Genealogy Social Events: an International Challenge

Genealogists for Families social events are mainly about family history, but they are also an opportunity to raise funds for extra loans through Kiva. If we pass around the hat and ask everyone to contribute their loose change, we usually have enough to make an extra $25 loan.

In Australia we do this via a Kiva lender account called 'GFF Aussie Social Events'. Those of you who meet at genealogy conferences overseas might like to do something similar. Consider this a friendly international challenge!

Wondering whether you know any Genealogists for Families team members? Check the pages showing photos and given names.

If you want to plan an event, there are some interesting suggestions in the Kiva Lending Team Playbook.

With small change collected at our Kiva team's social events in Australia (get-togethers for coffee, lunch or dinner), we have already made forty-two loans in eleven countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Georgia, Honduras, Paraguay, Philippines, Tajikistan and Vietnam). Repayments on those loans are now funding one new loan each month.

Could you organise a get-together in your area? Are you going to a family history fair or on a genealogy cruise where you could hand out 'business cards'? Use that link to design and order 250 FREE cards - you just pay postage.

Interested in Genealogists for Families social events?

Our first two team meet-ups (for coffee and lunch) were a great success, with five of us at the first gathering in Brisbane and ten at the second. More events are planned for Brisbane (including some at the State Library and State Archives), Adelaide, Sydney and elsewhere (for example, at genealogy conferences overseas and in Australia).

If you would like to be notified of dates and venues, please email me at the address shown in the sidebar. I will never reveal your email address to anyone.
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Update on Brisbane Meet-Ups, January 2012

Last Sunday we held our first Genealogists for Families social event in Brisbane. We met at 10:30 for coffee, and more than two hours later we were still chatting happily so we stayed for lunch!

Fiona, Chris and Ken came up from the Gold Coast, and Helen and I were the Brisbane representatives. I see Helen, and Ken and his lovely wife Chris, every few months, but this was the first time I had met Fiona. She has just started using Twitter and blogs for genealogy, and I love the name she chose (Dance Skeletons).

The cafe I originally suggested for our second event is under new management and no longer suitable, so I have changed the venue. On Sunday 22 Jan 2012 (1:30pm) we will meet at Tognini's cafe and wine bar, beside the bookshop near the entrance to the State Library of Queensland. If you are coming and have not already contacted me, please do so, as I need to confirm numbers for the table booking.

If you want to take this opportunity to ask for help with your family history, come prepared with names, dates and places on family group sheets, and photocopies of relevant certificates. You could also bring 'trading cards' with the address of your genealogy Web site, blog, Twitter account etc.

The Lifeline Bookfest, the largest second-hand book sale in the world, will be nearby at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Sunday will be the last day (8:30am - 7:30pm), so most items will be half price. You may want to park under the Centre (about $15) and bring a small suitcase on wheels.

I am already thinking about future get-togethers. With luck, a date in late February or early March may coincide with trips to Brisbane by Pauleen from Darwin and Chris from Rockhampton. A weekday meet-up at Queensland State Archives (BYO lunch) is another possibility.

What team social events (with or without a Kiva fund-raising focus) would you be interested in attending in your local area?