Our Birthday Prize Winners

I was disappointed that only eleven of our 215 members entered the prize draw to celebrate the first birthday (tomorrow) of the 'Genealogists for Families' project.

The main prize (a team T-shirt) was won by Kelli Taylor in Canada.

Two small consolation prizes were won by Roger Moffat (a New Zealander currently living in the USA) and Doug (also in the USA).

Congratulations to the winners, and my sincere thanks to those who took part.
~ ~ ~
Join Genealogists for Families. Together we can make a difference!

Kiva Team Birthday Prize Draw

To celebrate the first birthday of 'Genealogists for Families' on 27th September 2012, there will be a random prize draw.

What is the prize?  A team T-shirt.

Who can enter?  'Genealogists for Families' Kiva lending team members who are not anonymous and who have made a total of at least two (2) loans before submitting an entry for the prize draw.

When do entries close?  11:59pm (GMT) Tuesday 25th Sep 2012.

How do I enter?

1. Log in to Kiva and check that you have made at least 2 loans.
2. Find your name on www.kiva.org/team/genealogists/members (you may need to use 'Next page'). Click on your name, then note the Web address, which will be in the format 'www.kiva.org/lender/your-Kiva-ID'.
3. Email me privately at the address shown in the sidebar here, quoting your Kiva ID and#270912prize.

Join Genealogists for Families. Together we can make a difference!
~ ~ ~

Recruiter's Reward

To help the project grow, I am offering a Recruiter's Reward. I will personally email a $25 Kiva Card to the Genealogists for Families team member who recruits the most new members by 15 Dec 2011.

On 15 Dec 2011 (Australian time) I will look at team members' lender pages to see how many names (if any) are listed under 'YourName's Invites'. To see an example, go to my page (opens in a new window) and scroll down to 'Judy's Invites'. The person who has recruited the most new members who have made a loan will be rewarded with a $25 Kiva Card.

If your given name appears on the team members list, you are eligible. If you are there as Anonymous, you may want to change the settings on your lender page so that you can take part in competitions and prize draws.

'Invites' will appear on your lender page if someone joins the team via your unique Kiva invitation link. You can put that link in your emails, blogs etc. To find the HTML code to use:

1. Log in to Kiva.
2. Click 'My Teams'.
3. Click 'Genealogists for Families'.
4. Click 'Recruit Friends'. You will see a screen that looks like this (but with your referral link, not mine, in the field at the bottom).

The recruiting strategy that has worked best for me is a brief email to friends, relatives and other people who know me (including family historians with whom I connect online). Here is a sample email:

Genealogists worldwide, and their friends and relatives, are working as a team to help small family businesses in low income areas. Our motto is, 'We care about families (past, present and future)'. Already the Genealogists for Families project has 63 members helping 91 individuals or groups. It would be great if you'd join our team at [insert your Kiva referral link here]. More information is on http://genfamilies.blogspot.com/. If you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this email.

I avoid using the word 'loan' in the email in case it gets marked as spam. To get the latest stats on members and loans, scroll down the team page at Kiva.

So... the race is on! Be creative, have fun, and know that someone out there will have a better life because of your efforts.

UPDATE, 15 Dec 2011: The winner of the Recruiter's Reward has been announced.