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After an amazing week in Las Vegas at the NGS 2013 Family History Conference, I'm back at home and settling into my usual routine. Right?
Um, no.
As it happens, during the conference, D. Joshua Taylor sent out this tweet:
Little did I know (or him for that matter!) the level of excitement this idea would generate.
Thankfully, we certainly were not the only people thinking about doing something like this. The wonderful Kassie Nelson had already started a Facebook group for the very same thing. However, as a full time student and Mom, it was tough getting things moving for her. We banded together, and I am extremely excited that The NextGen Genealogy Network (NGGN) now has over 120 members!
Just another Facebook group? Hardly.
The organization is doing just that: organizing. We have filed incorporation papers and while we wait for that process to be completed, we are working on creating our structure, finding volunteers to fill those necessary roles to make everything click, and generating ideas for projects, goals and other objectives.
What exactly is NGGN?
Well, our mission statement should give you a pretty good explanation:
"The NextGen Genealogy Network exists to foster the next generation’s interest in family history and engagement in our community through digital channels which virtually connect members throughout the world."
Yes, virtually. Our meetings, conversations, educational programs... everything will be online. We are truly hoping to reach those genealogists and family historians that do not carry a typical schedule because soccer games and scout meetings get in the way. Those folks that are interested, but are trying to get to their Biology 101 class on time. The people that cannot necessarily afford to join their local society, or feel out of place in that environment.
If that sounds intriguing to you, I invite you to do any one of the following three things:
Join our group on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Fill out this Membership form to let us know you want in!
As we continue to collaborate, we'll keep everyone posted on our progress. We do anticipate officially taking members sometime around the first week of July. Hope to see you online!
All of this is certainly keeping me busy, but it's such a good busy. I'm loving every moment of it. I am a proud, almost-card-carrying member ('cause we still have to make some cards!) of this organization, and I cannot wait to see what happens tomorrow!
Hooray!!!!! This is surely a delightful explosion! Can't wait to see where this all will go. I get the feeling the sky's the limit here. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie! I believe in this so strongly, and cannot wait to "officially" get started. Thanks for joining the group! ~ Jen
DeleteAwesome post Jen! I like the idea of making cards too :)
ReplyDeleteYou folks are simply great. I am 100% behind you, and all sensible genealogists should be totally behind you, too. You have filed incorporation papers? That's super.
ReplyDeleteWhat impresses me most is your attention to the schedules, and the budgets, of younger people. Very realistic! I've worried about expectations that the "genealogical community" is supposed to do genealogy all day, every day. Not gonna happen.
You are taking just exactly the right approach. Take the bull by the horns.
Jen,
ReplyDeleteI want to let you know that this blog post and your blog post "Summit County in the Census" are listed in today's Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/05/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-may-24-2013.html
Have a great weekend!