Beginners

Submitted by: Host GFS Kate

 

Beginners' Center Happenings
by Host GFS Kate
Beginners' Center Manager/Team Leader
December, 2002

Our Beginner's December Star of the Month is Host GFS Susan. She quietly goes about her business, but yet I hear good things about her like what I've quoted below from someone who received the benefit of her expertise.

"You are absolutely wonderful. I am so very excited. I have already made contact from one of ladies you sent...Thank you so very much...I am Mary Tom..named for grandmother and grandfather....<snipped>.

Host GFS Karol hosts with Susan in Beginners. Here's her nominating memo....

"Susan is a shining example for new hosts to watch and learn from. First, she sets a good example in going the extra mile. If there are new folks who come in as much as five minutes before our chat is over, she will stay longer just to get them on the right path. She teaches newbies by encouraging them and praising them when they venture out and find just one new little bit of information. She is quite an asset to the Beginners Team. Thanks Susan, for being a great host and helping me be a better host."......Host GFS Karol

That says everything that can be said. Congratulations, Susan! You're the Beginner's Star of the Month for December!

As you know, we have hosted chats from 8 PM ET to midnite (ET) every day. We are even lucky enough to have early hosted chats on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays.

While I roam around through the various chats in Beginners, and as well as doing my own assigned hosting, I am constantly amazed at the number of chatters who don't really realize what our hosts' duties are.

First and foremost......we are not there to do your genealogy research for you. We are not there to do lookups for you. We can't give you an "instant family tree". We are there to help you do your ‘own' research and to learn the joy of finding that long-lost ancestor on your own. We can and do give you tips and hints on where to look, what to look for. We provide encouragement and support when you get discouraged.

We try to make genealogy fun and interesting for you. We provide chat rooms where you don't have to feel "funny" about asking questions. Believe me, as hosts, we have heard everything before. Listen to our hosts....they are experienced in doing their own personal genealogy, love the hobby and are very generous in sharing their experience and expertise.

When you come in a Beginner's chat, don't get impatient and expect one-on-one instant help. If we are in the middle of helping someone else, just hang back...you'll get your turn. Don't immediately assume that if you aren't helped in 3-4 seconds that you are being ignored. It takes time to formulate and type a response. I don't know any of our hosts that are professional typists. I often see a chatter pose a question, and then when the answer is not posted in seconds, leaves. Immediately after they leave, the hosts' answer hits the chat room screen. That is very discouraging to the host, because I've seen some fantastic answers, and by leaving that quickly the chatter has missed it.

We are also charged with keeping order in the chats. We don't allow unsuitable language, flaming, or anything disruptive to the chats. Even though you may not see anything on the screen, we may be working diligently behind the scenes to restore order. What we ask of you is to ignore the disruptor, go on with the chat as if nothing is happening, and let the hosts take care of things. Don't make things harder for the hosts by asking why we're not doing anything. We are, you just can't see it. Trust the hosts to take care of the situation.

So when you come to our chats, just relax, have fun, learn a few things about beginning genealogy, and enjoy the hosts. After all, you are the reason we're there.

© 2002 GFNEWS, a monthly publication of the Golden Gate Genealogy Forum, Inc. of Franklin, MA.
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