Hello folks! With counties up for adoption and some new CCs coming in, I've been trying to put thought into the guidelines so they know what is expected but need some opinions. In glancing over the national guidelines, they cover the bases fairly well, I think: http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/CCguidelines.shtml I have reiterated a few points from the national page, and added our own. My biggest concern is about updating the websites. I think we all agree that our sites should be checked for broken links, and submissions added in a timely manner. I want your opinions about what is 'timely.' How often should we require that a site be checked for bad links and updated? Real Life can be a stinker and thwart us in our attempts to keep sites updated, but yet, letting a site go for six months or a year isn't good for researchers. Here's what I have written for the keeping-the-sites-updated requirement: "County pages must be kept updated. This includes adding submissions in a timely manner and checking for broken and outdated links -- no less than ????. " What should we fill in that question mark with? Without some sort of time period established, 'timely' is too ambiguous to mean anything. Please give me some discussion! Okay -- now on to the rest: **A query system must be in place. This may be a manual system, where submissions are emailed to the county coordinator and added manually to the query page, an automated submission system, such as the Mailmerge Query System, (see Shari Handley's page for a great tutorial that can be used on Rootsweb accounts: http://www.mdgenweb.org/querytutorial.htm), or by using a message board, such as the Rootsweb Message Boards. (basic reiteration of national guidelines) **A USGenWeb Logo must be displayed prominently on the main page of the site as well as a NDGenWeb Logo and a link to the NDGenWeb Project state site. A link to our About the NDGenWeb Project page is also necessary. (reiteration of national guidelines with addition of state links and logo) **A list of local resources, such as county clerk, newspapers, etc. should be a part of each site as well as a link to your county's ND Archives page. A link to the State Resource page would be beneficial, or you may create your own state/general resource page for your site in addition to listing local research help. (reiteration of national guidelines) **The county coordinator's name and current email address must be displayed on at least the main page of the website. **The county must have a search engine. **CCs should maintain communication with the SC and ASC. Also, all North Dakota county coordinators must belong to the NDGenWeb email list. Email the state coordinator to be added or to change your email address. (Following up on this one -- communication goes both ways. Right now I'm having major health problems and am relying on Michelle to help keep me on track. So a heads-up -- if you write me offlist, cc it to Michelle as well.) Share with the list what you think of all these requirements. They are what have always been required, just not written down. I *really* want feedback from all of you. ~Lee S. King SC NDGenWeb Project

I suggest the SC or ASC automatically add CC's to the NDGENWEB Mailing List and unsubscribing is turned off. Many CC's are too busy to be involved in a lot of discussion items but it's pretty important that they at least belong to the list even though they can't participate. This is the tool to get info to the CC's. Sincerely, Mike -------------------------------------- **CCs should maintain communication with the SC and ASC. Also, all North Dakota county coordinators must belong to the NDGenWeb email list. Email the state coordinator to be added or to change your email address. (Following up on this one -- communication goes both ways. Right now I'm having major health problems and am relying on Michelle to help keep me on track. So a heads-up -- if you write me offlist, cc it to Michelle as well.)

Suggest adding that the LINK to the Query System be on the main page at least. Sincerely, Mike Peterson ----------------------- **A query system must be in place. This may be a manual system, where submissions are emailed to the county coordinator and added manually to the query page, an automated submission system, such as the Mailmerge Query System, (see Shari Handley's page for a great tutorial that can be used on Rootsweb accounts: http://www.mdgenweb.org/querytutorial.htm), or by using a message board, such as the Rootsweb Message Boards. (basic reiteration of national guidelines)