Tracks

Societies run more smoothly using positive techniques that offer prevention rather than solving problems with activities, publications, people, events, and policies. Interactive session.

Facebook can be an incredible tool for your society, but the ever-evolving nature of the platform can make it challenging to get your message heard. Explore the various options offered and how to be successful.

Genealogists face ever-increasing threats to the records on which we rely. Grassroots advocacy by the genealogical community can be a potent weapon to overcome those threats.

Misconceptions abound as to the financial rights and responsibilities of non-profits. Learn how to maximize the profitability of your events while staying on the right side of the law.

Whether you have just won an election as your society's president, secretary, conference chair, or somewhere in-between, learn tips to make the most of your first few days.

Join an outgoing FGS president for a look at the most crucial lessons learned during his four years as FGS president—including successes and mistakes.

Learn strategies for creating small volunteer opportunities out of even the largest project to increase member participation.

Join FGS President D. Joshua Taylor and fellow society presidents for a discussion of issues and concerns confronting societies.

Wondering how you can make the most of your society's membership in FGS? Join FGS Officers as they discuss FGS and how it supports and works with member societies. Society delegate communication and interaction with FGS will be discussed.

This presentation focuses on how genealogical and historical societies should use change and “change factors” to help steer a course and plan a program of action that is most meaningful to their members. There is a strong emphasis in this presentation on using standard business applications with goal-setting for societies.

Join FGS leadership for an in-depth look at the current state of our societies across the United States. Trends relating to membership growth, marketing activities, educational initiatives, and other activities will be discussed. Time will also be reserved for “Society Shout-Out,” offering you the opportunity to share successes from your society from the past year. This session also includes the FGS Annual Business Meeting and other important activities for society leaders and FGS delegates.

This session will provide participants with ideas for creating, funding, marketing, and implementing genealogy and archiving programs for children and teens.

This session will explore how societies can strengthen themselves and the larger genealogical community by partnering with neighboring societies, libraries, and other organizations.

Societies that have existed for decades may find themselves with decreasing membership, reluctant volunteers, and generally in need of revitalization. This lecture suggests strategies for revitalizing your society.

Join fellow society leaders and FGS board members for a discussion of ideas to generate new life in your society.

Important operational philosophies and strategic thinking will be shared to encourage those involved in society operations to increase member engagement while enticing new members.

There are many ways to use email to boost excitement and promote participation in your society. From meeting announcements to surveys and more, learn to leverage email in your society.

Today’s technology provides genealogical societies with more opportunities to engage volunteers in digital projects. Learn successful strategies and how to apply them to your society.

How is your society faring, really? This session goes into detail on how to define quantitative measures, use past numbers to set realistic goals, and how to measure success and take action.

Is your society stuck in an ME-centered mind-set that makes progress impossible? Take a look at some of these suggestions for getting past this to move forward to a WE-centered society.

Often an area of little active concern for a society, yet it is critical to an organization's long-term success. Hear and share strategies for recruiting society members into positions of increasing responsibility.

Join fellow society leaders and FGS board members for a discussion of ideas for finding and developing programs.

Successful workshops are often measured by what attendees take away from them. But it doesn’t hurt the society to benefit from the workshop, too. Learn how to host a successful workshop for all.

Societies model the expectations and goals presented by the leadership. Discover how an expansion in programming style will show results in your participation and membership numbers.

Basic design issues are important whether you are creating a family newsletter for a few readers or a quarterly publication to be read by hundreds. Learn about good design principles.

Learn innovative and creative ways to develop educational programs to revitalize your society.

Join fellow society leaders and FGS board members for a discussion of ideas for developing and managing society projects.

Your society’s projects and publications can benefit through member collaboration with popular cloud apps. We will focus on Dropbox, Evernote, Google Docs, and others.

Collaboration is a must for grant funding for digitization projects. Tina offers insights into starting a project, working with others, staying on task, and maintaining the relationships once work has been completed.

Learn how ResearchTies™, an online research log, can help your society track large research projects and easily avoid duplication of efforts.

New board members often receive a box of dusty files that may have been in existence for several decades. Is it unclear what may be tossed and what may be retained? This lecture will suggest strategies for eliminating excess materials while preserving the history essential to the organization.

In the constantly evolving world in which we live, genealogical societies must successfully adapt or risk withering and dying. Transforming societies, associations, and organizations to meet the needs of both today’s members and the members of tomorrow takes leadership, collaboration, and vision. The FGS Focus on Societies Day begins with a plenary session that explores the opportunities and challenges facing societies today and showcases ways society leaders, delegates, members, and genealogical researchers can facilitate the changes needed for societies to succeed and thrive.

The producer of the Genealogy Gems YouTube Channel (founded 2007, 250,000+ views) will share strategies for creating a robust YouTube channel for your society.

An overview of current technology resources available to be leveraged by any genealogical society in an easy-to-understand, non-techie format.

Search engine optimization can give a huge boost to your website. Learn the basics of SEO techniques and take home tools you can use now to enhance your visibility online.

Explore the benefits of Google Apps for your society. A full set of collaborative tools, including online storage, email, and office applications, all for no cost.

Join fellow society leaders and FGS board members for a discussion of methods and tools for using technology to reach and engage members.