Newsletter, March 2009, Vol VIII, Issue 4 * WELCOME * MAILING LISTS * RAOGK EXTRAS * PUT A FACE ON * KUDOS * IN APPRECIATION * CURRENT STATS ***************** *WELCOME* I'd like to welcome all the new and returning volunteers who have joined us since the last newsletter. Hope you have or will find it as rewarding as those who have been with us from the beginning. Thank you for volunteering. ***************** *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 There are some minor rules and regulations for these lists. First of all be nice, treat everyone on the list as you would want to be treated. Both lists have a cap on the size of each message. RAOGK-L is 8kb and Chat is 10kb. NO ATTACHMENTS ARE ALLOWED. The messages are sent out in plain text, if you stylize your messages, they may get caught in our filters. If you are on both lists, only send a message to one list not both. 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 awhile 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. Products available include mugs, tote bags, t-shirts (many styles, many colors), kids and infant items, magnets and buttons (various size and shapes), greeting cards, camcorders, Request Log, Cookbook, Teddy bears and more. There are 3 new styles of t-shirts for adults in our RAOGK Logo shop, and 3 new items in the kids section as well, check them out. Genealogy For You: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou have products with humorous genealogy designs. From "I'm a genealogist what's your excuse" to "DANGER Genealogist in Area" to a design that says "My roots run deep in [state]." You'll find these sayings on tote bags, mugs, t-shirts and many items mentioned for the RAOGK Logo Shop. It's a little late to be mentioning our Easter designs, but if you are interested they can be found here: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/1327926 But not too early to mention the designs we have available for Mother's Day (May 10): http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/1356456 ***************** *PUT A FACE ON* Facebook has been around several years, however, I just created an account for myself this past month. It is a very neat site, much nicer than MySpace (my opinion of course). I have also created a group on Facebook called (no quotes) "Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK)." If you have a Facebook account come join the group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33868082803&ref=mf or http://tinyurl.com/6x6vvp). If you do not have an account, when you click on the above link there will be a green 'sign up' button at the top of the page. ***************** *KUDOS* http://www.raogk.org/thankyou/ The month of March saw kudos written about: Lynn Stetler Allison (Pennsylvania), Mary Jean Baker (Michigan), Ann Bradshaw (Indiana), Denise Hihar Childs (Texas), Betty & Dwight Crum (Ohio), Norm Davis (Ohio), Erlean H. Dickey (Utah), Mike Egan (Minnesota), Nancy Gibb (New Zealand), Millie Guinup (New York), Helen Hatfield (Oklahoma), Warren Hilt [2] (Washington), Rita Holtz (Virginia), Mike Jopson (Australia), Buz Kuzan (North Carolina), Leueen MacFarlane (Canada), Michel Maillard (France), Donna Minter (Tennessee), Judy Olsen (Utah), Ryan Ranson (Canada), Liz Ryan (Georgia), Cheryl Savage [2] (Michigan), Terri Scrogham (Oregon), Arlene Smith (Canada), Rick Wallace (Michigan), Colin Wilton-Davies (Channel Islands), Naomi (Virginia), Sher (Canada), Sherri (Canada), Tami (Indiana) ***************** *CURRENT STATS* Volunteers: February: 3,952 March: 3,950 New: 48 Left: 29 Staff removals*: 20 *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. March requests: 6,394 USA volunteers received: 5,755 NON-USA volunteers received: 639 2009 Total requests: 17,939 ***************** The STAFF would like to thank you for volunteering and until next month. . . . . . . THE STAFF Bridgett, Michele, Bill, Anja, Jo, Bonnie, Melissa, Dennis, Shannon and Doc, the Tech Guru *****************