Sunday, April 29, 2012

Catching up....

Well, the last two months have certainly been busy. In addition to being an integral part of my two local county chapters, I was honored to be a part of the conference committee for the Ohio Genealogical Society's annual conference recently held in Cleveland, OH. My duties were to be the Banquet Chair. This meant that I had to be in touch with the hotel about a year in advance to plan the meals that would be served. While it is difficult to please everyone, I think that overall everyone enjoyed the meals at conference. 

As the chair of Century Families of Ohio, I also had to prepare the program for our induction ceremonies. I had asked the applicant's to send me pictures of their ancestors that were being honored. I wanted to do something special. I was able to produce a wonderful slide show of all the ancestors with the Glenn Miller band playing "Beautiful Ohio" in the background. 

Our speaker was Sunny Morton who talked to us about "The Challenge of Channeling Their Stories". It is the little stories that can be so meaningful about our ancestors. Thank you, Sunny, for giving us so much food for thought. 

Conferences are such a wonderful venue for renewing friendships made at these events. My cousin from Michigan was there, distant genealogy friends were there, and of course local genealogy friends as well.

How fun it was to sit at the computers at the FamilySearch booth in the vendor's hall and learn how to index the 1940 Census. Being the state administrator for the Ohio Genealogical Society, I was also learning lots of other little tricks and things to do. Is there ever enough time to do everything you'd like to do at a conference?

Of course, no conference can take place without an army of volunteers. I would like to personally thank all of those that volunteered as room monitors and ticket takers. The coordinators did a fabulous job of pulling it all together.

At the conference, I was also installed as the 1st Vice President of Administration for the Ohio Genealogical Society. What an honor. I am so proud to serve in this capacity. My wish is that I CAN help to make a difference.

I was also elevated to the chair and head judge for First Families of Ohio.  It hardly seems possible that in 2005 I became a member of First Families of Ohio and Settlers & Builders of Ohio.  I have learned so much and am so grateful to all who have helped show me the way.

I am still traveling a path of what I call genealogy wonders.  I wonder where it will take me next.  I have been asked to be a part of a committee for a well known organization and did not hesitate to say yes, I'll try it.  I am so looking forward to being a part of that community.

My next grand adventure will be traveling to Cincinnati for the NGS conference.  I have volunteered to be a room monitor and introduce a couple of speakers. I am looking forward to making yet more new friends.

What new genealogy path will present itself?