[Genealib] Privacy issues

[Trevia Wooster Beverly]

Judy, I don't have a copy for genealogy societies on my computer and the ones for the historical commission would not apply.  Privacy? Are you thinking Membership List?  

If so, I would like to offer an opinion in that regard.  People do tend to get paranoid (maybe a little too strong a word) about such lists.  Very little is private these days, and especially for genealogists.  We have our e-mail on any number message boards, etc. 

    In a Society, I think people want to know who the other members are and to not publish a list is not good.  I used to do a lot of membership solicitation for a group when I had the membership list so I could see who was already a member and who was not. Often I could point out to the prospect that their friend or neighbor was already a member ... and I could get that member to follow up.  I suspect during the time we published a list ---- to our members ---- I brought in more new members than anyone else.

   I  think that a  statement in the bylaws that membership lists are not to be shared outside the membership without express permission from the B/D is not unreasonable.  Sometimes there is good reason to share the list ... name & address only .. for another like group to send out
invitations to something special.But that should come from the Secretary, not members.

   Yes, I know that you cannot really control it 100% but the good side of a membership list for all members outweighs the negative.  This particular group I'm speaking of meets quarterly ... we have people from all over the county ... many who do not know one another.   A list to put a name with the face would be extremely helpful.  A list is helpful if you  want or need to call someone (for a ride or to offer a ride, to ask if someone will serve on a committee, etc.)

A Membership Directory should include the name, address, phone # and the  e-mail address.  I like to see the year the person joined (1975) after the name or a * if a Charter Member.  Anyone who does not wish their information published can have their name only shown without any other data.  And if they are uptight more than that, then leave them off and note that you have 20 (or whatever #) members who wishes to remain anonymous).

I might add that the membership of this large group I speak of  has dwindled significantly since we stopped publishing a Membership Directory. I think due in large part because we don't really know one another any more. We go to the meeting, sit down and maybe introduce ourselves to
the person next to us -- listen to the program and get up and leave.  Seeing the name would also remind me that I had not seen 'Sue' at the meeting so I would call to see if all is well.
   Members of a group should have enough in common that they would want to know one another. I want to know who the other members are of any group I belong to (and I continue to fight this one, and I believe we are now going to have the list on the website in a "members only" area).

Trevia Wooster Beverly
Houston, Texas



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Judy Riffel 
  To: genealib 
  Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 7:21 AM
  Subject: [Genealib] Privacy issues


  I'm looking for some help with wording a privacy clause to add to our genealogy society's bylaws.  Is there anyone on this list who could provide me with some examples from their society's bylaws?  In particular, this would cover the membership list, but could include other things.

  Thanks.

  Judy Riffel
  Baton Rouge, LA


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