Category Archives: President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement

Betty Wiese Receives 2025 President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS President Kathleen Sizer is pleased to announce the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award: Betty Wiese from the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society. The announcement was made at the WSGS Annual Meeting on 21 Aug 2025.

Created in 2015, the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations. The award is not given every year as it is based on merit and accomplishments. As you’ll see from reading about Betty’s dedication, she is worthy of this recognition.

Betty Wiese

Betty’s contributions to the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) started as soon as she joined BIGS when she retired from her work with the Environmental Protection Agency in Seattle. For the past 15 years, Betty has held various volunteer roles within BIGS, including president, vice-president, treasurer, SIG leader and Treebuilder coach. She has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the health and growth of the organization.

Betty has a strong passion for education that she brought to BIGS. A particular focus of hers has been to see that their skill building special interest groups survive. She created a regular forum for members to discuss issues and learn new skills. She also created a mentors’ program that puts a member in touch with another member with the skills or experience needed to help. She has an incredible skill of being able to find the right person for a given task and to get that person to agree to do that task!

When important jobs need to be undertaken, whether to revise the by-laws, refresh the website,
or survey members’ needs and wishes, Betty has been the one to raise her hand to facilitate the effort. She has been responsible for many of the creative ideas that keep BIGS relevant and fresh. For example, she contacted the Suquamish Museum to arrange a tour for the BIGS board members where they were able to talk with the museum director about genealogy, DNA and the Suquamish tribe. That meeting led to Betty arranging a presentation by the museum director to help the BIGS membership better understand how the Suquamish look at family history and ethnicity.

Betty’s work extends beyond BIGS and its members. Not only has she opened up their educational sessions to those outside the area via Zoom, but she has been an active participant in the Washington Presidents’ Council since its creation. She was instrumental in arranging for a talk from national speaker Joshua Taylor for the state’s genealogical groups about the ways to meet future needs and continue to be relevant.

Betty’s leadership, relationship building and commitment to providing engaging educational 0pportunities prove her worthiness of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

More about the award

If you want to know more about the qualities needed for this prestigious award, click here. Previous recipients are listed here.

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.

President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement Nominations Due August 1

by Roxanne Lowe

Nominations for the Washington State Genealogical Society President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement are due by August 1, 2025. The announcement will be made August 21, 2025 at the WSGS Virtual Annual Meeting.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

The ideal recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement has:

• Exhibited long-term, consistent service in the field of genealogy, family or local history, the genealogical community, records preservation or made an important single contribution in those areas that will endure into the future.
• Demonstrated a high degree of energy, commitment, flexibility, and professional conduct.
• Provided significant support and impact to the local genealogical community time and time again.
• Exhibited personal influence and example to society members and/or the general public with their unselfish service.
• Supported or advanced local or statewide genealogical research.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual, local society or organization, regardless of WSGS membership. Nominees do not have to have been officers in their local societies.

Previous recipients of this prestigious award include:

  • 2015 – Fred Pflugrath, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2016 – Margie Wilson, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
  • 2017 – Joanne Egbert Calhoun, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2018 – Ann Olson, Olympia Genealogical Society
  • 2021 – Helen McGreer Lewis, South King County Genealogical Society (posthumous)
  • 2022 – Jill Morelli, Seattle Genealogical Society
  • 2023 – Karen Mitchell, Clallam County Genealogical Society
  • 2024 – Roxanne Lowe, Grays Harbor Genealogical Society

Additional information, including the nomination form, is available here. Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please type “President’s 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).

You’re Invited to WSGS’s Annual Meeting

by Roxanne Lowe

You’re invited to the WSGS’s annual meeting! Friday, August 30, 2024, 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/89375006911?pwd=ohQLJAEtE26bfgGtBIDOVCRbn3hP0F.1

Meeting ID: 893 7500 6911
Passcode: 547652
Via phone: (253) 205-0468,,89375006911#,,,,*547652# US

The agenda will include the announcement of the 2024 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients, President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Supportive Grant awards. We’ll also talk about Pioneer Pursuit, featuring Ralph Brown (who submitted 1,285 pioneers) and Le Anne Koliha (who specialized in Native American research). You’ll also learn more about our Pioneer Pursuit Push to 5,000!

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

President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement Nominations Due August 1, 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

Nominations for the Washington State Genealogical Society President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement are due by August 1, 2024. The announcement will be made August 30, 2024.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

The ideal recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement has:

• Exhibited long-term, consistent service in the field of genealogy, family or local history, the genealogical community, records preservation or made an important single contribution in those areas that will endure into the future.
• Demonstrated a high degree of energy, commitment, flexibility, and professional conduct.
• Provided significant support and impact to the local genealogical community time and time again.
• Exhibited personal influence and example to society members and/or the general public with their unselfish service.
• Supported or advanced local or statewide genealogical research.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual, local society or organization, regardless of WSGS membership. Nominees do not have to have been officers in their local societies.

Previous recipients of this prestigious award include:

  • 2015 – Fred Pflugrath, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2016 – Margie Wilson, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
  • 2017 – Joanne Egbert Calhoun, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2018 – Ann Olson, Olympia Genealogical Society
  • 2021 – Helen McGreer Lewis, South King County Genealogical Society (posthumous)
  • 2022 – Jill Morelli, Seattle Genealogical Society
  • 2023 – Karen Mitchell, Clallam County Genealogical Society

Additional information, including the nomination form, is available here. Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please type “President’s Award” in the Subject Line.

Important Deadlines for Society Awards

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 31. 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.

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

Nominations for President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement Sought

by Roxanne Lowe

The nomination period for the Washington State Genealogical Society President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is open. Nominations are due by 01 Aug 2024. The announcement will be made 01 Sep 2024.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

The ideal recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement has:

• Exhibited long-term, consistent service in the field of genealogy, family or local history, the genealogical community, records preservation or made an important single contribution in those areas that will endure into the future.
• Demonstrated a high degree of energy, commitment, flexibility, and professional conduct.
• Provided significant support and impact to the local genealogical community time and time again.
• Exhibited personal influence and example to society members and/or the general public with their unselfish service.
• Supported or advanced local or statewide genealogical research.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual, local society or organization, regardless of WSGS membership. Nominees do not have to have been officers in their local societies.

Previous recipients of this prestigious award include:

  • 2015 – Fred Pflugrath, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2016 – Margie Wilson, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
  • 2017 – Joanne Egbert Calhoun, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2018 – Ann Olson, Olympia Genealogical Society
  • 2021 – Helen McGreer Lewis, South King County Genealogical Society (posthumous)
  • 2022 – Jill Morelli. Seattle Genealogical Society
  • 2023 – Karen Mitchell, Clallam County Genealogical Society

Additional information, including the nomination form, is available here. Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please type “President’s Award” in the Subject Line.

Karen Mitchell Presented with President’s Award

by Roxanne Lowe

Karen Mitchell, the 2023 recipient of the WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement, received her engraved pen/pencil set recently. Karen is a founding member of the Clallam County Genealogical Society and has never let up on her dedication to the society. CCGS will display the perpetual plaque for the next year.

For more about Karen, read this blog post. Congratulations, Karen and CCGS!

Karen Mitchell Named President’s Award Recipient

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS President Kathleen Sizer is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Award: Karen Mitchell from the Clallam County Genealogical Society. The announcement was made at the WSGS Annual Meeting on 31 Aug 2023.

Created in 2015, the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations. The award is not given every year as it is based on merit and accomplishments. As you’ll see from reading about Karen’s dedication, she is worthy of this recognition.

Karen Mitchell

A founding member of the Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS), Karen has consistently displayed the values of the society through her commitment, determination and leadership.

During her 42-year history with the society, she has succeeded in developing the CCGS Research Center into one of the largest private genealogical libraries on the West Coast. The center is home to over 5,000 cataloged items which can be accessed using LibraryThing. The Research Center is a place to view maps, land plats, photographs, do research and check out materials. Visitors can also view vintage photographs and maps mounted on walls and atlases and periodicals.

Karen was instrumental is obtaining a rare bookcase that now houses books written before 1910 and have never been reprinted. She has created a lending room where members can check out items of interest.

As CCGS’s librarian, Karen was at the forefront of their successful move into a larger facility in 2020. She supervised the packing of over 3,000 items from the previous facility, removal of bookshelves, shipment to the new facility, reinstallation of shelving, books, maps, files, and all the material that make up the expanded library.

Karen has served as president twice and is currently seated on the board of directors as Past President. She obtained certification as a school librarian, worked as a librarian for 30 years, and brought her experience and commitment to record preservation and skill to CCGS.

Karen continues to volunteer at the Research Center along with her husband, Tom. She is often the go-to person on CCGS operating rules and bylaws regarding governance matters.

Because of her lifelong learning (she first worked in a library at age 14), her organizational talents, her patience and persistence have made CCGS’s facility a first-class resource center.

More about the award

If you want to know more about the qualities needed for this prestigious award, click here. Previous recipients are listed here.