We just got done holding a special meeting for existing indexers and those interesting in getting involved in indexing, includingfor the 1940 census project. Afterwards our stake indexing leader began talking to some of us consultants about putting on astake or multi-stake family history seminar. We are wondering where and how others arranged for keynote speakers. Did you contact the family history center, church headquarters,or other places? Would appreciate ideas and suggestions.

For a keynote speaker selection, I can list some things to be considered which I have learned through experience.  Now, these are the things I focus on. What is your goal for the keynote speaker?  Is there a certain area or topic you would like presented?  What do you want your audience to gain from this speaker -- information? motivation? Testimony of genealogy? Is your audience going to include the community members or be geared to stake and ward members? The answers to these questions will guide you in your selection of a keynote speaker.  I chose to consider my keynote speaker as a teacher of our first seminar class with information that would be interesting to all in attendance.  It had to have something for the beginner in family history as well as the advanced.  I thought a topic that would interest everyone was "Where is FamilySearch going in 2012?"  or "What new clues are we going to find in the1940 census that will help us with our family history?"  Our seminar welcomed community members and I wanted all to leave feeling they had gained something from their first class and look forward to their next classes. I considered inviting someone from our genealogical society.  They are very knowledgeable and some have a delightful way of communicating with an audience.  It helps to attend their meetings and get to know and hear these people present.  I also considered inviting some from a main family history center who does a lot of training.  There may also be people in your own ward or stake or neighboring stake that is an exciting speaker and who has a love for family history.  If you are going to have a large attendance 600+ see if Salt Lake could assist.  This would have to be done far in advance.  After considering everything, listen and follow the Spirit. Evelyn Kleinman Las Vegas --- On Tue, 3/27/12, RAY FRIESS <[email protected]> wrote: From: RAY FRIESS <[email protected]> Subject: [LDS-WC] keynote speakers To: "lds-ward-consultant" <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 8:16 AM We just got done holding a special meeting for existing indexers and those interesting in getting involved in indexing, includingfor the 1940 census project.  Afterwards our stake indexing leader began talking to some of us consultants about putting on astake or multi-stake family history seminar. We are wondering where and how others arranged for keynote speakers.  Did you contact the family history center, church headquarters,or other places? Would appreciate ideas and suggestions.                           Please send the one word message SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE to [email protected] ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message