THEIR OWN THOUGHTS The time of year is upon us that we start piecing together the slate of candidates for positions on the SGS Board of Directors for the May election. There is a commitment of a certain amount of your time and energy when you serve on the board, but aside from helping SGS what is the ROI (return-on-investment, for those who don’t speak “business”) for the volunteer? Here are the thoughts from four current board members on this question. Jill Morelli (Past President): My first elected position to the Board was as Publications Director, in charge of 2 Bulletins and 4 major newsletters. I remember when the recruiting committee called and suggested I run for the position. I had seen the request and thought I could do it. I served in that position for 3 years. during that time I learned a lot about the Society, felt that we published some very innovative issues and started the conversation of going all electronic. I gained writing skills, layout and graphic skills and met a lot of nationwide writers. I served as President for 3.5 years,  We each bring skills to the table and the president applies those skills to the betterment of the Society. I felt I brought to the board: organization and discipline, a focus on the financial affairs, and the embracement of electronic media for all we do. What would you bring to the Board? Ceil Rogers (Director of Education): A few years ago I was recruited to serve on the Nominating Committee. I was new to Seattle and to SGS, and I was flattered to be asked. Finding candidates for board positions turned out to be beyond my capabilities, so I just volunteered to fill one of those positions myself.  It wasn’t a job I was particularly well suited for, but I met other board members–a group of active and interesting people.  I was then able to slide into another board position, more aligned with my abilities and interests.  I became aware of opportunities I would not otherwise have known about, and I met dozens of other genealogists, all of whom had something to teach me.  I don’t look at serving on the board as an obligation as much as an opportunity to actively participate in the social network of SGS.  I encourage you to do the same. Karen Knudson (Treasurer): I joined SGS to start work on my genealogy. I had visited the library a few times and had gotten to know some of the desk volunteers. After I retired the society was in need of a treasurer. After a few pleas for a volunteer I decided to be that volunteer. I had no experience in financing for a non-profit. It became a learning experience,  not only in the running of a non-profit, but I also met a lot of great genealogists that helped me advance in my research. I found out about many resources that I may not have learned about had I not volunteered. Yes, there is work to do, and yes, there is a commitment, but it is not a hardship, but an opportunity for learning. Jim Secan (President): I’ve been fortunate to be the SGS President during a period of many transitions: the physical relocation of our library, a shifting in the society’s focus from physical objects (books, periodicals, etc.) to virtual ones (images, databases, etc.), and the growing importance of new technologies such as DNA matching and online meetings.  It has been a challenge to all involved, but working together with a great group of SGS volunteers has been fun as well.  I joined SGS in June 2018 to try to repay those in other societies in other states who have helped me over the years (think “Paying It Forward”). Every job in SGS, from library front desk volunteer to the president, is involved in this endeavor providing a sense of satisfaction that comes with helping others.  I wasn’t sure about taking this job when Jill Morelli asked me to consider it, but I am certainly glad that I did. If you feel you’d like to be a candidate for a position on the board, or for any other volunteer position at SGS, please contact any SGS Board member and they will help you get in touch with the right person within SGS to get you set up. Or you can email your questions, comments, or thoughts to:  nominations@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org

100 years ago: 1 January 1923

“Seattle has Wettest of Dry New Year Fetes” was the sub-headline for the day. Cafes, theaters, and streets had scenes of wild enthusiasm. As the newspaper explained “It was the wettest celebration since state-wide prohibition, after a threat that it might become the driest.” A complication arose when the whisky runners got caught in some bad weather, resulting in the bootleg market raising their prices $1 and $2 a quart.

“Seattle Has Wettest of Dry New Year,” Seattle Post Intelligencer, 
1 January 1923. p. 1.

* Watch each eNews! issue for “100 years ago”, our new anecdotal series. We will be running it for the duration of 2023, our centennial year. 

SAVE THE DATE

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
usually 2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST

JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 PM unless noted otherwise. 

http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

“RootsTech 2023”, 
Family History Library, 
Salt Lake City, Utah
Mar 2-4, 2023

Choose how to attend; in person or online! Visit the website for more info and registration. 

https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/home?mc_cid=d8c7b37731&mc_eid=2ae79ab586

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

New Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
10:00 am – 3:00 pm ** Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers. *** The elevator in the Good Shepherd Center will be out of service for the next several weeks. 

Masks are recommended  inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. 

NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room.  The host must take action to let people into each meeting.  The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.

All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted 

Monday, January 16, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Friday, January 20, 2023,  10:30 am-12:30 pm, Family Tree Maker SIG, the FTM by Software MacKiev user’s group  meets via Zoom on the 3rd Friday of each month. If you would like to attend and are not on the SIG e-mail distribution list, please send an e-mail to egsgenealogyhelper@yahoo.com no later than Thursday, January 19th to request the meeting link.

Saturday, January 21, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.

Saturday, January 21, 2023, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, German SIG, with Carolyn Schott See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.

Sunday, January 22, 2023,  1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Japanese American SIG, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Densho, this group meets quarterly on the fourth Sunday of the month (July, October, January, and April) at 1:00 p.m. (Pacific). Meetings address topics and resources helpful for those conducting Japanese genealogy research.
 
The link to logon will be sent to the Japanese American SIG email list. People wishing to attend should email family.history@densho.org to be added to the mailing list.
 
Co-Chairs: Caitlin Oiye Coon and [a co-host is still very much needed]

Monday, January 23, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Saturday, January 28, 2023, 9:00 am- 10:00 am, DNA SIG for Beginners, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. Special session for beginners, held annually before the first regular meeting of the DNA SIG in January. To participate, contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com. 

Saturday, January 28, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 mm, DNA SIG, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. The first regular meeting of the DNA SIG in 2023. To participate you need to be on the DNA SIG email list; to join contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com. 

Monday, January 30, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Saturday, February 4, 2023, 10:15 am- 12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG, with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com 

Sunday, February 5, 2023,  1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join. 

Monday, February 6, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am,  Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Saturday, February 11, 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, Second Saturday: Black Miners in the Western US,  with Janice Lovelace. 

Monday, February 13, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Saturday, February 18, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.

Saturday, February 18, 2023, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, German SIG, with Carolyn Schott See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.

Sunday,February 19, 2023,  1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Jill Morelli is the usual host.

Monday, February 20, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Monday, February 27, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.