SOG-UK-L Archives

Archiver > SOG-UK > 2001-06 > 0993457425


From: Alec Tritton <>
Subject: [SoG] Re: SOG-UK-D Digest V01 #179
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 09:26:58 +0100
In-Reply-To: <200106250056.f5P0uY810031@lists2.rootsweb.com>


At 18:56 24/06/2001 -0600, Phil Warn (without an E) wrote:

>Some members of the SoG Committees (plural note!) have (or rather I perceive
>them to have):
>
>1) a sense of humour failure

We try not to - because we have other things to do - right now in
conjunction with Else Churchill and some of the other members of the Exec,
I am trying to put together next year's computer lecture program.



>For example, where does the relatively new member of Soggy go for FH
>computing help? Who helps them choose their ideal FH program? Who helps them
>with GEDCOM queries? Who holds their hand for their first few visits to Soggy
>Library?

For computer help and which program to use I would suggest getting to the
Society on the relevant lecture day. for instance on 28th July there is a
full day workshop on the different Computer Programs, many of which
including Family Tree Maker, Generations, Family Origins, Legacy, and
Brothers Keeper will be fully demonstrated by experts in their use.
There is also always a lecture on Genealogy Programs at the SoG fair and at
least twice more during the year as a two hour lecture at the Society, the
next being on 28th November by Eric Probert.
Anyone wanting to attend one of these events should contact Julia English
at the society (Dallington Street office 020 7251 6773 or email
)


>Not all members can get to AGM's. Why could they not be put online?

Please explain what you mean - not live streaming video I hope! If so I
suggest that you first look into the costs I did this for Sussex FHG two
years ago and the costs were astronomical. Unless technology has changed
that much it is just not economically viable never mind logistically. I
suspect very few members would be interested and if the Society had the
financial resource to do this, most members would presumably prefer that it
was used to stream the more popular lectures (providing the lecturer agreed).
Please note in both cases it would probably mean professional assistance.


>The Director resigned. Why?

No other reason than that given by Jim Willerton. Why is everyone trying to
read something more sinister into this?

>We have VP's. Why?

We have VPs who have influence within the genealogical hierarchy in order
that these people can be called upon to support the Society's aims as and
when needed. It would also be hoped that they would inform the Society of
anything they might hear that could affect the Society. It is hoped that
never again would this government be able to come up with such legislation
as the Non-Contentious probate Act without family history at least being in
a position to make representation before the fact. In that case the Lord
Chancellors department stated that they consulted with over 1000 family
historians - I have yet to meet even one and am still waiting for a reply
when I asked the Lord Chancellor's department for a list of those
consulted. (Please note as the Chairman of the Guild, Vice-Chairman of the
FFHS and a committee member of the SoG, i can assure everyone that these
three bodies were not consulted).

Whilst I am at it, Miss Brock's bequest was the subject of part of Mr
Camp's tirade at the AGM. I was very surprised that the treasurer didn't
comment that only £50k of the bequest is included within the 2000
accounts. I am currently, with the Assistant Director, trying to put
together the true position regarding the total costs of the refurbishment
and exactly where the money has come from. I have most of the detail and am
waiting for the Director to return from holiday (tomorrow) in order to
obtain the final details. When I have these figures (not down to the last
penny) I will let the list know just exactly how much of Miss Brock's
bequest has been used.

In fact I felt that Mr Camp used the AGM for his own Agenda and was given
far too long on his own sounding board - an opportunity not given to the
other 100 odd attendees (otherwise we would still be there!). It was quite
evident that his "speech" had been previously prepared and I find it
amazing that anyone with such "concerns" had not submitted the contents to
the Director beforehand in order that the treasurer would be fully able to
answer all his points - some of which may well have been true but without
the text of his diatribe we will never know as I doubt if anyone can
remember all his points. . It is though interesting to note that at one
point he quoted from the Federation News & Digest, an organisation from
which he resigned as President for his own reasons. I could speculate why
but won't. All I will say is that after his resignation, I telephoned him
to ask for a meeting to discuss the matter before it was announced. (in the
hope of changing his mind). He refused to meet me and therefore I still
have no satisfactory answer as to why. I wonder what "hidden" Agenda he has?

Trust this answers a few points and doesn't open up too many "cans of worms"!

Incidentally anyone (who I have not contacted) having any experience of
lecturing on computer related family history subjects, who may be
interested in lecturing at the SoG next year, please contact me off list
with details of the talk, cost (if any), approx. cost of travel expenses
and availability (please note these lectures/tutorials normally take place
on Wednesdays & Saturdays)

Regards
Alec Tritton

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