Creating benefits that attract new members and keep the current ones will strengthen any genealogical society’s structure. Small study groups or “Special Interest Groups” (SIGs) reach out to members on a more personal level and serve the topics that they are interested in a more specific way. Interaction between members builds relationships and garners volunteers for future projects and groups. This lecture will give ideas for developing a strong small study group or SIG program.

• Description of small study groups and SIGs
• Determine the level of interest
• Determine society abilities
• Getting the group started
• Is it time to disband a group?
• Ideas for group interaction between meetings