-sighted and runs counter to the original purpose of the SSDI: to actually combat fraud.

Loss of Access to SSDI Affects More Than Genealogists

The SSDI is accessed by many different companies, non-profits and other entities besides individuals researching their family history. Forensic specialists utilize the SSDI when reuniting remains of military veterans with their next-of-kin and descendants. Law offices, banks and insurance companies utilize the SSDI to resolve probate cases and to locate heirs.

All of these entities would be required to spend more money and more time leveraging other resources of information when the SSDI has served this purpose, uninterrupted, for over a decade.

RPAC Petitions Obama Administration

The We the People petition, now posted at http://wh.gov/khE and accepting signatures, has a simple yet effective mission:
Take immediate steps that would curtail the filing of fraudulent tax refund claims based upon identity theft from recently deceased infants and adults.
[Note: Visitors to the WhiteHouse.gov website must log in to sign the petition, or click Create an Account to register. Once registered, return tohttp://wh.gov/khE to sign the petition.]

No need for lengthy hearings in front of a Congressional committee. No need for filing statements for or against any House action. No need to waste time and effort which could be directed to more pressing national issues. In fact, the National Taxpayer Advocate in 2011 issued suggestions which do not require additional legislation but can be implemented collaboratively between the IRS and Social Security Administration (SSA) almost immediately in time to impact the current tax filing season.

About Records Preservation & Access Committee (RPAC)

The Records Preservation & Access Committee (RPAC) was formed to advise the genealogical community on ensuring proper access to historical records of genealogical value in whatever media they are recorded, on means to affect legislation, and on supporting strong records preservation policies and practices.

The genealogical community works together through The Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC), which today includes The National Genealogical Society (NGS), the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) as voting members. The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG), the American Society of Genealogists (ASG), ProQuest and Ancestry.com serve as participating members.

To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org/rpac/.

Monday, November 7, 2011

FGS Radio - Genealogy and the Vital Records Access Crisis


Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2011/11/12/genealogy-and-the-vital-records-access-crisis

Saturday, November 12, 2011
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Thomas MacEntee is entitled Genealogy and the Vital Records Access Crisis. Our guest will be Frederick E. Moss, FGS legal advisor and member of the Records Access and Preservation Committee, a joint committee of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the National Genealogical Society, and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies. Fred will help us understand how access to vital records is currently being threatened and what you can do to ensure access for all genealogy and family history researchers. In addition, we’ll be highlighting FGS member society, Root Cellar - Sacramento Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Guests

Frederick E. Moss, JD, LL.M

Fred Moss currently serves as advisor to the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and was presented with the 2000 George E. Williams Award for significant contributions to FGS. He is a member of the Records Preservation and Access Committee, a joint effort of FGS, The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society. He often lectures on beginning genealogical research and society management issues at national conferences.

From 1990 until the summer of 1998 Mr. Moss served as Associate Dean, Dean of Students and Associate Professor of Law with Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. The Student Bar Association named a student leadership award in his honor. Prior to joining the law school faculty, Mr. Moss served for twenty-six years as a legal officer in the armed forces. His assignments took him to four continents where he served as the senior legal officer of an array of units and installations. He has lectured on a variety of topics at The George Washington University School of Law, the Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University, the Southern Methodist University, the Defense Systems Management College, the Industrial College of the National Defense University, and the Army Judge Advocate General’s School. Colonel Moss was awarded the Department of Defense Superior Service and the Legion of Merit medals.

He was the Editor-in-chief of the Mississippi Law Journal. He is the founding editor of the Proceedings of the Council of the Public Contract Law Section of the American Bar Association, the Section’s first on-line publication.

He also served as the Stake Family History Consultant and as volunteer librarian in the Plano Texas Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the spouse of Lynell B. Moss, the former Director of that facility. He regularly conducts staff training in the use of technology in family history research for several area family history centers and gives presentations for other genealogical groups in North Texas.

Links:

Society Spotlight

This week's Society Spotlight features the Root Cellar - Sacramento Genealogical Society.

ROOT CELLAR, Sacramento Genealogical Society, was formed in 1978 when our members found a common interest in the gathering and sharing of genealogical information. Since that time, our goal has been to help our members with genealogical research through education, the publication of information, and the preservation of records. Everyone sharing an interest in genealogy is welcome.

Our meetings also help to meet the needs of those researchers and genealogists who were unable to attend daytime meetings. The first meeting was held in June at the Fair Oaks Library.

Stan Gilliam of "The Sacramento Bee" coined the name ROOT CELLAR in his column, and with his permission, it became the official name of the organization. The name and insignia were registered with the California Office of the Secretary of State on August 6, 1979.

Links

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Virginia Vital Record Access in Danger - Your Help Needed Now!

Calling all genealogists and family historians - especially if you are concerned about access to any and all vital records. Right now plans are in the work to increase restrictions for Virginia vital records - to 125 years for birth records and 75 years for marriage and death records!

What's Happening with Virginia Vital Records

On Tuesday, November 22, 2011, the Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) will vote on to extend the current access restrictions by another 25 years. Between now and November 22, 2011 you can send your comments to the committee members and let them know why the restrictions to access should not be extended.

What You Can Do about Virginia Vital Records Access

Here is how you can get involved:
  • Send your letter via email to
Senators, General Area, Email address

Linda T. Puller, Fairfax, Prince William, district36@senate.virginia.gov
George Barker, Fairfax, Prince William, district39@senate.virginia.gov
Harry B. Blevins, Chesapeake/Portsmouth, district14@senate.virginia.gov
Edd Houck, Fredericksburg/Orange, district17@senate.virginia.gov
Louise Lucas, Portsmouth - Brunswick, district18@senate.virginia.gov
Ralph Northam, M.D., Norfolk, Matthews, Eastern Shore,  district06@senate.virginia.gov
William Wampler, Bristol and Southwest, district40@senate.virginia.gov
Patricia S. Ticer, Alexandria/Arlington/Fairfax, district30@senate.virginia.gov

House of Delegates, General Area, Email address

Ben Cline, Amherst – Lexington, delbcline@house.virginia.gov
Bob Brink, Arlington, delrbrink@house.virginia.gov
David Bulova, Fairfax, deldbulova@house.virginia.gov
Rosalyn Dance, Petersburg, delrdance@house.virginia.gov
Scott Garrett, M.D., Lynchburg, delsgarrett@house.virginia.gov
Algie Howell, Norfolk, delahowell@house.virginia.gov
Harvey Morgan, Gloucester, delhmorgan@house.virginia.gov
Dave Nutter, Radford/Roanoke,   deldnutter@house.virginia.gov
John O’Bannon, M.D. Henrico, deljobannon@house.virginia.gov
Chris Peace, Hanover, delcpeace@house.virginia.gov

Copy and paste the entire block of addresses here:
district36@senate.virginia.gov; district39@senate.virginia.gov; district14@senate.virginia.gov; district17@senate.virginia.gov; district18@senate.virginia.gov; district06@senate.virginia.gov; district40@senate.virginia.gov; district30@senate.virginia.gov; delbcline@house.virginia.gov; delrbrink@house.virginia.gov; deldbulova@house.virginia.gov; delrdance@house.virginia.gov; delsgarrett@house.virginia.gov; delahowell@house.virginia.gov; delhmorgan@house.virginia.gov; deldnutter@house.virginia.gov; deljobannon@house.virginia.gov; delcpeace@house.virginia.gov

And don't forget to follow the Records Preservation and Access Committee blog at http://www.fgs.org/rpac/ to follow all the latest news about vital records access and changes to laws and policies affecting genealogists and family historians.

Conclusion

Please take a minute and step away from your own genealogy research and get involved. Even if you don't have Virginia ancestors, realize that other states and entities look at what is being done regarding vital records access - your state or municipality might be next!

Email or write the contacts listed above and let them know as a genealogist and family historian what it means to access such records.  Don't be afraid to get personal - share your success stories or how you've helped a client using vital records.

©2011, copyright Thomas MacEntee
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