{"id":13042,"date":"2024-04-03T20:27:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T00:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nergc.org\/?page_id=13042"},"modified":"2024-04-04T15:54:57","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T19:54:57","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nergc.org\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ’s"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New England Regional Genealogical Consortium (NERGC) was created to bring together genealogical and historical groups from around New England and provide genealogists in this area with a high-quality educational opportunity.\u00a0 If your genealogical or historical group is interested in joining NERGC, please review these questions and answers for more information on how the Consortium works.\u00a0 Then, email President@NERGC.org with your remaining questions and concerns!\u00a0 Participation in NERGC is a great networking experience and will expose your organization to other groups throughout the area.<\/p>

About NERGC<\/strong><\/h2>
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What is NERGC?<\/strong> <\/p>

<\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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NERGC stands for New England Regional Genealogical Consortium<\/p>\n\n

Originally formed over twenty years ago, the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium (NERGC) is an association of genealogical societies seeking to bring affordable, cutting edge, National quality genealogical education within the reach of New England genealogists and family historians at an affordable regional price.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What is a quarterly meeting like?<\/strong><\/p>

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a. All officers and delegates are invited to quarterly meetings, typically on a Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n

b. An agenda for the meeting is distributed a few days prior with directions to the designated meeting venue.<\/p>\n\n

c. A full meeting will include as many as 50 people in a classroom style meeting area.<\/p>\n\n

d. The agenda may include items for the greater good of the consortium as well as the progress of the biennial conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What is the hierarchy within NERGC?<\/strong><\/p>

<\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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a. NERGC Board<\/p>\n\n

b. Delegates<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What are the elected offices for NERGC?<\/strong><\/p>

<\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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a. President<\/p>\n\n

b. Vice President<\/p>\n\n

c. Secretary<\/p>\n\n

d. Treasurer<\/p>\n\n

e. Assistant Treasurer<\/p>\n\n

f. All of the above are for 2 year terms – half are elected each year.<\/p>\n\n

g. Director – 3 positions each for a 3 year term – one elected each year.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What acronyms should I learn for NERGC?<\/strong><\/p>

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a. ARS = Ancestor Road Show<\/p>\n\n

b. CFP = Call for Papers<\/p>\n\n

c. DHS = Donna Holt Siemiatkoski (our Volunteer Award is named for her)<\/p>\n\n

d. EH = Exhibit Hall<\/p>\n\n

e. PS = Participating Society<\/p>\n\n

f. SIGs = Special Interest Groups<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What is the history of NERGC?<\/strong><\/p>

<\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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a. The conference began in 1992 with 14 participating societies.<\/p>\n\n

b. The first six conferences were held between 1992 and 2000.<\/p>\n\n

c. 2003 seems to be when the conferences went to a regular schedule of every two years.<\/p>\n\n

d. While the original intent was to meet on a rotation basis in all six of the New England states, the size of our conference now limits us to the larger facilities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What is the general budget of NERGC?<\/strong><\/p>

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a. The overall budget for the event ranges between 90,000 and 175,000, mostly dependent upon the cost of the venue and the financial commitment for food & beverage.<\/p>\n\n

b. Only one conference operated at a loss.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>

Membership in NERGC<\/strong><\/h2>
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Why does my society need a delegate?<\/strong><\/p>

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a. All participating societies are asked to provide a delegate who receives NERGC communications and is invited to our quarterly meetings.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What is the job of a delegate?<\/strong><\/p>

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a. A delegate is the \u201ceyes and ears\u201d for their organization.<\/p>\n\n

b. They serve as a liaison between NERGC and their organization, keeping the organization up to date on project deadlines, upcoming events from other members, and other items discussed at the quarterly NERGC meetings.<\/p>\n\n

c. Many organizations ask that the delegate provide a report to their officers following each quarterly meeting.<\/p>\n\n

d. Vote on behalf of their organization as needed during your tenure.<\/p>\n\n

e. Disseminate information about NERGC to their organization.<\/p>\n\n

f. Nominate a member of their organization for NERGC\u2019s Donna Holt Siemiatkoski (DHS) Volunteer Award, if appropriate.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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How does a delegate get answers?<\/strong><\/p>

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a. Speak up!\u00a0 Many people involved with NERGC have done this for several years.\u00a0 Everyone is happy to help newcomers, and many remember how nerve-racking it might be for that newcomer to \u2018break in\u2019 to this large group.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What is a participating society?<\/strong><\/p>

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a. A member society who, after reviewing the Participation Agreement, agrees to the terms of the document and will participation in the development and execution of the conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What are the commitments of a Participating Society?<\/strong><\/p>

<\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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  • a. A Participating Society is one that agrees to the following in anticipation of an upcoming conference, as outlined in the Participation Agreement:
    • i. Provides seed money.<\/li>\n\n
    • ii. Will sponsor one speaker (compensation at the discretion of the organization) or provide a fee for NERGC to pay one speaker.<\/li>\n\n
    • iii. Attend 6 of the 8 quarterly meetings during a conference cycle (June \u2013June 2 years later).<\/li>\n\n
    • iv. Provide on-site volunteer hours during the conference.<\/li>\n\n
    • v. Chair at least one committee\/aspect of the overall conference planning.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>\n\n
    • b. Agreements for Participating Societies are issued in the summer of an odd year with a return date in the autumn of that same year.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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      What are the benefits for a Participating Society?<\/strong><\/p>

      <\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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      a. Networking.<\/p>\n\n

      b. Name Recognition.<\/p>\n\n

      c. Full page ad in the conference syllabus.<\/p>\n\n

      d. First choice of Exhibit Hall booths.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>

      NERGC Conference Planning<\/strong><\/h2>
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      What is a walkthrough like?<\/strong><\/p>

      <\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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      a. This is typically a full day at the conference venue.  After gathering, a tour is conducted by the venue staff.<\/p>\n\n

      b. The NERGC board typically meets during the lunch break.<\/p>\n\n

      c. The full delegates meeting is held after the lunch break.<\/p>\n\n

      d. This is the time for committees providing on-site services to discuss location within the venue and get a better feel for their aspect of the conference.<\/p>\n\n

      e. Committees providing on-site services (Exhibit Hall, Registration and others) have the opportunity to review the layout of the venue and ask questions of the venue staff to get a better feel for their part of the conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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      How much does a delegate do for the conference?<\/strong><\/p>

      <\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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      a. Each participating society is asked to take charge of a particular aspect of the conference.<\/p>\n\n

      b. Often it is the delegate who becomes the committee chair for that selected aspect of the conference.<\/p>\n\n

      c. Not all tasks are created equal in terms of skills, time, or experience needed.<\/p>\n\n

      d. Each committee works with their respective Conference Chair.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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      When are conference generally planned?<\/strong><\/p>

      <\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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      a. Every odd numbered year, typically in April.<\/p>\n\n

      b. They are typically scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday, although some have included a breakfast on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n\n

      c. Traditional items include:<\/p>\n\n

      1. Wednesday tracks that are paid for separately from the conference.<\/li>\n\n
      2. Bus tour of the local area on Wednesday.<\/li>\n\n
      3. Opening Session on Thursday for all attendees without conflicting events.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n

        d. Society Fair on Thursday night.<\/p>\n\n

        1.  Free table (first come-first reserved).<\/li>\n\n
        2.  No Sales allowed<\/li>\n\n
        3. Exhibitors are not allowed.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n

          e. Special Interest Groups on Thursday night.<\/p>\n\n

          f. Banquets on Friday and Saturday night, preceded by a cocktail hour.<\/p>\n\n

          g. Exhibit Hall open for two and a half days, always closed by 5 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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          How is a conference planned?<\/strong><\/p>

          <\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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          a. 3 \u00bd years ahead a Site Selection Committee is established to review venues.<\/p>\n\n

          b.  3 years ahead the delegates select a venue.<\/p>\n\n

          c. 2 \u00bd years ahead the conference chairs are selected.<\/p>\n\n

          d. Conference chairs establish a timeline<\/p>\n\n

          e. 2 years ahead the conference committees begin to form.<\/p>\n\n

          f. 1 year ahead the delegate meeting is held at the venue and includes a walk-through.<\/p>\n\n

          g. Many tasks are concentrated in the 1 year leading up to the conference.<\/p>\n\n

          h. 6 months ahead registration opens.<\/p>\n\n

          i. 2 weeks after the close of the conference, committee chairs submit their project reports.<\/p>\n\n

          j. June \u2013 the conference is reviewed and accounts are balanced, with proceeds dispersed, if appropriate.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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          What is the hierarchy for the Conference Project Team?<\/strong><\/p>

          <\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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          a. NERGC Board<\/p>\n\n

          b. Conference Tri-Chairs<\/p>\n\n

          c. Committee Chairs<\/p>\n\n

          d. Delegates<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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          What types of committees are involved in conference planning<\/strong><\/p>

          <\/span>\n <\/div><\/div>
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          a. While called a \u201ccommittee,\u201d several of the over 25 tasks are handled by a single individual, although every committee chair is welcome to enlist as much assistance as required to get the job done.<\/p>\n\n

          b. Some of the traditional committees include:<\/p>\n\n