* HOLIDAY GREETINGS * FAIR WARNING * SHOP TALK * KUDOS * IN APPRECIATION * DID YOU KNOW? * CURRENT STATS *HOLIDAY GREETINGS* As this is the last newsletter prior to the holiday season, the staff would like to wish you the best for this time of year. With over 4,000 volunteers I cannot begin to wish everyone a "Happy [fill in the name of the holiday you celebrate]" as I would surely forget someone. But have a Happy one, whatever it may be. ***************** *FAIR WARNING* There will be many people who will be receiving computers for the first time as Christmas presents. It is hard to believe that there is not a computer in every household these days, but there still are quite a few. Armed with this new found 'toy' there will also be folks who are either new to genealogy or new to researching genealogy on the Internet. Our statistics tell us that we get more unique visitors (first time users) during this time with an increase of requests being made. Please bear this in mind when receiving requests and think back when you were new to the hobby and the site as well. Treat your requesters as you would want to be treated. ***************** *SHOP TALK* We have 2 genealogy specific shops online. The first shop is a RAOGK logo shop (http://www.cafepress.com/raogk), mainly for you volunteers to buy items with the RAOGK logo on it. The second shop is called Genealogy For You (http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou) and contains designs on mugs, tote bags, t-shirts, baby and kids apparel, items for your home, greeting cards and more that show the humorous side of our hobby. Proceeds from these two shops help RAOGK pay its bills to stay online. Gift giving time is right around the corner, and would like to suggest some of our items for that special person: For all ages, we have products that tell everyone where your ancestors may have come from. The design is called "Roots run deep" (as in "My roots run deep in Tennessee"). At this present time only states are represented. http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/1807913 Know someone who spends a lot of time taking photos in cemeteries? One of these products may be great for them: Cemetery Junkie: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/2407919 Even though these shops are genealogy themed shops our best selling design doesn't pertain to genealogy at all: World's Greatest Daddy: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/1424524 We also have 2008 calendars for sale: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/864785 Stop by our shops and browse around. ***************** *KUDOS*: http://www.raogk.org/thankyou/ The month of November saw kudos written about: Brenda St. Peter (Illinois), Bill Caldwell (Tennessee), Melissa Barker [2] (Tennessee), Lani Black (Washington), Vicki Enigk (Pennsylvania), Donna Rohwedder (Illinois), Maryann C. Martel (Massachusetts), Barbara Webster (California), Mary Bier Wilson (Florida), Shelli Steedman (various areas), Norman Catanzaro (Washington), Emily (Washington), Hubert Bender (Arkansas), Colleen Stutz (South Dakota), Jim Strezoff (Texas), Dick Straw (Oregon), Nancy Cronk (Washington), Iris Davenport [4] (Tennessee), Joyce Stephens (Texas), Bethany Jernberg (Idaho), Sue Russell (Tennessee), Patricia Zilincik (Michigan), Bill Allen (New York), Mike Jopson (Australia), Christine Crawford (Australia), Paula Frichtl (Indiana), Beth Proctor (Tennessee), Mark Weichel (Ohio), Carolyn Reed (Michigan), George Eyler (Oklahoma), Pat Robinson (Arkansas), Dianne DeYoung (Michigan), Vaunette Coache (Nevada), Bob Orr (Iowa), Mark Rosenblum (Missouri), Charlie Peasha [2] (Minnesota), Mary Phalan (Pennsylvania), Dave Gauvin [2] (Michigan), Leona J. (Washington), Ann Amadori (Virginia), Barbara (Connecticut), Frank Paige (Colorado), Albert Scarborough (Colorado), Pat Pfremmer (California), Deb Ketchum (Wisconsin) ***************** *IN APPRECIATION* Every month we receive contributions from researchers and volunteers alike. We are most appreciative of these donations. Some contributions, however contain notes which will name a specific volunteer who has been such a great help. The month of November saw Sharon Kafer (Missouri) and Tom Cole (California) mentioned on contributions. Our hats go off to all the unnamed wonders we have on our site. A great big THANK YOU goes out to one and all who have helped RAOGK to continue to be a presence online. Your purchases through one of our stores or by sending a contribution via PayPal or check are very much appreciated. http://www.raogk.org/support.html ***************** *DID YOU KNOW?* You folks are the greatest? If not, let me repeat YOU FOLKS ARE THE GREATEST group of folks I've ever been associated with. Keep up the good work! ***************** *CURRENT STATS* Last month: 4006 This month: 4000 New: 52 Left: 30 Staff removals*: 12 November Requests (through November 27, 2007): USA volunteers received: 4,484 NON-USA volunteers received: 539 *Staff removals are those folks whose e-mail address has been reported bouncing and confirmed or volunteers who, over the course of trying many times, did not respond back to requesters or staff. The STAFF would like to wish you the best of the holiday season coming up. Whether you celebrate it or not, enjoy being with your family if you can as this time of the year is very special. We also want to thank you for volunteering and until next month. . . . . . . THE STAFF Bridgett, Michele, Bill, Anja, Terri, Jo, Bonnie, Melissa, Dennis, Kathy, Jeniann and Doc, the Tech Guru