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.
This event requires participation and multiple points of view. We encourage each society to have at least one participant.
As an attendee, you will have a lot of opportunity to discuss issues and learn from other participants in the breakout sessions scheduled throughout the day. You will be able to finish the day by scheduling a private breakout group session with your own society members or with other society leaders from your region of the state.
We plan to record all sessions (with the exception of Breakout Discussions) and make those recordings available after the 27th.
Featuring David E. Rencher, AG®, CG®, FUGA, FIGRS, Director, Family History Library; Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch.
More About David
David is a professional genealogist since 1977, he is one of the rare few who have earned both credentials: Accredited Genealogist® with ICAPGen in Ireland research (1981) and Certified Genealogist® with the Board for Certification of Genealogists (2006).
He is the Irish course coordinator and instructor for the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research in Athens, Georgia, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with a BA in Family and Local History. He is a past-president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) 1997-2000, a past-president of the Utah Genealogical Association (UGA) 1993-1995 and a Fellow of that organization. He is a fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society, London. He is the past chair of the joint National Genealogical Society and International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies committee for the Record Preservation and Access Coalition; he serves as a director on the board of the National Genealogical Society and as a counselor for the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
01:20:29 Teresa Rundell: Can we apply for a Round Rock library card on-line? 01:26:09 Diane Harvey Anderson: No, I learned from the Wmson Cty seminar that you need to go to the library in person. 01:27:38 Ray Weiland: San Antonio decided to use Zoom, Webinar and we can have up to 100 attendees. Price is $450 / year. 01:28:04 Susan Ball: Just so you’ll know, EasyNetSites has been purchased by another tech company and will continue past June. 01:28:28 Ray Weiland: Yes, Blue Crab – made up of about 6 people. 01:36:36 Susie Ganch: TSGS provides a great platform open to member societies which has worked great for our society. 01:37:48 Alan Rabe: Thanks for letting me know that Blue Crab has purchased ENS. Good news. 01:40:43 James Hurst: I have done polls in Zoom Meetings to approve motions, etc. 01:41:40 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): While cannot integrate handouts in meeting, they can be uploaded/shared here in the chat box, making it possible for attendees to download to their respective computers. 01:41:50 Ray Weiland: They have promised to continue same service as EZNet. We are concerned most of their members are not located in the U.S. SAGHS is currently evaluating other software companies. Problem & challenge is we have to have our library books, periodicals, etc in a online catalogue. Most other companies have not developed this feature yet. 01:43:28 Sandra Crowley: Link to Leadership Forum page on TxSGS website:https://www.txsgs.org/genealogical-society-leadership-forum/ 01:43:31 Patricia (Pat) Murphree: How much did GoToMeeting cost after the first three free ones? 01:47:06 Alan Rabe: we let anyone attend our meetings. Handouts are available on our website only for members. 01:50:56 Teresa Rundell: Sue, yes that is why I was interested.. Newspapers.com 01:51:17 Apala Wilson: Central TX Gen Soc pays $294 annually for GoToMeeting. 01:52:32 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): TGSA pays $150/yr for Zoom 01:53:23 Susie Ganch: We have actually gained members by going virtually. 01:55:04 Lisa Smith: Yes, BAGS allows visitors to attend two of our monthly meetings for free. We ask them to sign up for membership after that and have found that most visitors do sign up. We have not had visitors abuse the open meeting. 01:55:16 Ann Broihier: I can now join my hometown genealogy meetings. I have gotten friends and family across the country to join in the Dallas meetings 01:56:54 Diane Harvey Anderson: In Austin, we allow members access to recorded sessions behind the member wall on the website. 01:59:21 Nancy Steele: There could be stages for joining a group. Beginners just learning need help getting started. Later if they want to become full time members it could be based on a fee for better sessions…. 02:22:17 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): Changing family units …
In Sept 2019, when I shared my family tree, my 1st grandchild (then 10yo) noticed she and her sister are connected to Daddy (my son) but not Mommy.
We discussed it briefly, and know there will be more in-depth conversations going forward. 02:38:58 John Wylie: Pet peeve is Nom Chair asking at Bd Mtg, Who is willing to stay another two years? 02:48:31 Rochell McWhorter: Love the dashboard! 02:50:03 Jenny Sharrer WHAGS: How do we get copy of David’s PPT? 02:50:53 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): I’m interested in David’s presentation, as well as those by other panelists. 02:51:38 Nancy Steele: What is the long range vision for the field? 02:52:05 Susan Ball: One thing virtual meetings introduce is the inability to meet with members and network to develop new board members. It’s a challenge! 03:05:57 Paula Perkins: Navarro County Genealogical Society – Corsicana Public Library is open. 03:05:58 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): @Mic love your background! 03:06:34 Paula Perkins: W O Haggard Genealogy Center in Plano TX is open. Collin County Genealogical Society 03:07:02 Paula Perkins: Update – W. O. Haggard Public Library Genealogy Center 03:08:05 Paula Perkins: Most libraries that have a genealogical collection may be open but will have restrictions.
04:56:10 Beth Leggieri: Will tech/media be addressed? This is my #1 concern for the retired demographic that have no access to the influx of options. Huge problem. Many with out of date software, aging hardware, etc. And training? Perhaps every society should have a tech advisor for members? That would be a draw for new members! 04:59:57 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): Love FS consultation, but 20 min just not enough! First learned about it during RTC 2021, consultant told me to schedule follow up w/him, but unable to. 05:00:20 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): 40 in DNA consult better time frame 05:00:26 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): * 40 min 05:01:56 Ray Weiland – San Antonio Gen & Historical Soc.: SAGHS does a DNA Consult twice a month. Is 1 hr long & by appt in 10, 11am, 12 noon time slots. Cost is $10 for members & $20 for non-members. 05:02:12 Michele Bailey: I am the President of the East Texas Genealogical Society as well as a Director of a Family History Center. I have never been able to do a FamilySearch consultation for only 20 minutes. I quit and schedule another visit when the person I am helping is ready to quit. 05:06:34 Ray Weiland – San Antonio Gen & Historical Soc.: What is the URL for Vertical Response? 05:06:39 Belinda Brouette: Templates save SO much time 05:07:12 Lisa Smith: Do people subscribe to the distribution list? If sending out bulk emails through this service, do mail services flag them as spam? 05:07:14 Tony Hanson: https://www.verticalresponse.com/ 05:07:42 Ray Weiland – San Antonio Gen & Historical Soc.: Thks! 05:07:54 Susan Ball: Mailchimp works the same way, and is another free option for emailing lists less than 1500 (I think – not sure). 05:14:48 Diane Harvey Anderson: I’ve used Constant Contact a lot, but I don’t think it’s free. 05:16:08 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): Which one saves to Portal of TX Hstiory? 05:22:11 David Rencher: FS Consultations for DNA are 45 minutes long; Research consultations are 20 minutes. 05:22:35 Tony Hanson: We (Dallas Genealogical Society) archive our publications on the Portal to Texas History. 05:22:39 James Hurst: How do you get people to submit? 05:30:22 John Wylie: Why would a society shut down during the summer anymore? 05:34:36 Jenny Sharrer WHAGS: Will Susan be sharing her PPT? 05:34:41 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): You can also use events, like this leadership forum, to network! 05:37:54 Jenny Sharrer WHAGS: Would love Emily’s PPT. Will we receive it? 05:41:28 John Wylie: How do you get a lengthy speaker to stop? 05:43:40 Paula Perkins: Equipment needs of speaker. I always ask the program chair to see what I might need to bring. 05:44:11 Belinda Brouette: I’ve seen when they had a person in the back who would hold up their hand for ‘5 mins’ or some sort of wrap it up semaphore 05:44:41 Beth Leggieri: A question for Emily: have you found any societies that developed a curriculum guide that assisted in determining the sequence of speaker content? 05:44:52 Susan Ball: We shut down during the summer because historically that’s when our older members are heavily involved with grandkids and vacations, plus research trips. 05:46:47 Paula Perkins: Speakers can set a timer on their phone too. 05:47:11 Emily Richardson: So that is what I do!!! I’m responsible for my time. 05:48:07 Lisa Smith: Sort of. 05:48:24 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): I practice presentations with a stopwatch app. Maybe suggest speakers to do same/similar .. or remind them ahead of time of allotted time and are responsible for keeping track of own time. 05:49:26 Lisa Smith: My question about Vertical Response is that some email services (like Google) will flag an influx of emails coming from a particular email as spam, so it goes to the member’s spam folder and they miss it. 05:51:14 Michelle Dwyer Cohen: Lisa – ok – as far as we know this is not happening – we have checked on a variety of member sand they seem to reach their inboxes 05:51:19 Paula Perkins: How do you handle someone professionally who submits an article but the article isn’t of a quality you can publish? But it’s possible it can be edited to be published? 05:51:52 Michelle Dwyer Cohen: I edit it and send it back for their approval. So far, people are ok with that approach. 05:51:52 Lisa Smith: @Michelle Dwyer Cohen – Thank you, that’s good to know. 05:52:16 Paula Perkins: Thanks Michelle! 05:53:02 Stefani Twyford – GHJGS: you should probably get a waiver if people send in photos 05:53:24 Susan Ball: It helps if you state in your policies that submissions may be edited for clarity or length. If it’s just small edits such as punctuation, I don’t send them bag. Huge edits I return for approval. 05:53:53 Paula Perkins: Susan that is great information. Thanks! 05:54:12 Emily Richardson: No directly – I have worked with some that use the current topics from SLIG, IGHR or GRIP as a basis of what could be topics for the society 05:56:40 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): I know people who have email, but access thru cell phone (bc don’t have computer) 06:00:15 Todd DeDecker: @Monica, many of the newsletter services send responsive content meaning its formatted properly on computers or phones or tablets 06:04:03 Gina Andrie: Programming with Paula Perkins…I am Gina Andrie 06:55:29 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): person/people of color 06:59:37 Paula Perkins: For those that charge extra for print – Is that fee charged for libraries or institutional members? 07:51:05 Susan Ball: Great membership development ideas! 07:51:18 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): Agree! 07:55:52 Linda Hudson: Thank you David…great info, great ideas….time to roll up the sleeves!! 07:55:54 Barbara LaClair: RE. extra charge for printed/mailed pubications – yes that applies to institutional members, also. (Topeka, KS Gen Soc) 07:55:55 Michele Bailey: GREAT presentations David Rencher!!! 07:56:02 Lisa Smith: Thank you David! Great presentation! 07:56:13 Patricia (Pat) Murphree: Wonderful presentations, David. Thanks so much! 07:56:15 Jenny Sharrer WHAGS: David Rencher THANKS! THANKS! 07:56:21 Maria Solis: Great presentation, outlines what we know but have not put into words. Many ideas for us to think about. 07:56:54 Minnie Wilson: tHANK yoU! Learned a lot! 07:56:55 Karen Liston: Thanks for such valuable insight David! So thought provoking for us! 07:57:18 Paula Perkins: David excellent presentation. Gave everyone a lot of ideas to help our societies. I’ve put many of your suggestions to work from past presentations. Thank you for all you do! Paula 07:57:40 Barbara Froebel: thank you David🥰 07:57:46 John Wylie: Must go. Death in family 07:57:53 Malcolm McCorquodale: Well done. 07:58:38 Carla Moore: Wow that was a lot of great ideas! Thanks! 07:58:52 Ray Weiland – San Antonio Gen & Historical Soc.: Thks David!!! Very informative presentation. Got a bunch of ideas – now to start implementation! 07:59:26 Mic Barnette: Great Program!!!!! ALL Dat! 07:59:26 Barbara Richards: Excellent presentation – Wonderful ideas to pursue. 08:02:23 Rick Featherston: Thank you David! Very informative! 08:03:03 David Rencher: Thank you all! 08:49:38 David Rencher: I’m trying to figure out how we can do a Mask session where you guess who the speaker is at the end? 🙂 08:50:49 Stefani Twyford – GHJGS: David there are video filters with masks on them in the video preferences 08:51:45 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): @David .. it’s not a mask, but force all cameras off is only way I know to block ability to see faces. @Stefani .. I love video filters but found out they don’t work with my acct. 08:52:32 Stefani Twyford – GHJGS: @monica you might get stuck with a cat face 😛 08:56:30 Jenny Sharrer WHAGS: Great FORUM! Thanks TxSGS and all of the volunteers!!! 08:56:48 Barbara LaClair: Thank You for today! It has been very helpful! 08:57:05 Teresa Rundell: Great event. Thanks! 08:57:08 Susie Ganch: Great information and a great day! Thanks. 08:57:10 Lisa Smith: Thank you Tony, Susan, David and all the participants! Wonderful event, great information, very helpful! 08:57:23 Susan Francis: Thank you. Very encouraging. 08:57:33 Monica Guzmán, Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (she/her/hers): This was great! Enjoyed presenting + making connections! 08:57:33 Susan Ball: It’s been so great to see all of you today – I enjoyed meeting so many leaders of Texas Societies. I appreciate all you do for your local society!! 08:57:35 Patti Huff Smith: Fantastic program! Thank you!!! 08:57:36 Malcolm McCorquodale: Thank you. I heard a lot of good ideas. 08:57:50 Barbara Richards: Great day – Thank you All 08:57:50 Mary Bullard: Thank you for today’s program. 08:57:52 Maria Solis: Thank you for the forum. 08:57:56 Patricia (Pat) Murphree: Thanks to all for the opportunity to learn and share information! Great meeting! 08:57:57 Susan Kaufman: Thank you EVERYONE!!! 08:57:59 Stefani Twyford – GHJGS: it’s been terrific, thank you so much! 08:58:02 Michele Bailey: This was a great event. I have loved every minute of it. Thanks so much! 08:58:11 Susan Kusterbeck: Thank you so much! 08:58:16 Mary Torres: Thanks to everyone, great event! 08:58:17 Karen Liston: Thank you to everyone who helped put together this event! Many wonderful ideas! 08:58:25 Minnie Wilson: It was a great experience! Thank you! 08:58:33 Diane Harvey Anderson: It’s been a great event – thank you! 08:58:33 Laura Douglas: Could you add Denton County? 08:58:41 Paula Perkins: Thank you Event Committee and all the participants. Have a look of great ideas to implement! 08:58:43 Linda Hudson: many thanks… 08:59:19 Walter Steets: Thank you Sue and Tony.
Panel Discussions
1. How did COVID change the way your society functions?
This panel will be asked to discuss how their societies responded to the meeting restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 outbreak, with emphasis on how their actions will shape the way their society interacts with members once those restrictions are no longer in place.
Panelists for this discussion (click to view biographies):
Monica Guzmán – Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin
A genealogist for over 15 years, Monica Guzmán serves as Secretary for the Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin (TGSA). Monica’s interest in her family history began in elementary school, when looking at her baby book where her mother recorded the names of her ancestors going back to her 1st great grandparents.
Monica’s paternal uncle was the family historian, passing the responsibility to her 2-3 years ago. Monica’s strength in research is beneficial in researching her family, as well as her partner’s. She supports authentic, ethical family research and works to preserve her family’s Mestizo heritage so she can pass it on to her son and his family.
She earned an MA in Human Sciences (Sociology & Education) and a BA in Political Science, with a background in researching and evaluating public policy issues and currently is policy director for a local grassroots nonprofit in Austin.
Pat Murphree – Austin Genealogical Society
Pat Abernethy Murphree, a native Mississippian, became interested in genetic genealogy several years after retiring in 2007 from a career in college textbook publishing. She has been on the Board of the Austin Genealogical Society for two years, and pre-pandemic, led an AGS DNA Discussion Group in South Austin.
Her special interest is in the family history of her Irish great-grandmother, Bridget Lohan, who was sent at 8 years of age to New York in hopes that she would survive the Potato Famine. Pat has visited Bridget’s home town in Galway twice to do research and to find willing DNA subjects.
In May, 2019, she spoke at the Galway Genetic Genealogy Conference, about using DNA to sort the approximately 300 Irish relatives she has identified.
Since graduating from the University of Mississippi, she has lived in Copenhagen, DK, Houston, New York, Atlanta, Dallas and now Austin. She has traveled extensively and has visited all seven continents since retirement.
Pat taught in the Spring Branch ISD for a number of years while putting her now ex-husband through Baylor College of Medicine, and she has a Master of Social Work from University of Houston.
Alan Rabe – Williamson County Genealogical Society
Alan is also the Georgetown Family History Center Director located on Serenada Dr. An active genealogist for 50 years. Alan’s genealogy interests for the past several years have shifted from ancestors to descendants, i.e., cousins. He is related to 4 Mayflower passengers, 15 signers of the Constitution, and to 35 US presidents.
Alan is also trained in graveyard restoration and works with the Cemetery Restoration Volunteers in Williamson County.
For 6 months in 2019 he and his wife captured images at the Texas state archives for FamilySearch.
Was responsible for volunteer indexing efforts in Round Rock, Pflugerville, Taylor and Georgetown 2014-2017 when almost a million names were indexed for FamilySearch. Was responsible for indexing efforts in northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania where 10 million names were indexed over a 3-year period.
Graduate of Brigham Young University with a Masters of Mechanical Engineering. He worked at power plants and was responsible for document control and procedure processes at the 4th largest utility in US.
Walter Steets – Houston Genealogical Forum
Walter Steets has been researching his family tree for over nine years. A long- time member of Houston Genealogical Forum, he has managed their audio and video technologies and websites for five years and organizes their monthly webinars. He believes strongly in member feedback to society leadership and has conducted paper and, more recently, online surveys of HGF members following every meeting for the past four years. He has led the HGF DNA Interest Group for three years and is serving on the HGF board. He has degrees in Physics from Rice University and worked for Halliburton and KBR for over thirty years.
2a. Programming
This panel will be asked to focus presentations made at seminars and general/monthly meetings conducted by local societies. Speakers and those scheduling the events will discuss challenges and successful strategies aimed at arranging high quality events.
Panelists for this discussion (click to view biographies):
Susan Ball – San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society
A genealogist for over 30 years, Susan Ball is TxSGS president, co-editor of Stirpes, and president of the San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society. A strong supporter of records abstraction and publication, Susan has compiled four books of genealogical records, three of which have won TSGS book awards including the coveted grand prize. She also serves her local society as editor of the SAGHS Newsletter and assistant editor of Stalkin’ Kin of Old West Texas, the SAGHS biannual journal.
Having received a master’s degree in electrical engineering, Susan worked as a project engineer for a defense contractor, as a patent engineer, and as CEO of her own database development company. In addition to giving presentations and seminars to numerous societies and the TxSGS Annual Conference, Susan has been the workshop speaker for the Amarillo Genealogical Society, the Permian Basin Genealogical Society, and twice for the Kerrville Genealogical Society.
Emily Richardson – Texas State Genealogical Society
Dr. Emily Richardson retired from a career in higher education administration in December 2018 to follow her passion for genealogy. She moved to Denton, Texas to be closer to her sons, and opened her genealogy business, Kinsearchers, to offer assistance to others in finding their ancestors. Emily has taken multiple education courses in genealogy including Pro-Gen, Gen-Fed, IGHR, SLIG and TIGR.
She is currently the secretary of the Texas State Genealogical Society, a coordinator for ProGen 49, an advisory council member and faculty member for OLLI@UNT, and a director at large for the Fort Worth Genealogical Society. She has spoken at several local genealogy societies both in Texas and North Carolina. Dr. Richardson still teaches online as an adjunct for Queens University of Charlotte.
2b. Publications
This panel will be asked to examine challenges and opportunities related to creating Newsletters, Quarterlies/Journals and other publications typically created by societies. The role of digital publishing will also be discussed.
Panelists for this discussion (click to view biographies):
Michelle Dwyer Cohen – Dallas Genealogical Society
Michelle Dwyer Cohen has been researching family history for 25 years. She is a certificate holder in genealogical research from Boston University, and she started her own genealogy research business in 2019. She currently serves as the newsletter editor of the Dallas Genealogical Society, and regularly presents at local libraries in the DFW area.
Charlene Hurta – Texas Czech Genealogical Society
In 2001, Charlene Hurta co-founded the Texas Czech Genealogical Society and until recent years, served as president for twelve years. Two purposes for which the society was founded was to preserve and publish books of genealogical interest. To date, Charlene has chaired twenty of the twenty-two books the society has published, with the twenty-third book going to the printer in a matter of weeks. She is currently once again serving as editor of the quarterly publication, the Ceske Stopy (Czech Footprints); and the monthly newsletter, the Ceske Oznameni (Czech Announcements), cheerfully nicknamed “The OZ”. She presently serves as vice-president of TCGS.
Breakout Session Discussions
Participants will be divided into several smaller groups for discussion about the chosen topics. The output from each session will be a summary of 3 – 5 responses to each question. TxSGS will provide a Breakout Session Facilitator who will document these responses for each Breakout Session.
Breakout Session #1
Society Leadership
Think about the society/societies you are associated with:
What are they doing that is effective/working well?
What things are they doing poorly (or not doing at all)?
What additional resources do they need to be more successful?
Breakout Session #2:
This session will be divided into two categories:
a – Programming
Discuss issues that affect the abilities of societies to attract quality presenters/presentations.
What steps can societies take to improve the quality of the presentations made at their meetings?
What steps can presenters (or the Texas State Genealogical Society) take to help societies improve the quality of the presentations made at their meetings?
b – Publications
What steps can societies take to simplify the process of creating a newsletter and improve the quality of the articles that are published?
What can be done to help individual societies be more successful with their publishing projects?
Paper vs. Digital Products: What are the strengths and weaknesses of each format?
Breakout Session #3:
Membership
Think about the society/societies you area associated with:
What are they doing that is effective/working well?
What things are they doing poorly (or not doing at all)?
What additional resources do they need to be more successful?
Society Group Breakout Sessions
Participating societies that plan to have more than one member participating in this event have the option of scheduling a break-out specifically for their society after the seminar ends.
Your Role In This Event
As a Participant, we ask that you:
Carefully consider the questions that will be discussed in each Breakout Session and complete the Pre-Event Questionnaire before Sunday March 21
Use our Breakout Discussion Preparation Form to document your thoughts, observation, issues and questions for each Breakout Session.
Provide the results of the groups discussion during the readout.
You can offer to serve as a Panelist or as a Breakout Session Facilitator and Recorder on the Registration Form or by contacting Tony Hanson at membership@txsgs.org
Registration
This event is open to any genealogical society located in the State of Texas as well as to our TxSGS Partner Societies located in other states.
There is no charge for this event, but Registration is required.
Registration Has Closed/su_button]
Future Events
Tentative plans are being made for:
A TxSGS Partner Society Leader virtual call this summer. Date TBD.
A TxSGS Partner Society Day – Date TBD.
Event Committee
Tony Hanson – Director of Membership, Texas State Genealogical Society
Emily Richardson – Secretary, Texas State Genealogical Society
Bill Buckner – Awards Chair, Texas State Genealogical Society
Carla Moore – South Plains Genealogical Society
Questions should be directed to: Tony Hanson – Director of Membership: membership@txsgs.org
