Tag Archives: Washington State Genealogical Society

Muriel Neely 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.

Muriel Neely

Muriel Neely

Today we’re introducing Muriel S. Neely of Mount Vernon, Washington, who was nominated by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). She was recognized for her dedication and commitment to her local society and community.

When the need arose for someone to assume the job of SVGS secretary, Ms. Neely, who had previously held the office, graciously agreed to return to the position. Demonstrating her commitment to the society, she has been re-elected twice. She has also generously given of her time and expertise in assisting with SVGS’s community education classes and recording of cemetery databases.

In addition to her commitment to SVGS, Ms. Neely is a great community volunteer. She serves on the boards and governance committees of multiple community organizations, including the Skagit County Historical Museum, Friendship House and helping at the local blood bank.

Ms. Neely is supportive of the objectives and goals of SVGS in every circumstance and richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 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.

FREE CASH for Societies!

by Roxanne Lowe

The deadline for applying for a WSGS Innovative Grant has been extended to May 1, 2016.

The grants, up to $100, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. The awards do not have to be repaid — they’re FREE MONEY to support worthy projects. Up to five grants will be awarded in 2016.

Last year’s grant awards were made to:

  • Chelan Valley GS for the purchase of a computer at the local library for the exclusive use of accessing Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  • Northeast Washington GS for the removal of diseased trees at a local pioneer cemetery.
  • Skagit Valley GS for the purchase of a new computer for society presentations and transcription of documents at the regional archives.
  • Tri-City GS for promotion monies to support the society’s “Archives Records Contest” and augmentation of the prize pool.
  • Wenatchee Area GS for the purchase of specialized software to manage the society’s extensive genealogical holdings.

The simple application is only ONE page and is available here. Additional guidance on the program is here.

For more information, contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair.

 

Outstanding Volunteers and Teams Needed by April 1

by Roxanne Lowe

Societies and Organizations: The deadline for submission of your 2016 Outstanding Volunteer or Team is April 1. Here are the details:

  • Your society/organization can nominate up to 2 individuals and/or 1 team.
  • Nomination criteria is left up to the society – whoever you nominate is recognized by the WSGS as an Outstanding Volunteer.
  • Deadlines are:

o   April 1 – Send the name(s) to Roxanne Lowe at roxanne@thekeeffes.com; in turn, Roxanne will send the nomination form to the contact person.

o   May 1 — Submit the completed form and photo of the nominee(s)

o   May/June – Roxanne will draft the certificate & have the contact person approve it

o   June 18 – Awards will be presented at the conference in Tacoma. Certificates will be mailed to those not in attendance.

Additional information is on the website and Blog. Additionally, here’s a list of past award winners.

Honor those outstanding members and teams that help your organization be successful. If you’ve got questions, contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair.

Rose Janke 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 Rose Albertson Janke of Kelso, Washington, who was nominated by the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society (LCGS). She was recognized for her leadership, knowledge and dedicated volunteer efforts.

Rose Anderson Janke

Rose Anderson Janke

As a long-time society supporter, Rose was one of the four original founders of LCGS in 1963. She was instrumental in writing the charter constitution and bylaws of the society and has served as secretary, publicity chairman and historian.

Rose has assisted in the genealogy section of the Longview Library, donated many of her personal books to the society’s genealogy collection, and written several articles for the Society’s quarterly newsletter “The Key.” Rose also helped form a research group that spent fifteen years restoring the records of the pioneer Catlin Cemetery. A compilation of the results is now housed at the Cowlitz County Public Works Department which oversees the cemetery’s maintenance.

Rose is a valued and hard-working member of the LCGS and richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 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.

Fae Jacobs 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.

Fae Douglas Jacobs

Fae Douglas Jacobs

Today we’re introducing Fae Douglas Jacobs of Hoquiam, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS). She was recognized for her dependable, committed volunteer efforts.

Ms. Jacobs has been a member of the GHGS since June 2008. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the society, having served in positions of trustee, library chair board member, refreshment chair and co-chair of the obituary committee. She is currently serving her second term as the society’s secretary.

Ms. Jacobs promptly and accurately fulfills her job responsibilities such as record keeping and reports. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with members and the public, volunteering 10-12 hours per month at the society’s research library and participating bi-annually in their “Genealogy Café” held in several Grays Harbor County communities in connection with the Timberland Regional Library system.

Ms. Jacobs is a valued and hard-working member of the GHGS and richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 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.

Mary Malone Holcomb 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 Mary Malone Holcomb of Spokane, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS) . She was recognized for her dedicated volunteer efforts within EWGS and beyond.

Mary Malone Holcomb

Mary Malone Holcomb

Ms. Holcomb has been a member of EWGS since 1999 where she served as 1st Vice President for two years, long-time hospitality chair and library volunteer. Ms. Holcomb was a volunteer for the 1940 Census Roll-Out celebration promoted by the Spokane Public Library. She is also a volunteer and board member of the Evergreen Cemetery Association, helping lead their efforts to restore the cemetery grounds, research interments, and obtain military headstones for Civil War veterans buried there.

Ms. Holcomb’s varied volunteer activities also extend to the Spokane Firefighters Memorial Association, honoring local firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and as a “Lookup” volunteer for the Durham-Orange Genealogical Society in Durham, North Carolina.

Ms. Holcomb is a valued, important part of the EWGS. Her efforts illustrate that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 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.

Outstanding Volunteer & Team Nominations Due April 1

by Roxanne Lowe

Attention all Societies & Organizations:

Don’t forget to nominate your Outstanding Volunteer and/or Team for special recognition by WSGS. The deadline to submit your name(s) is April 1. Additional details about the Recognition program are available here.

The Outstanding Volunteer and Outstanding Team Awards are presented each year at the Annual Conference to members nominated by their local society. Societies can nominate no more than two individuals and/or one team. Nomination criteria is left to the individual societies.

Honor those outstanding members and teams that help your organization be successful. If you’ve got questions, contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair.

Special Awards Nominations Due

by Roxanne Lowe

Societies are urged and encouraged to submit nominations for Outstanding Communication, Outstanding Project and the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. The deadline for each award is May 1, 2016. For more information and nomination information, click on the links below.

  • Outstanding Communication – Recognizes the importance of how local genealogical societies or organizations communicate. Includes all forms of communication, including websites, social media, newsletters, lectures, videos, podcasts, etc.
  • Outstanding Project – Awarded to local genealogical society or organization in recognition of exceptional genealogical or historical projects implemented during the past year.
  • President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement – Recognizes that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

Questions? Contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair.

New!! Education Assistance Available

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS is working to improve the services we offer to local societies and their members. Our latest effort: Education Assistance Fund!

The Education Assistance Fund (EAF) is designed to support WSGS-member societies’ abilities to provide quality genealogical educational events such as conferences, workshops, seminars and programs for their members and the public.

Here’s how it works: your society wants to sponsor a workshop, seminar or other educational event, but don’t quite have the funds to get started or put on the type of first-rate show you envision. Great. Apply for up to $500 from the Education Assistance Fund. After your event, we ask that you replenish the fund so other societies can take advantage of the assistance. While we have an expectation that the funds will be repaid, we recognize the financial risks associated with holding an event and accept part of that risk. More information is available in the Guidance Document.

Here are just a few possibilities for asking for EAF help:

  • Assistance in confirming a renowned speaker or facility.
  • Expanding your event to include more classes or workshops.
  • Help with promotional expenses, including printing and advertising.
  • Purchase of goodie bags, binders/folders or other day-of-event materials.

There is no deadline for applying for financial help through the EAF. Simply complete the application here and submit. Your application will be reviewed and we’ll get back to you so you can continue planning your event. Additional details about the Education Assistance Fund are available here.

For more information about the WSGS Education Assistance Fund, contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair.

 

Susan Hassenmiller 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 Hassenmiller of Bainbridge Island, Washington, who was nominated by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS). She was recognized for her enthusiasm and passion to support the society.

Susan Hassenmiller

Susan Hassenmiller

Ms. Hassenmiller has been a dedicated, long-time member of BIGS, serving as a founding board member and as treasurer for two terms starting in 2006. She rejoined the board in 2013 as director of ways and means serving two more terms.

Ms. Hassenmiller is a mentor to members and often meets individually with new members to guide them in starting or continuing their research efforts. She advocated for, and now moderates, an email network group for members to share informally among themselves. Ms. Hassenmiller also shares her knowledge and passion by co-facilitating special interest groups on DNA and Scandinavian research.

Ms. Hassenmiller shares her time and energy selflessly and often volunteers graciously for whatever needs to be done. Her contributions prove that she richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2015.

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.