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Professional genealogists from all over the world will gather this October in Salt Lake City (and virtually) for the 2023 Professional Management Conference, Reset Refresh Refine Your Genealogy Career. APG is pleased to announce that Judy G. Russell, JD, CG^®, CGL^℠,will deliver the keynote address at this year’s conference.

Known by many around the world as ‘The Legal Genealogist,’  Judy G. Russell is a genealogist with a law degree, and an educator who provides expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history intersect. Judy will share her own inspiring story of resetting and refining her own genealogy career many times over—and why it is so very important to stop and smell the roses.

In addition to the keynote presentation, in-person attendees will have 22 sessions included with registration, in addition to networking events; virtual registrants will have access to 11 sessions (plus the live stream of the keynote). Workshops will be available each day for an additional fee (limited spaces available).

Do you know a young genealogist with a bright future? Encourage them to apply for the APG Young Professional Scholarship! The scholarship is awarded to students or young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 who have a significant interest in genealogy and a strong interest in developing a professional career in the field. 

Applications for the 2023 Scholarship are due by 1 June 2023. For eligibility, judging criteria, and a link to the application, visit https://www.apgen.org/cpages/awards-young-professional-scholarship. 

The scholarship winner will receive a complimentary registration for the APG Professional Management Conference (PMC) and reimbursement of up to $500 for hotel and travel expenses when attending the PMC in person. The 2023 APG PMC will be held 19-21 October 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and virtually on Whova.

The APG Advertising Sales Manager is an independent contractor (non-employee), who reports to the Executive Director (ED), and works in cooperation with the editors of APG publications. The Advertising Sales Manager will be compensated $200 per month and receive a 20 percent sales commission on ad sales, paid on a quarterly basis. The position also includes complimentary registration to the National Genealogical Society conference in 2023.

The Advertising Sales Manager is responsible for procuring advertisers for publications of the Association, managing advertiser relationships, and maintaining records of advertising revenues.

The Advertising Sales Manager shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
     ●   Maintain current advertiser relationships and develop new ones through a proactive sales approach.
     ●   Report advertising sales to the Executive Director.
     ●   Provide a quarterly report of advertising sales with calculation of commission.
     ●   Prepare run sheets for the APGQ editor and eNews editor, and PMC syllabus, as required.
     ●   Distribute media kits or flyers to solicit advertising from genealogical and related businesses.
     ●   Encourage members to advertise services to one another through the Quarterly, eNews, and PMC Syllabus.
     ●   Maintain a revenue history of advertisements placed in each issue of the Quarterly and prepare an annual report outlining advertising income by quarter and by advertiser.

Interested candidates should send an introductory letter and resume to APG Executive Director, Michelle Dwyer Cohen, admin@apgen.org, before 5 p.m. on 21 April 2023.

Join APG for our next FREE professional development webinar on 13 April, "Developing, Marketing & Teaching an Online Course: 3 Examples, 7 Decision Points" with Jill Morelli, CG, CGL.

As a teacher of successful (and some not-so-successful) online classes, Jill has learned to engineer and re-engineer a course to make it work for her and for the students. Based on her experience with three different online courses in two different organizations, this presentation will outline some of the pitfalls and rewards of online teaching.

We will review the 7 decision points you will need to address and the lessons learned, whether it's a one-of-a-kind course like the Certification Discussion Group or the Applied Genealogy Institute, with an ever-changing selection of course material. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Even the financial and legal structures of each will be shared. Come learn about what happens behind the curtain!

For more information and a link to registration, visit https://www.apgen.org/events/webinar-jill-morelli-developing-marketing-teaching-an-online-course-3-examples-7-decision-points

APG has submitted comments to the public record opposing the proposed fee hike for access to historical records held by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Genealogy Program, due to the negative impact it will have on members’ small businesses. The full text of APG’s response can be viewed at https://silkstart.s3.amazonaws.com/e8795957-08b5-4319-871e-df7c35d704a4.pdf.

The deadline for comments is Monday 13 March 2023. We urge our members and others in the genealogy community to submit their comments about the impact of the proposed rule on their businesses at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/USCIS-2021-0010-0001.  Comments are welcome from non-U.S. residents.

“APG members utilize USCIS records because these unique primary source documents and testimonies cannot be located in other resources. These records are invaluable, and they help our members do valuable work,” said APG President Annette Burke Lyttle in the comments.

“These fee increases stand to severely cripple genealogists’ ability to execute research…and would impose a severe financial burden on their livelihoods.” Lyttle continued, “APG’s members, including many who are sole proprietors and small business owners, would suffer greatly.”

APG’s comments strongly urge USCIS to: (1) publicly present a plan to fix the program; (2) outline how they intend to work with the National Archives and Records Administration to implement the overdue transfer of records; and (3) permanently shelve the proposed fee schedule increase.

REMINDER:
Call for Presentations Now Open for the 2023 APG Professional Management Conference
Reset, Refresh, Refine Your Genealogy Career

APG’s 24th annual Professional Management Conference (PMC), Reset, Refresh, Refine Your Genealogy Career, will be held 19–21 October 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and virtually on Whova.

APG is now accepting proposals for creative, interactive, and actionable learning presentations to energize and boost attendees’ genealogy careers. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 19 March 2023, so submit your proposal today!

We are seeking new and original presentations tailored to professional genealogists and their businesses. Prospective speakers may submit up to four (4) proposals (presentations, workshops, or panels). Both in-person and virtual presentations will be considered. APG will also consider proposals from non-APG members. Proposals from international speakers are encouraged.

PMC presentations are longer than the traditional genealogy conference format to allow for in- depth exploration of each topic.

     ●   Presentations are 60 minutes, plus 15 minutes for questions and answers for a total of 75 minutes.
     ●   Workshops or Panel Discussions are 150 minutes (2.5 hours) which includes time for activities and class interaction.

Suggested Topics:
Suggested topics focused on the theme Reset, Refresh, Refine Your Genealogy Career include, but are not limited to:
     ●   Accounting and bookkeeping
     ●   Business formation options and resources
     ●   Designing and presenting lectures and courses
     ●   Diversifying your product offerings
     ●   Ethical considerations
     ●   Finding your niche market
     ●   Forensic Genealogy
     ●   Innovative client reporting
     ●   Marketing, brand, and social media strategies
     ●   Mentoring
     ●   Offering packages, pricing, and setting rates
     ●   Project management software and tools
     ●   Safeguarding yourself and your business
     ●   Startup strategies, business planning, and goal setting
     ●   Thinking like an entrepreneur
     ●   Working with a genealogy librarian or archivist
     ●   Writing and publishing

For full details, visit https://apgen.org/cpages/2023-professional-management-conference. The online submission form can be found at https://forms.gle/iEyS8QmBGC7hVgQv9.

Luncheon Presentations: If you or your organization would like to sponsor a luncheon, please do not use the online submission form; instead contact Dawn Carey Henry, PMC Manager at apgpmc@gmail.com.

Deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 19 March 2023.
If you have any questions, please email Dawn Carey Henry, PMC Manager at
apgpmc@gmail.com.

APG’s Professional Development Committee has announced the first three webinars of 2023, free to members and the public.

With a variety of television programming focused on genealogical research, how should today’s professionals target their audience and connect to the community to gain marketing points? Learn about several techniques that have been successful at attracting research clients with commercial, cable, and public television programs. Develop a strategy that connects you to the people who are looking for you.

Event Page: https://www.apgen.org/events/webinar-j-mark-lowe-lights-camera-marketing-my-business-with-connections-to-tv-and-social-media

16 February 2023, 6:00pm EST
Managing a Genealogy Business Downunder
Shauna Hicks

14 March 2023, 5:00pm EDT
Win-Win Mentoring
Kathleen Brandt

Learn about the goals of both mentors and mentees using an actual genealogical firm’s mentoring program guidelines. It is said that a mentor acts as an advisor to a less-experienced individual, but this is a limited definition. Even though the ultimate goal is for the mentor is to build a bridge for the genealogical enthusiast to meet professional goals, we must remember the Latin proverb: “docendo discimus,” — “by teaching, we learn."

Event Page: https://www.apgen.org/events/webinar-kathleen-brandt-win-win-mentoring

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the world’s largest association for the genealogical profession, is pleased to name Michelle Dwyer Cohen of Poulsbo, Washington, as its next Executive Director. Cohen succeeds Kathleen W. Hinckley, CG, who will retire on 31 January 2023 after 27 years as Executive Director.

Cohen brings more than thirty years of project management experience to her new role, as well as a familiarity with the world of genealogy. A former Executive Director with JP Morgan Chase, she managed a global team of project managers responsible for implementing multi-million-dollar projects for various divisions within the Global Investment Bank.

"We are delighted to announce the hiring of Michelle Dwyer Cohen as our next Executive Director,” said APG President Annette Burke Lyttle. “Michelle is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in organizational management and membership engagement on an international level. We are excited to have her on board.” Cohen is a graduate of Cornell University (BA, Cum Laude) and New York University (MBA, Marketing and International Business).

Read the full press release at https://silkstart.s3.amazonaws.com/5bfd981e-12c7-4248-9fbd-5773735d0c6e.pdf.

APG is proud to offer a series of live virtual presentations aimed at educating and promoting the professional growth of our members. All programs are presented on the Zoom platform and are free to members and the public. Closed captioning will be available. APG members can access recordings of past webinars in the Member Portal. The final two webinars of the year are:

8 November 2022
Organizing Your Genealogical Education and News Alerts
Kelli Bergheimer
5:00pm - 6:30pm EST; 22:00pm London; 23:00pm Amsterdam; 9:00am (12/16) Sydney

With so many conferences, events, and webinars, how can you organize your genealogical education? Develop an education folder, make a yearly focused plan, build a document with conference and webinar links, track upcoming events, due dates, webinar links, and news alerts. Consider a digital notebook to keep your syllabi and organize your next institute course. Closed captioning will be available.

Register

15 December 2022
Workshop: Creating a Five-Year Plan Shellee Morehead
5:00pm - 7:00pm EST; 22:00pm London; 23:00pm Amsterdam; 9:00am (12/16) Sydney

Thinking about the next five years may seem daunting but having a road map to your professional goals helps you focus on achieving them, regardless of the changes around you. In this workshop, we will begin with a vision of where you want to be in five years, set goals, imagine what your job might look like, and learn how to build a manageable plan. Closed captioning will be available.

Register

On-demand recordings from the 2022 Virtual Professional Management Conference (PMC) are now available! If you missed this year’s conference or want to rewatch any sessions, you can purchase on-demand access at https://www.playbackapg.com/apg2201  and view the sessions at your convenience through April 30, 2023. Closed captioning is available for all recordings.

There are several options for ordering on-demand recordings from this year’s PMC:

--Individual sessions can be ordered for $20 each. Click the “All Sessions” tab to browse sessions and select your choices. Available to view immediately upon purchase on your Dashboard.

--Full conference package: Order all 21 conference recordings for $300. Available to view immediately upon purchase on your Dashboard.

--“Pick 5” or “Pick 10” packages: Customize a group of sessions that fit your interests by choosing 5 sessions ($80) or 10 sessions ($140). When you select either of these options at checkout, you will receive an e-mail from the Playback Now Customer Experience Team with the link to select your sessions. Upon submitting your 5 or 10 selections, please allow up to 24-48 hours to add the selections to your account. You will be notified once your sessions are available to view.

To view a list of sessions or to order, visit https://www.playbackapg.com/apg2201.

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) welcomes you to our second virtual Professional Management Conference (PMC).

Join us 21–24 September 2022 on the Whova platform – an all-in-one, dynamic, and interactive platform for the 2022 Virtual PMC How to Pivot: Genealogy in a Changing World.

David Rencher, AG^®, CG^®, FUGA, FIGRS, will open the PMC with his keynote presentation on the future of professional genealogy. Over the course of 3½ days, choose from 21 presentations and three workshops by 23 well-known genealogy professionals including Judy G. Russell, JD, CG^®, CGL^SM, J. Mark Lowe, FUGA, Cathie Sherwood, Paul Woodbury, AG^®, and Colleen Robledo Greene, MLIS. The program includes topics on business management, education, accounting/finance, DNA, technology, and speaking.

Sessions will be 75 minutes each, a 60-minute presentation allowing for in-depth exploration of the topic, followed by a 15-minute question and answer period. Closed Captioning will be available via live Zoom captioning and on the recordings.

Be sure to tune in during the dedicated times for socializing and networking and join the fun of Speed Networking and Round Table Sessions.

The member price for full PMC registration is $175.00. In accordance with their commitment to inclusiveness, the APG Board of Directors has set a lower PMC registration price than in previous years. There is no reduction in the quantity of or quality of the PMC offerings – just simply attractive member pricing, making it more affordable for members to attend.

Workshops

APG is pleased to offer three workshops this year. Each workshop will be 2½ hours long providing plenty of time for interactive, and actionable learning. There is a nominal fee of $20.00 per workshop, in addition to the PMC registration fee. Workshop attendees must be registered for the PMC in order to participate. Seats will be limited, please see workshop descriptions for capacity numbers.

If an attendee chooses one or more workshops, they will still have the ability to view any missed sessions as recordings.

Recordings

All sessions (except workshops) will be recorded. A total of 15 sessions can be viewed in real time during the PMC and the remaining 6 sessions or any missed sessions can be viewed as recordings for up to 30 days after the PMC. Closed Captioning will be available on the recordings.

After the conclusion of the PMC presentations will be available for individual sale until 15 April 2023 with personal viewing access until 30 April 2023.

Visit  https://www.apgen.org/cpages/2022-pmc-program for the complete Program. 

Go to https://www.apgen.org/events/2022-professional-management-conference to register.

Clients expect a professional genealogist to have skills, experience and knowledge in a wide variety of areas: repository research, historical laws, nuances of record types in your locality or area of specialty, DNA, time management and organization skills, and strong communication skills.

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) is an international not-for-profit 501(c)(6) professional organization that helps young professionals improve their genealogy proficiency and experience through ongoing training and practice by focusing on Genealogical Skills and Knowledge, Connections, and Business Skills.

APG offers a 50% discount on the annual membership to all young professionals under 30. Young professionals also receive the benefits of a full membership; including leadership and networking opportunities, discounts, access to APG Quarterly and archives, and more.

Whether you are working towards a career in genealogy or taking your passion for family history research to the next step, APG helps young professionals prepare for success.

Young Professional Membership: $60 annually (payable online)

Apply online at apgen.org/join.

Did you want to submit a proposal for the 2022 Virtual Professional Management Conference but needed more time, or did you enjoy RootsTech so much that you have completely lost track of time? Well, we have good news for you! The deadline for proposal submissions has been extended through 13 March 2022. So don’t fret, you’ve still got some time to get those submissions in!

For more information visit our website

Ready to submit? Visit https://www.apgen.org/cpages/pmc-proposals  

Questions? apgpmc@apgen.org

Deadline Quickly Approaching!
APG Call for Presentations for the
2022 Virtual Professional Management Conference
How to Pivot: Genealogy in a Changing World

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) will hold its 23^rd annual Professional Management Conference (PMC) How to Pivot: Genealogy in a Changing World on the 21^st – 24^th September 2022. The PMC will be held virtually on an all-in-one, dynamic, and interactive platform providing a plenitude of features, attendee engagement, and networking.

Call for Presentations

APG is now accepting proposals for creative, interactive, and actionable learning presentations geared towards changes within the world of professional genealogy. Proposals from international members are encouraged.

PMC presentations are longer than the traditional format of 50 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of questions, to allow in-depth exploration of a topic.

• Lectures are 75 minutes, which includes time for questions from attendees.
• Workshops or Panel Discussions are 150 minutes (2.5 hours) which includes time for activities or class interaction.

Suggested Topics:

Suggested topics focused on the theme How to Pivot: Genealogy in a Changing World include, but are not limited to:

• Changes in research methodology
• Diversifying your product offerings
• Changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic
• Tools to improve workflow
• Project management software
• Creating and using templates
• Business formation
• Mentoring
• Advanced marketing and publicity strategies
• Social media marketing
• Rewriting your business plan
• Shifting a client from potential to actual
• Managing a business with employees or subcontractors
• Creating client friendly reports (not academic-style research reports)
• Ethical considerations
• Beyond basic accounting – i.e., best practices for accepting non-cash payments and best practices for working internationally and with different currencies

Submission Details: 

 APG prefers new and original presentations geared to professional genealogists. Prospective speakers may submit up to four (4) proposals (lectures, workshops, or panels). APG will consider proposals from non-APG members.

 Proposals must include the following:

• Name, address, phone number, and email address of the presenter(s)
• Title of the presentation or workshop
• Summary of the presentation or workshop
• Detailed description of the presentation or workshop
• How does the presentation or workshop meet the demands and changes faced by professional genealogists? (50 to 75 words)
• Presenter(s) biography
• Presenter experience: list of presentations given in the last 18 months, including topic, audience, and location, live or virtual.
• Indicate whether or not you are willing to have your presentation recorded for possible broadcast and/or sale. (Granting permission does not guarantee your presentation will be recorded or broadcast.)

Click here for online submission form. Please complete the form and include a PDF attachment including all the above requirements. One proposal per submission. Name the PDF file with your surname and the presentation title, for example: SMITH Starting a Genealogical Business.

For details regarding our compensation policy, click here.

Deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, 4 March 2022.

If you have any questions, please email the conference coordinators at apgpmc@apgen.org

Did you miss the live Virtual Professional Management Conference? Individual sessions are available for sale at  https://www.apgreplay.org/. Each session comes with their individual syllabus material. Cost is $30.00 per session and available for viewing until 30 April 2022.

Presentations from the 2021 VPMC are listed below. To see the session descriptions go to https://www.apgen.org/cpages/2021-pmc-program.

• Carla S. Cegielski - Must-Haves for Your Genealogy Business Website
• Joy Curtiss - Planning for Success! Creating a Simple Business & Marketing Plan for Your Genealogy Business
• Risa Daitzman Heywood - Simple Sales Strategies for Professional Genealogists – Turning Prospects into Clients
• Michael J. Leclerc, CG® - 10 Tips for Becoming a Successful Writer
• J. Mark Lowe - Juggling Complex Projects While Staying on Track & on Time
• Annette Burke Lyttle - The Business of Genealogical Speaking
• Annette Burke Lyttle - What is Soft Marketing and Why Should We Care?
• David McDonald, DMin   - So, You Wanna Be a Speaker
• David McDonald, DMin - The APG Code of Ethics & Professional Practices
• Paul Milner, FUGA, MDiv   - Presentation Skills and Options for a Virtual World
• Paul Milner, FUGA, MDiv - Building Your Professional Genealogical Network – Virtually and In-person
• Jill K. Morelli, CG® - So You Want to Teach an Online Course
• Judy G. Russell, JD, CG®, CGL^SM   - Maybe You Shouldn't Care about Copyright
• Judy G. Russell, JD, CG®, CGL^SM   - General Contractor: Building Blocks of a Good Agreement
• Craig Roberts Scott, CG®, FUGA - A Stool with Five Legs
• Lauri Jean Swett - Five Plans for Professional Success

Important Notice on Copyright and Rebroadcast Restrictions

All recorded sessions are for the purchaser’s individual, personal, non-commercial use only. Sharing or copying the broadcast or recordings is prohibited and risks infringing the copyright of the speaker(s).

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final and cannot be canceled or exchanged.

Award Season is here! Nominations are open for APG members to submit nominations for:

Laura G. Prescott Award

APG Professional Achievement Award

Certificates of Appreciation

Further information about APG’s awards, the eligibility, criteria and selection. as well as the nomination form, please see the website at  https://www.apgen.org/cpages/awards. Please logon the website to access the nomination form. It is accessible in the Membership Resources menu.

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG®) is excited to announce the appointment of Dawn Carey Henry and Jenna Lemay as PMC Co-Coordinators. As Co-Coordinators, Dawn and Jenny will lead the 2022 and 2023 conferences.

Dawn Carey Henry is a professional genealogist and founder of Discover Your Roots, a family history and genealogical research company. Dawn is an experienced event and conference planner who has successfully designed and coordinated many genealogy events, including multiple conferences for the Illinois State Genealogical Society and the Fox Valley Genealogical Society. 

Jenna Lemay is a professional genealogist and digital archives technician at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre in Ontario, Canada. Jenna is currently involved with planning the annual conference for the Archives Association of Ontario where she is working with businesses to help bring the conference a local feel despite its online nature.

"As your Association continues to envision its future, I'm especially pleased to welcome Dawn and Jenna as our new conference coordinators,” said APG President David McDonald. “I'm looking forward to their work in making our Professional Management Conference the premier event for genealogy professionals. Their interests, experience and abilities in the tasks before them will make the PMC a "must-see" event that is worth our members' time and treasure. We're fortunate to welcome them to the task!"

As PMC Co-Coordinators, Henry and Lemay will be responsible for producing the Professional Management Conference from concept through completion. Their leadership, oversight, and coordination of the conference will anchor the association’s educational offerings and provide interaction and networking for professional genealogists. Their insights as professional genealogists and members of APG paired with their conference planning experience will pave the way for successful Professional Management Conferences. 

Are you looking to improve your genealogy business? 

Have you attended conferences and institutes and find yourself ready to take the leap from genealogy hobbyist to professional? 

Are you ready to connect with clients who are eager to work with you and pay professional rates?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions and are seriously considering becoming a professional, the APG Professional Management Conference is a MUST. While many genealogy conferences, webinars, and institutes focus on research and methodology, the Professional Management Conference teaches genealogy professionals how to more effectively run their businesses. Classes cover a wide range of business topics taught by some of the most well-respected professionals in the industry. 

This year will feature sixteen virtual presentations and many opportunities to network with other professionals. Presentations will be offered over 3 different sessions: August 24-25, September 21-22, and October 19-20. Each session will be followed by on-demand access to presentation recordings for 10 days.

Registration is open to all interested individuals and early-bird discounts are available until July 15. If you decide to join APG and sign up for the whole conference, you will have access to a $120 discount. 

Presentations include:

August Session

• A Stool with Five Legs
• So, You Wanna Be a Speaker
• The Business of Genealogical Speaking
• Presentation Skills and Options for a Virtual World

September Session

• Planning for Success! Creating a Simple Business & Marketing Plan for Your Genealogy Business
• Simple Sales Strategies for Professional Genealogists – Turning Prospects into Clients
• Maybe You Shouldn't Care About Copyright
• Juggling Complex Projects While Staying on Track & on Time
• The APG Code of Ethics & Professional Practices
• Must-Haves for Your Genealogy Business Website

October Session

• Five Plans for Professional Success
• General Contractor: Building Blocks of a Good Agreement
• 10 Tips for Becoming a Successful Writer
• Building Your Professional Genealogical Network – Virtually and In-person
• So You Want to Teach an Online Course
• What is Soft Marketing and Why Should We Care?

All attendees will also have access to two bonus pre-recorded lectures: ABCs of Accounting for a Genealogy Business and Using & Benefiting from APG’s Continuing Professional Education Requirement.

We hope you will join us for this exciting event where we will learn how to build better genealogy businesses. To learn more about the conference and register, visit https://www.apgen.org/events/2021-professional-management-conference. 

If you’re looking to join APG to have access to conference discounts in addition to a subscription to the APGQ, a listing in our member directory, and more, visit https://www.apgen.org/join. 

The National Coalition for History (NCH) has sent a letter to APG advising us that they are working with Congressmen to gain additional funding for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). They are asking our members to send letters to their representatives in support of the increased funding.

Additional details, as well as the letter, is available at https://historycoalition.org/2021/04/15/tell-the-house-to-support-increased-fy22-funding-for-the-national-archives-and-nhprc/