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Archiver > APG > 2006-04 > 1144089975


From: Elizabeth Whitaker <>
Subject: Re: [APG] An ethical question - SUGGESTION ....
Date: Mon, 03 Apr 2006 14:46:15 -0400
References: <b7.6b76b493.3162afd2@aol.com><000b01c65744$89367d00$6401a8c0@oemcomputer>
In-Reply-To: <000b01c65744$89367d00$6401a8c0@oemcomputer>


At 01:32 PM 4/3/2006, Trevia W Beverly wrote:
>Help new members with their initial, first application if this is what your
>office calls for. Supplemental, the person is/should be on their own with
>limited help from their librarian, etc. Perhaps a class in beginning
>research is in order for those who wish to apply for membership. Doing it
>for someone vs. helping ...??

I've been a member of the DAR for over 15 years, but I've never been active.
I didn't have to do any research to come in: I came in on my mom's
membership. (This is a disclaimer.)

I agree with Trevia. I am the "family historian" and frequently get asked
about things like DAR membership. I did some checking, and now inform
all relatives interested in a hereditary society for which we are eligible
that, should they actually get to a meeting and let their intent to join be
known, I will be more than happy to help out with the research if I don't
already have the research at hand.

The Mormons don't do research for their new members: they make them go
to classes, from what I've heard. I _love_ Trevia's class idea! It's like the
old "Don't give a person a fish. Teach them to fish."

My experience is that people who have never done genealogical research
often have NO idea how hard and how time consuming it can be.

Elizabeth Whitaker

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