Call for Presentations
September 2026 - May 2027
Create a legacy! Share your knowledge of genealogy with other members by presenting at our meetings. Proposal deadline: Sunday, 15 March 2026.
The Fairfax Genealogical Society seeks passionate, enthusiastic researchers to present on new and exciting topics of genealogy and family history research at Society meetings between September 2026 and May 2027. Topics may include any facet of genealogical research, but they should draw on the presenter’s areas of expertise while being broad enough to appeal to a general audience. A list of previous topics is available below, along with a list of topics of particular interest to our members. We also encourage innovative topics that may not appear on either list. Applicants may submit more than one topic idea.
Presentations will be either one hour in length and shared via Zoom on Thursday evenings (typically the third Thursday of the month) or they will be two hours in length and shared in-person on Saturday mornings (typically the third or fourth Saturday of the month). One-day fall and spring seminars will be held 17 October 2026 and 20 March 2027, respectively.
Whenever possible, we encourage speakers to use interactive and/or workshop presentation formats for Saturday presentations.
The Society offers a competitive honorarium to speakers or to their organizations when speakers are unable to accept honorariums. The amount of the honorarium varies depending upon the number of presentations given.
For more details about proposal requirements and opportunities - or to submit a proposal using the Society’s online system - please see below. The deadline to submit a proposal for any of these events is 15 March 2026.
We hope to receive several proposals from our members. Any questions or requests for accommodations can be directed to the Vice President of Programs, Nathan Shepherd (vpprograms@fxgs.org). We will review all proposals and will respond no later than (Updated) 30 April 2026.
Considerations
Selected speakers agree to provide biographical information and a summary of their presentation at the time of application. The Society uses this information to publicize the program in its newsletter and on its website (https://www.fxgs.org). Speakers also agree to make a handout available 10 days before the speaking date.
Whenever possible, the Society records these programs on Zoom and posts them to the members-only section of its website for one year. Applicants are asked to please raise any concerns about these arrangements when applying.
Speakers will be selected based on a number of criteria, including how well their topics fit the needs and interests of Society members. Recent polls among members have prioritized technology, preserving research, organization, finding resources, and methodology skill building (see below for details). And many members are long-term researchers interested in growing family trees, writing family stories, and improving the quality of their research.
Proposal Requirements
To apply, please complete the online submission worksheet by 15 March 2026. Any questions or requests for accommodation can be directed to the Education Team Lead, Nathan Shepherd (vpprograms@fxgs.org). The Society will review all proposals and respond no later than (Updated) 30 April 2026.
Opportunities
| Education Meetings (Virtual, 1 hour in length) |
Member Meetings (Hybrid virtual and in-person, 2 hours in length) |
Spring and Fall Fairs (Hybrid virtual and in-person, 6 hours in length with typically 3 presentations) |
- September 17, 2026
- October 15, 2026
- November 14, 2026
- December 10, 2026
- January 21, 2027
- February 18, 2027
- March 18, 2027
- April 22, 2027
- May 20, 2027
|
- September 19, 2026
- November 19, 2026
- January 23, 2027
- February 20, 2027
- April 24, 2027
- May 22, 2027
|
- October 17, 2026 (Fall Fair)
- March 20, 2027 (Spring Fair)
|
Click on the button below to share your proposal(s). The deadline for submitting a proposal for any of these events is 15 March 2026. If you have questions, or need additional time or other special accommodations, send the Education Team lead, Nathan Shepherd (vpprograms@fxgs.org), a note.