FGS FOCUS ON SOCIETIES DAY OPENING SESSION

I'm the FGS Delegate for the Ventura County Genealogical Society in California.

This morning I picked up my registration packet for the FGS/RootsTech Conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center. I attend the FGS Focus on Societies Day Opening Session. Keynote speakers were Deana Courant, Jen Baldwin, and Curt Wicher. Listening to just one of them would have been a great session but seeing all three was awesome! I hope to take in other sessions with them later in the week.

My first class was taught by C. Anne Staley, The Policy and Procedure Manual: Preventing "I Didn't Know That".
Second class was taught by D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, New Kid on the Block: Embracing Your Society's new Volunteers.

The following are the classes I took after lunch.

Technology Initiatives for Genealogy Societies, taught by Thomas MacEntee.
Organizing and Carrying Out a Society Project, taught by C. Anne Staley.
Tradition and Technology: Finding Your Society's Balance, taught by D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS.

Lots of great ideas to take back to the VCGS board.

After dinner I went back to the Salt Palace and attended the FGS 2015 Opening Social: Behind the Scenes: Family History & Television. We saw selected clips from "Finding Your Roots," "Who Do You Think You Are," and "Genealogy Roadshow." The Genealogy Roadshow clips hadn't aired yet, we were getting a sneak peak before the rest of the country, really cool.

Afterwards there was an in-depth panel discussion featuring Kenyatta Berry (Genealogy Roadshow), CeCe Moore (Genealogy Roadshow and Finding Your Roots), George E. Ott (Who Do You Think You Are?), Jennifer Utley (Who Do You Think Your Are?), and of course Josh Taylor (Genealogy Roadshow).

All-in-all, a great way to end the day. Can't wait for tomorrow to see the Exhibit Hall and attend all those amazing sessions.

Copyright 2015, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott