When I set up my playlist of presentations I usually focus on three topics; New Technology/Innovations, German Research, and Information for Family History Consultants. As the leader of our local German Genealogy Interest Group, I provided a recap of the German Research presentations to my group a week after RootsTech.
I also provided a follow-up of my favorite talks to our Stake and Ward Family History leaders. I haven't had a chance to look over all of these yet but they are on my list to view sometime over the next several months. When I sent out the list, I suggested that the recipients please pass this information along to any Temple and Family History Leadership (including consultants, Elders Quorum, Relief Society, Youth Leaders, Stake Leaders, and Bishoprics) that I may not have included on my email list.
So what were the presentations that I sent to them?
Of course the first was going to be the Temple and Family History Leadership Session: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/temple-and-family-history/leadership-instruction?lang=eng
Then I focused on the presentations that will help them share their experiences, find people to help, and overcome the hurdles we often experience when talking to people about family history.
Sharing Your Faith Using Family History: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/sharing-your-faith-using-family-history
How to bring the Power and Blessings of Temple Covenants into our Stakes, Wards, and Homes: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/how-to-bring-the-power-and-blessings-of-temple-covenants-into-our-stakes-wards-and-homes
Finding People to Help: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/finding-people-to-help
Overcoming Common Objections: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/overcoming-common-objections
Strengthening Love of the Gospel through Family History: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/strengthening-love-of-the-gospel-through-family-history
I often see questions about how to encourage the Elders Quorum and Relief Society to take a more active role in family history. So I provided links to the following talks to help encourage more involvement.
Improving Elders Quorum and Relief Society Meetings with Temple and Family History: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/improving-elders-quorum-and-relief-society-meetings-with-temple-and-family-history
Bringing the Power of Temple Covenants to Elders Quorum and Relief Society: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/bringing-the-power-of-temple-covenants-to-elders-quorum-and-relief-society
The next topic that I often see questions about is how we assess involvement and how do we use the Ward Temple and Family History Plan more effectively.
Finding and Using the Family History Activity Report: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/finding-and-using-the-family-history-activity-report
Unlock the Mystery of the Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meeting: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/unlock-the-mystery-of-the-ward-temple-and-family-history-coordination-meeting
The Ward Temple and Family History Plan: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/the-ward-temple-and-family-history-plan
We often have people newly called to family history and some who have been around for a while who aren't sure of their responsibilities. The following presentations should help them get started.
"My Calling" Pages on churchofjesuschrist.org: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/my-calling-pages-on-churchofjesuschrist-org
The Ward Temple and Family History Leader-Important Principles: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/the-ward-temple-and-family-history-leader-important-principles
And then there is the question of how to involve the youth in family history. This is something that I need to work more on. We had youth consultants prior to COVID but since then, some have left and others have just stopped doing their family history work. So we need a restart.
Ward Youth Consultants Share Super Successful Family History Activities: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/youth-consultants-share-super-successful-temple-and-family-history-activities
Youth Serving as Temple and Family History Consultants: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/youth-serving-as-temple-and-family-history-consultants
Guidance When Calling Youth Temple and Family History Consultants: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/guidance-when-calling-youth-temple-and-family-history-consultants
Mission: Possible - Engaging Youth in Family History: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/mission-possible-engaging-youth-in-family-history
Family History for Youth: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/family-history-for-youth
And lastly, many members don't know how to use FamilySearch or incorporate family history into their lives. If we can show them how family history isn't really another thing they have to do but something they can enjoy with their families, we should be able to get them more actively involved. I believe the following presentations will help to do that.
Using Your Phone, Submit Ancestors Names to the Temple, Then Discover More About Them: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/using-your-phone-submit-ancestors-names-to-the-temple-then-discover-more-about-them
What's New on FamilySearch for Members: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/whats-new-on-familysearch-for-members
What's Coming on FamilySearch for Members: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/whats-coming-on-familysearch-for-members
Weekly Family History Activities - A Come, Follow Me Companion: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/the-come-follow-me-companion-correlated-family-history-activities-for-each-week
Helper Resources on FamilySearch: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/helper-resources-on-familysearch
Elder and Sister Soares Keynote: Family Discovery Day: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/special-session/elder-and-sister-soares-keynote-family-discovery-day
I know that this seems like a lot of presentations but if you space them out over the year you will learn so much more from the experience of others and have a more successful family history program.
