Category Archives: Outstanding Volunteers

Jan WellsMinzel Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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. Over the last year, you were introduced to each of the 2023 award recipients and learned why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Jan WellsMinzel of Shelton, Washington, who were nominated by the Mason County Genealogical Society (MCGS).

To assist visitors seeking information about their Civil War ancestors in Mason County, MCGS in partnership with Mason County Historical Society Museum (MCHS) decided to assemble the vital records of Civil War veterans residing in Mason County as identified in the 1890 U.S. Veteran’s Census. Jan took on researching and writing a narrative page for more than 33 veterans. Her narratives are well written and contain the vital records required for sound genealogical practices.

Jan has completed 90 percent of the Civil War veterans that Mason County is tracking. The society is building a three-ring binder containing Jan’s narratives with headstone photos for use at the MCHS Museum.  Jan also recognized our newsletter editor needed help when she was ill and immediately pitched in to assist the editor and keep the newsletter on schedule. Jan’s super power is she recognizes when help is needed and acts.

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.

Kerry McHugh Upton Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Kerry McHugh Upton of Olympia, Washington, who were nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).

For 20 years, Kerry has been a strong leader and encouraging member of OGS. She has served as president and secretary, and assisted on committees and teams planning the annual seminars, retreats and other special events. In 2019, she organized a number of special interest groups, which are still going strong.

Kerry established OGS’s first Facebook page. She initiated recording of monthly programs, posting them for member viewing on the website. Then, in 2020, when OGS learned that their seminar had to be cancelled because of the pandemic and social isolation, Kerry worked tirelessly to choreograph their first virtual seminar, in just one month’s time, cementing her place as a member of the newly formed tech team. Today, she is helping plan how to hybridize future meetings to be both physical and virtual.

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.

SVGS Hybrid Meeting Research Team Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2023

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. Over the past year, were were introduced to each of the 2023 award recipients and learned why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the SVGS’s Hybrid Meeting Research Team who were selected by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS) as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Bill Radock, Bob Hendricks, George Ridgeway, Stephen Hutchens, Linda Duffield, Alice Bowden, Rene Vance, Margie Wilson and Rachel Lunden.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, SVGS attracted many new members far beyond their region due to moving their meetings to Zoom. It became apparent that SVGS needed to move to a hybrid meeting experience post-pandemic so no members would be excluded. This was the society’s way of continuing to engage and educate both local and remote members, so they were equally honored as members.

How to accomplish creating these meetings and overcoming the complexities of the technology involved the creation of a “Think Tank” to come up with a solution. Thanks to this team of volunteers SVGS has moved to a hybrid-meeting format, retained its remote members, brought back local “non-Zoom” members, and continued to attract new members. SVGS’s survival and continued ability to provide access to educational and enriching programs is due to the Hybrid Meeting Research Team’s dedicated efforts and vision for a positive and productive future of SVGS.

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.

Beth Snyder Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Beth Snyder of Bellevue, Washington, who were nominated by the Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS).

Beth joined EGS in 2015. In 2016, she was named the SIG coordinator and joined the EGS board. She immediately focused on improving communications between the individual SIGs, the board and the general membership.

In 2019 as co-chair of the program committee, Beth worked to find new program topics and coordinated closely with the Bellevue Regional Library (BRL), our partner organization, to find program topics that would be of interest to EGS members as well as supporting existing library themes. In 2020 as EGS transitioned to using Zoom for its meetings, Beth quickly capitalized on Zoom’s greatly expanded inventory of available program topics that were less expensive and offered more flexible scheduling than in-person presentations.

In 2023 in addition to her role as program chair, Beth began publishing an electronic “Occasional Newsletter” which is intended to improve communications within EGS.

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.

Outstanding Volunteer/Team Nominations Sought

by Roxanne Lowe

It’s that time of year! Time for your society to honor your outstanding volunteers or teams with an Outstanding Volunteer or Team Award. 

  • No later than July 1, 2024: Submit the form and photograph of your honoree(s) to Info@wasgs.org. The narrative (approximately 150 words) should explain the accomplishments of your nominee/team and why you are honoring him/her/them. The photo should be a good quality digital photograph (at least 300 dpi).
  • September 1, 2024: Formal announcement of the recipients will be announced.

A few special notes:

  • Local societies can submit up to two individuals or one teams/projects for special recognition by WSGS. Contact Roxanne Lowe at Info@wasgs.org if you have an extraordinary situation.
  • The Outstanding Volunteer/Team Award program is not a competition – it is locally driven. All nominees from local societies will be honored with an Outstanding Volunteer/Team certificate, but we want these awards to be special, so please don’t nominate your whole society (even though they are outstanding!).
  • Posthumous awards may be considered.
  • If your nominee is camera shy & doesn’t want to have a picture submitted, that’s fine. Also, if you’re unable to snap a picture of your whole team, we’re okay with individual member photos.
  • Nominees may have received an Outstanding Volunteer award previously. Click here for a cumulative list of awardees (alpha by name and by society).
  • Please honor the July 1 timeline for nominations. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work, including reviews, to be done before the announcement on September 1.
  • The nomination form is available here. Please complete one form per person or team.

Additional details and deadlines may be found at the WSGS website here.

Please contact Roxanne Lowe at Info@wasgs.org if you have questions or suggestions.

Kathleen Sizer Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Kathleen Weddle Sizer of Granger, Washington, who were nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Kathy joined YVGS in 1975 and served the public coffee at Indian John Hill Rest Area on I-90 in fundraising.  She has been a librarian since the 1980s and served as vice-president, president, secretary and currently as treasurer of the society. She is also a jack-of-all-trades volunteering in hospitality, yard sales, mowing the lawn, helping clean the library and the past two years has been on the bylaws and standing rules committee updating the society’s rules to match the new State regulations.

Kathy is the current president of WSGS. She has also served WSGS as membership chair since 2017 and past secretary. 

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.

Mardi Scott Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Mardi Scott of Wenatchee, Washington, who were nominated by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS).

Mardi has been creating eye-catching bulletin boards for the WAGS Library since 2017. They are inviting and bright, often illustrating a solution to a genealogy problem; sometimes highlighting items from the monthly newsletter; or going wherever her curiosity leads her. In February 2023, she did a delightful board commemorating what would have been her late mother’s 100th birthday. Her work helps make the WAGS Library a welcoming and vibrant place.

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.

Katherine Pettersen Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Katherine Gibson Pettersen of Longview, Washington, who were nominated by the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society (LCGS).

As one of LCGS’s newer members, Katherine, affectionally known as Kat, has been a great asset to the society.  She has been a strong voice as a trustee.  As a member of the program committee, she offers great suggestions for potential speakers and facilitates the speakers’ virtual presentations.

Kat’s greatest contribution has been in assisting in the transition from meeting in person to meeting virtually. She has moderated all of the society’s general and board meetings, as well as assisted those who have had difficulty grasping the technology of meeting via Zoom.

Kat handles issues in a calm manner.  One member stated that she has the patience of a saint, and another said that she never seems to get ruffled.

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.

Monica and Don Peters Named Two of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Monica and Don Peters of Pullman, Washington, who were nominated by the Whitman County Genealogical Society (WCGS).

Monica is among the 1984 “Founding Mothers” of WCGS, and has served on the board since. As corresponding secretary, she efficiently manages the society’s communications and promotes activities at the core of its purpose.  With deep roots in Whitman County, she serves as the society’s primary researcher.  Her sleuthing uncovers intriguing stories, which she generously shares in newsletter articles.

Monica was instrumental in establishing an endowment fund which allows the society to provide college scholarships to high school seniors demonstrating interest in family history. Her communication of fiscal matters enhances the financial business of the society.

In partnership with Monica, Don unfailingly provides behind-the-scenes support to WCGS.  He assists in the society’s efforts to wrangle technology needed to accomplish its goals. He is generous with his time and expertise in any matter under consideration.  

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 Oberg Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Lisa Oberg of Shoreline, Washington, who was nominated by the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS).

Lisa, a 14-year member of SGS, is currently co-chair of the SGS100 Committee, which is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing SGS’s year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of its founding.  She conceived the idea that became the SGS100 Writer’s C(r)amp, a three-day writer’s retreat on San Juan Island, during which she provided consultations based on her professional expertise as well as light meals for the attendees. The event was such a success that SGS is considering making it an annual program.

Prior to the COVID-19 disruption of group meetings, Lisa led many SGS-sponsored cemetery tours such as a trip to the Seattle Civil War Cemetery, where she had members of the group research some of the soldiers interred there. She has also helped with many of the less glamorous SGS jobs, serving several times on the Elections Committee, helping with the creation and early testing of SGS’s internet-based ballot system.

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.