Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 500 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 2016 award recipients and learn why they received a 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Shirley Allmon Acheson and Barbara Barker Congdon who were nominated by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS). This dynamic duo made up the WAGS Strategic Planning Leadership Team.

Barbara Barker Congdon

Shirley Allmon Acheson

Sharing insight gained at a Nonprofit Practices Institute seminar in 2012, this incredible pair facilitated a series of strategic planning sessions, greatly increasing the WAGS’s Board of Directors’ efficiency and purpose. Their exemplary teamwork enabled the board to develop and commit to a strategic plan, launching the society into a smoother, more efficient trajectory.

Ms. Acheson, an 18-year member of WAGS, graciously tackles a spectrum of volunteer tasks, giving her time, enthusiasm and considerable talent to website management, the WAGS “no-work fundraiser,” and maintenance of the Civil War Veterans database. She currently serves on the board of directors as a member-at-large.

Ms. Congdon is a career educator and avid researcher. Having grown up in Poulsbo, Washington, she was drawn to WAGS 20 years ago via their Genealogy Library resources and dedicated volunteers. She is a creative non-stop networker and enthusiastic promoter of WAGS. She is a frequent genealogy library volunteer, serves on the nominating committee, and currently is serving her second term as vice-president.

Ms. Acheson and Ms. Congdon are dedicated volunteers and richly deserve being recipients of a 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Team Award by the Washington State Genealogical Society.

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.

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 Betty Carrick and Mary Swartz, who were nominated for a team award by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS). This dynamic duo made up the Total Technology Upgrade and Website Transformation Team.

Betty Carrick and Mary Swartz

Individually, these valued members of WAGS provide much to the society. Ms. Carrick is a dedicated long-time member and her exemplary database management and computer skills have enabled the society to thrive and grow.

Ms. Swartz, a member of WAGS for only a few years, is one of its most dependable volunteers and serves on the Board of Directors as Corresponding Secretary.

Acting as a team, these outstanding volunteers transformed the WAGS website, reconfigured thousands of historical data records to a standardized format, and expedited a total systemic upgrade, making WAGS’s computer system far more effective, efficient and patron friendly.

Due to their teamwork, skill, dedication and tireless work on this project, this team richly deserved being a recipient 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.

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 400 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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2014 award recipients and learn why they received the 2014 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Susan Stewart Rumble of Monitor, Washington, who was nominated by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS). She was recognized for her leadership, knowledge, and volunteer efforts toward the goals and operation of the WAGS.

Susan Stewart Rumble

A long-time member of WAGS, Susan has served as the society’s Vice President since 2002 and has continued to be resourceful in providing relevant educational programs and speakers for the WAGS members.

She has always been willing to “wear many hats.” One example is when the society’s former president relocated and vacated her partial term three years ago, Ms. Rumble dutifully filled that position of leadership. Additionally, when no replacement was found for the last two years, she capably continued as President Pro-tem. Among the many responsibilities she also fulfills are membership notifications and promoting the WAGS in the local community.

The continued dedication and support Ms. Rumble has exhibited demonstrate that she richly deserved this recognition in 2014.

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.

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 400 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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2014 award recipients and learn why they received the 2014 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Sandra “Sandie” Profitt McBride, of East Wenatchee, Washington, who was nominated by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS). She was recognized for her outstanding efforts in the identification and preservation of historical documents of importance and value to researchers interested in the Wenatchee Area.

Sandi McBride

When Ms. McBride retired and returned to her childhood hometown of Wenatchee from Seattle in 2005, she admirably continued to help the Seattle Genealogical Society complete a ten-year project of indexing King County court records. Upon joining WAGS, she jumped into another long-term project scanning old marriage records from Chelan and Douglas Counties. With great attention to detail and patience, she also verified records of the local cemetery and internments.

Ms. McBride has served on the WAGS board of directors as a Member-at-Large and has coordinated the huge task of the society’s website conversion. She has been a conscientious member of the library committee and frequently helped as a librarian.

Recognizing the time and dedication Ms. McBride has given to preserving information of genealogical importance, 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.