Tag Archives: Outstanding Volunteers

Jim Bull Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Jim Bull of Trout Lake, Washington, who was nominated by the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society (CGGS). He was recognized for his outstanding efforts in the communication of genealogical and historical information of importance and value to researchers interested in the families of the Columbia River Gorge.

Jim Bull

Jim Bull

Since 2010, Mr. Bull has served as editor of “TALES and TRAILS,” the CGGS newsletter. The quarterly newsletter is an outstanding communication tool,  full of information about genealogical resources and family history. It is read and enjoyed by many because it is always packed with interesting articles that help CGGS members and other readers find new sources of information and develop research skills.

Mr. Bull has been a member of the CGGS for approximately 15 years, including serving as President from 2003 to 2005. Since then, he has continued to provide knowledge and experience as a board member.

Prized volunteers such as Mr. Bull are rare, and as such he richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Time to Select Your Outstanding Volunteer Nominees

by Roxanne Lowe

Now is the time for genealogical societies and organizations to select their local outstanding volunteers and teams so they can be honored at the WSGS Conference on June 18, 2016 in Tacoma. The conference will be hosted by the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society.

Each year, the State Society recognizes local volunteers and teams nominated by their society or organization at the annual conference. In 2015, almost 30 local volunteers and four teams from 18 organizations were recognized for their support and dedication to their society and the researching public.

The process for this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Award program is much like last year’s – no significant changes. In addition to the traditional Outstanding Volunteer Award program, there are three other recognition awards: Outstanding Project, Outstanding Communication, and the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. Information about those awards will be forthcoming, but should not impact organizations’ Outstanding Volunteer Award nominations.

Letters to local societies and organizations, with additional details, have been emailed to society contacts. If you have not received that information, please contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair. The milestones for this year’s nomination process are:

• No later than March 1, 2016: Submit the name(s) of your honorees to the Recognition Committee.
• May 1, 2016: Submit a narrative (approximately 150 words) explaining the accomplishments of your nominee and why you are honoring him/her. Include a good quality digital photograph (at least 300 dpi).
• June 18, 2016: Formal announcement and presentation of certificates at the State Conference in Tacoma.

Additional details and deadlines, plus indexes and narratives of accomplishments of past honorees, since 2003, may be found at the WSGS website.

Please contact Roxanne Lowe at roxanne@thekeeffes.com if you have questions or suggestions.

Seattle Genealogical Society Library Team Named Outstanding Team in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers and teams 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Library Team at the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS). The team was recognized for its dedicated volunteer efforts to enlarge and improve the society’s library.

SGS Library Team

SGS Library Team

The team included Dona Bubelis, Daniel P. Harmon, Kathi McGinnes, Charlotte Wixon, and Ann Wright.

Under the expert direction of committee chair Dan Harmon, an impressive team of SGS volunteers was recruited for the new Library Committee. Ms. Ann Wright, assisted primarily by Ms. Charlotte Wixon, took the lead in the herculean task of cataloging the almost endless number of boxes in the backlog of donated books. Ms. Wright oversaw the day-to-day operation of the library, while Ms. Wixon looked after the shelved collection. Ms. Wixon also took the lead in book repair, a skill which the committee acquired through special training.

Ms. Dona Bubelis, who works with library periodicals, coordinated efforts to develop the collection by identifying important new works for acquisition. She was also in charge of eBay sales, a source of funding for the SGS Library Fund.

Ms. Kathi McGinnes played a key role in maintaining the ever-changing collection of genealogical websites available for the use by library patrons, a role which will grow in importance in the months and years ahead.

The members of the SGS Library Team made a real difference in the quality and quantity of the SGS library collection. They richly deserved being recipients of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

 

 

Susan Boatright Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Susan Breshears Boatright of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society. She was recognized for her enthusiastic commitment to educate and share with others.

Since retiring from a gratifying teaching career, Susan has been involved in genealogy. She appreciates the academic research and learning involved, as well as participation with YVGS’s many active volunteers.

Susan Breshears Boatright

Susan Breshears Boatright

Susan served her second term as recording secretary at YVGS in 2015. In addition, she hosted a twice-monthly writing group at the society library where she encouraged members to write about their life experiences or family members with the goal of passing these memories and discoveries on to their families. Nothing gives her more satisfaction than helping a “newbie” make connections with previously unknown family members.

Susan promotes genealogy and YVGS at every turn and is an appreciated volunteer. Those qualities illustrate that she richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Janette and Tony Named Outstanding Volunteers in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Janette and Tony Birch of Cheney, Washington, who were nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS). They were recognized, among other contributions, for their commitment to make new society members feel welcome and part of the group.

Janette and Tony Birch

Janette and Tony Birch

This dynamic duo has been members of EWGS for nine years, and have been “The Greeters” at society meetings for more than three years. Besides producing tags for new members, they help people find their name tags, answer any general questions, help enroll new members, assist newcomers find a person who can answer questions, and point out who the officers are. Sometimes they are affectionately called “The Information Station.”

Besides their welcoming role, the Birch’s wrote an article about Theodore Roosevelt and his 1903 Washington State train tour for the EWGS online Digital Digest. When the EWGS surname database was first started, they helped create and maintain the online database of members’ ancestor surnames which can be found on the EWGS website.

Mr. and Mrs. Birch are a treasured team at the EWGS, and demonstrate that they richly deserved being recipients of WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Awards.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Margie Beldin Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Margie Beldin of Richland, Washington, who was nominated by the Tri-City Genealogical Society (TCGS). She was recognized for her dedicated, enthusiastic efforts to educate members of her local Society.

Margie Beldin

Margie Beldin

Ms. Beldin has distinguished herself in untiring support of the TCGS as its Education Chair for many years. In that position, Ms. Beldin has made many classes on a wide variety of subjects available to the membership. Ms. Beldin has not only coordinated setting up classes and programs, she has taught numerous classes herself, as she actively increased her knowledge and capability through attendance at genealogical conferences and classes outside the TCGS. She is always willing to share the knowledge that she gets from these events.

Ms. Beldin is a valued and hard-working member of the TCGS, and illustrates that she richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Beverly Bakos Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Beverly Bakos of Freeland, Washington who was nominated by the Genealogical Society of South Whidbey Island (GSSWI). She was recognized for her commitment and enthusiasm to educate society members.

Beverly Bakos

Beverly Bakos

Eager to share her knowledge and expertise, Ms. Bakos has taught “The Basics of Genealogical Research” which has attracted more than just beginners. In fact, some of the society’s long-time members attend Ms. Bakos’s class to re-familiarize themselves and learn new techniques and resources. Ms. Bakos also has made herself available for one-on-one mentoring with new members.

Ms. Bakos hosts a study group featuring award-winning genealogical researcher and author Thomas Jones’s book Mastering Genealogical Proof. She has also been on the GSSWI Board of Directors as director of publicity for a number of years.

Ms. Bakos enjoys passing on her knowledge to others and is always approachable and enthusiastic about genealogy. Because of these qualities and all she does for the GSSWI, she richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Kittitas County Library Team Named 2015 Outstanding Volunteer Team

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers and teams 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Kittitas County Library Team, who was nominated by the Kittitas County Genealogical Society (KCGS). The team was selected for its dedicated volunteer efforts to maintain and promote the society’s library and services.

Kittitas_Bakke_Photo

Erik Bakke

Kittitas_Brown_Photo

Marilyn Brown

Kittitas_Clayton_Photo

Judy Clayton

Kittitas_Howard_Photo

J.C. Howard

Kittitas_Kelly_Photo

Kathy Kelly

Kittitas_Large_Photo

Julie Large

Kittitas_Spellman_Photo

Karen Spellman

Kittitas_Wieking_Photo

Bob Wieking

Mary Christensen

Mary Christensen

Tuck Forsythe

Tuck Forsythe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kittitas County Genealogical Society Library team includes Erik Bakke, Marilyn Brown, Mary Christensen, Judy Clayton, Tuck Forsythe, J.C. Howard, Kathy Kelly, Julie Large, Karen Spellman and Bob Wieking. This team of committed volunteers maintains the society’s unique collection of print materials of interest and value to researchers, as well as computers with subscription databases. The society’s efforts to inform and educate the community about the value of pursuing the study of genealogy would be severely limited if it could not rely on the support and dedication of these vital volunteers who keep the doors open on a consistent basis.

The members of the KCGS Library Team deserve being recognized with a WSGS Outstanding Team Award for making themselves available to the serious researcher and just curious; a personal service not found online.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Veronica Anguiano Honored as 2015 Outstanding Volunteer

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers, 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Veronica Anguiano of Richland, Washington, who was nominated by the Tri-City Genealogical Society (TCGS). She was recognized for her commitment to researching and sharing information, even outside her local society.

Veronica Anguiano

Veronica Anguiano

Ms. Anguiano has distinguished herself in untiring support of the TCGS as its research chair and helping research Benton and Franklin county histories. Ms. Anguiano has responded willingly and efficiently to numerous requests for information from outside her local society.

Ms. Anguiano has become heavily involved in re-cataloging the TCGS library holdings so the holdings can be searched from the FamilySearch Library Catalog. As the holdings are re-cataloged, the new numbers are uploaded to the FamilySearch system, making them searchable from FamilySearch’s online site.

Ms. Anguiano is a respected and diligent member of the TCGS, and richly deserves being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Wanda Alderman Honored as 2015 Outstanding Volunteer

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers, 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Wanda Burke Alderman of Steptoe, Washington, who was nominated by the Whitman County Genealogical Society (WCGS). She was recognized for her exceptional efforts to preserve important historic images and records in the Whitman County area.

Wanda Burke Alderman

Wanda Burke Alderman

Ms. Alderman has been instrumental in preserving the heritage of Whitman County for Washington State’s Rural Heritage Collection. Working with the Whitman County Library for more than six years, Ms. Alderman has located images, interviewed contributors, documented critical cataloging information, and provided community programs. Thanks in large part to her efforts, the collection now contains more than 3,000 images and is the most popular in Washington State averaging 4,500 site visits per month.

Ms. Alderman has also volunteered for Find a Grave for 14 years, inputting 1,240 grave entries for Bethel Cemetery at Steptoe, and has transcribed records for Washington State Digital Archives and donated time and resources to St. John Historical Society.

Ms. Alderman is a respected and diligent member of the WCGS, and richly deserves being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.