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From: Carolyn Earle Billingsley <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Jones APGQ article
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:08:44 -0600
References: <c23.2c8b36d2.34d0889a@aol.com><8CA30AFFF926A46-DFC-442D@WEBMAIL-DG01.sim.aol.com><003801c862ab$64752e70$6701a8c0@heirlines>
In-Reply-To: <003801c862ab$64752e70$6701a8c0@heirlines>


I've been absolutely amazed at the reactions on this topic. Somehow
the idea has taken hold that some people's status will be
marginalized or diminished by some proposed type of reorganization of
membership categories. Perhaps it's the language: "tiered" membership
must evoke images of being on the bottom rung to some. I certainly
don't blame some for being offended if this is the connotation you
have derived from the wording.

My initial thoughts were that APG is an organization (an umbrella)
covering many subgroups. Each of these subgroups have different needs
and interests, although we all have many needs and interests in
common. Therefore, why not recognize these differing subgroups,
define them, define their roles within the genealogical community,
and allow each to subscribe in the category that suits them best?
Everybody is invited, but since everybody's foci aren't the same, we
offer them the membership category that fits.

I do NOT agree on any type of salary range for decisions about
membership category, for the simple reason that the genealogical
community is so varied, with so many subgroups, and so many people
who contribute greatly or spend much or even most of their time
working in genealogical fields don't earn money (or at least not
much). (But I _do_ agree that those whose membership status is in a
certain category, denoting their expertise, experience, and main
focus of employment should pay higher dues than those who are just
"sticking their toes in the waters to test things out or to begin to learn.")

The first example that comes to mind is the group of people who are
officers or board members for their genealogical
organizations--totally unpaid, but extremely valuable to our
community. In my own case, I serve on boards, write book reviews and
scholarly articles (unpaid), donate my time to lecture to groups
often pro bono, along with many other unpaid activities. When I
founded a county genealogical society and served as editor of the
quarterly and treasurer for five years, there was no pay involved
whatsoever. So **I** would be offended if someone questioned my
"level" of genealogical excellence based on the fact that I don't
make very much money!

Because our umbrella covers so many levels of genealogy, the
quarterly offers a variety of article topics, designed to appeal and
be helpful to those of various categories, from doing research to how
to run a business. Similarly, the PMC Conferences, sponsored by APG,
have a wide range of lecture topics, also designed to be helpful to
those of various categories of genealogists under the APG umbrella.

The whole _concept_ of the "umbrella" is that we want to be INclusive
not EXclusive. (And how some folks on the list have gotten the
impression APG wishes to exclude anybody is beyond me; I've not seen
one word written by anybody who proposes APG being more exclusive,
and yet this idea just won't die.)

APG chapters are the same way: they provide a variety of activities
for various subgroups of people---librarians, editors, genetic
genealogists, forensic genealogists, family genealogists,
professional genealogists, organizational volunteers, authors, and
those who wish to be educated further in genealogical research. ALL
are welcome and ALL can derive benefit from membership in a local
chapter, and, once again, chapter offerings appeal to members on many
levels, from beginners to old pros.

IF we considered different categories of membership, it would be to
open up the organization to MORE people in a wider variety of
categories, while better serving their particular needs. Each person
could find their own particular niche and therefore nobody in the
genealogical community would feel as if there weren't a place for
them in APG. Why is that such a threatening idea to so many people?

Regards, Carolyn

Carolyn Earle Billingsley, PhD
Member APG; Lone Star Chapter
APG Board Member
Akamai University faculty, BA in Genealogical Studies
UALR adjunct faculty, History Department
Arkansas Genealogical Society Board Member, and life member
Founder Saline County History and Heritage Society, life member, and
past editor of the quarterly

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