I’ll help spread the word about the kit.

So I guess the million dollar question is: what’s the best course of action? We need an action plan.

I’ve been following this topic as closely as I can (time permitting) but, to date, I haven’t seen any kind of real action plan. And if a professional genealogist like myself who is following the issue hasn’t seen it, my guess is that Joe Public hasn’t either.

Therefore, my two cents would be:

1. Create an action plan

2. Form a coalition. Link up with business owners/organizations/societies, etc. that can serve as distribution channels to help get the word out and garner support for said plan.

3. Present the plan to (?) when enough support is obtained and we can speak as one, big coalition (vs. smaller groups).

Forgive me if some of this has already been done and I missed it. I have seen actions here and there and I know people are doing what they can. But I think we’d have a lot more power if we could work together on a larger scale as a coalition. So far, I haven’t seen anything on a big scale.

From Marie Force, President at Society of Georgia Archivists:

Event Details and Information:

Date: Wednesday, September 19
Time: 11:00 AM
BE THERE BY 10:45 AM

Place: Governor Deal’s office, Room 203, the Capitol

Parking and Directions: http://www.libs.uga.edu/capitolmuseum/about/directions.html
The following lots are always open to the public if spaces are available:
• Steve Polk Plaza Parking
• A surface lot located on the north side of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, a block west of the Capitol
• Underground Parking: A parking garage located on the north side of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, two blocks west of the Capitol
Please note:
• All attendees must report by 11:00 AM to the Governor’s Office. The staff manages multiple groups so we have to be assembled and ready to go by 11 AM. This allotted time on the Governor’s calendar is for a photo op ONLY.

• When you arrive, you will receive an “I Support Our Georgia Archives” sticker to wear. Everyone should have one on to make a visual statement of support.

• We will also have copies of the AJC article with the Coalition to Preserve the Georgia Archives header ready to hand out.

• We will have letters in support of the Georgia Archives ready to hand to the Governor, if the opportunity arises.

• No banners, flags or placards are allowed in the Capitol.

• Unfortunately, we are between sessions so few legislators will be in their offices and only some support staff will be available. BUT, take this opportunity to find out who your representatives are and where their offices are located. Pay them a visit and let them know your concerns. Check out the Society of Georgia Archivists page for tips: http://soga.org/involvement/legislative

AHA Responds to Georgia State Archives Closure

An online petition has been started
https://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-ga-leave-our-state-archives-open-to-the-public

The Friends of the Georgia Archives had a great meeting yesterday. Many wonderful ideas were generated. Please check the FOGAH web site often for information and updates. Early next week we will post a list of the ideas generated, key talking points, sample letters etc. We have to keep the pressure on! http://www.fogah.org/

1) Sign the petition at Change.org – https://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-ga-leave-our-state-archives-open-to-the-public

2) Join and follow the Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiansAgainstClosingStateArchives which has links to various ways to contact legislators, etc.

We have also fixed the problem with the links.