Tag Archives: FGS

FGS Society Tables

by Charles Hansen
  Reminder: Introduce your society to the nation at our Society Showcase
Act now to get your preferred table! FGS invites its members to set up tables at our 2019 Conference Society Showcase in Washington D.C., August 21-24. In addition to regular Exhibit Hall booths, Society Showcase tables are gathered in one area near the Exhibit Hall for the great price of $50. Handouts may be offered, but no sales are permitted. All Society Showcase participants will be featured in conference promotional material, especially the Onsite Conference Guide and the Conference Voice blog. Conference details are available on the FGS Voice blog and on our website at https://fgs.org/annual-conference/. In the meantime, if you have a question, please contact the Society Showcase Chair at societyshowcase@fgs.org or visit https://fgs.org/conferences/society-showcase/ for more details. Win! Decorate your table with an attractive theme to be eligible to win a one-year FREE membership in FGS for your organization. Tables will be judged and winner announced by Friday afternoon. Door Prizes: Societies are encouraged to offer door prizes. Door prize winner names should be given to the Exhibit Hall Co-chairs daily by 4:30 pm Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and by 1:00 pm Saturday. Winners will be posted on the bulletin board located near the Society Showcase area or at the FGS booth. Lecture Breaks: Thirty minute breaks are scheduled between lectures, plus more than two hours for lunch each day (12:15-2:30 pm) so attendees have ample time to visit the exhibit hall and Society Showcase area each day. Exhibit Hall Schedule: Wednesday, 21 August: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday, 22 August: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday, 23 August: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, 24 August: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm FGS Website: Visit https://fgs.org/annual-conference/ to view full program and registration materials, the Exhibit Hall Map, and click here to go directly to the Society Showcase form: https://fgs.org/conferences/society-showcase-registration/.

FGS September Class

by Charles Hansen

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.

Register here: Complete Flyer 

FGS Webinar an 1890 Census Replacement Project

by Charles Hansen

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is pleased to announce the April 2018 webinar, “1890 Census Replacement Project: Creating a Genealogically Relevant Project for Your Society,” presented by Dina Carson.
Our 1890 census project yielded: a searchable list of 1890 residents, a county-wide research guide, every-name indices of original sources, and a book. Yours could too.
This webinar will be held on April 19, 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

FGS Webinar Breaking out of the Box

by Charles Hansen

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is is pleased to announce the February 2018 webinar, “Breaking Out of the Box: Creative Thinking for Your Society,” presented by Amy Johnson Crow, CG, MLS. Doing the same thing over and over isn’t just boring. It could strangle your society. Look at some ways to get the creative juices flowing and find new solutions.

This webinar will be held on February 15, 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.

More Information Here

Federation of Genealogical Societies January Webinar

by Charles Hansen
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, 1018 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

FGS November Webinar Building Bridges Between Societies

by Charles Hansen

November 2017 FGS Webinar: Building Bridges Between Societies

The November 2017 FGS Society Management webinar will feature Kim Ashford, who will present “Building Bridges Between Societies.” Learn how the German-American Genealogical Partnership was created, the lessons learned, and how working with other societies can strengthen and excite your membership.

Kim Ashford enjoys membership in multiple genealogical societies. She is one of the founders of the International German Genealogy Partnership (IGGP) which is bringing together societies from around the world that have an interest in German genealogy. She currently serves on the board of the Germanic Genealogy Society in Minnesota as Past President.
The webinar will be held on November 16, 2017, 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: The topic for the December webinar is “Creative Programming Options for Small Societies,” to be presented by FGS President Rorey Cathcart.
About the Webinar Series
Each month, the FGS Society Management 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

Does Your Society Need a Social Media Manager? FGS Webinar

by Charles Hansen

The October 2017 FGS webinar will feature FGS Education Chair Jen Baldwin, who will present “The Social Media Manager Role in Today’s Society.”

What – exactly – is a social media manager and does your society need one? Learn some tricks of this growing professional area and how to convert that to assist your non-profit genealogy society.

 

Jen writes, lectures, and consults on a variety of genealogy topics. She is the Data Acquisition Manager, North America for Findmypast; and serves as a volunteer for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) as a Board Member and the Education Committee Chair. She served for several years as the Social Media Chair for the War of 1812 Preserve the Pensions fundraising campaign, led by FGS. Jen is also an active volunteer for the Larimer County Genealogical Society (CO), and has been the host of #genchat, a popular genealogy crowd-sourcing community chat on Twitter, for nearly four years.

 

The webinar will be held on October 19, 2017, 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: The topic for the November 16, 2017 webinar is “Building Bridges Between Societies” presented by Kim Ashford.
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

FGS September Webinar

by Charles Hansen

The September 2017 FGS webinar will feature Laurie Hermance-Moore, who will present “Borrowing Corporate Strategy Techniques for Your Society.“
The webinar will address a variety of paths for a society to utilize the techniques of the corporate world.

Many societies are at a crossroads: new competition from online genealogy sites and webinars, dwindling membership, and challenges in figuring out how to evolve activities. It’s time to stop and make a plan!

So why not borrow from the business world?

Marketing strategist and genealogist Laurie Hermance-Moore will show you techniques that are used by large companies to refine how they “go to market.” Learn how to align your society leadership to your vision for the future, your current mission, how you are positioning yourself against the competition, and identifying and prioritizing your target audiences.

Laurie has more than 15 years of experience in marketing, marketing research, strategic planning, and brand development. She provides coaching to professional genealogists and genealogy societies in marketing strategy, so they can craft their unique story, target their offerings to the right clients, and build their confidence in marketing.
The webinar will be held on September 21, 2017, 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: The topic for the October webinar will be “The Social Media Manager Role in Today’s Society” presented by FGS Education Chair Jen Baldwin.
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.

Federation Of Genealogical Societies 2017 Conference

by Charles Hansen

BUILDING BRIDGES TO THE PAST
A Conference for the Nation’s Genealogists
FGS 2017 Conference registration is now open!

Join fellow genealogists and family historians for the FGS 2017 National Conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania August 30–September 2. Everyone is welcome!

Hosted by the Federation of Genealogical Societies along with local host Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, FGS 2017 brings you sessions with a wide variety of topics from many of the nation’s top family history experts. Sessions are aimed at strengthening your research skills no matter what your level or area of expertise might be.

 

For registration and information

FGS Conference August 30-September 2

by Charles Hansen


Register now for “Building Bridges to the Past” in Pittsburgh, PA

4/10/2017 – Austin, TX.

Online registration is now open for the Federation of Genealogical Societies’ 2017 National Conference.

The conference will be held August 30 – September 2, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. This year’s local host is the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society and the theme is “Building Bridges to the Past.” Register by July 1, 2017 for the early-bird discount at FGSConference.org.

Attendees can look forward to strengthening their research abilities no matter their skill level or area of interest. The program is available online at http://www.FGSConference.org. An 8-page pdf download is also available at http://fgs.org/upload/files/FGS2017-ProgramPreview.pdf.

Rorey Cathcart, FGS President, shares, “FGS Conferences offer genealogists of all skill levels an incredible learning opportunity as well as a chance to meet others who share their passion. Whether you are beginning your genealogy adventure or have been at it for decades, FGS welcomes all. With a day devoted to programming for society leaders and members, followed by three days of genealogy programming that features world-famous speakers, exciting workshops, a variety of special events and luncheons, FGS 2017 has something unique to interest all attendees. Don’t miss your chance to join the Federation for a fun-filled and informative experience in Pittsburgh!”

Conference Highlights

Keynote Speaker

Rick Sebak makes unusual television programs. His slightly wacky documentaries now celebrate various aspects of modern American life and the unexpected charms of Pittsburgh. In “Take the Unexpected Bridge,” he will explore the idea that when searching for information of any sort, from historic and genealogical to gastronomic and adventurous, often the best route is along unfamiliar roads and across unexpected bridges.

Conference Sessions

Learning opportunities abound in the FGS 2017 program. The program includes four full days of sessions, workshops, and interactive seminars. Learning tracks include Immigrant/Ethnic, Records, Regional, DNA, Methodology, Analysis, Skills, African American, Land & Taxes, Religion, Occupations, and more. Attendees of all skill levels will find new ways to uncover more about their family history.

Exhibit Hall

The large exhibit hall will feature the latest software, books, maps, databases, and gadgets on the market for family historians. Many genealogical organizations will be present to share information as well. Society Showcase will feature representatives of FGS Member Societies to share how their society can help attendees with their family history.

Special Events

Wednesday evening’s event is sponsored and hosted by Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society. Registrants are invited to a dinner cruise along Pittsburgh’s three rivers on board the Gateway Clipper Princess. Friday and Saturday evening offer a special treat for baseball fans. FGS is partnering with the Pittsburgh Pirates to offer discounted tickets for games against the Cincinnati Reds.

Focus on Societies

Wednesday, August 30 is Focus on Societies Day. Sessions are jam-packed with ideas and tools to help societies promote themselves, develop projects, increase membership, and leverage technology. D. Joshua Taylor will kick off the day with the plenary session. He will discuss ways to package genealogical societies for non-genealogical partners, including local media, donors, charitable organizations, and politicians.

Librarians’ Day

Tuesday, August 29, is the pre-conference event sponsored by ProQuest. Librarians, archivists, and other information professionals won’t want to miss this event. It will be a full day of sessions focused on serving family history researchers.

Sponsors

Platinum sponsors include leading family history companies Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage. Bronze sponsors include AncestryProGenealogists and Internet Genealogy/Your Genealogy Today. For the complete list of sponsors and partner organizations, visit https://www.fgsconference.org/exhibits/sponsors/.

Also visit the conference website at http://www.FGSConference.org for details including links to conference hotels, research opportunities, and more. Keep up with conference news and announcements by reading the FGS Voice blog at http://voice.fgs.org and by subscribing to the FGS Voice Newsletter at http://fgs.org/cpage.php?pt=71.

Learn More and Stay Connected

 

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and empowers the genealogical and family history community, especially its societies and organizations, by advocating for the preservation and access of records and providing resources that enable genealogical organizations to succeed in pursuing their missions. FGS helps genealogical societies and family history enthusiasts alike to strengthen and grow through online resources, FGS FORUM magazine, and through its annual national conference which provides four days of excellent learning opportunities for both societies and family history enthusiasts. To learn more about FGS visit fgs.org. To learn more about the next annual conference to be held in Springfield, Illinois, visit fgsconference.org. Also, find FGS on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FGSgenealogy, on Twitter @FGSgenealogy and on the FGS Voice blog at http://voice.fgs.org.