This month has been an extremely hectic one for most of the people I know. Not only do we have our regular jobs and/or volunteer work, we also have children home from school or family visiting. My household has been doubly busy with kids home, family visiting, and medical emergencies. My volunteer work has suffered for it. Fortunately for me, my assistant editor, Marthe Arends, was there to stand in for me and be available should anything arise. I want to thank her again for volunteering to do so. Without volunteers, where would the world of genealogy be? I can assure you that it would be in the stone ages still.

Volunteers do so very much. Without them, many of our societies and clubs would not exist. Without them, many of our libraries (LDS certainly) would not exist. And, without volunteers, the huge amounts of data that have been placed on the Internet would certainly not exist.

When I was finally able to sit and read through the hundreds of e-mails that had accumulated in my mailbox, I found that many people were complaining -- about IIGS™, about the lack of genealogical information to be found at IIGS™, about the lack of communication.... Some people complained that even though they volunteered, no one contacted them to let them know what they could do, so they left IIGS™. Some people complained that they would be assigned somewhere but that there was nothing identified for them to do, so they left.

The World of Volunteerism can be difficult to enter into. Many come believing that all they must do is say the word and a volunteer position which suits them well will fall into their lap. Not so -- but wouldn't it be great if it happened that way? I remember my first volunteer position. I have always loved working on publications and had volunteered to be editor of a class magazine. I was "allowed" to do paste-up and to proofread. Later, I volunteered at most of the duty stations my husband and I arrived at. Many times I would volunteer but nothing came through and I would volunteer elsewhere until I found a spot.

Here at IIGS™, we want volunteers! The current teams may not have work available right now, but hang in there! When things settle down, volunteers will be needed and USED -- to put together databases, to plan projects, to coordinate, to liaison, and on, and on. If you feel that you really belong at IIGS™, be persistent, but be patient. Check back at the web site regularly and look for things to do -- don't wait for someone at IIGS™ to give you something. The key to successful volunteerism is to take the ball and run with it. If you have an idea and feel it is a good one, send an e-mail to the maillist outlining your idea and asking for backing. Make your own position.

Speaking of volunteering. The article on Ontario Land Records is one that everyone should check out. Help is needed in this worthwhile endeavor. Records are being destroyed -- without volunteers to help out, the destruction of these valuable resources will continue. Last month's article on Australian Census Records, by Michele Stephens, should be looked at also.

While I have your attention, I'd like to ask you to read the article titled Goals of the IIGS™J.... This article is about the new IIGS™ Journal that will be starting in September. If you are a serious writer, wish to be one, or know one, please consider contacting Julie Case or Myra Gormley about writing an article for this worthwhile publication.

Return to Front Page