logo - Congress 2015The once-every-three years genealogy event that happens down here in Australasia is Congress, or to give it it’s official name the “Australasian Congress on Genealogy and History”.

The next one is being held in Canberra on the 26-30 March 2015 (yes, 2015! I know it seems forever away, but trust me it’ll come quick – they always do) and the Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra are playing hosts and organisers. Even though it is 2 years away their organising Committee are already hard at work planning, and have recently put the call out for speakers.

The Society is now inviting speakers with specialist expertise in family history and related topics to register their interest in presenting lectures or workshops at the Congress.

CONGRESS THEME
The theme of the 14th Congress, is “Generations Meeting Across Time”, and acknowledges the 4th Congress that was held in Canberra back in 1986 whose theme was “Bridging the Generations”. It also recognises Canberra as a meeting place and links past, present and future. The “Generations Meeting Across Time”  theme will allow exploration of a very wide range of issues, resources and technologies encompassing the fields of family history, genealogy and heraldry. Within the broad theme topics could cover, but are not limited to:
– Crossing the great divide – be it geographic, social or cultural
– Building the nation – infrastructure, military, social, political etc.
– Finding families in national, state and local institutions or repositories
– Making the digital age work for family historians and genealogists

Further details regarding the Congress can be found on the website: www.congress2015.org.au

THE SUBMISSION OF REGISTRATION OF SPEAKER INTEREST (ROSI) PROCESS
Those interested in presenting at the Congress are advised that ROSIs must be received no later than 30 June 2013. An indicative timeframe for the ROSI process is:
– ROSI Period to 30 June 2013
– Evaluation period July to Oct 2013
– Selected speakers advised by 10 Nov 2013
– Unsuccessful speakers advised 15 Nov 2013

Each ROSI will be evaluated by the Congress organisers who will determine, at their sole discretion, which speakers they consider most suitable to present at the Congress. The decision of the Congress organisers shall be final.

FULL DETAILS OF THE ROSI
Detailed information about the ROSI, speaker obligations, Congress organiser obligations and a draft speaker agreement may be found at www.congress2015.org.au

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONGRESS NEWSLETTER
For regular updates on Congress 2015 subscribe to their newsletter Canberra Calling by visiting the Congress 2015 website, and clicking here.

FURTHER QUESTIONS
For further information or if there are any questions, please contact: convenor@congress2015.org.au