So I started a new doc on my iPad and just starting brainstorming a Genealogy Educational Plan for myself. Here is what I came up with:
Genealogy Educational Plan
Goals
To become a certified genealogist
To become a professional genealogist
Conferences
To attend at least one National, State, or Regional Conference annually
Institutes
To attend a genealogy institute at least every other year
Memberships
To be a member of the following local societies: NCGS, WNYGS
To be a member of the following state societies: PGSNYS
To be a member of NGS
To become a member of APG & NYG&B
Education
To listen all new genealogy podcasts as they are published
To watch at least 10 webinars a month
To read at least one genealogy book a month
To attend at least 5 local presentations a year
To read Periodicals
Writing
To write at least 1 newsletter article for NCGS each year
To write weekly blog posts for NCGS
Speaking
Give genealogical presentations to at least 3 different societies/groups/libraries each year
Mentor
Obtain a mentor
Offer to be a mentor?
Study Groups
To join the ProGen Study Group
To join the Mastering Genealogical Proof Study Group (request sent 4/9/19)
To join the NGSQ Study Group
Books
To build up my reference library
Certificates
NGS American
Brand Myself
To create a website
Create a Resume
ProBono Genealogy Clients
I have already asked Jen, Geoff, and Allyson and they all said yes, I could use them as practice clientsSo, to start checking off some of those goals, here is what I have done in the past few weeks:
I booked a hotel for FGS but I haven't yet registered for the conference. I believe that I will after I talk to Sunny this weekend. So that will be my one National Conference for the year.
Last month I registered for a GRIP class (Mastering Genealogical Documentation with Dr. Thomas W. Jones) so my attend a genealogy institute at least every other year will be taken care of.
I joined/renewed memberships to the following societies: NCGS, WNYGS, PGSNYS, NGS, and NYG&B. I'd like to add joining DAR and Mayflower to the list.
For education, I am listening to the podcasts and watching webinars all of the time. I did some new searching and found some podcasts that I wasn't familiar with so I have added those to my subscriptions. I have really enjoyed listening to Research Like a Pro and very much enjoyed the episodes where they talked about creating a Locality Guide. I would like to do this for both myself and NCGS as I learn more about the library and the sources that we have for Niagara County. In my head, I see a binder with various tabs, but on the podcast they suggested a google doc so that you can click on links to take you to websites. I'm not sure which I will end up with or maybe a version of both.
I read the book The Stranger in My Genes by Bill Griffeth that Dawn loaned to me. It was a quick read and gave me some insight into what people may feel when they learn that one of their parents is not their parent.
I wrote an article for the upcoming NCGS newsletter that is themed around adoption. I talked about watching the TV shows Long Lost Family and Relative Race. So that will be my one article for 2019 but I won't limit myself to one article if I can think of more for the future.
I am current with my blog posts for NCGS and already have submitted ones into next month.
I gave a presentation yesterday at the Amherst Senior Center for their Genealogy Club. The topic I spoke on was Death Records with my The D in B-M-D presentation. Two weeks ago I did an ALE presentation at the Lockport Library and I have already given three presentations for NTLGC, so my minimum of three different societies/groups/libraries has already been fulfilled for 2019 and I haven't yet spoken for NCGS which I am scheduled for two presentations this year. I will also be speaking at the FHC Fair in October.
I have not found a mentor yet or joined any study groups.
I started the NGS American Studies course and am half way through the first class.
That's all for now!
