WESTERN MICHIGAN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY ONLINE!

President’s Report for 2003

Happy Anniversary, WMGS! 50 Golden Years!

What an accomplishment for any organization. Good members and great officers are the reason. We can all be thankful for the charter members and co-workers who kept the gene-bug alive and well.

2003 started as a new year usually does here in Michigan, cold, but a good time to spend learning genealogy how-to’s and meeting with friends. We’d had great programs thanks to Mindy Koole and Karen Blumenshine our new Computer Group Co-ordinator. The meetings continued to be held at Plainfield Township Library on 5-Mile Road NE, parking was free and entrance to the building was a snap. We could park near the door, use a library cart, and use the elevator. Our members also enjoyed free parking when doing research at GRPL’s temporary location next to the expressway between Hall and Franklin streets. In March, GRPL moved back “home” to down town Grand Rapids and the decision was made for us to remain at Plainfield until our fall season commenced. Winter and Spring meetings were well attended as were the two beginner classes that Shirley DeBoer so diligently holds in the spring at Yankee Clipper Library.

In preparation for your 50th Celebration, Bobbi Schirado and volunteers prepared an elegant Heritage Tea that was held at Wyoming Public Library with the purpose of helping our long-time members share with us their memories of WMGS days gone by. It was a tremendous success. We all hope it will become a common event.

Also during the spring, we had our first ever (I believe) official audit performed by professional auditors. Goodlander Company proclaimed that WMGS is right on target! We, of course, all knew this and were thrilled. Marlene Fabbro breathed a sigh of relief knowing officially our ducks were all in a row. We’ve a feeling that the next official audit should come much sooner.

Over the summer we took a day bus trip to Lansing. About 45 of our members and friends enjoyed the trip. Some were different than the passengers that went to Ft.Wayne in April or November. Each trip gets some return travelers along with some new researchers. The trips seem to be a time for the members to get better acquainted. Besides, who but a genealogist would listen to our stories for a three hour bus ride!

Fall was here before we knew it! Our move was on! Out of Plainfield - but what about our supplies. Books, our cart, copy machine. GRPL allowed us to use empty drawers for our sale table books. Supplies that need to be used less often were finally housed in a rented storage area. Access is restricted and carting the necessary items is tedious so we’ve arranged to be met at the loading dock each month. We are keeping less items on hand. We are bringing less for members to see. Also, coffee is now sold and we may only provide punch.

The new GRPL is a beautiful building. The History Special Collection Center (GRPL’s new name for the Michigan Room) is an entire floor. Spacious. More computer access. Our major problem is with the Ryerson Auditorium. The architects tried to keep the splendor of the original building. High ceilings and tall windows without draperies hamper the acoustics. The room works best when it’s full of people and if the speaker has a slow low range voice. The auditorium appears to have state of the art projector equipment yet the large screen reflects too much light from outdoors. We have been told these problems are being addressed. Our sales must still be in the same room as the meeting like it was on Plainfield. Any talking at the sales table presents a huge problem. Even opening packages of cookies for refreshments is too noisy. Another problem is parking. Parking is free on Saturdays, but it is extremely limited. Coming early for research is the best way to find a parking place.

Our fall season has been successful except for the sound. A change in the bylaws allowed us to split the Manuscripts from the Acquisitions and Gifts Coordinator’s duties. Ann Ed has accepted the Manuscripts Chair leaving Evelyn Sawyer more time for Acquisitions-Gifts and her new full-time chair that of the Kent County Genweb. We’ve acquired the next set of Michigan Soldier’s Home records which will be of great value. This year has seen the completion of some rather large projects. The obits project from Grand Rapids Press and Herald are officially completed. See the committee reports for details on other projects.

A large feather in our cap can be worn by Roger Moffat and Don Bryant who "run" our website (wmgs.org). Don, WebMaster, keeps our site up and functionally stable. Bells and whistles also belong to Roger, DataMaster, who keeps the data correctly linked together. More particulars from me would not be wise.

Wise would be a discussion of our 50th year. Our celebration, GOT ANCESTORS!! will be held October 2nd, 2004, on our official Anniversary date.

The title is unique as are our speakers and approach. We have invited top-notch speakers in a number of fields. Their presentations will be worthy of our expense. We want to encourage Western Michigan research here in Western Michigan via Internet, local historical and genealogical societies, classes, and books.

Our financial status is maintained by dues, book sales, and searches. The search committee, Shirley DeBoer, co-ordinator, does a fabulous job. Book sales are steady. Membership needs to be improved. Since it’s just January, 2004, memberships may improve. We’re concerned about building acoustics and that the lack of parking may be hurting our membership. It may be that we’re just more sensitive to the luxury of ample free parking, easy storage areas, and better sound. It may be that work bees were held more freely with a place to talk and work. These issues need to be a focus for 2004.

For 2003, well done, WMGS Committee Co-ordinators, members, and friends. We’ve had a good and prosperous year. With God’s help, we’ll make the next 50 years even better.