{"id":21683,"date":"2026-10-01T17:48:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T17:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/?p=21683"},"modified":"2026-10-16T14:30:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T14:30:36","slug":"how-to-join-the-rgme-guide-for-newcomers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/how-to-join-the-rgme-guide-for-newcomers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Join the RGME: Guide for Newcomers"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Interested in the RGME?<\/h1>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Wondering how to join our group?<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">We offer a Guide<br \/>\nfor people interested in our group but uncertain about how it works.<\/h3>\n<p>[<em>Posted on 10 August 2026, in response to requests<\/em>]<\/p>\n<p>Would you like to participate in the RGME and our activities, but you\u2019re not sure how to join?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-784 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Heavy-LOGO1-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Logo of the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence (colour version)\" width=\"300\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Heavy-LOGO1-300x277.jpg 300w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Heavy-LOGO1-150x138.jpg 150w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Heavy-LOGO1.jpg 324w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As a nonprofit educational corporation, we do not have <strong>Members as such<\/strong>, with annual dues and membership obligations.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, we gladly gather <strong>Officers, Associates, and Volunteers<\/strong>. They are listed on our website:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/profile\/officers-associates-and-volunteers\/\">Officers, Associates, and Volunteers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We also have <strong>Friends of the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/friends-of-the-research-group-on-manuscript-evidence\/\" target=\"&quot;_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Friends of the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The RGME has no employees as such. Sometimes, when funds permit, we engage contractors or vendors.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19659\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19659\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-19659 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/claddagh5-300x105.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/claddagh5-300x105.png 300w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/claddagh5-1024x359.png 1024w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/claddagh5-150x53.png 150w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/claddagh5-768x269.png 768w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/claddagh5-1536x538.png 1536w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/claddagh5-2048x718.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-19659\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Logo (2024) of the Friends of the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>People<\/h2>\n<p>Anyone can volunteer.<\/p>\n<p>Our nonprofit corporation, incorporated in the State of New Jersey on 4 November 1999, has a <strong>Board of Trustees<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Trustees and Officers <\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Officers for our corporation are elected by the Board of Trustees. Among them are the <strong>Trustees<\/strong>, the <strong>Secretary<\/strong> and <strong>Treasurer<\/strong> for the Corporation, the <strong>Editor-in-Chief of Publications<\/strong>, and other responsible functionaries.<\/p>\n<h3>2. <strong>Honorary Invited Associates (&#8220;Associates&#8221;)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>From our beginnings in 1989 as part of a major research project in the University of Cambridge, when we established the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence as an international scholarly society, and reinforced our stature as a nonprofit educational corporation based in the State of New Jersey, we have held the tradition of inviting selected volunteers who have been involved in activities of the RGME to become our <b>Honorary Invited Associates<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>For this honorary position there are no dues nor duties; it is our traditional way of expressing formal thanks to people who have contributed to our work and mission in a variety of ways.<\/p>\n<h3>3. <strong>Volunteers<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Volunteers join activities, background organizational work, and celebrations. Some Volunteers, over time, become <strong>Honorary Invited Associates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>4. <strong>Friends of the RGME<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>We also welcome all members of our community to join the <b>Friends of the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence<\/b>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/friends-of-the-research-group-on-manuscript-evidence\/\">https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/friends-of-the-research-group-on-manuscript-evidence\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For this position there are no dues nor duties, but, as always, we welcome donations of funds and contributions in kind (materials, time, expertise).<\/p>\n<h3>5. <strong>Donors and Sponsors<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Donations in funds and in kind, including materials, books or manuscripts, and pro-bono contributions, are welcome. Sponsors include individuals, organizations, and institutions.<\/p>\n<h2>How You Can Participate<\/h2>\n<p>There are many ways to participate, whether by attending or contributing to our activities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">helping to organize the event, its production, and its follow-up<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">speaking, offering a response, moderating, or talking as panelist for a roundtable<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">joining the conversation in the discussion or roundtable<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">joining the<strong> Friends of the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence<\/strong> \u2014 it&#8217;s free and open to all!<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">joining one of our <strong>Committees<\/strong> to participate in the planning and running of aspects of our work<\/li>\n<li>giving time, expertise, materials, and\/or funding for our work and our mission, including our <strong>RGME Office<\/strong>, our<strong> RGME Production Team<\/strong>, and\u00a0our <strong>RGME Library &amp; Archives<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>sharing access to original materials for our research and teaching, whether through photographs or by lending or giving original works to the <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/the-rgme-lending-library\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RGME &#8216;Lending Library&#8217;<\/a> and the <strong>RGME Library &amp; Archives<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>giving <strong>Donations<\/strong> of funds (as much as you can) or <strong>Contributions in Kind<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>offering suggestions and requests for our activities, projects, and publications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The RGME runs a variety of events and social gatherings throughout the year. We also engage in research projects, training seminars or masterclasses, and publications of various kinds, often by request.<\/p>\n<h2>RGME Activities, Projects, and Publications<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_15886\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15886\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-15886 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Lagos40_kopie-300x125.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Lagos40_kopie-300x125.jpg 300w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Lagos40_kopie-1024x427.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Lagos40_kopie-150x63.jpg 150w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Lagos40_kopie-768x320.jpg 768w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Lagos40_kopie-1536x640.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Lagos40_kopie-2048x853.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15886\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lisbon, Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga: The mid 15th-century Saint Vincent Panels, attributed to Nuno Gon\u00e7alves. Image (https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/3\/3a\/Nuno_Gon%C3%A7alves._Paineis_de_S%C3%A3o_Vicente_de_Fora.jpg) via Creative Commons.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>I. Activities: Events<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cThe Research Group Speaks\u201d<\/strong> series of stand-alone episodes featuring interviews, roundtables, and individual presentations. Suggestions for future episodes are always welcome! For a list of\u00a0 Episodes, see <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/the-research-group-speaks-the-series\/\">https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/the-research-group-speaks-the-series\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>RGME Workshops on the \u201cEvidence of Manuscripts, Etc.\u201d<\/strong> a series of online gatherings to focus on a original materials (a single object, group of objects, or cases-in-point) in order to observe, analyse, and discuss with a like-minded community their various features and historical context(s). Past workshops themes can be browsed at <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/rgme-workshops-on-the-evidence-of-manuscripts-etc\/\">https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/rgme-workshops-on-the-evidence-of-manuscripts-etc\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Symposia<\/strong> and, where appropriate, <strong>Colloquia<\/strong>. Sometimes the <strong>Symposia<\/strong> occur annually or, as in the past several years, run as a joint pair of symposiums in the Spring and Autumn. <strong>Colloquia<\/strong> stand alongside symposia in some years, as we focus upon a particular theme or place. Several of these types of events are also hybrid, taking place jointly online as well as at a participating university. For example: <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/2025-rgme-spring-and-autumn-symposia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 RGME Spring and Autumn Symposia<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/2025-rgme-colloquium-on-fragments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 RGME Colloquium on Fragments<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/2026-rgme-colloquium-on-fragments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026 RGME Colloquium at the Grolier Club<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Visits to Collections<\/strong>, both private and institutional. In the past year, we have visited collections in New Jersey (the <strong>Steven Lamazow Collection<\/strong> and <strong>Special Collections of Princeton University<\/strong>) and New York (<strong>The Grolier Club of the City of New York<\/strong> and <strong>Special Collections and the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sponsored and co-sponsored Conference sessions<\/strong>: the RGME issues Calls for Papers (CFPs) for IMC Leeds (July) and ICMS Kalamazoo (May) each year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_20794\" style=\"width: 242px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20794\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-20794 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025-Autumn-Colloquium-Poster-3_v8-with-border-232x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"232\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025-Autumn-Colloquium-Poster-3_v8-with-border-232x300.png 232w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025-Autumn-Colloquium-Poster-3_v8-with-border-116x150.png 116w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025-Autumn-Colloquium-Poster-3_v8-with-border.png 617w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20794\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Poster 3 for 2025 Autumn Colloquium. Workshops on &#8220;Fragments at Princeton&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>Annual Open Business Meeting<\/strong>, taking place during the ICMS at Kalamazoo<\/li>\n<li><strong>Meetings of the Friends of the RGME<\/strong>. We meet informally online for monthly meetings to talk about subjects of interest, including books and related materials, ranging from childrens&#8217; books and recipe books to celebrations of many kinds. See: <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/meetings-of-the-friends-of-the-research-group-on-manscript-evidence\/\">https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/meetings-of-the-friends-of-the-research-group-on-manscript-evidence\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>2. Activities: Projects and Publications<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Publications<\/strong> often result from our events, as with their papers, abstracts, or reports. They include both traditional (printed) and digital publications, from books and booklets to newsletters, blogposts, posters, and invitations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Our Website<\/strong>. All our public events are reported on our official website, which comprises our principal publication with outreach to our community worldwide.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/\">https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_21106\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21106\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-21106 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/515-99426eb19a031a0413dbbd35bb8997cc-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/515-99426eb19a031a0413dbbd35bb8997cc-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/515-99426eb19a031a0413dbbd35bb8997cc-820x1024.jpg 820w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/515-99426eb19a031a0413dbbd35bb8997cc-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/515-99426eb19a031a0413dbbd35bb8997cc-768x959.jpg 768w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/515-99426eb19a031a0413dbbd35bb8997cc-1230x1536.jpg 1230w, https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/515-99426eb19a031a0413dbbd35bb8997cc.jpg 1239w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21106\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u00a9 MSK Ghent. Museum of Fine Arts Ghent. Cornelius Albertus Gijsbrects. Trompe-l\u2019\u0153il: Letter Rack with an Hourglass, Razor and Scissors, circa 1664. Image via https:\/\/www.mskgent.be\/en\/collection\/1911-hj.<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Our Blogs<\/strong>. Subjects, Specimens, Discoveries, Reports, and News are shared in our blogs, for which we welcome <strong>GuestBloggers<\/strong>. See <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/manuscript-studies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Manuscript Studies<\/a> and its <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/manuscript-studies-contents-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Manuscript Studies: Contents List<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Our Style Manifesto<\/strong>. All our Publications conform with our <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/style-manifesto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RGME Style Manifesto<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Our Official, bespoke, Multi-Lingual Digital Font Bembino<\/strong>. Our Publications use our very own font <a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/bembino\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bembino<\/a>, which is freely available for all to use<\/li>\n<li>Our <strong>Eventbrite Registration Portal<\/strong>. Our activities are often listed in the <strong>RGME Eventbrite Collection<\/strong>, where you can register to attend in person or online (as suitable) and you can add a voluntary donation. Most of our events are free-of-charge, and your donations are most welcome to help sustain our work and mission.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/o\/research-group-on-manuscript-evidence-54727558903\">https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/o\/research-group-on-manuscript-evidence-54727558903<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>RGME Friends&#8217; Favorite Recipes Competition and Cookbook<\/strong>. The <strong>Friends of the RGME<\/strong> prepare a community cookbook of Favorite Recipes. Competitions for recipes on selected courses or themes (such as Salads, Cookies and Cakes, or Starters) gather entries, with award certificates and prizes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Join Us!<\/h2>\n<p>To join our group and activities, please get in touch with us by contacting<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"mailto:director@manuscriptevidence.org\">director@manuscriptevidence.org<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"mailto:rgmesocial@gmail.com\">rgmesocial@gmail.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Donations Please, with Our Thanks<\/h2>\n<p>To keep our organization running, we count on volunteers, pro-bono contributions, and donations in funds. We ask you to give what you can. Visit:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/contributions-and-donations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contributions and Donations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/2026-annual-appeal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026 Annual Appeal<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>********<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Interested in the RGME? Wondering how to join our group? We offer a Guide for people interested in our group but uncertain about how it works. [Posted on 10 August 2026, in response to requests] Would you like to participate in the RGME and our activities, but you\u2019re not sure how to join? As a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21106,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[1383,116,2727,678,2014,2647,2666,2728,2628,2820,2665],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21683"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21683"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21683\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21793,"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21683\/revisions\/21793"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}