Volunteer Role
Helping Keep County Sites Strong
TXGenWeb Surfers review assigned county websites each month to help make sure the statewide network remains useful, current, and consistent with TXGenWeb and USGenWeb requirements.
What to Expect
Most surfers spend about four hours each month reviewing the counties in their assigned region.
The role calls for honesty, consistency, and a good eye for detail. Surfers often become especially familiar with the strengths and needs of county sites across Texas.
Your most important responsibility is not choosing award winners. It is helping confirm that county sites continue to meet the basic requirements for participation in TXGenWeb and USGenWeb.
Be Prepared
- Use the current spreadsheet or checklist for your assigned region.
- Understand the difference between Basic Requirements and County of the Month requirements.
- Basic Requirements determine whether a site qualifies to remain part of TXGenWeb.
- County of the Month requirements determine whether a site may be nominated for that recognition.
Review the Site Carefully
As you browse each county site, check that its important features actually work.
- Open a selection of links to make sure they lead somewhere useful.
- Test the site's search function, if one is provided.
- Look for signs that the site is being maintained and that required information is current.
- If a last-updated date is shown, compare it with the applicable TXGenWeb or County of the Month requirements.
The goal is to review fairly and consistently rather than look for reasons to disqualify a county.
Report What You Find
If a county does not meet the basic requirements for TXGenWeb membership, report the problem to the Awards Manager.
If a county is otherwise in good standing but does not meet the requirements for County of the Month, a friendly note to the County Coordinator may help them correct the issue.
When appropriate, nominate your choice for County of the Month through the surfers' communication channel.
Vote on Recognition
When County of the Month nominees are announced, surfers may be asked to submit their top choices privately to the Awards Manager.
Surfers also participate in applicable annual County of the Year voting.
Celebrate Good Work
Recognition is one of the enjoyable parts of the role. When winners and runners-up are announced, surfers are encouraged to congratulate the volunteers whose county sites have been recognized.
Helpful Resources
Know the Standards
Before beginning, become familiar with both the basic county requirements and the County of the Month criteria.