First of all I am not going to get into a BIG discussion about the GenWeb site. I will however address a couple of things that is in the response that I have been trying to get across and just can't seem to do so. I really find it hard to express the problem. Steve seems to be a volunteer to GenWeb. The GenWeb is not the official site for the Society. Placement of personnel administering the GenWeb seems to be at the approval of the Society. As I have said before I have been a long standing member of the Society and will remain so. As long as the Society does not have an official site, however, it does control major research information and I foresee this problem not being resolved. I was not trying to get the Society to give up their publications nor control of the publications but was trying to encourage the GenWeb to provide the place that volunteers can place items of information with the approval of an independant administrator and not needing or applying the wishes of the Society. Much to ask? Maybe. I will try to make this my last response on the issue. Just a couple more comments below >>the website of the Lawrence County Historical Society<<. See above and previous emails >>The problem lies in the fact that despite the Historical Societies search for a webmaster with more time available to them, they are unable to find someone<< See the above and previous emails >>You do not have to live in Lawrence County to provide volunteer web services to the organization<< The organization I will suppose to be the GenWeb. My point exactly however the administrator should have control as to what goes on the site. That was the whole point of all my correspondence. Even though I am in Germany I might be able to provide information that might be a help to someone else without giving it through email mailing list and it could be available to anyone that wants to sign into the site. An example was the picture I sent to Steve. I got numerous requests for a copy of the picture but I did not do so as that restriction is what I am trying to get put aside. >>Feel free to contact me and we can arrange a discussion with the LawCo board << Didn't know that the GenWeb has a LawCo board. I think my thoughts on this is contained above. Enough of my comments. I hope the ones reading this understand the issues that started this whole thing. It has been something that has bugged me for a long time and I have made gentle reference to it in the past and finally decided to meet it head on. Lastly I do agree with Steve that he has bitten off a lot to chew. Believe me if I were there I probably would not want to be administrator as long as the Society decides who, what and where. I think the administrator needs the independance and control of the site. The site by the way does not mean only this mailing list but the GenWeb site where information can be provided for anyone that wants to sign into it. Did I say Enough? The time has come to quit and get off the soap box and wish you all Happy Hunting. Jerry Wade Johnson ----- Original Message ---- From: Steve Olson <steveoleolson@gmail.com> To: MOLAWREN@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2007 6:32:51 AM Subject: [MOLAWREN] Volunteer Administration Quote: I have been a member for many years and have voiced (typed) my feelings about some things here lately. Hopefully something will come about to help a bit with research. At least I hope they will open the GenWeb for Lawrence County so we can provide information to be placed on the site. I am afraid that is just wishful thinking. Jerry Wade Johnson Response: Folks, for those of you who may not be aware, historical and genealogical organizations are generally volunteer organizations. That is what this message board is, a way for you to each share your research with each other, voluntarily. The same holds for the website of the Lawrence County Historical Society. As the web master and list administrator for both this organization and the Ozarks Genealogical Society, I can tell you that it's a balancing act when it comes to prioritizing time and money to achieve the greatest good. Jerry did share the photo he referenced earlier this week with me in January. As I shared with him then, I would add his submission to a list of items that will be added to the website. The website is not closed, despite his protestations. It is merely a slowly evolving tool for the members and visitors. I personally have two jobs and volunteer not only with the the genealogical organizations listed but also act as President of the Missouri Film Alliance of Springfield, an arts and economic development organization. Am I over committed? Probably. The problem lies in the fact that despite the Historical Societies search for a webmaster with more time available to them, they are unable to find someone. I live in Greene County, have NO connection to Lawrence County other then a desire to help a friend who is a member of the LawCo Board who was at wits end. I haven't done any personal genealogy research since I moved here five years ago. You do not have to live in Lawrence County to provide volunteer web services to the organization. I would be happy to work with any one or more of you with experience, time and desire to enhance this tool which as you have noted is a valuable one. Feel free to contact me and we can arrange a discussion with the LawCo board to come up with a plan that may better meet the needs of all involved. Steve Ole Olson Webmaster & List Administrator email etiquette - http://genealogy.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.woodgate.org%2FFAQs%2Fnetiquette.html%23NE1> ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MOLAWREN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com