Classes and Research Trips in the September webinar!

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is pleased to announce the September 2018 webinar, "Using Classes and Research Trips to Expand Your Membership," presented by Pat Stamm.

Societies are always looking for ways to expand their membership. One of the best ways is to offer benefits. Two potential added values are educational classes and research trips. Learn how to establish these types of programs.

This webinar will be held on Thursday, September 20, 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.

About the Speaker

Pat Stamm is a professional researcher with over 30 years of experience. Besides lecturing across the country, she is a course coordinator at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) and teaches at St. Louis Community College. She specializes in Missouri, Catholic Church records, government documents, problem-solving, and computer research topics. She is currently serving as NGS Research Trip Coordinator.

In the past, Pat served as the Education Manager for St. Louis Genealogical and the National Genealogical Society.

Coming Up Next Month

Our October webinar will feature Amy Johnson Crow who will present “Finding and Creating Images for Your Blog and Social Media.” Register in advance for this highly requested and popular topic from one of our community's best online marketers! 

About the Webinar Series

Each month, the FGS Webinar Series features 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. The webinars are free to watch live, but advance registration is required. Regular updates will be shared via the FGS Voice blog, FGS Voice Newsletter, and social media.

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,

August Webinar: What's Your Education Plan?

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is pleased to announce the August 2018 webinar, "Building an Education Plan for Your Society," presented by Cari A. Taplin.

Most genealogical societies foster education in the field of genealogy. Having an education program outside of the monthly meeting can build membership, develop volunteer relationships, and give greater educational opportunities to members. This lecture will share ideas on developing a strong education program for societies.

This webinar will be held on Thursday, August 16, 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.

Please register in advance here. 

About the Speaker

Cari A. Taplin is related to Roy Rogers. Or at least that’s what her family told her. As a result, finding her true heritage has been her focus since the year 2000. She is a native of Wood County, Ohio, but migrated to Wyoming, Colorado, and now Pflugerville, Texas, near Austin. Cari holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and has served in a wide variety of volunteer and leadership positions for state, local, and national societies. She currently serves on the boards of the Association for Professional Genealogists and the Federation of Genealogical Societies. As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she provides speaking, research, and consultation services. Cari focuses on Midwestern and Great Lakes states, and methodology. When she’s not working on her genealogy, she is a wife and mother of two teenagers.

Coming Up Next Month

Our September webinar will feature Patricia Stamm who will present “Using Classes and Research Trips to Expand Your Membership.” 

About the Webinar Series

Each month, the FGS Webinar Series features 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. The webinars are free to watch live, but 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 us at education@fgs.org.

SWAT: Analyzing Your Society from the Inside Out

Is your society stuck in a rut? Do your programs make watching paint dry seem exciting? Learn how can you analyze your society, taking into account its strengths and weaknesses, in order to improve member benefits and programs.

And what about after your brainstorming session? How do you overcome the "lull" in between board meetings to keep the momentum going?

Make this new year THE ONE for your society! From a board "retreat" to a simple whiteboard and pizza, guest Janet Hovorka and impromptu guest Paula Stuart-Warren discuss the different ways your society can put their heads together and come up with unique ideas to improve and/or expand the benefits and programs for your members.

Listen to the archived broadcast of "SWAT: Analyzing Your Society from the Inside Out" 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

For more information, check out these articles from our Society Strategy Series:

• Long Range Planning
• A Lakeside Retreat
• The Society in Crisis!

Planning - IRA Charitable Rollover Extension

As mentioned today in The Weekly Genealogist (the e-newsletter of the New England Historic Genealogical Society), recent changes to the charitable giving rules for IRAs can help benefit your genealogical society.

And did you know that a donor can make an IRA Rollover gift during the month of January 2011 and still qualify for the 2010 year deadline? In addition these gifts count towards the minimum IRA distribution requirements for IRA account holders.

Any genealogical society with planned giving programs should be getting to word out to its members and potential donors about these rules changes. You can read more about the exact rules and procedures here at AmericanAncestors.org.