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 Carolyn Gundersen of Peshastin, Washington, who was nominated by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS).

Diane is one of WAGS’s Outstanding Volunteers for 2022 for her work restructuring the WAGS library. She joined WAGS about five years ago. Not long after, she volunteered in the WAGS library, working one day a month and editing indexes a few hours a week from home. As her interest grew, so did her time commitment, and soon she found herself a member at-large on the WAGS Board, moving up to the head librarian position in 2019.

With board approval, Diane began to look for ways to make the library a more welcoming place for patrons to do their research, and a more efficient place for volunteers to do their work. With courage, boundless energy and considerable organizational skills, she first studied what jobs were being done where in our library and made plans to move or replace existing furniture with more modern accoutrements. She is boldly going forward with removing old paper resources that are now online. Under her leadership, WAGS is consolidating their North Central Washington resources into one area.

Diane is revitalizing WAGS’ 50-year-old library, creating a bright, versatile space that will serve us for the next half-century and beyond.

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.”