For many people, researching their family history is a passion that brings great satisfaction and fulfillment. However, genealogy can also be a solitary pursuit, with hours spent pouring over records and documents alone at a desk. Introverts usually love this, but extroverts may need more socializing in their lives. Even introverts may find they want to get more involved in the genealogy community in a tangible way.
Good news! There is a way to meet these needs for any genealogist. One proven way to enhance your genealogy experience and to connect with others who share your passion is by volunteering with a genealogy society. In this article, we will discuss the joy of being a genealogy society volunteer and how you can get involved.
The Many Benefits of Volunteering with a Genealogy Society
Volunteering with a genealogy society offers many benefits. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to connect with others who share your interest in family history. Genealogy Society volunteers are a diverse group of people, ranging from seasoned researchers to those who are just beginning to explore their family history. Regardless of their level of experience, they all share a passion for genealogy, like you, and working together with them provides a great sense of camaraderie and mutual support.
Secondly, volunteering with a genealogy society offers opportunities for personal growth and development. As a volunteer, you may have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques that can enhance your own research. Additionally, volunteering can provide an opportunity to gain experience in leadership, event planning, public speaking, and other skills that can be useful in your personal and professional life.
Thirdly, volunteering with a genealogy society allows you to make a meaningful contribution to your community. Genealogy societies are typically run by volunteers, and their activities and events are made possible by the time and effort of those who contribute to them. By volunteering with a genealogy society, you are supporting the preservation and sharing of local history and culture. You are also honoring your ancestors and everyone else’s in the community, by making sure the life stories and history of these people are not forgotten and remain accessible to anyone who decides to look for it. Being involved in a genealogy society in this way can be a rewarding way to give back to your community and make a positive impact.
Opportunities for Genealogy Society Volunteers
Genealogy societies offer a variety of highly rewarding and personally satisfying opportunities for volunteers, including:
- Event planning and coordination: Genealogy societies often host events such as lectures, workshops, and conferences. Volunteers can help with event planning, promotion, and coordination. This may involve selecting topics and speakers, booking venues, arranging catering, and managing logistics.
- Membership and outreach: Volunteers can help to recruit new members and raise awareness of the genealogy society's activities and events. This may involve outreach to local schools and community organizations, social media marketing, or producing newsletters and other promotional materials.
- Library and archive management: Genealogy societies often maintain a library or archive of historical documents, records, and books. Volunteers can help to manage these resources, including cataloging and indexing materials, providing research assistance to visitors, and maintaining the physical space.
- Fundraising and grant writing: Genealogy societies may rely on donations and grants to support their activities and events. Volunteers can help with fundraising efforts, including organizing donation drives, soliciting sponsorships, and writing grant proposals.
The Joy of Getting Involved and How to Do It
If you are interested in becoming a genealogy society volunteer, the first step is to identify a local society. You can do this by searching online, asking for recommendations from other genealogy enthusiasts, or contacting your local library or historical society. You might also try checking on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to see if any genealogical societies exist in your local area. Many local societies maintain a social media presence, and you can use the platform to message them directly about membership and volunteer opportunities.
Once you have identified a genealogy society that interests you, attend a meeting or event to learn more about the organization and its members. This is a great way to get a sense of the group's mission, values, and activities, as well as to meet other volunteers. Some groups have online events, especially in recent times, so be sure to put the proper software on your computer or phone that you will need to attend. Even online, you can meet people, make connections, and get involved in your local genealogy society.
You might want to research a particular group or society a bit online before contacting them about membership. It is important to locate a society that is a good fit for you personally when joining a group you intend to be an active part of, so be sure you feel comfortable with the group’s values, activities, mission, and other members before joining.
Once you have identified a group that interests you, attend a few meetings to get a sense of the group and what the dynamic is there. Get to know some of the other members, and ask them what they like about the society, and what they enjoy doing when it comes to volunteer activities with the group. Time invested in learning about a genealogy society is valuable when it comes to making the most of your volunteer time commitment. When you find the right society for you, volunteering with them will be an absolute joy.
When you are ready to volunteer with your chosen society, let the group’s leadership know. They will tell you about available opportunities with the group. There may be specific roles and responsibilities available, or the group leaders may be open to suggestions and ideas from volunteers. After volunteering with them for a while, you may even want to step into one of the leadership roles of the society yourself.
Volunteering with a genealogy society can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. It offers an opportunity to connect with others who share your passion for family history, learn new skills and techniques, make some new friends, and make a difference in the genealogical community. If you love genealogy, there is a rewarding volunteer position out there that is perfectly suited to your interests and talents with a group that makes you feel at home. You will love it.
