Dear LGS Members, Over the past three years I have been approached by several members about their concerns of our society. One big concern of the society, was what we could do to improve our membership? When talking to several members and listening to members at our monthly meetings, I have noted their likes and dislikes of our society. And we have tried our best to implement the things that would make our society better. However, this has become a sever problem. As we have NO help from society members out side of the Board of directors. I have also noticed that at our meetings our members have all kinds of ideas and opinions of what we are doing or not doing, but no one steps forward to HELP! In general most of our members do not participate in any activities that we have worked hard on to give further education, Nor participate in any events our society is included in. We have asked countless times for volunteers and always get the same faithful few individuals. For these few I'm truly grateful for all you do (you know who you are). For the others, When you do not volunteer any time what so ever. It means that the few individuals that do. Have to put in even more time in to make the society a success. These individuals also have families, full time jobs, and other activities that they would like to be doing. May I ask, is it to much for you to give to the society 15 min a week or more? (This breaks down to about 2 min a day. And I know all of you could give up one set of commercials in your weekly programs to devote to our society) Here are some things we need help with. 1. We need someone to decorate the Library case, that is given to our society for showing Family History or Genealogy Stuff. This will take  about 1 hour a month to do 2. We need help with finding websites that can benefit our members to be included on our website. (1 hour a month) 3. Volunteers on the 1st Saturday of every month (1-3 hours once or twice a year) 4. Small articles written that can benefit members on areas of interest for our publications. (1 hour a month) 5. Individual willing to make phone calls to repositories to find out if we can copy records such as cemeteries and mortuaries (1 to 2 hours a month) 6. Individuals willing to go to court houses to do indexing of succession records (1 to 2 hours a month) 7. Individuals willing to photograph cemetery head stones (1 to 2 hours a month) 8. Individuals willing to read newly published books and write small article about the book for our publication (time unknown) 9. Individuals willing to play with new genealogical soft ware and share with the society about its pros and cons. as well as write small article for publication. ( more time consuming, about 10 to 12 hours total a year) 10. Individuals willing to scan family photos for our members website. (1 to 2 hours a month) 11. Individual willing to be in charge of our query list. (1 hour a month) 12. Individuals willing to help with our annual banquet (1 to 2 hours a month) 13. Individuals willing to work in our booths at events to promote our society (time depends on the event) These are just some of the things we need help with at this time. If you feel this is asking to much please let me know. Cindy Hofmeister <hofsearch@aol.com > PS to break it down to show you how many hours individuals who participate regularly. Earl Gates: Works at least 20 or more hours a week on society issues by responding to emails, going to News media, making sure society issues are taken care of, talking to corporations about sponsoring our society, volunteering on our vital records project, working with the library on their issues, etc. Cindy Hofmeister: Works on an average of 20 or more hours a week, by answering emails, working on website, finding online information that can benefit our members, planning society events, preparing classes, and giving personal genealogical help to individuals inquiring of help from our society. Warren LeBlanc: Volunteers 3 to 5 hours a month: Takes care of the money the society gets, collects mail, goes to bank, up dates the society members information. Brenda Fuselier: Volunteers at least 5 or more hours a week. She writes up our society newsletter, volunteers for our vital record project weekly, sends letters to individuals and volunteers at any other genealogical event that we have going on. Charles: Volunteers 3 or more hours a week for our vital record project weekly, and volunteers at any other genealogical event that we have going on. James and Leona Bourque: Volunteer 5 or more hours a month by keeping track of our books for sell, answering letters, and volunteering their services at the library several times a year, etc.      Sincerely, Earl Gates - President Cindy Hofmeister - Vice President