* APOLOGIES * A FIRST FOR RAOGK * WELCOME * FYI * MAILING LISTS * RAOGK EXTRAS * STATS *APOLOGIES* I have gotten a number of e-mails from volunteers wondering if the monthly newsletter has ceased to exist. No newsletters were sent out for the month of May or June. The first was caused by being under the weather (bronchitis) and the second was because we were out of town. The only other area that suffered from my absense at the computer was the THANK YOU area. As I am the only one who can approve the postings, it took me several days upon my return to go through all of them. You folks must be doing a grand job with all those kudos waiting to be approved. You can view them by going to http://www.raogk.org/thankyou ***************** *A FIRST FOR RAOGK* After being online for 9+ years, we decided that it was about time for us to venture into the realm of being an exhibitor at a genealogy conference/convention. We chose the Southern California Genealogical Society's 39th Annual Jamboree. What a learning experience for us along with having a very good time. For those of you who are familiar with the "home office," you know we are located in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. You are also probably wondering how/why we picked this particular regional conference over a national one. The main reason is because neither Doc nor I fly, we drive every where, and my 82 year old father lives in Las Vegas. So we combined vacation with 'business.' I honestly thought we took more pictures at the Jamboree than we did, but what we did take can be seen at http://www.raogk.org/gallery2/v/2008-SCGS/ ***************** *WELCOME* I'd like to welcome all the new and returning volunteers since the last newsletter went out the end of April. Hope you have or will find it as rewarding as those who have been with us since the site went online in 1999. Thank you for volunteering. ***************** *FYI* As a reminder, one of the few rules we have on RAOGK is we do not do lookups on the living. This particular rule is found on the Guidelines for making requests (http://www.raogk.org/faq-requesters.htm#fqr16), so it is also wise to look over those rules as well. Every once in awhile we have people who are working on projects that try to locate living people find our website. Usually once told that information on the living cannot be obtained, they go elsewhere. However, we now have a gentleman who feels it is his 'right' to use our volunteers to obtain information on the living since we don't charge people nor make them register to use the site. I believe what he is doing is very honorable. His project is to find the families of those who were KIA in Korea in order to obtain DNA. The DNA results will help identify bodies of unknown soldiers. But it still goes against the rules of locating living people. I can't, and won't, make an exception in this case...as I would have to rule on other cases as well. If you receive one of his requests, please let him know that you cannot do the lookup for him. However, I cannot stop you from doing the lookups for him if you so choose. If you do...keep RAOGK out of any information that you pass on. ***************** *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. ***************** *RAOGK EXTRAS* 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 for others 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. ***************** *STATS* I normally put various stats in at this point, however due to this newsletter not being sent out for 2 months, I'll not break it down as I normally would. As of July 27, 2008 we had 3,937 volunteers. In July there have been 5,318 requests placed through RAOGK, giving a Grand Total of 41,761 for the year. The STAFF thanks you for volunteering and until next month. . . . . . THE STAFF Bridgett, Michele, Bill, Anja, Terri, Jo, Bonnie, Melissa, Dennis, Jeniann and Doc, the Tech Guru *****************