Introduction - What's Here and How to Access It
On this page you will find a series of articles and links to information that will assist you in starting a JGS, but also growing and sustaining it after it is launched. There are individual articles for easy download in each section if you have an interest in a specific topic.
This material has evolved and will continue to do so. In 2015, Deborah Long wrote a series of articles for the IAJGS website that presented her experience in starting the Triangle JGS, a valuable resource for other groups in that early stage. Fast forward and we found that while some elements in the life of a JGS had remained relatively constant, others had gone through a sea change with the increased use of virtual meetings, social media and electronic resources. Deborah updated those early articles and together we expanded the material to challenges of a more mature JGS as well as offering multiple approaches. We discovered we had often found different paths to common challenges. It was a reminder that one size does not fit all. We hope you will find information within this that fits your JGS and assists it in its journey.
Susan Weinberg, IAJGS board member and membership chair
For simpler navigation between articles, access them in their entirety by clicking on the page on the right, then go to the Table of Contents. To download an individual article, go to the section it falls within in the folders below.
Starting a JGS
This section explores issues you will encounter in starting your JGS. From that first meeting, to building a board and creating the organizational structure, this topic is about the nuts and bolts of getting your JGS off the ground.
- Introduction
- Organizing the First Meeting
- Finding Meeting Space
- Holding the First Meeting
- First Meeting Follow-up
- Leadership Job Descriptions
- Developing Bylaws
- Organizing Structure
- Obtaining a Bank Account
- Building a Budget
- Getting IRS Status
- Joining IAJGS
Additional Material on Starting a JGS
- Organizing a JGS: The Original Handbook (updated 2022)
- Starting a JGS: USA
- Why Form a JGS
- Reasons for Joining a Genealogy Society
- Flyer: Why Join a JGS
- Reasons to Belong to IAJGS
- Download Membership Brochure Template as:
Growing a JGS
So you've done the nuts and bolts. Now you can begin to expand your focus to a website, social media, and programming to attract more members. This is a time when you may want to consider a newsletter, a library or some projects that will engage members and build volunteers and future leaders.
- Attracting Members
- Getting to Know Your Members (Icebreakers)
- Reaching Youth
- Developing a Web Presence
- Creating Marketing Materials
- Planning a Newsletter
- Creating Newsletters
- Using Social Media
- Starting a Library
- Organizational Tools
- Developing Meeting Topics
- Finding Speakers
- IAJGS Zoom Benefit
- Zoom Meetings
- Recording a Zoom Meeting
- Editing Your Video
- Holding Hybrid Meetings
Additional Material on Growing a JGS
- Sample Membership Brochure (feel free to use any part of this Word document)
- Online Membership Brochure
- Planning Calendar
- When A Speaker Cancels
- Reasonably Priced Webinars
- Short Videos on Jewish Genealogical Research—JGS of Long Island
- Starting a Newsletter on Pages Tutorial
Sustaining a JGS
Change is inevitable and presents new challenges. Perhaps a long-time leader or a critical volunteer can no longer serve. Every JGS faces the challenge of finding new leaders, new volunteers, and developing partnerships to create a sustainable organization. Here we explore some approaches to those challenges.
- Building Longevity
- Building Leadership
- Finding Volunteers
- Retaining Members
- Working with Partners
- Developing Outreach Programs