Archive for the ‘Volunteer Opportunites’ Category
By Nicoe Hart, IGS President
It’s Spring and things are happening at IGS. April saw the Spring Conference with Eric Basir (and if you didn’t come you missed a really good opportunity to listen and learn from an expert). I want to thank everyone who helped set up chairs, tables and audio system for the conference and attendees who pitched in to take them down.
Judy McClain will be working her magic to transform the warehouse-like space of the West Wing into wedding bowers for the wedding ensembles featuring the gowns and suits of IGS ancestors. The earliest entered in the exhibit dates from 1863! Complete with undergarments! Do pass the word to friends and family about this opportunity to see and enjoy wedding attire from an historical perspective–how wedding fashions have changed over the last 150 years.
Thanks to the enthusiastic response of members, the IGS Wedding Memories special exhibit has been expanded to two three-day weekends: May 10 – 12 and May 17 – 19, 2012. A $5 admission donation will be requested at the door as a fundraiser in support of IGS programs and services.
Members are invited to display their heirloom wedding dresses along with written wedding stories. For those who don’t have the original dress, display a wedding picture of the bride or couple with their special story. Gowns will be displayed by vintage era and prizes will be awarded in various categories. Be part of this unique and memorable event! Share your ancestral couple’s special story and help raise funds for IGS.
Applications are being accepted now through April 30th to reserve display space. Space is limited, so don’t delay. There is no charge for members to exhibit their heirlooms. 
Requirements:
- The wedding gown or other exhibited material must belong to an IGS member’s ancestor.
- Exhibits must include a separate family history of the featured couple, (to be printed in the program), along with the wedding gown and/ or photographs. A photograph of the bride, couple or wedding party is preferred.
- Please include a photograph of the wedding gown with this application if possible.
- Applicants must bring their exhibits and stories to the IGS Library between May 1st and May 5th.
- Applicants must pick up their exhibits no later than May 22nd.
Applications are available at the IGS office or download an exhibit application here. Questions? Contact IGS Library, 276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org .
Members of IGS are gearing up for indexing the 1940 U.S. Federal Census. Barbara Hammer, Group Administrator, is co-coordinating the volunteers. The first class taught at IGS was practically overflowing and a follow-up session had additional learners. Theresa Liewer is assisting with instruction and indexing.
Barbara comments, “It’s additive!” In fact, she has download several batches and will work on them off-line when traveling. More volunteers are welcome. And, just like Uncle Sam, Barbara says, “We want you!”
For more information or to volunteer, contact her at 641-787-9092, or bjhammer1940@windstream.net
By Nicoe Hart, IGS President
IGS volunteers make our State Society unique and it is that very ingredient that limits how many projects and what kind of projects IGS can undertake at any given time. Currently, we are working on six projects: Spring Conference “Picture This!”, IGS Wedding Memories: “Somewhere in Time,” May 12th Non-Profit Day at the Merle Hay Mall, data input for the Camp Dodge Militia enlistment papers and obituary indexes, and the cooperative effort with Familysearch.org to index Iowa’s 1940 Federal Census. All of these projects or events need volunteer help.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to assist with set-up and tear down for the Spring Conference! April 14th is Eric Basir’s photography workshops and the Silent Auction. All events will take place in the IGS Library’s West Wing.
Somewhere In Time Wedding Memories. Are you a handyman willing to help put together sets for the wedding exhibits? One or more males with muscles and ladders would be most welcome. Know someone in a wedding-related business? IGS is seeking sponsors for the event and/or businesses willing to display our flyers advertising the event. Volunteers are needed to help supply props, set up and tear down, and to staff the exhibit for shifts of two to three hours each. Contact IGS to sign up: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org.
Cemetery projects. Volunteers are needed for mapping and digital pictures of gravestones in Polk County cemeteries for new databases that will eventually be available on the IGS website.
1940 Census Indexing Project. Be part of making genealogical history! Volunteer your time and talents to help bring the 1940 census to the world. Contact Barbara Hammer, 641-787-9092; bjhdch@iowatelecom.net to participate.
Camp Dodge Militia database. Volunteers are needed to enter information from 3 x 5 cards; the only index to the boxes of Militia Enlistment forms at the State Archives. The records range from 1878 to as late as 1931. 6,900 of the more than 45,000 index cards have been entered into the Camp Dodge Militia Enlistment database. As more volunteers participate in the project, the work will go even faster.
Leadership Roles. Open positions include Lives and Times Coordinator, 1st Vice President, Publicity Chair and May 12th Merle Hay Non-Profit Day Coordinator.
Contact IGS President Nicoe Hart: nicoehart@gemail.com or the IGS Library: 515-276-0287, igs@iowagenealogy.org to volunteer.
IGS needs volunteers to fill two key leadership roles in our organization: 1st Vice President and Publicity Chair.
The Iowa Genealogical Society Executive Board has a vacancy for the position of 1st Vice President. Responsibilities include:
- Assume the office of President if that office becomes vacant.
- Assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President or as provided in the Bylaws or the Parliamentary Authority.
- Chair the Education Committee.
–By Barbara Hammer, Census Indexing Group Administrator
On April 2, 2012, images of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be released for the first time. Unlike previous census years, images of this census will be made available as free digital images.
Upon its release, the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project, a joint initiative between Archives.com, FamilySearch, findmypast.com, and other leading genealogy societies and organizations, will coordinate efforts to provide quick access to these digital images and immediately start indexing these records to make them searchable online with free and open access.
How can you contribute to the success of IGS in 2012? Be part of the team! Together, we can make this a meaningful and memorable year for IGS.
Cemetery projects
Volunteers are needed for mapping and digital pictures of gravestones in Polk County cemeteries. In the future, these new databases will be available on the IGS website.
1940 Census Indexing
IGS has agreed to participate in the Family Search 1940 Census Project by indexing the Iowa portion of the Federal Census to be released 2 April 2012. Volunteers are needed for this project. The project will be headquartered at IGS but will spread across Iowa and include participation by out-of-state members. Our Group Administrator is Barbara Hammer.
Be part of making genealogical history! Contact Barbara Hammer c/o IGS: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org. Volunteer your time and talents to help bring the 1940 census to the world!
IGS has agreed to participate in the Family Search 1940 Census Project by indexing the Iowa portion of the Federal Census to be released 2 April 2012. A Group Administrator and other volunteers are needed for this project.
The project will be headquartered at IGS but will be spread across Iowa with some members even indexing outside Iowa. Our Group Administrator will be a key organizer, manager and communicator to everyone involved.
Be part of making genealogical history!. Volunteer your time and talents to help bring the 1940 census to the world! Contact IGS President Nicoe Hart: nicoehart@gemail.com or the IGS Library: 515-276-0287, igs@iowagenealogy.org to volunteer!
IGS has the following volunteer opportunities available:
1st Vice President: Responsible for educational programming.
Publicity Chair: Get the word out to members, the media and the public about IGS programs and events. Computer skills necessary.
Grant Writers: IGS needs grant dollars to allow the society to expand its projects, events, and programs. We need grant dollars to digitalize various documents and create databases whose indexes can be publicized online. Phase Three of the website development would make those databases and documents available to members-only online.
We as a Society are unique among non-profits. We are remarkable because IGS operates on a 99% volunteer staffing level right up to our officers and Board of Directors; only one person is a full time employee. The only other people to receive remuneration are two part time librarians.
In forty-six years, the Iowa Genealogical Society has risen from a shoebox to an outstanding collection housed in a facility worth nearly a million dollars. Each of us should thank the charter members and contribute to setting goals for the future financial security of our Society. There is room for everyone to volunteer time or talent—there are opportunities to contribute even from a distance or once a year for some event or conference.
If you have a talent for writing or experience with grant writing, we can use you.
Many other volunteer opportunities are available. Contact the IGS office to learn more and to volunteer: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org .
Volunteer opportunities abound in 2012. Grant writing, education, events, library and website development are just a few of the committees that need people.
New projects will include cemetery walking, digital pictures, digital scanning of documents and a host of tasks to complete various databases. New projects start with identifying the project and then seeking funding to accomplish it.
If you have a talent for writing or experience with grant writing, we can use you. Many other volunteer opportunities are available. Contact the IGS office to learn more and to volunteer: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org .