Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society’s Audio/Visual Team. Members of the team included Julie Rosenoff, David Luders, Harold Young, John Wilson and Duane Beck.
On March 7, 2020, the Eastern Washington Genealogy Society had its final in-person meeting. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a world-wide pandemic, and by March 17th all schools in Washington State were closed. All social gatherings were forbidden. EWGS was stunned by the isolation.
The EWGS Audio/Visual team jumped at this challenge. They learned how to “Zoom” and by June 2020, the society was having Zoom business meetings. In September 2020, EWGS was able to conduct a full Zoom program celebrating their Mayflower ancestors.
When COVID restrictions began to ease, the Audio/Visual Team researched hybrid meetings. They practiced and prepared…a lot. In April 2022, EWGS went “hybrid” offering its first all-day seminar to both in-person and Zoom attendees. It was a huge success!
EWGS continues to thrive and bring in new genealogy enthusiasts in large part due to this team of intrepid volunteers.
Congratulations, EWGS Audio/Visual Team. Job well done!
For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.
The list of members of the EWGS Audio/Visual Committee should have included the name of Dan Cotton who was inadvertently left off the list.
Thanks Harold, but this is not a new recognition, but a replay of the earlier volunteer recognition so people can see what volunteers have done in the past. That way they can nominate a new group of outstanding volunteers in 2023.