28 March 2010

JamboFREE: Volunteer for Genealogy World

“Genealogy World” is a terrific opportunity to network and have fun doing it.  It serves as an ice-breaker for newcomers and old-hand attendees alike. 

It gives you a chance to interact with others who are researching the same area or who are interested in a particular research methodology.  And best of all, it's JamboFREE.

Groups will meet in round-table discussions to share experiences, suggest search strategies, and answer questions about researching ancestors across the globe.

There will be two sessions on Friday morning, June 11, 2010. The first session runs 9:00 a.m. to 10:15, and the second session runs from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

We are seeking table hosts who will be tasked with keeping the conversation going. Participants can look forward to a spirited, valuable exchange of information. Groups will also discuss genealogy methodologies and topics of special interest to genealogical societies.  Table hosts do not need to be experts with all the answers.  They just need to be interested in the topic and good at keeping the conversation rolling.

Some examples of the topics are:
  • adoption search and reunion
  • a "show and tell" session to demonstrate how to display your family history.  It could be a quilt, an illustrated chart, or even a quilt or other handicraft.
Ethnic, international, and state/regional US:
  • German
  • Irish
  • French-Canadian
  • Jewish
  • Canadian
  • Scottish
  • Etc., etc., etc.  
  • Southern US states
  • Civil War records
Society topics, hosted by members of the California State Genealogical Alliance and others, including:
  • Energize Your Society...Increase Membership and Volunteerism
  • Society Newsletters:  Who, What, When, Where, Why
  • Planning Great Society Program and Events
Lin LaRochelle, who has done such a great job of organizing the "Small Small World" event the past two years, will be overseeing this year's event. If you would be willing to host a discussion group, please let her know the topic/geography/ethnicity you feel most comfortable with, and which session (earlier, later session, or both sessions) you would like to host.

Lin LaRochelle, mefinley@earthlink.net, or drop a note to jamboree@scgsgenealogy.com and we'll get it to Lin.

Thank you!

SCGS "Genealogy Conference" Webinar a big Success!

On Saturday, March 27, SCGS hosted its first webinar, with George G. Morgan speaking on "How to get the Most out of a Genealogy Conference."

Over 120 people from 20 states, plus Alberta, Canada, attended the webinar.  That is so COOL!  We certainly reached a wide area with this presentation!  We learned that it's a great way to communicate with our audience, especially during the Q and A session.  There were some great questions tossed at us!

68% gave it an "A" rating, 26% a "B" and the rest gave it a "C".  George did a fabulous job.

The PowerPoint slides from the presentation are available for download here, and the video will be posted online within the next couple of days.

Thanks everyone for attending!

25 March 2010

Advertise in the Jamboree Syllabus

Professional genealogists, societies, and businesses serving the genealogical community:

What would it be worth to you to get your name in front of 1600 attendees at one of the largest genealogy conferences in the US?  Plus, have an internet ad placed on the conference website at no additional charge? Why not place an ad in the Jamboree syllabus and find out?

With our highly-targeted audience and an online ad linking from the Jamboree website to yours, you'll be sure to get the publicity that will help to grow your society, professional genealogy consulting service, or business.

Syllabus ads rates are very reasonable:
  $  40 ... 2" high x 3" wide business card size   
  $  60 ... 4" wide x 5" high (Quarter Page Vertical)    
  $  60 ... 5" wide x 4" high (Quarter Page Horizontal)    
  $  80 ... 8" high x 5" wide (Half Page Vertical)           
  $  80 ... 5" high x 8" wide (Half Page Horizontal)         
  $150 ... 8 ½" wide x 11" high (Full Page B/W)

Provide copy in PDF, Word, JPG, PNG, or Publisher format. No bleeds. Email camera-ready content to jamboree@scgsgenealogy.com. If you need assistance in designing your ad, we can help with that too. Please submit camera-ready copy by April 30, 2010. Payment for the ad can be made by check payable to Southern California Genealogical Society, 417 Irving Drive, Burbank, CA 91504, or through our secure shopping cart.

10 March 2010

The Genealogy Craze

What fun I had listening to "The Genealogy Craze," a radio interview on Minnesota Public Radio.

Megan Smolenyak2 and Bennett Greenspan, both of whom will be speaking at Jamboree this year, did a great job during the one-hour interview. You can listen to it here:


02 March 2010

Free Webinar: How to Get the Most out of a Genealogy Conference

Join us on Saturday, March 27, 2010, for a free webinar conducted by one of genealogy’s favorite speakers and a featured Jamboree presenter, George G. Morgan of The Genealogy Guys Podcast.

"How to Get the Most out of a Genealogy Conference" is perfect for those who are planning to attend their first genealogical conference, whether it’s the Genealogy Jamboree, NGS, FGS, or any other large event. Even those who have attended several conferences will pick up some new ideas.

George will walk you through all the steps for maximizing your conference experience. These include:

• registering for the conference;
• planning your conference schedule;
• planning your attack on the exhibit hall (including doing some preliminary research on exhibitor company websites and putting together a shopping list);
• encouraging your cousins to attend, too;
• making travel arrangements;
• using the syllabus;
• and more!

He'll have lots of suggestions for onsite at the conference, including meeting other attendees, how to get one-on-one time with your favorite speakers, and how to work the vendors in the exhibit hall to gather new information. George will cover all this and more.

George has more than 25 years of training experience, has attended and spoken at hundreds of events, and has planned the programs for two of the Federation of Genealogical Societies national conferences. No one knows genealogy conferences like George!

The original broadcast of the webinar on March 27 is limited to 100 attendees. But don’t fret if you aren’t one of the lucky 100. The program will be available for viewing anytime after April 1, 2010, at www.scgsgenealogy.com.

Don’t miss this great webinar!

The session is open to the public, and space is limited.
Reserve your place now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/999938817

01 March 2010

Publicize Jamboree in Your Family Newsletter

Have you thought about inviting your cousins to Jamboree?  Just think about the benefits:
  • You could trade information face to face.
  • You could divide and conquer when you want to see two or three different sessions at the same time
  • You could see the family without having them under your roof. Everyone stays at the Marriott and there's no kicking the kids out of their bedrooms, and no one will plunder your refrigerator in the middle of the night.
Here is an example of a notice that went out to the Armfield family genealogists:
Hello Armfields!
Have you ever thought of a real-time get-together with the Armfield genealogists?  There’s a great opportunity coming up:  The Southern California Genealogy Jamboree will be held June 11-13 in Burbank, California.  It’s a three-day conference packed with over 120 class sessions, banquets, breakfasts, networking and fun. We have internationally renowned speakers and an exhibit floor with about 70 commercial organizations and societies.
I am extending a special invitation to all of my cousins to join us. The hotel has discounted room rates, and Southern California offers a long list of tourist activities.  If you’re interested, contact me at phinkel@pacbell.net. You can read all about the Jamboree at www.scgsgenealogy.com – click on the Jamboree link. 

Hope to see you there!! 

Paula
Feel free to borrow these words and invite your cousins. If you pull together a family reunion or you meet cousins that you've never met or haven't seen since you both were in knickers, we'd love to feature you on the Jamboree blog.