SGS BULLETIN TO BE DISCONTINUED?
SGS has published its Bulletin for much of its 93-year history, and members have come to expect their copy as one of the benefits of their membership in SGS. This may have to change soon, because we cannot find anyone to produce it.
SGS has been without a Director of Publications for almost a year, and the current Nominating Committee has been unable to find a candidate for the coming year. There are a several people who are willing to help on a Publications Committee to publish the Bulletin, including several Board members. But despite concerted efforts, we’ve been unable to recruit anyone to head this group. This position does not require experience in publications, because there are others who can help to do the actual work. This person would not have the responsibilities of the Director of Publications.
Can you help, either as a member of the Publications Committee, or as its head? If so, please contact Marilyn Rose at SGSPresident@gmail.com or (206) 362-3240.
If no one steps up, there will be no SGS Bulletin after the Winter 2016 issue that is currently in process. The Board has done all it can do!
SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The SGS Nominations Committee is responsible for filling any vacant positions on the Board and finding volunteers to run for office. Work begins in late fall surveying Board members about their plans to run for another term, and asking for names of possible candidates for all positions. Other members are also queried for suggestions. Those people are contacted first, then the entire membership is contacted by phone or email to offer each member the opportunity to run for an office.
Review of the job descriptions for each position is performed along with gathering an estimate of the time requirement for each position. The committee reviews potential candidates for the skills needed for the position as well as assesses their previous Board or committee experience and their ability to work effectively both independently and in groups. The slate is presented to the general membership at the March meeting, which is also an opportunity for any member to volunteer for any vacant position.
The committee may meet 3 or 4 times, but conducts much of its communication by email. Having at least five members helps to make the membership survey easier to accomplish.
We currently need 3 additional volunteers for next year. Please step forward if you can serve. To nominate someone or if you are interested in being nominated yourself, contact the committee at sgsnominate@gmail.com prior to the March 20th Membership Meeting. Thank you!
Save the Date – Coming May 21
Seattle Genealogical Society’s 2016 Spring Seminar
“FINDING SOLUTIONS TO YOUR TOUGHEST RESEARCH PROBLEMS, UTILIZING MIGRATION ROUTES, CIVIL WAR RECORDS AND ONLINE TECHNIQUES”
Speaker: William Dollarhide, nationally recognized genealogical lecturer and award winning author, featuring his latest book “Genealogical Resources of the Civil War Era”
NEEDED FOR SGS SPRING AND FALL SEMINARS – CAN YOU HELP?
In Dire need of a Publicity Chair : estimated time commitment – initially a couple of hours per week and then in the two weeks per prior to the seminar a couple of ½ days. We need someone to oversee PR for the Seminar. We have people that produce the brochure, print it, and mail it. We have people to make posts on our Facebook page and Twitter. There are plenty of volunteers to complete each task, we do still need someone to put the plan together and coordinate the volunteers. There are a lot of documents from prior Chairs to assist in organization; they layout all that needs to be done and when.
Someone to layout Save the Date Flyer for Fall 2016 Seminar : estimated time commitment – 1/2 day
Committee to review Venue’s for the Fall Seminar: estimated time commitment – If we had 3 people it would require 1/2 day for visits and one meeting for evaluation. We have a list of 12 venues that need visitations and evaluations as to whether the venue is available for fall and it’s attributes. We would like to find one venue for both the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 Seminars
Committee to Select Seminar Speakers for 2016 Fall and 2017 Spring Seminars : estimated time commitment – 2 meetings , 3 hours total
Coordinator of Volunteers on the Day of the Seminar: estimated time commitment – 2 hours; the hour before the seminar begins and available during the seminar. All the Volunteers are already assigned, we need a point person.
Someone to Sell Mr. Dollarhide’s Book the Day of the Seminar: estimated time commitment – the hour before the seminar and time during all breaks at the seminar. Bill Dollarhide, our speaker, will bring a supply of his books for SGS to sell. We receive a commission for books sold.
Someone to develop a Survey for Seminar Feedback: estimated time commitment – 1-2 hours to develop the survey plus 6-12 hours to compile the finished data and develop a report. Summarize the information and present it to the Board.
If you are interested in helping, want more information, or have any questions regarding these Volunteer Opportunities, Sandra Stark, Seminar Chair, looks forward to speaking with you and working with you in the near future. Reach out to her at : SandraKStark@live.com
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 cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather.
March
Saturday, March 5, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian Interest Group, Leader: David Robert
Sunday, March 6, 1:00 pm -3:00 pm, Beginning Genealogy Workshop, Instructor: Janice Lovelace. Please register with the SGS front desk.
Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, Irish Week Festival at Seattle Center – St Patrick’s Parade on Saturday with SGS entry. SGS will have a booth and offer genealogical help on both days. We need volunteers for both days for two hour sessions. Please contact Jean A Roth at jeanaroth@juno.com to volunteer for this fun event.
Sunday, March 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group, Leader: Karen Knudsen (note Daylight Savings Time begins)
Saturday, March 19, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Irish Genealogy Workshop, at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Greenwood Ave N and N 132nd Street, Seattle, WA . A full day of classes on Irish research and genealogical records. Sponsored by the Irish Heritage Club, the Irish Special Interest Groups of the Eastside and Seattle Genealogical Society, and the Irish Genealogical and Historical Society (IGHS). Register on line at the Irish Heritage Club.
Sunday, March 20, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, SGS Membership Meeting, Nominations Committee and Election Information with Marilyn Rose, SGS President. Program: “My Ancestors Didn’t Have a Camera”, using a simple Google Search to capture on-line images to highlight your family history narrative, presented by Jean A Roth
Wednesday, March 23, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Brick Wall Session – Come discuss your problems and we’ll share research suggestions. Leader: Jean A Roth
Saturday, March 26, 10:00am – 12:30pm, DNA Interest Group Meeting, at Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8005 35th Ave NE, Seattle, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall, contact sgsdnasign@email.com to be added to the email list.
Sunday, March 27, SGS Library will be closed on Easter Sunday
April
Saturday, April 2, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian Interest Group, Leader: David Robert
Sunday, April 3, 1:00 pm -3:00 pm, Program Meeting, “Using Historic Newspapers in Your Genealogy Research”, Speaker: Janice Lovelace
Monday, April 4, Volunteer Day
Sunday, April 10, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group, Leader: Karen Knudsen
Saturday, April 16, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, Leader: Jean A Roth
Saturday, April 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, Leader: Jean A Roth
CRITICAL SGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING
On Sunday, 20 March, at 1 p. m., SGS will host the Spring Membership Meeting at the SGS library. This is perhaps the most important membership gathering ever held and we have much to discuss with our members. Please put this date on your calendar and plan on attending.
The Nominating Committee has been working diligently since October to fill the open positions on the Board and the Nominating Committee. Yet at this point we have NO candidates for President, Vice President, Director of Education and Director of Publications. These are critical positions and if they remain unfilled, the very future of the society is at risk!
We urge all members to attend, and help us address this crisis.
At this meeting, we’ll also highlight many of SGS’s accomplishments this past year, despite two vacant Board positions. These include: •major improvements in our Library holdings, including new online & magazine subscriptions, as well as new books
•a highly successful Fall Seminar, featuring Thomas Jones
•the creation of a new position, Director of Technology, and filling that position
•filled the vacant Treasurer and Director of Volunteers Board positions at mid-year
•another $3000 grant from 4Culture, which has helped with our overhead costs
•an external review of the SGS website by the Federation of Genealogical Societies, who gave us high marks!
•a new Scandinavian Special Interest Group (SIG)
While many things are going well in our society, we must address the shortage of leaders at the Board level if we are to continue. We urge everyone who wants SGS to survive to attend this meeting. If you are unable to attend, but would consider filling one of these vacant positions, please contact the Nominating Committee at SGSNominate@gmail.com
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