Webb Society Sponsor's Handbook

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Local History?	SECTION IV: Resource Section
The History of the Walter Prescott Webb Society	Books, Bulletins, and Leaflets on Local History Studies
SECTION I: Chapter Activities
Forming a Chapter	Webb Society Constitution
Projects and Activities	Study Trip Checklist
Keeping the Chapter's History	Sample Photo Release Form
The Annual Meetings	Sample Letter for Contacting Historical Groups
SECTION II: Awards and Recognition
The Webb Society Writing Contests	Preservation Guidelines Series from the Texas Historical Commission
Sponsor Awards	Remembering Texas-Guidelines for Historical Research
SECTION III: "How To" Section	Fundamentals of Oral History
Student's Guide to Historical Research and Writing	Historic Texas Cemetery Designation
Oral Interview Guidelines	Preserving Historic Cemeteries
Planning Chapter Publicity	Official Texas Historical Markers
Planning the Annual Meeting Trip	Researching Military History
Chapter Fundraising Projects

This handbook is designed to assist Webb Society sponsors with guiding college students toward an enhanced and memorable history experience. Participation in Webb Society projects will bring students closer to local and regional history. While each activity’s significance and intent is equal, the level of achievement will vary based on each student’s individual effort and interest.

The activities and resources included in this handbook are the culmination of over thirty years of recommendations and practice by a host of sponsors across the state. They should be considered merely as suggestions and not as limiting or required. Creative and dedicated sponsors are the core of this organization. The ability to improvise and adapt these activities to meet the needs of your students at the local level is the crux of what has made the Webb Society experience so memorable for thousands of college students across Texas. You are encouraged to share any successful ideas or activities with others so that even more young adults can benefit. The educational services staff at the Association are also available to assist through advice and coordination. It is the flexibility and autonomy at the local level to chose, modify, and plan activities that best meet the needs of students that are key to the success of the Webb Society in Texas.

In revising this edition of the handbook we owe a great deal of credit to my predecessors. Dr. H. Bailey Carroll provided the early organizational history and framework in his guide published in 1961. Dr. Ken Ragsdale provided the ideas contained in the first edition of the handbook published in 1978 and Dr. David C. DeBoe who updated the handbook in 1990. Much of the content and many of the ideas in this edition, especially the Introduction, flow from the earlier works of Dr. De Boe and his predecessors to whom I am grateful. Others have also contributed to this handbook as well, including John Britt who captured the brief organizational history, Stephanie Niemeyer whose editorial assistance was a key to the production of this edition and the Texas Historical Commission with the use of the Preservation Guidelines Series.