Although the Governor’s press release raises a number of questions,
it’s fundamentally good news. Archives is in a better place today
than it was yesterday. With continued efforts, things may improve
further.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, FOGAH encourages EVERYONE to send an email or
letter to the Governor thanking him for his support. Without his
efforts, we wouldn’t have this victory.
Everyone is concerned about the staff — one of the unanswered
questions. Please remember that staffing decisions are ultimately the
Secretary of State’s, not the Governor’s. It’s one thing to ask the
Governor to continue efforts to support the Archives and the Staff,
but please avoid language that sounds demanding.
We still have lots of work to do. We need to make sure that the
Archives has adequate support when transferred to the Board of
Regents. That means meeting with members of the Assembly —
preferably in their district before the beginning of session, rather
than at the Capitol. We’re planning an advocacy training session at
the SGA meeting so that we can all work together as effectively as
possible. Stay tuned for details.
Again, please use all available channels to say “thanks” to the Governor!
Uncategorized
Georgia Archives link round-up
*More in the news about the Georgia Archives new appointment schedule:
No byline http://valdostadailytimes.com/todays-top-stories/x699438934/Archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments
Staff Reports. http://www.times-herald.com/local/20121015WEBStateArchivesAccesss-MOS(Newnan, GA)
Associated Press http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/story/InState–10-16 (Last entry on 10/16/2012)
Associated Press http://www.11alive.com/news/article/260776/3/Archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments
Vivian Price Saffold http://georgiaarchivesmatters.org/
Associated Press http://www.wsbtv.com/ap/ap/education/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments/nSdHX/
Sarah Roberts http://miarchivists.wordpress.com/
*Link list courtesy of SGA member P.S., who wonderfully posts them to the SGA list!
Recent News from the Georgia Archives
Today Secretary of State Brian Kemp released a statement explaining the new appointment system for the Georgia Archives.
This news was covered far and wide, and incorporated into a new AJC article about the immigration bill that Secretary Kemp has used as an example for the increase in services his office provides.
Kaye Minchew, of the Troup County Historical Society and the Coalition to Save Georgia Archives was interviewed in a WABE story on the new.
Chris Davidson, Director of the Georgia Archives, release the following information about the appointment system:
“The Archives began yesterday afternoon making appointments with researchers for November. To make an appointment, contact me by phone or email and pick the type, day, and time of an appointment. Researchers will be limited to one appointment per month. For a list of appointment choices, go to:
Some additional links covering the story:
Charlie Harper http://www.peachpundit.com/2012/10/15/secretary-kemp-outlines-archives-access-hours-less-than-mandated-by-georgia-law/
Associated Press http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/2012-10-15/georgia-archives-visitors-be-restricted-2-hour-blocks?v=1350340379
Kristea Torres http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/georgia-archives-to-close-two-weeks-each-month/nSdSx/
Associated Press http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/19822961/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments (Dallas-Fort Worth, TX)
Associated Press http://www.wistv.com/story/19822640/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments (Columbia, SC)
Associated Press http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/19822961/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments
Associated Press http://www2.wsav.com/news/2012/oct/15/georgia-archives-visitors-limited-2-hour-appointme-ar-4758256/ (Savannah, GA)
Associated Press http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/19822961/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments (Houston, TX)
Associated Press http://www.wtvm.com/story/19822640/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments Columbus, GA)
Associated Press http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/19822961/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments
Associated Press http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/19822961/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments(Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN)
Associated Press http://www2.wspa.com/news/2012/oct/15/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments-ar-4759476/ (Spartenburg, SC)
Associated Press http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/19823740/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments (Chattanooga, TN)
Assoicated Press http://www.talk920.com/article.aspx?id=d106603a-de10-429b-af01-17dd04c27aa1&catid=-999(Atlanta, GA)
Associated Press http://www.wsbtv.com/news/ap/education/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments/nSdHX/(Atlanta, GA)
Associated Press http://www.newschannel9.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.ga/2d4b4dc1-www.newschannel9.com.shtml(Chattanooga, TN)
Associated Press http://www.enquirerherald.com/2012/10/15/2125974/archives-visitors-limited-to-2.html(Rock Hill/York County, SC)
Associated Press http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2012/oct/15/archives-visitors-limited-to-2-hour-appointments-ar-4759476/ (Columbus, GA)
Update on the Georgia Archives from FOGAH
After much deliberation and talking with many different people, on October 11, 2012, I signed, as President of the Friends of the Georgia Archives and History (FOGAH), a contract with the legislative affairs consulting firm Joe Tanner & Associates, Inc. The contact is $3,000 a month for six months.
As you know the Archives budget has been severely cut for the past several years. Although the Coalition to Save the Archives has worked tirelessly to restore some or all of the funding, we have had very limited success. The latest cut which resulted in the decision to close the Archives to the public made us realize that a more organized approach must be taken. The legislative and budget process is very complex and requires very specialized expertise and the ability to contact the appropriate legislators and budget officials. The FOGAH Board of Directors believes Joe Tanner & Associates, Inc. is the perfect firm to assist us.
Very shortly, we will share the entire work plan with all of you because all of you will be asked to assist. One of the first tasks is to identify individuals who live in each house and senate district in Georgia. We will be asking those individuals to make contact with each legislator after specialized training and talking points have been given to you by Joe Tanner & Associates, Inc. Our goal is to work with the Governor and the General Assembly to put the Georgia Archives on more stable financial footing for years to come.
You can also assist by making a donation to FOGAH that is designated to the “Consultant Fund”. This $3,000 a month is an expense that was not anticipated and is not covered by our current budget. You can make the donation by sending a check to FOGAH, 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow GA 30260 or by using PayPal on the FOGAH web site, www.fogah.org.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in saving our Archives.
Dianne Cannestra
Items Needed: 2012 SGA Scholarship Auction
It’s time for the Annual SGA Scholarship Auction! Each year the Scholarship Committee sponsors the auction to raise funds for the four scholarships offered by SGA. This year’s auction will be part silent and part live auction, with the silent auction opening at noon on Thursday and ending that evening at the conclusion of the live auction so that everyone will have a chance to bid on something!
Each year members and institutions from around the state donate wonderful items to be auctioned off and we hope this year will be no different. We need your donations to continue supporting the professional development of archivists and students from Georgia. We hope that each of you will consider donating to this wonderful event!
If you have any questions about the auction or would like to donate an item to be auctioned, please contact Scholarship Chair Allison Galloup either by email at agalloup@auctr.edu or by phone at (404) 978-2133.
Rally Round-Up
Thank you to everyone who showed their support for the Georgia Archives by attending the rally today at the State Capitol!
There was a wonderful turnout, with archivists, genealogists, historians, students and other well-wishers in attendance.
Speakers included Dianne Cannestra of the Friends of Georgia Archives and History, former U.S. Attorney/Congressman Bob Barr, UGA historian James Cobb, Emma Davis-Hamilton of the African-American Genealogical Society, Senator Gail Davenport, Representative Debbie Buckner, and Kaye Minchew of the Troup County Archives and the Coalition to Preserve the Georgia Archives.
A surprise(d) speaker was Mayor J.B. Burke of Morrow, who gave impassioned comments about the importance of the Georgia Archives to Morrow, Clayton County and the State.
Press was well-represented, and coverage of the rally has already appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Kudos to the speakers, organizers and attendees!
You can share your photos or reflections on the event in the SGA newsletter. Send submissions to Joshua Kitchens by October 12, 2012 at joshua.kitchens@gcsu.edu
Archives rally update: Share the flyer!
This flyer for the October 3 rally was shared this morning via the SGA list serve. If you missed it and need an additional copy, please contact Outreach@soga.org
Georgia Archives support continues with 2 rallies in October
Despite promises from Governor Deal to keep the Georgia Archives open, there is no plan in place for such action. The 7 staff laid off last week received confirmation this week, and planned hours are still restricted to “by appointment only.”
The Friends of Georgia Archives and History continue to take the lead on educating the public on this issue and gathering support. Two rallies are planned for October, one at the Georgia Capitol and one at the Georgia Archives building.
Capitol Rally
Save the Date: Wed., Oct. 3, noon-1 p.m.
Location: Capitol South Wing (inside)
Archives Rally
Date: TBD
Location: Georgia Archives, Morrow, GA
Next Steps: A Message from the SGA President
From President Marie Force via the SGA list serve:
Quite a day at the Capitol! Almost 100 supporters came out! I think Glenda Anderson wins the prize for longest drive – all the way from Savannah. We were limited to about 20 in the governor’s office for the photo, but thank you everyone for packing his waiting room – and he knew all of you were there.
Photos with Governor Deal are now online: http://photos.gov.georgia.gov/GovernorNathanDeal/September-2012/91912-Photo-ops/25462286_Rd6q4M#!i=2097213021&k=sqjcMFJ
Let me know if you have personal photos of the event we can share on SGA’s Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23288207@N04/
Kaye Minchew did a great job for us as she asked the Governor for his support in keeping the Archives open! We handed over your letters of support and the 10,000 petition signatures. We were very pleased the AJC and Clayton County reporters were able to be the governor’s office with us to confirm that he said he will keep the Archives open:
What does the governor mean by “open”?? We need to tell him “open” means public hours and professional archival staff! The governor and your legislators have to hear from their constituents in Georgia that “open” does not mean appointments only with 3 full-time staff to handle the entire state archives operations.
Keep making noise! People are paying attention. To locate your representatives, see http://soga.org/involvement/legislative
Thank you,
Marie Force
SGA President
GAM 2012
Over 100 archivists, historians, genealogists and other supporters of the Georgia Archives gathered today at the Georgia State Capitol to witness Governor Nathan Deal sign a proclamation declaring October “Georgia Archives Month.”
SGA President Marie Force and Coalition to Save the Georgia Archives Chair Kaye Minchew presented the Governor with a petition and letters written in support of the Georgia Archives.
The petition was a print out of the first 10,000 signatures gathered on the “The Governor of GA: Leave our state archives open to the public,” a Change.org petition started by Georgians Against Closing of the State Archives.
The event was covered by reporters from both the AJC and the Clayton Daily News.
