Working Arrangements

If I do it for you:

Research, Compellation or Project Management

• Most projects start with a phone interview or a detailed informational letter.
• You will tell me what you want to achieve. It is important that this be as clearly defined as you can make it because this becomes my marching orders. You will decide what part of the project you want to be my responsibility.
• Once the goals have been set, I will give you an estimate of the time and cost. We will agree to terms of engagement and incorporate them into a contract.
• If this is a more lengthy project, you will provide me with what has been done so far on this project. This should include the Genealogy or Family History as it is now, the sources you or others working on the project have examined and the results from these sources —both positive and negative. This is critical so that I do not repeat what has already been done unnecessarily. This should include copies of all key records.
• After I have analyzed the results of past efforts, we may revisit and redefine the project goals in light of the conclusions I have drawn.
• I will develop a plan of attack. If it is very involved, we will review this together and adjust it to your wishes.
• Depending upon the length of a project, I will provide you with periodic update reports.
• The results of a research project will be a report laying out what sources were examined, what evidence was gathered, copies of critical records, conclusions drawn, the reasoning supporting the conclusions and suggestions for the direction of further work on the project.

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Working with you:

Coaching, Consulting and Private Instruction.

• This kind of working relationship starts with you setting a goal as to what you want to accomplish: whether it is research we do together or new knowledge or a skill you want to gain.
• We will agree on a mode and schedule of interactions and a fee structure. We will agree on how we will periodically measure progress.  These items will be incorporated into a contract.
• As we move forward, we may find we need to adjust how we interact so that you get the most benefit from the arrangement.
• Because this type of working arrangement is about your growth in skill and knowledge, it is important that you take charge and adjust the goals and methods to best meet your needs.

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Lecturing   and Classes

• You may pick from the list of prepared topics and decide on the format you want. It can be a class, a workshop or a lecture. If you want me to work up a new topic and I agree, I will need more advance notice.
• We will settle on the specifics as to date and time.
• You will provide me with a full schedule of the overall event surrounding my presentation
• We will coordinate to assure that the needed audio and visual equipment will be available.
• I will provide you with masters of all handouts and a promotional write-up.
• You will arrange for publicity and promotion.
• You and your audience will fill out an evaluation sheet which will be given to me to help me improve my future lecture offerings.

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Standards of Service

Ethics

I adhere to the ethics guideline of both the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Board for the Certification of Genealogists.

Work Guidelines

My work and work products are conducted and produced according to the standards of the Board for the Certification of Genealogists and the National Genealogical Society.

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