Two FGS Awards Given at Southern California Genealogical Societies' Annual Jamboree

Paula Johnson Hinkel and J. Paul Hawthorne (Photo Credit: Mike Provard)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies presents awards throughout each year to volunteers and organizations. On June 3, 2016, FGS presented two awards during the Southern California Genealogical Society’s Annual Jamboree in Burbank.

Paula Johnson Hinkel 

Paula Johnson Hinkel was presented with a Distinguished Service Award. The Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) nominated her for this award for a multitude of reasons. She has been instrumental in increasing the visibility of the society and in easing it into the 21st century, enabling it to continue to fulfill its mission of fostering interest in family history, preserving genealogical materials and providing instruction in accepted and effective research techniques.  

Among her many accomplishments at SCGS, Paula has volunteered as President and 2nd Vice-President of the society, as a member of the Long-Range Planning Committee, as champion of the 1890 Project, and as co-chair for the Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree from 2005-2014. Together with her co-chair Leo Myers, she grew Jamboree from a small, local event into one of the most respected and well-attended genealogical conferences. From concept to marketing design and product development, Paula was instrumental in the successful evolution of Jamboree. Paula was also the first to identify and market the use of an App for genealogical conferences. She also expanded the society outreach by making Jamboree available to researchers who could not attend. Her launch of live-streaming Jamboree sessions allowed members of the genealogical community to participate from all over the world.

In 2011, Paula pioneered the launch of the Jamboree Extension Webinar Series. This was the first time a genealogical society had offered regularly scheduled live webinars. This program is one of the most celebrated programs of SCGS, and has helped extend the awareness of the society and promote genealogical education around the world. Paula has utilized her marketing skills through the redesign of the SCGS website, the development of the Jamboree website, and the design of both the SCGS and Jamboree blogs. She was also one of the early champions of social media creating a presence on Facebook and Twitter for both SCGS as Jamboree.

J. Paul Hawthorne

In a few short days at the end of March 2016 the world of genealogy exploded in many shades of color. While genealogy is a world of many shades of color, this specific explosion resulted in the colors of our ancestral migration patterns.

J. Paul Hawthorne, Historian and FGS Delegate for the San Diego Genealogical Society, posted this hashtag on Facebook and Twitter:

#MyColorfulAncestry 

Then he showed what that meant! As he stated on Facebook, “A little visual I created in Excel. 5 Generation chart of my direct ancestors birth state -- starting with me. A good way to visualize migration patterns. He used other Twitter hashtags, too: #genealogy and  #GoofingOffAtWork.”

Goofing off? This meme is still going strong on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other media around the world! Variations of the meme arose. People from across the U.S, Canada, Australia, and other countries participated and posted their charts on social media. They asked questions of one another. They learned about research in specific places from others whose colorful charts showed ancestry in those same places. For spearheading this colorful worldwide sharing of genealogy, the Federation of Genealogical Societies presented J. Paul Hawthorne with the Technology Advances Award.

Please consider nominating a deserving person, organization, or project for an FGS award at http://fgs.org/cpage.php?pt=56.

Awards are presented at various times during each year, but if you are interested in a nomination for an award to be presented at the FGS 2016 National Conference, the deadline is 15 July 2016, which will be held August 31 — September 3, in Springfield, Illinois. Join fellow genealogists and family historians at "Time Travel: Centuries of Memories," designed to inspire you and enrich your family history! Register today at FGSConference.org.

Paula Stuart-Warren

FGS Awards Committee Chair

Engaging Offsite Members: Volunteer Opportunities

For many societies, Offsite Members represent the majority of their possible volunteer base. While these folks may not be able to act as board members or bring snacks, they can contribute more to their societies than just dues. While it might be obvious that Offsite Members are those people who support your society from another state. A less obvious group includes those members who are in your own back yard, but don’t attend meetings. Check out these project ideas to get your creative juices flowing. By tailoring a few volunteer opportunities to engage this large pool of supporters, you’ll build a more vibrant society experience for all.

Conversion Projects

Last week, Amy Johnson Crow wrote a great article on how to mine your old newsletters and publications for blog content. You can read here if you haven’t already. Accessing that older content can pose a challenge though. Let your Offsite Members help you solve it.

Scanning old newsletters and publications converts your physical content into a more usable digital form. In most instances, those scanned documents will now also be search-able. For those few projects where a scan won’t make an adequately search-able document, volunteers can transcribe that material into a new usable format. Hosting this now searchable content on your members only section of your website or converting it to sellable e-books breathes new life into old content and has the potential to increase your revenue streams.

Indexing projects are always a great way to convert existing content into a more usable form. Your own collections are a wonderful place to start but aren’t the only options. Free sites like FamilySearch.org and BillionGraves.com have specific programs for indexing the digital material on their site. Subscription services like Fold3.com allow users to annotate their collections. Those annotations then become part of the searches returned for a name. Your local library’s genealogical section is full of unindexed material they could use your help with.

Enlisting Offsite Members for these kinds of projects offers your society a much larger pool of volunteers to work with. This, in turn, means each volunteer can be assigned a small, manageable part of the project. (I’ll be writing more on Micro-volunteering later in the year.) Add a level of competition or reward for project completion and you’ll see these types of projects really work for your society.

Publications

Your newsletter editor is laboring every month to find enough content. Yet many members write for their own blogs. All society members represent a great source of written content. Most of them though, will need encouragement to write the kind of full-length articles required for blogs and newsletters alike. Instead of asking just one or a few members to produce content for your publications, reach out to a variety of members for a commitment of one article per year of membership. Out of state Offsite Members have just as much genealogical information to share as the member who makes every meeting. There are plenty of general interest topics that can be covered regardless of where someone is located. But for the creative, those Offsite Members have valuable information to share with your Onsite members as well. My home state of South Carolina is a great example. It has experienced several major out-migrations. I’d love to read an article from my fellow SCGS members from Mississippi on how to find my South Carolina ancestors there.

Social Genealogy

Speaking of out-migration: your Offsite Members live in the places your Onsite Members need research. The opportunity exists for creating reciprocal look-ups that allow Offsite Members to contribute research where they are located in return for research where you are located. Or even contribute on a Random Acts basis. Instead of the usual inbound Query in your newsletter, consider creating an outbound Query or “Can You Help” section focused on locals seeking the assistance of the larger membership pool.

Ready to take on a larger project? We are genealogists so naturally we love to do genealogy! With the proliferation of both free and subscription genealogy on the web it is now easier than ever to work together on genealogical problems from a variety of locations. The founding fathers of your community came from somewhere, and likely left for somewhere as well. Take the "mug book" idea to the next level with society projects based on the research talents of all your members.

And So Much More

These are but a few ideas of projects you can use to engage with your Offsite Members. They are a part of your community and deserve your consideration. By creatively engaging their talents and energy the whole society benefits.

2015 Webinar Series: How to Keep Your Volunteers Happy, Helpful, and Engaged

FGS is pleased to announce the re-launch of its webinar series. FGS is committed to continuing education for societies and the individual genealogist alike.

The first webinar of the new slate will feature Amy Johnson Crow on "How to Keep Your Volunteers Happy, Helpful, and Engaged." An author, Certified Genealogist and regular speaker at FGS conferences, we are certain Amy’s webinar will help societies learn the tools necessary to keep those much needed volunteers actively participating in your organization.

Please register for How to Keep Your Volunteers Happy, Helpful, and Engaged on Jun 23, 2015 8:00 PM EDT at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6687687484175642113

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

Brought to you by GoToWebinar®

Webinars Made Easy®

This webinar will remain publicly available for 30 days. After 30 days it can be found in our Members Only Area. Not a member society? Please consider joining us for this and other great content at www.fgs.org

Volunteer Appreciation Week: 10 Ways to Show You Care

Volunteers helping at registration,
FGS 2015

Without volunteers, most genealogy societies would cease to exist. Imagine all of the projects that your society is working on. Publishing a newsletter. Maintaining a website. Reading cemeteries. Abstracting obituaries. Assisting people with research. Hosting seminars. Preserving records. Now imagine doing all of that work with no volunteers.

April 12-18, 2015 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. It's a time when organizations across the United States recognize and pay tribute to the invaluable people who carry out the important work of the group.

Here's a little secret: Your appreciation shouldn't be limited to just one week. Volunteers don't expect to be paid (hence, "volunteer"), but they're still human. People have a need to know that their efforts are noticed and appreciated.

Here's another little secret: If you don't appreciate your volunteers, they'll go someplace that does.

Here are 10 easy ways you can show your volunteers that you truly appreciate them.

1. Say "Thank You"

There's a reason your mother made you say "thank you." It's a sign of respect. It lets the other person know that you noticed what they did and that you appreciate it. It sounds simplistic, but simply saying "thank you" goes a long way to making your volunteers feel good about helping.

2. Award Them

Do you have a volunteer who went above and beyond on a particular project or event? Give them the award that your society has established for these special people! (Don't have such a thing? Make one. You can also issue something like a "president's certificate" to show that the society is behind it.) FGS would like to help you recognize the awesome volunteers in your society. Nominate them for an FGS award!

3. Tell Her Boss

You know that volunteer who helped get the society's financial statements in order? What about the one who was instrumental in getting a $1,000 grant? Send her boss a letter detailing what she did and how it helped your society. (Added bonus: It gives your society a bit of exposure with a business in the area.)

4. Say "Thank You" Again

Thanking the people who keep your society running isn't a "one and done" proposition. Tell them again how much you sincerely appreciate them.

5. Listen to Them

Volunteers are down in the trenches. They know how the projects are working – and how they're not working. They can have great ideas on how things can be improved. Listen to them. You may not take all of their suggestions, but the act of listening can really help people know that you care.

6. Help Them Do Their Jobs

Is there a project that's harder than necessary because of the tools that the volunteers use? Maybe the old photocopier is constantly jamming or filing cabinet drawers are always stuck. Replacing these things takes away a source of frustration – and who doesn't want less frustration?

7. Say "Thank You" Once More

Are you picking up on a theme here?

8. Give to a Favorite Cause

People can use only so many plaques and certificates. Instead of recognizing volunteers' efforts by giving them something they have to dust, give them something that speaks to their hearts. Make a donation in their name to a favorite cause. (Might we suggest Preserve the Pensions?)

9. Tell the World

Volunteers are the light of your society. Let that light shine! Tell the world about the awesome volunteers that you have. Announce it in your newsletter and on your website and blog. Send a press release to your local newspaper and include details of how their efforts impacted your society and the community at large. For examples, check out these posts on the FGS Voice blog.

10. Say "Thank You"

Few things make people feel better about helping than to have someone offer their sincere thanks. Make sure you give yours.

Societies: Working With and Inspiring Volunteers

Societies: Working With and Inspiring Volunteers

Most genealogical and historical societies rely heavily on the kindness and generosity of volunteers for everything from day-to-day operations to special projects, conferences, and workshops. Volunteers are hard enough for societies to find, and even harder to keep. How can you make sure your volunteers don't feel like they are being taken for granted, or being ignored altogether? 

Roger Moffat of member society Western Michigan Genealogical Society discusses how their society learned to work with and inspire volunteers, such as:

• How to structure a volunteer committee
• Remembering to acknowledge the volunteers
• How to attract and engage new volunteers
• Choosing new projects and getting them off the ground

Listen to the archived broadcast (and Roger's New Zealand accent) of "Working With and Inspiring Volunteers" 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

FGS Call for Award Nominations

2013 Award of Merit given to Cynthia Grostick
Photo Credit: Jane Haldeman

Not only is the month of April National Volunteer Month, but this week is National Volunteer Week. Without volunteers genealogical societies could not possibly function without the efforts of those who "go that extra mile."

And in that spirit, FGS is excited to announce its call for award nominations. Each year, the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) recognizes and thanks genealogical and historical organizations as well as individuals who make significant contributions to family history. The FGS awards program honors the award winners’ activities and products, highlights their efforts, and provides examples and ideas on how others can accomplish similar goals.

FGS awards are given to societies and members of societies for outstanding or notable service to the genealogical community. Other awards may be presented throughout the year and announced in FGS publications.

Do you know a person in your genealogical or historical society, library, or archives who has gone above and beyond to benefit the genealogical community on the local, state or national level? Is there a volunteer or group you feel needs special recognition? Has your society or another society produced a publication, done indexing, cleaned up a cemetery or spearheaded a worthy cause? Has your society's newsletter or website grown due to the efforts of specific people? Do you know a society or individual who has organized a fantastic effort to digitize records or advance an organization in today's world of technology?

The Federation invites you to nominate individuals or societies to receive these awards of recognition. You know the societies and the people that do the fantastic work. You know the activities and projects that an individual or society has successfully undertaken. These are the people, societies, and activities that FGS is looking for in order to recognize them and offer our gratitude with these awards.

Please consider those who you know for an FGS award. The deadline for submission of awards is June 15, 2014. FGS especially encourages its member societies to recognize their great volunteers. FGS Delegates should make their society boards aware of this opportunity.

Also, check the FGS awards page after May 1st to see some exciting additions to the lineup of FGS award categories.

For more information about the specific awards categories and a link to the awards nomination submission form, please visit: www.fgs.org/awards/awards.

Thank You,

Paula Stuart-Warren

FGS Director and Awards Committee Chair

FGS Call for Volunteers - Great Opportunities Available

Ready for your next adventure involving genealogy and family history? Looking for ways to get more involved with the genealogy community? Put your current skills to use and develop new skills by joining the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) management team.

A national genealogy society doesn’t run itself nor can it provide a meaningful membership experience without the help of its volunteers. FGS is currently looking for individuals to assist with upcoming projects and activities; these run the gamut from managing national conferences and events to providing benefits to FGS member-societies. FGS delivers key resources to genealogical societies within the United States and we need your help to make this happen.

A variety of skill sets are needed, including:

• Preserve the Pensions: Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas to help spread the word about preserving the pensions of the soldiers from the War of 1812. Skills needed include writing articles for publications and blogs, contacting societies, suggestions for advertising, using social media, and promoting the project.

• Outreach: Work to form partnerships and relationships with people and organizations outside of the family history community; build community ties to local history and genealogical societies (e.g., librarians, archivists, historians, etc.).

• Education: Assist in producing and planning the FGS My Society radio show; help manage the FGS Wiki, webinars, and other online educational platforms.

• Membership: Interact with FGS members to help create and implement membership benefits; work with current and help develop new membership acquisition and renewal plans.

• Administration and Office: Assist with general FGS operations on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis including managing e-mails, website management, and other key roles.

E-mail volunteers@fgs.org and provide your contact information, a brief bio and list of skills, and please identify which volunteer opportunities you feel are best suited to your skills.

FGS Announces Social Media Interns - Rebecca M Trujillo Batty and Jason Crews

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is pleased to announce the selection of two social media interns to assist with upcoming marketing and publicity initiatives.

Rebecca M Trujillo Batty

With over 30 years of experience working in genealogy, Rebecca is excited with each new tool that expands the possibilities in genealogical research. Social media sites are among these great tools that can bring many results. Rebecca can be found mostly using Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. You can read her blog at www.watsit2u.com and she is a Family Historian with www.familyhistoryengineers.com! Rebecca is also an avid reader, bingo player, fat activist (HAES), and amateur radio operator (KD7ZCP). She is also learning ASL and Spanish. Her favorite non-genealogy online activity is www.wheresgeorge.com.

Jason W. Crews

Jason W. Crews, an avid genealogist and family historian, is an active member of multiple genealogical organizations. Jason holds membership in Grand Prairie Genealogical Society, Dallas GenealogicalSociety, Lamar County Genealogical Society and Sons of Confederate Veterans. Jason served on the Marketing Committee for the Texas State Genealogical Society’s 2012 annual conference. Jason currently serves on the Genealogical Committee of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Col. M. T. Johnson Camp #1648. Jason is also a member of the GeneaBloggers community, where he writes about his personal genealogy and family history at GenealogySphere.com.

FGS would like to thank all those who expressed interest in this unique opportunity over the past few weeks. The Social Media Intern project is an initiative of the FGS Marketing & Public Relations Committee (M&PR) and both Rebecca and Jason will be mentored by FGS board members and M&PR Committee Chair Thomas MacEntee. Rebecca will be handling general FGS publicity tasks related to social media and Jason will be covering the social media needs for the Preserve the Pensions project.

Please welcome Rebecca and Jason and look for their posts on the FGS social media assets including Facebook and Twitter.