"An Unlikely Society Ally" - the first of the 2018 FGS Webinar Series

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is ringing in the 2018 Webinar Series with, “An Unlikely Society Ally - the Board of Tourism,” presented by David E. Rencher:

Nearly every community has a Board of Tourism whose purpose is to attract visitors to come to their locality and spend money! Genealogists have an incredible key to generating revenue and thus tax dollars for their community. If you want to get community support and visibility for your society – dangle the money in front of the city council. This is also a perfect way to grow your society and get you noticed locally and nationally. Spend an hour learning about an aspect of marketing your society that you may not have considered!

David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIGRS, is the Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch. He has been a professional genealogist since 1977 and is a past president of FGS.

This webinar will be held on January 18, 2018 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: Amy Johnson Crow will present “Breaking Out of the Box: Creative Thinking for Your Society,” on February 15, 2018 - register today!

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

How Learning from Regina's Success Can Help Your Society

Are you sharing your society's Regina-like experiences?

Recently on our Facebook Page, we shared a heartwarming story about a librarian, named Regina Rush, who had found out more about her family history by using primary source materials. (Librarian Finds Clues About Her Family's Past Hidden in Special Collections)

Seems like just another day for a genealogist or family historian, doesn't it?

So why did it have so much favorable engagement on Facebook?

Besides the fact it is a well-written piece, I believe it did so well because as genealogists and family historians, we could all relate in some way. We either have been Regina or we want to be Regina (again). We have either experienced research success like Regina's success or we want to (again).

And by the end of the piece when Regina is quoted as saying about her ancestors, "'They didn’t have a voice and I want to give it to them. I want to say, ‘You lived, you were here, and your life mattered.’ It matters to me. Your DNA runs through me and I am who I am because of you,'” we are shaking our heads in affirmation and saying to ourselves, "Yes. Exactly!"

So, society/association leaders, what does this have to do with your genealogical society, historical society, or family association? Libraries and archives too?

Well, everything.

I read a lot of society/association newsletters, journals, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, etc., in order to stay on top of our members' educational activities, fundraising efforts, preservation projects, and services. 

And in doing so, I see a lot of reporting and sharing of curated content about what other entities are doing and not a lot about what the organizations themselves are doing and the impact they are making by helping researchers just like Regina.

And it is not because these organizations are not providing opportunities ripe for Regina-like experiences. Because they are. They most certainly are. They're just forgetting to share it with their members and the world.

And that's a shame because genealogists and family historians can relate to the successes that other researchers are having in some way. It gets them excited. It gets them motivated. 

And it may even get them to the organization's next event or webinar.

Sharing your organization's Regina-like experiences everywhere (website, blog, newsletter, Facebook Page, Twitter account, and Pinterest account) can make a lasting impression with your members, your potential members, your donors, and your patrons. 

And stories like these are your organization's stories. 

Tell your organization's story.

Because Regina's success is everyone's success.

And to borrow broadly just a bit from Regina...

Your organization lives. It's here. It matters to the genealogical community. And the community is what it is because of your organization.