Category Archives: Outstanding Volunteers

2025 Outstanding Volunteers and Teams Announced

by Roxanne Lowe

Congratulations to the amazing individuals and teams who contributed to Washington’s local societies. The announcement was made on Thursday, August 21, at the WSGS Annual Meeting. Seventeen local society members and two teams were recognized with Outstanding Volunteer and Team awards. The volunteers and teams were praised for their commitment and energies to promote their local societies, family history and cooperation in their local communities.

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society

  • Ann Eklund
  • Patricia Ann Scott (posthumous)

Eastside Genealogical Society

  • Kimberly A. Nichols

Grays Harbor Genealogical Society

  • Carrie Cartwright Bergquist

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society

  • Donna McLain

Mason County Genealogical Society

  • Bob and Micki McMath

Northeast Washington Genealogical Society

  • Kathleen Loose Ochs

Seattle Genealogical Society

  • Cecillia Rogers

Sno-Isle Genealogical Society

  • Lisa Battern

South King County Genealogical Society

  • Tina Lawson
  • Michele Norton Mattoon
  • Valorie Cowen Zimmerman

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

  • Bill Grant (posthumous)
  • LeeRoy Kind

Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society

  • WAGS Publicity Team (Kris McGregor & Kari Strain)

Whatcom Genealogical Society

  • Jim DeLucia

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

  • Barbee Buchanan
  • Rosemarie Boat Robins
  • YVGS Binding Project (Larry Ball and Don Boatright)

For more information about the Outstanding Volunteers and Teams, visit the Washington State Genealogical Society, Local Society Support page or email Info@wasgs.org.

You’re Invited to WSGS’s Annual Meeting

by Roxanne Lowe

You’re invited to the WSGS’s annual meeting! Thursday, August 21, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

In compliance with Washington’s Nonprofit Corporation Act (24.03A), we’re holding our annual meeting.

Here’s the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87922030270?pwd=KpYEUb8xh12iOviu7Onee0Io27qp2S.1

Meeting ID: 879 2203 0270
Passcode: 438675

Phone: (253) 205-0468,,87922030270#,,,,*438675# US

The agenda will include the announcement of the 2025 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients, President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Supportive Grant awards. We’ll also talk about Pioneer Pursuit and America 250, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

We hope you join us! If you want more information, email Info@wasgs.org.

Paul Wessell Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Paul Wessell of Sequim, Washington who was selected by the Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

A member for ten years, Wessel has been an active member from the beginning.

During the Covid epidemic, CCGS received a donation and purchased a very large facility that needed serious renovation. Paul spearheaded the effort, working almost daily with a few other dedicated volunteers. He arranged to have walls moved, the interior painted, carpets cleaned and new flooring put in. He put up most of the shelving for the library, oversaw the installation of windows, bathroom and light fixtures and wiring.  He continues to fix leaks, pull weeds, and help with maintenance. 

Paul has run our yearly rummage sales, and is a volunteer library docent. Elected president three years ago, he attended the Washington Presidents’ Council meetings and began a monthly strategic planning program.  He has even written articles for our quarterly Bulletin. Paul has been an outstanding leader throughout his tenure.

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.

Lisa Vollrath Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Lisa Atkins Vollrath of Leavenworth, Washington who was selected by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Lisa just naturally likes to help others with their genealogy. Even though she lives 40 miles from Wenatchee, she volunteers at the library regularly, and sometimes even comes to town for extra shifts when others have to cancel.

Her patience and accuracy are exactly what we need for our indexing projects. She works on them in the library as well as at home.

During Covid, Lisa was approached to be our recording secretary, and because of the convenience of Zoom, she accepted. Without having to travel, she is able to take minutes at the board, membership and library team meetings. She is also part of the website team.

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.

Hazel Thornton Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Hazel Leise Thornton of Wenatchee, Washington who was selected by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Hazel became interested in genealogy when computers first came into our lives in the early ‘90s. By the early 2000s, she was busy volunteering at the Puget Sound Genealogical Society in Kitsap County. Early in 2020, their loss became WAGS’s gain when she moved to Wenatchee.

Hazel volunteered immediately to help where and how she could. We gave her a big job — membership chair – and she jumped right in, learning the website’s membership procedures and offering suggestions to improve the service in the future. Besides heading up membership, she works as a librarian, board member, and on the website advisory team. She always has her eye out for things that can be better organized or improved. Her energy and passion are vital to our organization’s success!

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.

Hawthorne Cemetery Team Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the SkVGS Hawthorne Cemetery Team who was selected by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SkVGS) as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Sylvia Ammons (co-leader), Dottie Chandler (co-leader), Rene Vance, Barbara Johnson, Dan Royal, Bill Cayford, Karen Strelow, Margie Wilson, Carol Nersten, Patty Gowler, Judy Hakins, Linda Holland and Margie Lauer.

This team of genealogist volunteers worked during the Covid-19 pandemic and after for long hours, and for many months to complete a long dormant project of reading and transcribing gravestone inscriptions at Hawthorne Cemetery in Mount Vernon, WA. This team demonstrated attention to detail, cooperation, dedication to the task, and enthusiasm for this project throughout the course of many months. This team’s exemplary work will serve the genealogy community for many years to come.

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.

Important Upcoming Dates for Local Societies

by Roxanne Lowe

Local societies, don’t forget the following deadlines for Outstanding Volunteer/Team awards, Supportive Grants and the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

  • Outstanding Volunteer/Team awards: Due July 1. Every year, WSGS supports the nominations of local society members and teams that make societies better.
  • Supportive Grants: Due July 1. Two grants for $250 each may be awarded to projects that support the work and mission of local societies.
  • President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement: Due August 1. This award is given to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.
  • WSGS Annual Meeting: August 21, 6:30 p.m. The agenda will include the announcement of the 2025 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients, President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Supportive Grant awards. 

Questions? Email Outreach@wasgs.org (Supportive Grants) or Info@wasgs.org (Outstanding Volunteer/Teams and President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement).

SKCGS Publicity Team Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the SKCGS Publicity Team who was selected by the South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS) as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Tina Lawson, Janet Stroebel, Brenda Phillips, Valorie Zimmerman and MaryLynn Strickland.

Under Tina’s leadership, the publicity team has not only performed reliably, but has gone beyond, providing accurate and beautifully presented information to the membership and friends and the general public. Janet deals with the quirky Groups.io calendar system so that SKCGS members and friends get timely meeting reminders automatically. Brenda, as a new member, has volunteered to update the Facebook page. Valorie continues to maintain a presence on X (formerly Twitter), while MaryLynn coordinates the blog presence. Tina not only creates the public calendar on the website, but also maintains SKCGS.org behind the scenes, and crafts the monthly emails to members and friends near and far, including Conference Keeper and the Washington State Genealogical Society Blog.

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.

NGS Press Release

by Charles Hansen

National Genealogical Society Presents Awards for Excellence in Genealogy Scholarship and Service at Family History Conference

Donna Potter Phillips has been a strong supporter and volunteer of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society since 1975. She has held multiple leadership roles on the Board and initiated the Annual Board Retreat. She launched online classes and multi-class workshops and spearheaded an Obituary Project. which added over 100,000 records to the society’s online research index. She led the Walking with Ancestors event for several years and taught many beginning genealogy classes. Phillips has been a guest speaker at local sister societies and is a published author of her former newspaper column, Heritage Hunting, which ran for ten years.

James Secan Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing James A. Secan of Seattle, Washington who was selected by the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Jim joined SGS and started writing grants in 2018. A year later, he agreed to serve our community as president. He is honored as a leader who began his presidency while COVID-19 changed our world. Jim has provided operational soundness for four years through a global pandemic, a pivot to online offerings, and the relocation of our library to a smaller space. Jim led the organization while maintaining a robust membership, keeping a good balance sheet, and passing a new set of bylaws with more streamlined Board structure. Jim has served with a commitment to strong operations, a steady hand, and compassion for those who needed to evolve during this time of significant change.

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.