*WELCOME* *LINKS TO BOOKMARK* *WHERE AM I?* *STOP BY AND SAY HI* *MAILING LISTS* *MORE LINKS* *KUDOS* *IN APPRECIATION* *CURRENT STATS* *WELCOME* Welcome to all the new volunteers. You will find that volunteering for RAOGK will be a very rewarding part of your life. Quite a few of our volunteers have been with us since the site began 9 years ago. Long-time volunteers have said that their rewards have been great and many new friendships have been created. You have read the FAQ's for Volunteers (http://www.raogk.org/faq-vols.htm) prior to signing up. If you haven't read the Guidelines for making a request (http://www.raogk.org/faq-requesters.htm) you may wish to do so. You may also want to bookmark both. ***************** *LINKS TO BOOKMARK* Below are the links you might want to bookmark as a volunteer. Volunteer's FAQ page: http://www.raogk.org/faq-vols.htm Ninety percent of your questions will be answered in the FAQ's. However, if not then you would need to contact the section coordinator over your area: Section Coordinators list: http://www.raogk.org/contact.html The section covering the volunteers contacting staff is in the second section on that page. Please don't hesitate to contact staff if you have a question not covered in the FAQ's. Do not contact staff if you have a change in your listing. You would do that at the following link: http://www.raogk.org/change.html This page contains a list of links for different forms for their respective changes. A form *MUST* be filled in for any action to be taken on your listing. All are self explanatory. The only situation that we have no form for is if you are changing your surname. If you've gotten married (or divorced) and your last name has changed, please write directly to the staff coordinator of your area. ***************** *WHERE AM I?* Many times we suggest that you look at your entry to see if you need to redefine your Act of Kindness (AOK). At that time, we usually receive several emails asking "how do I find my listing?" How do you find your listing(s)? Go to http://www.raogk.org/listing.htm then select the state/country where you volunteer. Once on that location look for the local area you've signed up for. Can't find your listing? Did you ask to go on Temporary Status for awhile? Your listing will not be seen by the public while on temporary status. ***************** *STOP BY AND SAY HI* If anyone is planning on attending the Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree this year (June 27-29, 2008), RAOGK will be there as an exhibitor this year. The Jamboree will be held at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, Burbank, California. You can read all about it by going to: http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/2008jam- index.htm We have been asked to participate for the past 3 years, we are now finally able to do so. This should be exciting for Doc and I for many reasons. This is our first participation at any conference/convention, meeting all the volunteers that may stop by and getting the word out about RAOGK. We'll have RAOGK Brochures and a few items from the stores to sell as well. Hope to see you there. ***************** *MAILING LISTS* Would you like to chat with fellow RAOGK volunteers? We have two mailing lists for you to be able to do just that. RAOGK-L RAOGK-L is strictly a help list. This is where you can ask about methods of research, what would other volunteers do in a particular situation, sometimes ask for help with your own research. You need to use the address you have volunteered with to join this mailing list. All subscriptions to this list are approved. To subscribe to RAOGK-L, go to the list description page at: http://lists.raogk.org/mailman/listinfo/raogk-l RAOGK-Chat The name of this list says it all. Most, if not all, of the messages on this list is of general chat. We've discussed topics from what is the best fertilizer to use on flower beds to which city in Nevada is the best to go to, Reno or Las Vegas. As you can guess, the chat list is busier than the RAOGK-L list, and we do have fun. To subscribe to RAOGK-Chat, go to the list description page at: http://lists.raogk.org/mailman/listinfo/raogk-chat Come join us on either list, be glad to have you. ***************** *MORE LINKS* RAOGK Brochure: We have available a brochure regarding RAOGK available for you to use as handouts if you so choose. This brochure is in PDF format and can be seen/downloaded by going to http://www.raogk.org/raogk-flyer.pdf Photo Album: RAOGK Gallery (http://www.raogk.org/gallery2/). A 'getting to know you area' where volunteers can upload pictures of themselves, their kids, their pets, flowers, vacation pictures, etc. It also can be used if you like to upload those digital pictures you have taken of tombstones that you have taken for others for them to download if they wish. To join in on the fun of getting to know one another, you will need to register. Registration is not automatic, but needs to be approved by admin. It may take a few hours to get approved, but you will receive a notice once approval has been made. Shops: RAOGK Logo Shop: http://www.cafepress.com/raogk has products with the RAOGK Logo on it and a few other designs regarding RAOGK. Genealogy For You: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou have products with humorous genealogy designs. From "Cemetery Junkie" to "My Ancestors Did What?!?" you'll find these sayings on tote bags, mugs, t-shirts and other fun items. ***************** *KUDOS*: http://www.raogk.org/thankyou/ The month of April saw kudos written about: Rick Warner [2] (Tennessee), Dave Gauvin [2] (Michigan), Karin King (Michigan), Wallace Rhodes (California), Barbara Valley (Ohio), Betty Quier (Indiana), Dave McTigue (Massachusetts), Jenny Gibbons (Oregon), Tedd Cocker [4](Delaware), Betty Garrett (California), Mary Wilson (Florida), Norm Davis (Ohio), Vicki Bench (Idaho), Janice Graves (Massachusetts), Mary Phalan [2] (Pennsylvania), Ryan Roe (Wisconsin), Mary Schlatter (Iowa), Nancy A. (Florida), Dennis Gries (Pennsylvania), Derien Andes (Pennsylvania), Evelyn Huey (New Jersey), Carmen Christensen (Alabama), Lori Crawford (New York), Sandy Mullins (Iowa), Kathie Jenkins (Montana), Andy Likins (Colorado), Paul Friday (New Hampshire), Shelli Steedman (Arizona), Steve Tynan (Iowa), Suzanne Stamper-Youmans (Indiana), Joe Roberts (Florida), Linda Crose (Ohio), Danny Wilber (Michigan), Joyce Pieritz (Virginia), Nicole Patterson (Ontario, Canada), Helen Flister (Wisconsin), Carol Mieske (California), Lee Dickson (Kentucky), Bill Williamson (Wisconsin), Kay Dawson (Georgia), Daniel Horowitz (Israel), Deb Ketchum (Wisconsin), Jean Hale (British Columbia, Canada), Kim P. (New York), Barb Valley (Ohio), Peter Hughes (Gloustershire, England), George Mouchet (California), Linda Barsalou (Ohio), Charlee Krupp (Oregon), Bill Gmelin (New York), Tory Hatch (Texas), Beth Hudson (Ohio), Laura S. Dellert (New York) ***************** *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 April saw Kathie Jenkins (Montana), Tory (Texas), Kerri Young (SA, Australia), Jerry Shepard (Washington) 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 ***************** *CURRENT STATS* Last month: 3953 This month: 3949 New: 55 Left: 31 Staff removals*: 19 April Requests (through April 29, 2008): 5611 USA volunteers received: 5,020 NON-USA volunteers received: 591 2008 Total requests: 23,379 *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 thanks 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