Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Collaboration at Local Genealogical Society Meetings

I went to the Sun City Palm Desert Genealogy Club yesterday to present "Finding Your Elusive Ancestor: The Genealogical Proof Standard and Doing a Reasonably Exhaustive Search." I had an excellent and responsive audience, which extended my time to two hours (planned 90 minutes).  I also had the opportunity to speak at length with their President, Gary Fredericksen, and vice President, Sondra Lucas, about their programs.

All of their members are Sun City residents, and they have about 50 members, but many are "snowbirds" who are there during the winter and spring.  They have weekly meetings, and one of them is usually a speaker on a genealogy topic.  The other meetings are "Genealogy Forums" where they discuss genealogy research, software programs, show and tell, answer questions, help each other, etc.  I complimented them on their meetings that foster connectivity and collaboration for their members, and provides them educational opportunities on a regular basis.  Their handout table had many forms on it, including a list of Legacy Family Tree webinars, the Legacy cruise, NGS registration forms, SCGS information, and much more.

I also told them about the Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) efforts to foster communication and collaboration, using the monthly Research Group (in a conference room to discuss issues and research problems), the monthly Computer Group (in the library computer lab to work on computer problems and online resources), and the monthly program meeting (with a speaker presentation or special event).

I regularly articles regularly on the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe blog for CVGS - recent articles include:

*  Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - January 2013

*  Family Tree Maker 2012 Workshop on Saturday, 5 January

*  CVGS Newsletter for January 2013 is Available

*  CVGS Research Group Summary - 9 January 2013 Meeting

CVGS also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChulaVistaGenealogicalSociety?fref=ts for announcements and discussion of CVGS activities and genealogy issues.

While a website, blog, Facebook page and other social networking sites connect to about 20% of the CVGS membership, they provide the door through which local genealogists can find a genealogical society in their area, can get education, help and research advice, and can become part of a group that encourages them and provides a connection to other genealogists in their community.

Does your local genealogical society have a website, blog, Facebook presence, activities and programs to stimulate the genealogical juices of its members and local community?  I hope so!

Thank you to Sondra, Gary and their members for their hospitality yesterday in Sun City (it was cold outside, but warm in the club room!) and I look forward to seeing them at future seminars, conferences and Sun City programs.


Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver

1 comment:

Elyse said...

Admittedly, I haven't been to my local genealogy society in a long time because I had a bad first experience there years ago.

But, they are having their monthly meeting tomorrow and I plan on attending and checking it out. I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but I always seem to have a school class scheduled during that time. I'm hoping that things go well and that they've improved and become a bit more open minded since the last time I've been there.