The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society is proud to present the inaugural New York Genealogical and Historical Society Summit, taking place online on Friday, October 3, 2025. This free, virtual event is designed specifically for genealogical, historical, and heritage societies across New York State.
The summit will bring together society leaders, volunteers, and members to explore key issues affecting local organizations today—from growing membership and increasing engagement to preserving records and leveraging publications. Through a series of expert-led sessions and a 45-minute “office hour” Q&A session, participants will gain practical strategies and actionable tools to support their missions and strengthen their communities.
Sessions (Subject to change)
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10 a.m. – 11 a.m. |
Fundraising Basics – How to Raise Money for a Society Jennifer Davis, VP, Advancement and Membership, NYG&B |
A look at fundraising best practices and how to adapt them to work for an organization that has limited resources. A focus on prioritizing your needs and recognizing resources that you may already have as well as looking at ways of motivating volunteers to be part of the fundraising process. |
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11:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
Leveraging Your Newsletters and Publications Sue Miller, Director, Publications, NYG&B |
Member and community communications perform a vital role in enhancing interaction with your organization. In this session, we will discuss the purpose of the publications and how to plan the content to leverage the organization’s unique materials. You’ll learn some tips on enhancing the look and readability of publications. |
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12 p.m. – 1 p.m. |
Lunch Break |
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1 p.m. – 2 p.m. |
Marketing Your Genealogical Society: Tools, Strategies, and Partnerships for Growth Eric Vaughn, President, Rochester Genealogical Society |
Is your genealogical society ready to grow its membership, enhance community engagement, and amplify its voice? This dynamic session is designed specifically for society leaders ready to take their outreach to the next level. Discover actionable marketing strategies, explore tools you can use right away (including AI!) and learn how to build powerful partnerships that expand your reach. You’ll leave with quick wins and a collaborative plan to elevate your organization’s visibility and impact. Join us and turn your society’s passion into a movement. |
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2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. |
Strategic Planning for Evolving Genealogical Societies D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, FUGA, President, NYG&B |
In a time of shifting member expectations, new technologies, and growing opportunities for collaboration, genealogical societies must be both mission-driven and adaptable. This session explores the fundamentals of strategic planning tailored to the unique needs of genealogical organizations. Participants will learn how to assess organizational strengths, define meaningful and achievable goals, and create flexible plans that respond to evolving internal and external factors. Designed specifically for New York’s genealogical societies, this session will provide tools and real-world examples to support thoughtful planning, encourage partnerships, and promote meaningful progress. |
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3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. |
Breakout Room Q&A Workshop NYG&B Staff |
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with NYG&B staff during dedicated breakout room sessions. These small-group sessions are designed to provide personalized support and guidance in key operational areas essential to the success of genealogical and historical societies. Breakout rooms will cover topics such as strategic planning, marketing and communications, fundraising, membership development, publications, website management, and digitization. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions, challenges, and ideas to these interactive sessions, where NYG&B staff will be available to offer practical advice, share resources, and help organizations identify next steps. Participants may move between breakout rooms based on their interests and needs, making this a flexible and valuable opportunity for targeted learning and collaboration. |
About the Presenters
While living in Richmond, VA, Jennifer Davis began volunteering at the Virginia Historical Society, which soon turned into a job and then a 20-year career in development and education. After moving back to New York she worked at a variety of nonprofit organizations and is excited to be able to combine her love of history and helping others by joining the team at the NYG&B. Jen was born on Long Island and is an avid Mets fan.
An NYG&B member since 1993, Susan R. Miller oversees the NYG&B’s print and digital publications. She is the editor of the New York Researcher magazine and a managing editor of the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer and the NYG&B county guide series. Sue also presents genealogical lectures on a national, regional, and local basis. Prior to her genealogical career, Sue worked in the sailing industry and for Emigrant Savings Bank in New York City for 23 years. A graduate of Brown University, Sue is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and several other genealogical and historical societies. She is a lifelong sailor (racing and cruising) and Past Commodore of the Manhasset Bay and Frostbite Yacht Clubs.
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, FUGA, is the President of the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B), an organization dedicated to preserving, documenting, and sharing family history and stories from across New York State. A nationally known and recognized genealogist, Joshua was named President of the NYG&B in 2016 and is an Officer, Trustee ex Officio, on NYG&B’s Board of Trustees.
Previously, Joshua held senior leadership positions with Findmypast and the New England Historic Genealogical Society and has volunteered in leadership positions for the Federation of Genealogical Societies and other organizations. A prolific author and popular speaker, Joshua has been a coordinator for courses at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) and is the recipient of RootsTech’s Distinguished Presenter Award. He has been a featured genealogist on Who Do You Think You Are? and was a host on the PBS series Genealogy Roadshow. Joshua holds a Master of Library Science degree in Archival Management and a Master of Arts degree in History from Simmons College. In 2017, Joshua was named as one of Library Journal’s Movers and Shakers, and in 2022, he was named as a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association (FUGA).
Eric Vaughn is a passionate genealogist with over 25 years of experience uncovering and preserving family stories. As past President and current Marketing Co-Chair of the Rochester Genealogical Society (RGS), he has helped grow and retain membership through social media, digital outreach, storytelling, and community partnerships. Eric regularly presents on topics such as newspaper research, photo analysis, and the use of technology in genealogy, and he co-founded RGS’s introductory research courses. His recent article in the New York Researcher (NYG&B) highlights RGS’s efforts in preserving local history and engaging new audiences.