Important Upcoming Dates for Local Societies

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).

SKCGS Publicity Team Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

Jun4 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the SKCGS Publicity Team who was selected by the South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS) as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Tina Lawson, Janet Stroebel, Brenda Phillips, Valorie Zimmerman and MaryLynn Strickland.

Under Tina’s leadership, the publicity team has not only performed reliably, but has gone beyond, providing accurate and beautifully presented information to the membership and friends and the general public. Janet deals with the quirky Groups.io calendar system so that SKCGS members and friends get timely meeting reminders automatically. Brenda, as a new member, has volunteered to update the Facebook page. Valorie continues to maintain a presence on X (formerly Twitter), while MaryLynn coordinates the blog presence. Tina not only creates the public calendar on the website, but also maintains SKCGS.org behind the scenes, and crafts the monthly emails to members and friends near and far, including Conference Keeper and the Washington State Genealogical Society Blog.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

NGS Press Release

May28 by Charles Hansen

National Genealogical Society Presents Awards for Excellence in Genealogy Scholarship and Service at Family History Conference

Donna Potter Phillips has been a strong supporter and volunteer of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society since 1975. She has held multiple leadership roles on the Board and initiated the Annual Board Retreat. She launched online classes and multi-class workshops and spearheaded an Obituary Project. which added over 100,000 records to the society’s online research index. She led the Walking with Ancestors event for several years and taught many beginning genealogy classes. Phillips has been a guest speaker at local sister societies and is a published author of her former newspaper column, Heritage Hunting, which ran for ten years.

James Secan Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

May28 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing James A. Secan of Seattle, Washington who was selected by the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Jim joined SGS and started writing grants in 2018. A year later, he agreed to serve our community as president. He is honored as a leader who began his presidency while COVID-19 changed our world. Jim has provided operational soundness for four years through a global pandemic, a pivot to online offerings, and the relocation of our library to a smaller space. Jim led the organization while maintaining a robust membership, keeping a good balance sheet, and passing a new set of bylaws with more streamlined Board structure. Jim has served with a commitment to strong operations, a steady hand, and compassion for those who needed to evolve during this time of significant change.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Jerald Rogers Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

May21 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Jerald Rogers of Edmonds, Washington who was selected by the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Jerald has made significant contributions to the success of the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society. As treasurer, he manages the finances, ensuring transparency and stability. He has secured and overseen grants that have bolstered funding and enabled the society to expand their services. Most notable was his work to secure the funding, and assist in the management, of the recently completed Phase I of the Edmonds Tribune-Review digitization project.

Jerald has also taken a hands-on approach in two significant ways regarding SIGS’s library, the Humble House. He has monitored the facilities, ensuring they remain in excellent condition, while liaising with the facility’s owner, the City of Lynnwood, on larger repairs and upkeep tasks. Finally, Jerald serves as a docent lead at the society library, sharing his knowledge and passion with visitors.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Donna Potter Phillips Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

May14 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Donna Potter Phillips of Spokane, Washington who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Donna has contributed nearly 50 years of dedication to EWGS. She has held every position on the Board except Treasurer. She has been the driving force for multi-class workshops, an annual Board retreat, keeping scrapbooks and other EWGS materials, the Walking with Ancestors event and the massive Obituary Indexing Project with more than 100,000 records to date.

Donna has written over 40 articles for the EWGS Digital Digest. She writes weekly Blog articles for EWGS and WSGS. She also volunteers at the library helping the public find their own story. Her dedication is an inspiration to all of us!

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Susan Palmer Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

May11 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Susan Palmer of Bainbridge Island, Washington who was selected by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Susan joined the BIGS Board as Director of Programs in April 2022. Selecting topics for and delivering the monthly programs is a major cornerstone of BIGS’ work. Susan jumped in and helped the society move forward with the Zoom platform. She was an essential member of the Hybrid Team to again offer in-person programs. She was instrumental in developing the Zoom registration process. Susan broadened the society’s horizons in the breadth of speakers she engaged, including their first international speaker.

Under her leadership, BIGS was finally able to celebrate its 1st Annual BIGS at the Beach – for members and their families that had been cancelled the previous two years.

Susan developed a very useful planning document, providing speaker and topic information for programs well into the future. This is an effective tool in communicating with the board and the communications team’s use. Susan worked quietly, efficiently, reliably and collaboratively to deliver excellent program results.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Lynne Oliver Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

Apr30 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Lynne Oliver of Bellingham, Washington who was selected by the Whatcom Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

With her experience serving on other boards, Lynne has brought relevant experience to her role as treasurer that directly benefits WGS. She does a fantastic job of keeping the society running in a fiscally sound manner and is always willing to jump in and volunteer with other society projects.

In addition to her role as treasurer, Lynne has spent a great deal of time revising the society’s bylaws and presenting the suggested changes to the board for their input.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Kelly Martin Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

Apr23 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Kelly Martin of Spokane, Washington who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Even though Kelly has been a member of EWGS for only two years, she has jumped right in on a number of different activities. She has been a gene helper in the library, and even substituted for others that were not able to attend their shift. Her knowledge of North Idaho sources has been invaluable to people coming to the library researching that area.

Kelly has started an Irish special interest group, whose goal is to discuss resources and tools to aid Irish genealogical research. She also was one of the participants in the recent “Walking with Ancestors” event. Kelly has been an enthusiastic researcher on the well-known Best family in the library. She portrayed Emily and Edward Best. (Best Road in Spokane Valley was named for them.)

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

JCGS Research Center Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

Apr16 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing the JCGS Research Center who was selected by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Pam Wilson, Dave Sachi, Eileen Martin, Harlean Hamilton, Marge Samuelson, Mary Stolaas, Pam Stinson, Cathy Beatty-O’Shea, Kathie Wilkinson, Geri Eekhoff, Elaine Raymond, Ada Kornmeyer, Bobbee Davidson, Sue Atkin, Gene Nelson and Kathy Pool.

This group of volunteers remained actively staffing the JCGS research center in person throughout the COVID era from July 2021 thru January 2023. They have endured Zoom meetings, administrative changes in procedures, snafus with technology, and wearing masks while meeting researchers in person.

This group was formed by the JCGS board asking for volunteers to staff the research center. The project has been long-term, starting after the library re-opened to in-person research in July 2021 and especially through January 2023.

Most of this group is still currently staffing the research center.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.