As a family history enthusiast, one of the ways I have worked to advance my learning and connect with others is through participation in genealogy societies. Over the past 16 years, I have been a member of about 8 different societies; each one has helped me grow as a researcher.
Genealogy societies, as bodies, can also grow and learn – from each other.
There used to be an organization called the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) that provided a platform for genealogy societies to connect with each other. I participated in FGS over the years – writing for their publication – FGS Forum, participating on podcasts, and serving on committees. In 2019, however, an announcement was made that FGS would merge with the National Genealogical Society and that, understandably, caused many in the genealogy society community to have questions about how the merger would work and what would happen.
Well, after my experience the past 6 months, I can shout from the rooftops that I don’t think genealogy societies need worry. Why do I say that?
For the past 6 months, I have served on a steering committee put together by NGS to help bring shape to what it would look like for the genealogy societies, libraries, archives, and museums who would be coming into NGS as members. We, as a committee, were charged with crafting some initial vision for an advisory body, the “Delegate Council” and putting together a workshop to share the vision with all the incoming delegate representatives from each of the member societies and organizations. Importantly, we needed to put together a “skeleton” that we could pass along to the delegates so they can continue to make the advisory body flourish and work most effectively with NGS.
That virtual workshop happened yesterday and it was phenomenal!
(Well, I may be a bit biased LOL). With more than 100 delegates participating, we had an informative and insightful day sharing the overall vision of the Council, describing the 3 main themes of Collaboration, Communication, and Counsel, and held multiple sessions to hear some of the most pressing issues facing the members. It was valuable to hear feedback from all those who participated and the information will be of great use to NGS as they move forward in ensuring that members’ needs are heard and acted upon.
It was a pleasure to serve on the Steering Committee and it was a pleasure to be part of the workshop. I am so excited about what comes next!
Tell me – are you a member of a genealogy society? Does your society have a delegate representative to NGS?