Are you enthusiastic about Virginia history and genealogy?
Do you have a life-long love of learning?
Do you enjoy networking with others who have similar interests?
VGS has a variety of Volunteer Opportunities. If you find something of interest below, please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form. Our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch shortly. If you have questions about volunteer opportunities or would like more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@vgs.org.
Submit Items to VGS Publications
Magazine of Virginia Genealogy Publication Guidelines
Abstract and transcribe original documents of genealogical significance to Virginia and West Virginia for publication in the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Content of the Magazine focuses on original material not previously published or indexed with a focus on (but not limited to) pre-1820 material. Burned record county material is especially welcome including material from out-of-state institutions.
If you have a record item (short or even one that needs to be serialized) that you can access and would like to transcribe, please contact the editor to see if it fits the magazine content.
If you’re willing to take on an assignment of an already identified record, please indicate your geographic area(s) of interest, comfort level with early handwriting (experienced, intermediate, some experience), or printed material (i.e., newspapers) and length (2–3 pp., 5–10 pp., 10–20 pp., or length not an issue). In many cases digital copies of the material can be provided.
VGS Newsletter Publication Guidelines
Join a Special Project Team
Virtual Conference Committee
VGS held its first virtual conference in 2020. Out-of-state VGS members were thrilled with the opportunity to attend a VGS conference. Therefore, VGS has decided to make the fall conference virtual each year from now on. Many opportunities to assist with conference planning and/or running the conference are available including moderating the event, answering attendees’ technical questions during the event, running the GoToWebinar platform, developing the conference program, and contacting vendors and organizations to request door prizes and vendor ads.
The estimated time commitment is between five and ten hours per month depending on which part of the conference you are working on.
Webinar Team
VGS holds five webinars each year. The Webinar Team consists of several people who determine the topic and speaker for each webinar, set up the webinar in GoToWebinar, and arrange with other committees for each webinar to be advertised in the Newsletter, on the VGS website, and on VGS social media accounts. The Webinar Team consists of five people who run each webinar: (1) a moderator, (2) a person to run GoToWebinar, (3) someone to answer attendees’ technical questions, (4) someone to gather attendee questions for the speaker, and (5) someone to back up the other team members.
The estimated time commitment for the webinar team is about less than three hours per month depending on which task you are working on.
Blog Team
VGS is seeking enthusiastic individuals to work as a team to determine the content and frequency of the blog. One individual will lead the team and the others will contribute by writing blogs, locating guest blog writers, and finding individuals to verify the information in each blog post before it’s published.
The estimated time commitment for team members is five hours or less per month.
Virginia County and City Research Guides Team
VGS is seeking individuals who are knowledgeable about researching in Virginia counties and cities to create research guides. Volunteers work as a team to develop the research guide format, recruit individuals to write guides, and proof, edit and verify information in the guides.
The estimated time commitment is ten hours per month.
Join a Committee
Awards and Grants
Reviews award and grant applications and presents summaries of each to the VGS Board for a vote.
Budget and Finance
Prepares an annual budget. Develops, maintains, and timely distributes to VGS Board members current, detailed, informative quarterly reports regarding the annual VGS budget and financial assets.
Conferences
Plans the Spring and Fall conferences including the program, speakers, and venue.
Local Society Liaison
Networks with local society leaders.
Membership
Develops and implements strategies to increase VGS membership benefits.
Publications—Newsletter and Magazine
Responsible for the content of the VGS Newsletter and Magazine of Virginia Genealogy.
Publications (other than the Newsletter and Magazine)
Maintains an inventory of books available for sale. Solicits, evaluates, and develops additional titles for VGS to produce.
Publicity
Submits a notice of conferences and other society events through a variety of media.
Social Media
Maintains a social media presence for VGS events and information.
Volunteer
Seeks volunteers for short and long-term volunteer opportunities.
Webinar
Plans, schedules, and runs the annual webinar program. See Webinar Team above.