August webinar to discuss the Nominating Committee

In the August, 2017 FGS webinar, we will invite David Rencher, CG, CGL, to present on "The Nominating Committee."

In order to maintain a healthy organization, we must all put great value in this piece of the society puzzle. David Rencher will provide an in-depth look at the role of this important committee in your genealogy society, and its impact on the organization’s longevity.

All of the issues and challenges facing your society may be solved with a successful nominating committee. This program will help you to learn to assess your own needs and find qualified candidates to grow your society – you need more than warm bodies!

The webinar will be conducted on August 17, 2017 at 7:00pm Central time. Please register in advance. The webinar will be recorded and will be available for viewing on the FGS website shortly after its conclusion. September's topic will be Borrowing Corporate Strategy Techniques for Your Society - this is a must-see presentation! 

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. 

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 3^rd Thursday of the month.

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

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

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 3^rd 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

Exciting Week for Society Management

Today we are engaging in a little housekeeping to keep you abreast of this week’s happenings in our Society Management offerings. You’ll see a few changes at FGS.org as our older webinars move behind the member wall.  This week sees two events for your pleasure: a new webinar and a #genchat. We hope you’ll make time in your busy schedules to join us as much as you can.

July Webinar

Our moderator for the July Webinar, “Wordpress for Societies: No Blogging Required,” suffered technical difficulties during the original airing that left most attendees disappointed. This webinar has been re-recorded and is now available at http://www.fgs.org/cpage.php?pt=30. It will be available until September 10^th after which it will be accessible in the Member’s Only section. All previously archived webinar content has been moved to Member's Only at this time.

August Webinar

The 2015 Webinar Series continues with Paula Stuart-Warren presenting “Your Society Can’t Afford to Do A Seminar? Here’s How!” Wednesday August 22^nd at 8pm EDT. Paula is a staple on the lecture circuit presenting at conferences and institutes alike. She’ll bring her years of experience in society management positions and conference chairing to bear on a question important to societies of all sizes.  I hope you’ll join us.

Please register for Your Society Can’t Afford to Do A Seminar? Here’s How! on Aug 12, 2015 8:00 PM EDT at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1496354329360558594

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

#genchat Friday

Did you miss July’s Society Focus #genchat on Creative Programming? Head over to twitter and search the hashtag. The community was quite vocal in what they’d like to see out of their societies in terms of programming options. 

This Friday, August 14, Jen Baldwin will be encouraging genealogists to “Get Local” to advance their research. FGS will be there too sharing how local societies are essential to a genealogist’s success. No matter how far technology takes us, it will never fully take the place of societies. Join us to share with the community how your societies contributes to genealogical research through preservation, education and camaraderie.

Learn more about how to join us for #genchat events http://www.genealogygenchat.com/how-it-works.html

We'll be back to blogging educational content for those who can't join our virtual events this month with posts on "Micro-volunteering" and "How to Market Your Society."

2015 Webinar Series: Your Society Can’t Afford to Do A Seminar? Here’s How!

Join us Aug. 12th for this free webinar!

FGS is pleased to announce the August edition of its 2015 Webinar Series scheduled for August 12th at 8pm EDT. Local and regional seminars help bridge the educational gulf between the monthly society meeting and national conferences. Join Paula Stuart-Warren to be inspired and learn how to execute a successful seminar for your community.

Your Society Can’t Afford to Do A Seminar? Here’s How! 

Education is the core of our societies. A seminar could bring new members, volunteers, and funding for projects. Paula Stuart-Warren, CG℠, FMGS, FUGA, addresses ways to be successful financially without much effort, once guidelines are established and followed. It could bring recognition from the community if done correctly. Most groups can truly afford to bring in a well-known and knowledgeable speaker and plan a great seminar. We’ll cover these and other angles in this presentation. Do the job carefully, make notes, learn from issues, and be ready for a profitable sell-out event. It's ok to make a profit to support the society's education efforts and to pay your speakers.

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG℠, FMGS, FUGA

Paula is a professional genealogist specializing in genealogical and historical research, lecturing, consulting, and writing. Her lectures, research, and consultations for individuals, societies, law firms, and Indian tribes seeking records and advice has taken her to many states, courthouses, archives, historical societies, and libraries. Her Illinois research covers many counties.

She is the intermediate Course Coordinator for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh and teaches in other courses at both institutes. She has lectured at National Genealogical Society and Federation of Genealogical Societies conferences since 1993, and in many states and Canada on a variety of topics.

A former officer of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Past President of the Northland Chapter of APG, and former board member of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, she currently serves on the Board of Directors of FGS. She co-chaired the FGS 2001, 2011, and 2013 conferences. Among the publications she has written for are the former Ancestry Magazine, FGS FORUM, NGS Magazine, NGSQ, FamilyTree Magazine, and was co-author of Your Guide to the Family History Library. She currently has her own blog at GenealogybyPaula.com


Please register for Your Society Can’t Afford to Do A Seminar? Here’s How! on Aug 12, 2015 8:00 PM EDT at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1496354329360558594

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Brought to you by GoToWebinar®

Webinars Made Easy®

Societies: Selecting and Hiring a Genealogy Speaker

Societies: Selecting and Hiring a Genealogy Speaker

Maybe your society is hosting a workshop or conference.  Maybe your program chair has run out of ideas for the monthly meetings.  Have you considered hiring a genealogy speaker? 

Jean Hibben, CG, member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild discusses the ins and outs of finding and hiring the perfect speaker for your event. She also provides valuable insight into what it’s like to BE a speaker and the different things a speaker must consider when booking a speaking engagement (which - coincidentally - are things which a society should also consider when looking for a speaker!).

Tune in to get answers to these questions and more:

• How far in advance should you book a speaker?
• Should you require a contract?
• What happens if your event gets canceled?
• Who is responsible for the technology required for the speaker?

Listen to the archived broadcast of “Selecting and Hiring a Genealogy Speaker” on the BlogTalkRadio My Society channel by FGS or you can listen below:

Current History Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with mysociety on BlogTalkRadio