[APG Public List] Genealogical Societies

[JFonkert at aol.com]

Elissa is right about putting something out there that people value.   
However, after you build it, you need to let people know it's there.  The  web 
(websites, social networking, etc.) is essential, but it takes much  more.  
In smaller communities, it is possible to get media exposure, but in  larger 
metropolitan communities media exposure is hard to come by.   Networking 
with related organizations is one strategy. Neighborhood  newspapers are worth 
a try.  It is important to promote both your society  in particular and 
family history in general.  I can't say my organization  excels at any of these 
things, but we're trying.
 
In a message dated 4/5/2010 4:36:36 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
Elissa at PowellGenealogy.com writes:

If you  build it, they will come. 

IOW, if a society provides a service of  perceived value, people will be
willing to pay dues. These include member  only benefits including 
newsletter
content, website content or access to  subscription sites, research help
(queries or actual help), program (and  how to reach geographically diverse
members), volunteer opportunities (such  as compiling records), and social
opportunities (excursions to  repositories, etc.).

And of course don't say that the Internet stole  your members -- BE on the
internet if that is where the people  are.

-- Elissa
Former president of two local societies

Elissa  Scalise Powell, CG
www.PowellGenealogy.com
CG and Certified Genealogist  are Service Marks of the Board for
Certification of Genealogists, used  under license by board certificants
after periodic evaluations by the  Board. 


> -----Original Message-----
> From:  
apgpubliclist-bounces+elissa=powellgenealogy.com at mailman.modwest.com
>
[mailto:apgpubliclist-bounces+elissa=powellgenealogy.com at mailman.modwest.com
]  On
> Behalf Of Nancy Lyons
> Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 5:19  PM
> To: apgpubliclist at apgen.org
> Subject: [APG Public List]  Genealogical Societies
> 
> Although this question is not directly  about genealogical procedures or
> methodology, I wanted to ask the  group what genealogical societies they
have
> observed that have a  done a particularly effective job in the area of
> membership  development, and how they have done it.
> Many thanks,
> Nancy  Menton Lyons
> Delaware






Jay Fonkert,  CG
_http://fourgenerationsgenealogy.blogspot.com/_ 
(http://fourgenerationsgenealogy.blogspot.com/) 
Saint  Paul, MN

Director, Association of Professional  Genealogists
(professional profile at _www.apgen.org)_ (http://www.apgen.org)/) 
Member, Genealogical  Speakers Guild
(professional profile at _http://www.genealogicalspeakersguild.org/)_ 
(http://www.genealogicalspeakersguild.org/)) 

Member, International Society of Family History Writers and  Editors 

CG (Certified Genealogist) is a service mark of  the Board for 
Certification of Genealogists, used under license by  Board-certified associates after 
periodic competency evaluations.
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