2016 FGS Election Results

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the results of its recent election for FGS officers and board members. The election was conducted online September 1-30, with all FGS delegates eligible to vote. Office terms for those elected will begin on January 1, 2017.

Concerning the recent election results, outgoing FGS President D. Joshua Taylor states, "It has been an honor to lead the Federation for the past four years. I cannot wait to watch the Federation continue to grow under the leadership and direction of Rorey and the Board of Directors in the coming years."

President-elect Rorey Cathcart adds, “Thank you for this wonderful privilege and opportunity to serve the Federation as President. I look forward to working with our talented, dedicated Board of Directors on behalf of our member societies and the genealogical community at large.”

Executive Committee – Two-year term ending December 31, 2018

President: Rorey Cathcart (South Carolina)

VP Administration: Teri Flack (Texas)

Secretary: Linda McCauley (Kentucky)

Board of Directors – Three-year term ending December 31, 2019

Director: Jennifer Baldwin (Colorado)

Director: Tonia Kendrick (Georgia)

Director: Barry Kline (Virginia)

Director: Juliana Szucs (Indiana)

The complete list of current FGS officers and board members can be found on the FGS website at http://www.fgs.org/about.php.

FGS Announces New Board Appointments

Kirk Woosley Patton and McKelden Smith Named Directors

19 July 2013 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the recent appointment of Kirk Woosley Patton and McKelden Smith to its Board of Directors.

• Kirk Woosley Patton of Fincastle Ancestry Research is a Kentucky native, born and reared in the horse farm country of the state’s central region. He is descended from at least seven generations of Kentuckians, who migrated to the Bluegrass State in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. Kirk is an attorney, having graduated from the University Of Kentucky College Of Law in 1993. Prior to law school, he earned his bachelor’s degree studying Kentucky and early United States history and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa for his undergraduate work. Kirk practiced law in his native state for eighteen years before moving to Colorado in 2011, at which time he combined his love for history and the law to become a professional genealogist. Kirk currently is chair of the FGS Bylaws Committee and is president of the Castle Rock Colorado Genealogical Society. He is an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and its chapters in Kentucky and Colorado. Kirk is also a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors.

• McKelden Smith became president of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society in 2009. He is a director of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of New York; a trustee of Boscobel Restoration, Inc. in Garrison, New York; a director of the New Canaan (CT) Preservation Alliance; and founding member of the New Canaan Shred Dogs. McKelden is the author of Great Estates of the Hudson River Valley (1998), Matisse & Chagall at the Union Church of Pocantico Hills (1999) and the forthcoming William & Sarah McKelden, Immigrants from County Monaghan, Ireland and Five Generations of their Descendants. McKelden has a BA from Williams College and an MBA from Columbia University. His business background includes advertising, marketing, and museum management.

D. Joshua Taylor, President of FGS states, “The Federation brings together so many talented individuals . . . I am delighted to have Kirk and McKelden join the FGS Board.”

FGS Announces 2012 Election Results

D. Joshua Taylor Elected President; New Board Members and Directors Include Cherie Bush, Kris Rzepczynski, and Melissa Shimkus

October 12, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the results of its recent election for FGS board members and directors. The election was conducted online September 1 - 30, 2012 with all FGS delegates eligible to vote. Office terms for those elected will begin on January 2, 2013.

Current Vice President of Administration, D. Joshua Taylor, was elected to fill the two-year term of FGS President. With the recent election results, Pat Oxley, outgoing President of FGS states, “The newly-elected and re-elected FGS Board members comprise a diverse group of committed genealogy professionals capable of transforming genealogy societies in the 21st century.”

“I’d also like to thank outgoing Directors Jana Broglin, Gordon Erickson, Mike Hall and Sue Tolbert as well as Past President Wendy Elliott for their service over the past term. Their contributions have been essential to our growth at FGS and an increased awareness of the importance of genealogy and family history,” Oxley added.

FGS Appoints Patricia W. Rand as Treasurer

May 31, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces that Patricia W. Rand of Florida has recently been appointed to its Board of Directors as Treasurer.

Pat Rand has over 20 years of experience in the genealogy field and currently serves as President of The Villages Genealogical Society in The Villages, Florida which has over 700 members. She is a retired CPA, the current treasurer for the Florida State Genealogical Society and recently served as treasurer for the Florida Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Pat Oxley, President of FGS states, “We are so pleased to have Pat Rand join the FGS team as our treasurer. Pat brings a strong accounting background and years of experience. We feel so fortunate that she is willing to share her time and talent with FGS.”

Pat Rand replaces Kim Kasprzyk who has resigned the Treasurer position due to an extended illness. Please keep Kim in your thoughts and prayers and also help us in welcoming Pat to the FGS Board.

Federation of Genealogical Societies Board Appointments for 2012

Sue Tolbert and Lisa Alzo Named Directors

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces that Lisa Alzo and Sue Tolbert have recently been appointed to its Board of Directors.

Sue Tolbert – Sue Tolbert served on the FGS board in 2011 and, among other accomplishments, did an outstanding job designing the new FGS booth. Recently, she has been assisting with the Membership Committee including answering emails and doing much of the busy work involved in keeping the FGS membership database up-to-date. From 2001 – July 2007 Tolbert worked as a Genealogy Reference Specialist in the local History and Genealogy Department of the Muskogee Public Library assisting researchers, primarily those interested in Creek and Cherokee lineage, and continues to work there as a volunteer. Currently Tolbert is the Executive Director of the Three Rivers Museum, a local history museum and archives in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Lisa Alzo – Lisa Alzo recently served on the FGS Nominating Committee during 2011. Alzo brings to FGS a strong publications and technology background and has agreed to take on the daunting task of Publications Committee chair at FGS. She is a freelance writer, instructor, and lecturer with over 20 years’ experience in the field of genealogy. Alzo earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, and is the author of nine books, including: Finding Your Slovak Ancestors, Writing Your Family History Book, and the award-winning Three Slovak Women. Alzo has written hundreds of articles and her work has appeared in Family Tree Magazine, Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, APG Quarterly, among others. An internationally recognized speaker, she writes the The Accidental Genealogist blog (http://www.theaccidentalgenealogist.com). For more information visit http://www.lisaalzo.com.

Pat Oxley, President of FGS states, “I am delighted to have Sue Tolbert back on the FGS board for another year. Sue has been a huge asset to the FGS Board and is always willing to help where needed. And a big welcome to our newest board member Lisa Alzo. With her many talents in the area of publishing and technology, I know Lisa will be a great addition to the FGS Board."

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org.

FGS Board Members Featured at 1000memories.com Genealogy Roundtable

1000memories.com is sponsoring an on-line Family History Month Genealogy Roundtable the week of October 17, 2011 featuring two FGS Directors, Thomas MacEntee and Randy Whited and FGS Webmaster Amy Johnson Crow.

The focus of the roundtable, according to 1000memories.com is "while there are so many new tools available and genealogy has 'hit the mainstream' most people are still left wanting." The roundtable panelists, which also include genealogy blogger Caroline Pointer of 4YourFamilyStory, will each give their own perspective as to what new tools, applications, and educational offerings are need in the genealogy industry in order to maintain interest in family history among the general population.

You can follow the discussion all next week at the 1000memories.com blog at http://1000memories.com/blog.

FGS 2011 Election Results

New Board Members and Directors Include Kim Kasprzyk,
Polly Kimmitt and Angela Walton-Raji

October 12, 2011 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the results of its recent election for FGS board members and directors. The election was conducted online September 1 - 30, 2011 with all FGS delegates eligible to vote. Office terms for those elected will begin on January 1, 2012.
With the recent election results, Pat Oxley, President of FGS states, “I'm thrilled to have this talented group of genealogists bring their experience and skills to the FGS board.”

Re-Elected FGS Board Members

The following board members and directors were re-elected:

• George G. Morgan (Florida) – Vice-President Membership
• Curt B. Witcher (Indiana) – Vice-President Development
• Loretto “Lou” Szucs (Illinois) – Director

New FGS Board Members

The following board members and directors were newly elected:

• Kim Kasprzyk (Illinois) – Treasurer
• Polly FitzGerald Kimmitt CG℠ (Massachusetts) – Director
• Angela Walton-Raji (Maryland) – Director
• Randy Whited* (Texas) – Director

*Whited was first appointed to the FGS board as a Director in early 2011 and elected outright in this recent election.

Certified Genealogist and CG are proprietary service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists® used by the Board to identify its program of genealogical competency evaluation and used under license by the Board’s associates.

Federation of Genealogical Societies Board Appointments

For Immediate Release
April 22, 2011

FEDERATION OF GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Thomas MacEntee and Randy Whited Named Directors

April 22, 2011 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces that Thomas MacEntee and Randy Whited have recently been appointed to its Board of Directors.
MacEntee will fill the unexpired term as Director (2013) recently held by Bobbi King who has resigned from the FGS Board. In addition, Randy Whited will complete MacEntee’s unexpired term as Director by Presidential Appointment (2011). King recently resigned from the Board of Directors in order to address other priorities. Her hard work and eagerness to help will be missed, but FGS looks forward to King remaining an important part of the organization as a non-board member.

Thomas MacEntee

Thomas MacEntee is a professional genealogist well-known for his focus on social media and technology. The founder of the GeneaBloggers.com website, MacEntee has been at the forefront of several new initiatives in the genealogy community including the use of virtual presentations/webinars to deliver genealogy-related educational content and Internet-based radio to reach out to new audiences interested in family history.

Randy Whited

Randy W. Whited, an avid genealogist for over 25 years, is an active member of several Texas genealogical organizations. As a member of the Austin Genealogical Society since 2005, Randy has been involved with the Society by teaching beginner’s classes, leading monthly and special programs and is currently serving a second term on its Board of Directors. Randy is in his fourth year as Editor of the AGS Quarterly, for which he has twice been honored by the Texas State Genealogical Society. Randy is also serving as 2nd Vice President of the Williamson County Genealogical Society and is frequently a speaker there. A lifelong Texan, Randy is an alumnus of the University of Texas, having graduated with a BA in Astronomy. He resides in Pflugerville, Texas with his wife and twin daughters.

Pat Oxley, President of FGS states, “I am thrilled to extend Thomas MacEntee’s Director position to a nearly full three year term and feel the talents and skill set he brings to FGS and the genealogy community are priceless as we continue to expand the FGS Technology initiative and our market presence. As well, Randy Whited will be an extremely talented addition to the FGS board with his experience with publications, technology and his strong interest in outreach.”

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org.

Paula Stuart-Warren Presented With UGA Fellow Award

FGS Director Paula Stuart-Warren was named a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association on Friday, January 14, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The award took place at the end of a week of genealogy education at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. The Fellow award is given "in recognition of living individuals whose distinguished contributions and on-going commitment to the field of genealogy are of national or international scope. This may be evidenced by any combination of publications, teaching and speaking, or leadership of major genealogical organizations over a significant period of time."

Congratulations to Paula on this well-deserved recognition from the genealogical community for her tireless efforts and work on behalf of genealogical education and the advancement of the field of genealogy.

Photo Source: UGA Names 2010 Fellow (FUGA) via Utah Genealogical Association blog