Category Archives: Outstanding Volunteers

Winona Hahn Laird 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 Winona Hahn Laird of Kent, Washington, who was nominated by the South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS).

Winona is being honored for the effort she put into creating and teaching beginning genealogy classes for SKCGS in 2023. The society experienced a 25 percent increase in membership directly attributable to her classes.

Winona also has served as president and vice president of SKCGS and on numerous committees, including chair of the last two seminar committees, and head of the education committee and the five-year planning committee. Currently she runs the virtual Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group and the in-person Research Workshop at the Kent Family Search Center (FSC). She has also been group liaison for the Family Search Center.

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.

Russell Kruse 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 Russell Kruse of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Russell became interested in genealogy and became a member of YVGS in 2011.  He actively volunteers when a maintenance issue arises.

Russell has been very active in multiple activities working on the semi-annual yard sale with other members transporting discarded items from church yard sales to the YVGS storage garage and setting up, selling and cleaning up at the end of the sale.  Russell oversees the recycling project for the YVGS library loading up the recyclable items each week and hauling them to the recycler — an invaluable task. 

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.

Lynn Krogh 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 Lynn Krogh of Spokane, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS).

Lynn joined EWGS about five years ago, and soon after was on the Ways and Means committee. This committee does the raffles at each meeting and the door prizes at our seminars. Lynn is now the committee chair of the Ways and Means committee. She picked raffle and door prizes that matched the topic of the monthly meeting or seminars. She also held a silent auction of donated items and raised almost $900.

Lynn is now on the program committee and sends out the blast e-mails announcing the upcoming meetings and seminars. She was also the EWGS NGS representative. during Covid, and kept EWGS current on what was happening at NGS.

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.

Deb Klein 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 Deb Klein of Kirkland, Washington, who was nominated by the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS).

Debra “Deb” joined the SGS in June 2015 and became editor of eNews!, the SGS newsletter, later that year. She has never missed a beat, ensuring that an SGS eNews! has been published and emailed to more than 1,000 people on the 15th day and the last day of every month these last eight years. 

During the long COVID-19 shutdown, the newsletter was a vital connection between SGS leadership and the society’s members. Deb has regularly prepared and written articles and “Tip[s] of the Week” and made sure SGS events were promoted even when no one sent her any content ahead of time. She has just retired from this position, and everyone in SGS will miss her.

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.

Diana Keehn 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 Diana Keehn of Marysville, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS).

Diana is currently a volunteer librarian and publicity chair (a board position) at SVGS. As publicity chair, she promotes the society primarily via social media such as the SVGS Facebook page, Arlington Newsletter, Washington State Genealogical Society blog and Conference Keeper. As a volunteer librarian, she assists with cataloging new additions at the library, and is noted for one-to-one training and encouragement of patrons in how to do research themselves to find the answers to their questions in the extensive collection. She participates in various research groups and is usually available to “do whatever needs to be 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.

Carol Jenner 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 Carol B. Jenner of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (PS-APG).

Carol began her family history journey by visiting NARA in Washington, DC in 1973 to inspect the newly released census records. After that she became the family historian, collecting its odds and ends over the years. In 2010, Carol completed a University of Washington certificate program which intensified her focus. She has since attended 19 genealogical institutes. These provided Carol with the solid educational foundation to become a Certified Genealogist (CG) in 2022.

Carol joined the PS-APG in 2017. During her term as chapter representative, the chapter website failed. She singlehandedly took on this project. Within weeks she was able to move the entire website onto the free WordPress platform. This resulted in a secure and stable website that now incorporates a mobile-friendly design. Where would PS-APG be today without those people who can make “magic” happen?

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.

Lori Gibson 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 Lori Gibson of Bainbridge Island, Washington, who was nominated by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS).

Lori took over the position of website administrator in 2016. She has served tirelessly, maintaining the site on a day-to-day basis, finding illustrations and creating layouts, posting and archiving material, and handling all the site’s technical needs. In the process, she worked successfully with several different BIGS newsletter editors and contributed to those communications as well. The website was originally developed in HTML. Lori migrated the site to WordPress and provided a leadership role in two separate “website refreshes.”

Most recently, Lori integrated PayPal into the website, allowing BIGS to collect dues via the web. In addition to her work on the website, Lori also volunteers as a member of the hybrid meeting committee.

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.

JCGS Board of Directors 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. 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 the JCGS Board of Directors who were nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS).  Board members included Barb Peterson, Kathie Wilkinson, Dora Whittaker, Lesa Barnes, Pam Stinson, Mary Stolaas and Ann McCreery.

The JCGS Board of Directors exceeds expectations in their collective knowledge, patience, and dedication. Their leadership of JCGS through an unprecedented period of challenges, including enforced closure of the Research Center and the need to provide alternative approaches, have enabled JCGS to continue its mission. The Board members have adapted to online presentations, transferred large databases to an online site to allow access by its members, funded needed equipment and national presenters, expanded the website and Facebook pages, and maintained the monthly newsletter. They have also responded patiently to members’ questions and concerns, translating their knowledge into clear, accessible language. JCGS is grateful for their selfless contributions. They are individually deserving of this honor and as a team are worthy of the highest accolades for working together and emerging from this challenging time with the society intact and poised to move into the future.

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.

JCGS Computer Advisory Committee 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. 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 the JCGS Computer Advisory Committee who was nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS).  Members of the team included Cathy Beatty and Pam Stinson.

Pam and Cathy form an outstanding team, working for the support of JCGS as a society, and on an individual basis as volunteers to support its members in their research. They are both incredibly knowledgeable about family research, DNA, and Jefferson County history, collections and databases.

As a team, Pam and Cathy have supported the IT function at the JCGS Research Center, guiding daily maintenance, encouraging responsible upkeep, and navigating a sometimes challenging relationship with computer vendors. They serve as representatives to the Jefferson County Historical Society, members of the JCGS board, and train and support new volunteers. During the pandemic closure and re-opening, they faithfully served JCGS in a way that was invaluable and irreplaceable.

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.

Joleen Aitchison 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 Joleen Aitchison of Kingston, Washington, who was nominated by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS).

Joleen’s volunteerism started even before she joined BIGS. In 2013, as director of the Family History Center in Poulsbo, she volunteered to give a presentation at a BIGS monthly meeting and then became a member. And she’s been a consistent and valuable volunteer ever since, serving as a mentor, working on the newsletter and now the website, making full-scale presentations, and offering one-on-one help to anyone interested. In addition to serving as a Special Interest Group leader, Joleen is a major resource for BIGS’s members in other special interest groups. She is a past board member and was a major contributor to several Family History Month special events open to the public.

Joleen is one of BIGS’s most knowledgeable members in both traditional genealogy and genealogical DNA and is able to make complex information understandable and approachable to the less experienced.

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.