In reply to Joanne: I raised the topic of your taping proposal at the Pee Dee Chapter meeting on Sunday. There was an interesting and lively discussion. Some felt that we did not have the audio equipment or expertise to do a professional job. Others had questions about the actual logistics of copying the tapes, taking orders, and getting them out to people - it would seem to be a major undertaking for some individual from our diminished ranks, and a lack of manpower alone might prohibit us from doing it. It was also pointed out that we seldom have "outside" guest speakers. Generally, members present the monthly programs, and feelings about being taped varied from member to member. No concensus was reached, but it was agreed that we will do a "test" audio taping at the next meeting, in January, and take up the question again at that time. There was agreement that a better effort will be made to have the speaker (whether guest or member) provide an outline of their program for publishing in the Pee Dee Queue. Jo Church Dickerson Joanne Harley wrote: What is the feasibility of having the chapter meetings taped and sold to those of us who are members at a reasonable charge? I would absolutely love to be there for every meeting, but my health simply does not allow me to jump in the car and take off like I use to. Making the tapes available would be such a wonderful thing, especially the talks by the guest speakers. I would love to have a tape of the last meeting, and meant to ask if someone could tape it for me but let time slip by until it was too late. Would you consider proposing having the guest speakers taped, and tapes to be sold, at the next meeting? Thank you.

Hi Jo, It seems to me that as genealogists we are more interested in the topics being discussed than in hearing the actual voices. I think if the minutes of the meetings could be incorporated into the PDQ it would provide the information we want besides providing a permanent record for future researchers. Since space in the newsletter is limited, the usual comments such as "the meeting was called to order....." etc, could be eliminated, perhaps only providing the general topics and specific details provided by the speaker's outline. Somewhere in the minutes (probably at the end), the name of a person to contact, and their e-mail address could be given. This would provide Genealogical Society members a means of contributing to the discussion. Bill

Jo, and members of the Pee Dee Chapter, SCGS. Thank you for your consideration of my proposal of having the meetings taped. I can certainly see the problems it would generate. If the speaker would consider providing his or her major tips, suggestions, etc. to be published in the next newsletter, that might be a good solution. I have been to workshops, talks, etc. and taken copious notes and have turned around and used those same notes to report to the general membership of a group I belonged to that was unable to attend that particular workshop, sharing all sorts of tips. There is so much to learn that can help us as we plow through records in our quest for our roots, and each meeting that I miss is like a day I've missed at school. I am so eager to know more about the Pee Dee area. Especially its early days. I am reading "Rambles in the Pee Dee" now, and just finished reading Charles Woodmason's book. Thanks for your help in this matter. Joanne Bundy Harley New Bern,NC harleyclan@coastalnet.com