O is for Other, Open Days and Offer #AtoZChallenge

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Welcome to Day 15 of the  #AtoZChallenge.  Don't know what the AtoZChallenge is? Find out more here.

My theme is about Family History Societies.  What they are, How they work, Who is in them, Why they exist.

And which ones begin with O !  

Societies beginning with O 

UK

 

Other societies which may be of help to a family historian in their research are:

Society of Antiquairies of London

Australian Society of Archivists

British Agricultural History Society

British Association for Local History

British Record Society

Catholic Record Society

English Place Name Society

Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents

Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives

Harleian Society

Historical Societies

Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies

Society for Landscape Studies

List and Index Society

Local Societies

Guild of One-Name Studies

Royal Society

Royal Society of Arts

Society for One Place Studies

Surtees Society 

 


 

Open Days

People love to try before they buy so make sure you schedule at least one Open Day a year. What makes an Open Day work do you think? In Australia, the smell of sausages sizzling often gets people in through the door and is a great fundraiser.  Think of all the senses.  Does your Society look amazing/pretty/fabulous?  Does it sound great? Does it smell mouldy? Does it feel friendly? Are the premises too hot? Too cold? What tempting treats (not necessarily culinary) do you have to get potential members through the door?  Is your Society easily accessible? Is there plenty of parking? Do you need to give the neighbours a heads up that parking might be at peak capacity on the day.  Maybe they've got kids or grandkids to mind on the day. Do you have face-painting or some kind of craft activity or game for them?  Remember, it's a family history society.  Of course if you are providing something for kids, the facilitator would need to have a current blue card. Just some thoughts.




Offer

What is your offer? Why should people walk through the door? What have you got that people can't get from Ancestry or Find My Past or any of the other websites? 

Thanks for dropping by.  Got some thoughts you'd like to share?  I'd be happy to hear them.



Comments

Jennifer Jones said…
An Ooen Day can be spoilt by not having a friendly face on the door. I’ve been to an open day like this and the welcomed was not at all welcoming. Other than that Ipen Days are a great introduction without commitment
April 17, 2021 at 7:21 PM
GeniAus said…
Open days can be good drawcards.

In Covid times opening our zoom sessions to outsiders is a good way of introducing potential members to a society.
April 18, 2021 at 2:16 PM
ScotSue said…
Some great ideas for open days .
April 19, 2021 at 12:51 AM
Molly's Canopy said…
I don't believe we have Open Days here in the U.S. -- at least I have not been to one that is genealogy focused. Sounds like a good tradition we should consider! https://mollyscanopy.com/2021/04/orange-juice-can-curlers-and-on-the-roof-suntans-atozchallenge/#comments
April 19, 2021 at 4:40 AM
Cassmob (Pauleen) said…
Great ideas for Open Days when there are no lockdown restrictions especially combining it with a sausage sizzle.
April 19, 2021 at 10:03 PM
Alex Daw said…
Hi Jennifer, Jill, Sue, Molly and Pauleen - again many thanks for taking the time to comment on this topic.

Jennifer - ooh yes, like libraries, nothing worse than having a cliquey or unfriendly set of people on reception who make me feel like I'm back at school on the first day with no friends.

Jill - Zoom sessions have been an invaluable reminder to us that nearly 40% of our members are not in Brisbane and Zoom has been the first time we have been able to properly connect with them.

Sue - thank you. Did I mention bunting? The Brits seem to be very fond of bunting and it does make a difference ;)

Molly - the other kind of Open Day I guess is a Genealogy or Family History month which encourages people to visit their local society or library or archives to see what is on offer.

Pauleen - I may have dobbed myself in for a sausage sizzle at this rate! Haha!
April 24, 2021 at 9:08 AM
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