Idaho Genweb Volunteer Information Current County Coordinators  & Perspective County Coordinators Contact:  Idaho State Coordinator Contact: Idaho Assistant State Coordinator

Here are a list of web sites that will help.

 IDGenWeb Rules :

1. You must have a link going back to the UsGenWeb Project and their logo

see the graphics section at

http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/volunteers.html

2. You must have a link to the IDGenWeb Project and their logo.

3. Have a copyright statement at the bottom of your page

Copyright 2005 Jason Mendenhall and of course your email seidahogenealogy@hotmail.com

4. Have instructions about your Counties mailing list.

You can find instructions on subscribing on your Counties resource page at

 http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/ID.html

here is the list owner FAQ

http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/listadmins/
 
 

5. You will need links to a query system. I prefer to use the message boards at rootsweb.  http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/script/main/rw
find your county message boards and link to it.

6.  Have a link to IDGenWeb archives for your county.
http://rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/id/idfiles.htm

7. Please try to answer people's queries in a timely manner. Even if you don't have an answer, you should be courteous to all visitors and help them the best you can. Make them feel welcome. Most of the time I recommend that they subscribe to the mailing list and post their query  there. The more who will join the list, the better the chances are that help will be found. All queries posted to the list are archived and searchable from the resource page. If you do not know who the list owner is for your Counties list, write to the list and ask. Get acquainted with the list administrator so that if someone has problems like subscribing or changing addresses,  you can help them by directing them to the list administrator.

8.  Do not forget to place your name and email address on each page so you can be reached. If you change addresses please notify the state coordinator immediately.  You will be subscribed to the IDGEN-L@rootsweb.com mail list. This list is for the state coordinator to correspond with the county coordinators. If the state coordinator can not contact a county coordinator within a 3 month period then that county will be considered abandoned and placed up for adoption.

9. You should participate in the National election for the Advisory Board and the National Coordinator.
 
 
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Things you can do.

You can link to all  the special projects and seek out volunteers on the County level. For instants the Tombstone project extends to the County level. If no volunteer can be found you can try to find Cemetery records and other records and either make them available online or announce on your mailing list that you will do look ups. Make sure to stay within the copyright laws. Some Cemeteries have already been transcribed. You shouldn't use other peoples work but you can do look ups. Same thing with history books.

You are encouraged to place as much info on your web site as possible to help others research in the area. Remember that CC are considered the county "expert".

Try using the main search engines Lycos, AltaVista, to find interesting links about your County.

See the State links page for more ideas. Useful Links
 
 

Things you shouldn't have to do

You shouldn't have to do peoples research for them. You are a Coordinator, not a researcher. It may be that you will have to inform people of this fact, but please use tact when doing so. Everyone is at a different level and you should keep that in mind. Be as polite as possible.

You shouldn't have to be rude or unkind to anyone to get your point across. (no flaming people)

You shouldn't have to put up with any one else being rude or unkind and especially on the Counties board or list's. Write to me for questions on handling such problems.

You shouldn't have to neglect your own life and family to have a great time being a CC
 
 

Things not to do.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. That is how we all learn.

Do not ask for or accept money for your services. It is OK to link to professional researchers but you should have some kind of message telling people that this is a "link to" a pay site and not part of the project.
 
Web design assistance for Idaho Genweb County Coordinators

How to become a county coordinator

1. If you find a county that your are interested in that states in is up for adoption contact the state coordinator.

If I have missed something you think is important to know as a County Coordinator please write to me and I will include it here.

Thanks  Jason Mendenhall

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