Innovative Grant applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Late applications will not be accepted.
The grants, up to $100, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Up to five grants will be awarded in 2016.
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.
The June meeting of the Eastside Genealogical Society’s German Interest Group (GIG) will take place Friday, June 3, 2016, from 1-3 p.m. at the LDS Church at 10675 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98004.
This is their last meeting before summer break. Please note that the GIG doesn’t have monthly meetings over the summer in July or August. Their meetings will resume monthly beginning in September 2016.
The June meeting topic will be: “What Are Your Summer Genealogy Plans & How Might We Help You.”
Will you be going on a research trip, attending/hosting a family reunion, doing a genealogy project (like organizing your research and documents or writing a book or breaking down a brickwall or learning about DNA), or share what your summer genealogical plans or hopes may be!
Come share your plans & ask any questions that might help you be successful!
GIG members have experience and are willing to share what they have learned. We will all learn something new!
You’ll end your summer with the wonderful feeling of accomplishment and, at our September 2016 meeting, we hope you’ll share what you did over the summer!
Local Societies:
Get your Innovative Grant applications in by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Late applications will not be accepted.
The grants, up to $100, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Up to five grants will be awarded in 2016.
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.
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 next month, 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 Stolaas of Nordland, Washington, who was nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS). She was recognized for her dedicated volunteer efforts to expand and simplify local library resources.
Mary Stolaas
As a retired librarian, Ms. Stolaas took on the job of reorganizing JCGS’s library of over 2,000 books and CD’s to conform to the Dewey Decimal System. Over the last few months, Ms. Stolaas has made the entire collection available online, using a program called “Library Thing.” As a result, JCGS members can now access the Library Things website and look for a resource by using a keyword to see whether the book or CD is available. Members no longer have to know the specific title or author to locate the book or CD. “Library Thing” also allows the user to search other libraries in its network, thus expanding the availability of genealogical resources.
Ms. Stolaas is a detail-oriented and respected member of the JCGS, and illustrates 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.
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 month, 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 WSGS Conference Planning Committee who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). They were recognized for their detailed planning, commitment, and teamwork hosting the 2014 Washington State Genealogical Society Conference in Arlington, Washington, despite the tragic Oso landslide which occurred on March 22, 2014.
WSGS Conference Team from Stillaguamish Valley GS
The conference, hosted by the SVGS, attracted more than 300 attendees, not from just Washington State, but from Canada, middle-America, Texas, Massachusetts and Oregon. To ensure a first-rate conference, the planning committee received grants from the City of Arlington and Snohomish County Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. The committee was also able to secure nationally recognized speakers and donations from local businesses.
This successful event was held despite the catastrophic Oso landslide which occurred less than five months before the conference – in the prime of the planning. Several committee and society members, as well as conference vendors, were left with severe property damage and access to meetings.
Due to their careful planning and “can do” spirit, the planning committee overcame the diversity and devastation to pull off the successful event. They 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.
Last year, the Washington State Genealogical Society announced the creation of the “WSGS Innovative Grant Program.” The grants, up to $100, were designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Five societies received grants at the 2015 Annual Conference in Ellensburg:
Dead tree slated for removal
Chelan Valley Genealogical Society – Purchase of a computer, solely for genealogical research, at the Chelan Public Library. The computer will have access to Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Northeast Washington Genealogical Society – Removal of trees that are endangering the safety of people and protection of grave markers at the Evergreen Cemetery, a local cemetery near Colville.
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society – Purchase of a new laptop computer to be used for society presentations and transcription of documents from the Northwest Regional Archives in Bellingham.
Tri-City Genealogical Society – Funds will support the society’s “Archived Records Contest” which encourages individuals to share records they have obtained by various means other than just downloading an image from the Internet.
WAGS was able to purchase a second FileMaker Pro 12 software program that doubled the access time for dedicated volunteers who work many hours maintaining and improving the WAGS Library collection.
Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society – Purchase specialized computer software to enable more than one volunteer to enter data related to local obituaries, cemetery records, World War I records and more.
The 2016 deadline for submitting a grant proposal is JUNE 1. The simple one-page application and additional information are available here.
Contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition and Special Awards chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com if you have questions.
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.
Dave Sachi
Today we’re introducing Dave Sachi of Port Townsend, Washington, who was nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS). He was recognized for his dedicated efforts to keep the local society members informed and involved.
Mr. Sachi has assumed the vital job of compiling the JCGS quarterly newsletters for the past few years. Under his guidance, the newsletter has increased from eight pages to twelve. Each issue features a calendar of events letting JCGS members know the subject and speaker for the general meetings and when the society’s different interest groups meet. Each issue also includes the president’s message about the society business, a member-written book review, a list of new resource books and/or CD’s in the library, a story on the history of the county, and/or a family history story contributed by a JCGS member.
Mr. Sachi is an appreciated, diligent member of the JCGS, 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.
The deadline for applying for a WSGS Innovative Grant has been extended to June 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.
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 Brian Runyan of Vancouver, Washington, who was nominated by the Clark County Genealogical Society (CCGS). He was recognized for his enthusiastic, forward-thinking volunteer efforts.
Brian Runyan
Since joining CCGS in 2012, Mr. Runyan has quickly become a valued member. He is a creative thinker, with a positive outlook, good ideas, and always ready to help with any task that needs doing. As chair of the education committee, Mr. Runyan has refined and expanded the society’s educational offerings. He has been especially effective in advocating for increased use of computer technology and social media.
Mr. Runyan is quick to accurately assess other people’s strengths and encourages them to use their abilities to further the goals and operations of the society. His willingness to help with whatever needs doing, his encouragement of others, and his sense of humor all help him as he moves into the forefront of the CCGS leadership.
Mr. Runyan’s enthusiasm and willingness to serve demonstrate that he 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.
We heard you.
Many of you told us that the Weekly Digest that you receive in your email In Box on Thursdays is hard to read. Thanks for prompting us to find a better alternative. Check your In Box — we’ve changed the format this week, making it easier to see what’s been posted during the week. Leave us a comment letting us know if you like the format.
If you want something posted about your local society, workshop, genealogical tip, or a research query and want to reach hundreds of genealogists from around the state, just send it to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org and the blog masters will do the rest.
Thanks for reading the WSGS Blog!