Managing a Society is not easy. We are providing help by hosting a series of Forums to provide information and allow Society Leaders to exchange ideas and information. These meetings are being held virtually, and recordings of each meeting are available following each meeting (although some presentations are only available for a limited time).
2024 NGS Slam! Competition
We have submitted our Forum activities for this years competition: Watch our video!
Next Meeting
When: Saturday June 15, 2024 from 9:00-11:00 am CDT
2024 Meeting Schedule
- June 15
- September 14
Previous Meeting Recordings & Materials
Volunteer Motivations: Getting & Keeping Volunteers – 23 March 2024:
Our speaker was Judy Nimer Muhn:
Society management includes so many things beyond hosting presentations or a lock-in at the library. The recruitment of members but especially having enough volunteers to do the work. There are strategies, ways of working, outreach, and recruitment to keep in mind depending on what a volunteer’s motivation might be!
Download a PDF version of the PowerPoint Slides From This Meeting
This meeting was not recorded.
Leadership Strategy & Techniques – 30 September 2023:
History has many examples of natural born leaders: People seemingly destined to lead and do great things. The rest of us need a little help in this area, which will be the focus of this session.
Tony Hanson will share tips and tools he has developed that can help you become a more effective society leader. This will be followed by a presentation from David Rencher (AG, CG, FUGA, FIGRS, Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch) who will share his observations on Society Leadership.
Helping Your Members Share Their Stories – 29 July 2023
The most difficult step in writing about your family is getting started. This session will focus on steps that you can take as society leaders to encourage your members to write and publish stories about their families.
We are honored to have Curt Witcher, Senior Manager for Special Collections at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, as our featured speaker for this event.
Programming Overview – 13 May 2023
Providing engaging, relevant presentations for general meetings is one of the more challenging aspects of managing a genealogical society. The recent incorporation of virtual meeting capabilities creates both opportunities and challenges. In this session we will:
- Review national trends in Programming Topics – Emily Richardson will present results of an analysis of trending meeting topics.
- Discuss Special Events designed to get members involved and Active.
- Review metrics to evaluate the success of your events.
Digitally-Enhanced Marketing for Genealogical Societies – 28 Jan 2023
The focus of this meeting is going to be on marketing your society, with a strong emphasis on incorporating social media into the mix.
While the marketing discussion will be at a very high level, we do plan to get “down in the weeds” on a couple of topics:
- We will demonstrate how to create an organization page for your society in Facebook and discuss how you can create groups to facilitate discussions among your members.
- Since a website plays a central role in this effort, we will also discuss the range of options that are available to create a website for your society.
Successful Publication Strategy – 24 Sep 2022
This presentation will focus on strategies aimed at improving the written quality of a Genealogical Society Newsletter, Journal or Quarterly.
We will discuss all of the reasons why your society should consider creating a Newsletter, Journal or Quarterly if you are not currently publishing anything.
If your society is currently publishing a Newsletter, Journal or Quarterly this session will provide tips and techniques that will help you improve it.
Susan Ball is the president of the San Angelo Genealogical Society. Under her leadership the society has won numerous awards from the Texas State Genealogical Society in numerous categories, including Newsletter and Official Periodical.
Sandra Crowley has an extensive background in publishing Newsletters and Journals at the local and state level.
Together they have been responsible for the publication of Stirpes, the Journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society.
Models for Organization – 30 Jul 2022
The skills required to manage a successful society have changed (a lot!) in recent years.
Covid has changed the habits of meeting participants. The days of being able to schedule an in-person Meeting or Seminar and just expecting participants (and volunteers) to show up may never return. If your society is not meeting the expectations of participants with Virtual, Hybrid and Recordings your events may not be as successful as they were in the past.
Finding volunteers in this new environment is also proving to be a challenge for many organizations. Many existing members lack vital skills. Attracting and retaining new volunteers who possess those vitally needed skills is challenging.
This session will discuss organizations changes that may be necessary for your society to be more successful. It will also provide insight into attracting, motivating, and retaining a new breed of volunteer.
Program Planning II – Apr 20 2022
Providing engaging, relevant presentations for general meetings is one of the more challenging aspects of managing a genealogical society. The recent incorporation of virtual meeting capabilities creates both opportunities and challenges.
Developing & Using Metrics for Your Society – 22 Jan 2022
How is your society doing? Are things improving, holding steady, or getting worst? How do you know?
If you can’t knowledgeably answer these questions, and back your answers up with meaningful data, you may be interested in joining us at our January 22 Summit.
We will discuss how to identify Key Performance Goals that target to your organization’s priorities, and techniques for documenting performance that will allow you to determine how well you are meeting those goals.
Plus, you will benefit from hearing how other genealogical organizations in the state are measuring their performance.
Restructuring Societies: Recruiting Leadership & Retaining Engaged Volunteers – 21 Sep 2021
This was a live event – no recording or resources are available.
(Re)Launching Your Society – 17 Jul 2021
This Forum is going to be focused on steps you can (and should be) taking NOW to prepare for your first meeting this fall.
Program Planning – 24 Apr 2021
During our March 27th Genealogical Society Leadership Forum many participants expressed a strong desire for a follow-up event focused on the needs of those responsible for identifying topics and speakers for society events in the upcoming year.
This event was scheduled to facilitate discussion and the exchange of ideas on that topic.
Inaugural Event – 27 March 2021
Join genealogy society leaders from across Texas for this full-day event focused on topics and issues relevant to managing and leading a genealogical society in today’s environment. In addition to presentations by David Rencher, chief genealogical officer (CGO) of FamilySearch and director of the Family History Library, we will have several panel discussions led by knowledgeable and experienced society leaders sharing their unique insight and experience.