Seattle Genealogical Society News and Meetings

Seattle

WHO WILL LEAD SGS IN 2016??
In this, the fourth installment about the unprecedented number of Board vacancies that SGS will be facing in the coming year, we highlight the position of President.

The SGS President is in essence the Captain of the ship. More than any other officer or director, the President charts the course of the society. He or she is the face and the official spokesperson for the Society. and sets the agenda for the Board of Directors. The President provides leadership and guidance to each member of the Board, and ensures that each fulfills their responsibilities.

The SGS President is also akin to the conductor of an orchestra, an all-volunteer orchestra, coaching, leading and directing individuals of varied backgrounds, personalities and abilities to work together harmoniously toward common goals.

Marilyn Rose, our current president, is in her third and final term; our Bylaws prevent her from continuing on in this position. Many members may not know this, but in 2013 the SGS Nominating Committee could not find a candidate to run for President. Fortunately for SGS, a few members wrote in Marilyn’s name, after one long-time friend asked for her permission. She met the requirement that the president must have previously served in a Board position. In the past, Marilyn had been the Director of Education, Secretary and Vice President and had been President from 2005-2006. She accepted the call. Thus a crisis was narrowly avoided three years ago.

We are approaching a similar but much worse crisis now, with the potential for multiple vacancies on the Board. It is hard to imagine how SGS could continue in the future, if we’re unable to recruit and elect a capable president, and fill the other Board positions as well. Our goal is to have a full slate of candidates by early March 2016 at the latest.

These are challenging times, and we need your help. If you’d like to be considered for this or any other Board position, or would like to suggest the names of someone else, please contact the Nominating Committee at SGSNominate@gmail.com.

Another Interesting Publication Found In Our Library

Do you have a “ghostly” address for one of your ancestors? You know, a place that doesn’t show up on current maps or a town that was completely abandoned.

That was a problem tackled by the Alberta (Canada) Genealogical Society. Discover how they approached this problem as reported in their publication, Relatively Speaking, 1983, Vol. II, No. 3, p. 22.  Come by.  You can find this publication in the Canada Section of the SGS Library.

Help Wanted – Desk Volunteer Coordinator

The Desk Volunteer Coordinator maintains the schedule of Desk Volunteers that keep the Library open during business hours. This position can mostly be done in the comfort of your own home, but may require an occasional trip to the Library. Internet/email access is a must for this position. Is this something you think you would enjoy doing? Please contact Ann Wright at SGSVolunteers@gmail.com for more information.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All programs are at the SGS Library at 6200 Sand Point Way unless otherwise indicated. Please Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be postponed.

Saturday, November 7, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian Interest Group – Leader: Dave Robert

Sunday, November 8, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group – Leader:  Karen Knudson

Sunday, November 15, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Beginners Program, “Introduction to Genealogical Research”, Speaker:  Janice Lovelace

Saturday, November 21, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish  Interest Group – “A Review of Irish Census and Census Substitutes”, Leader: Jean A. Roth

Saturday, November 21, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German  Interest Group – “Bouncing Boundaries – The Main problem with German Research”, Leader: Jean A. Roth

Sunday, November 22, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Program, “Using Census Records – A Major Genealogical Resource”, Speaker:  Janice Lovelace

Save the Date

Saturday, November 14, “2015 Family History Fair” at LDS Redmond Stake Center – free all day event – Registration open 8 am – 12:30 pm, Exhibitor Gallery 8 am – 5 pm, Keynote Session 9 am, classes  and presentations 10 am – 4:30 pm.  SGS will have a booth.  More info at www.wafamilyhistory.net

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