WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
12 February 2020

The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met at 11a.m. on Wednesday, 12 February 2020 in the board room at the Johnson City Public Library. Board members present were Etta Mays, Betty Jane Hylton, Linda Blanton, Jim Wilson, and Janette Guinn. David Ownby was present as the Library Liaison. This was our first midday board meeting. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 5 November 2019 were approved.
Treasurer Report – No report – treasurer absent
Membership Report – No report – corresponding secretary absent
Bulletin Editor Report – No report – bulletin editors absent
Webmaster Report
Webmaster Betty Jane shared a printout showing a spike of visits on February 9 – right after Wanda had sent the new password for the Members Only section.
Library News
Library Liaison David shared critical information about the 2020 Census which the JCPL is very involved in getting all to answer the questionnaire, for it means $1100 per person. JCPL now has the complete set of the Moravian Book Collection of 50 to 60 books. Two new books have been added to the Tennessee Room: Genealogy for Beginners and Preserving Materials Digitally. WAGS has access to the Jones Room for first Tuesday evening meetings through July.
Old Business
WAGS programs for 2020
March – Donna Cox Briggs and Ned Irwin – Washington County Archives
April – open meeting
May – Lori Thornton – ($100 for travel expenses)
June – Jennifer Randles – TSLA
July –
August –
September –
October –
November – Allen Jackson – who has a new book
July or September – David is in touch with Richard Cook – for a program on Oak Ridge
Etta – will get in touch with Mike Depew who teaches at ETSU
NOTE: JCPL – “Big Fish” – telling your story – 125th anniversary celebration May through June 2020
Great Eights/Surname Lists
These lists need organization and standardization. Put in Bulletin? Put on WAGS webpage in Members Only section?
New Business
Director at Large – position still open
Position of Webmaster – Make this person a WAGS officer, who now is Betty Jane.
Revision of Constitution and By-Laws – Etta will send out her combined document to the board members to evaluate.
The meeting was adjourned about 12:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary

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WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
2 June 2020

The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 2 June 2020 as an online Zoom session with David Ownby as moderator. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Etta Mays, Sada Johnson, Betty Jane Hylton, and Linda Blanton, with Janette Guinn only listening. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 11 March 2020 were approved.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada shared the checking account report with $4438.79 in that account as of 31 May. PayPal balance was $426.67 as of 30 May.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda had emailed a report stating WAGS now has 71 regular members. She shared the email addresses of the three new members. There were ten DVD sales and one book sale.
Bulletin Editor Report — Bulletin editors Sada and Margaret stated that articles are coming in for the next issue of the Bulletin.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from May 4 through June 2. Lowest was 4 on 31 May and highest was over 50 on 21 May. She has posted information she thought others might find useful on the WAGS Facebook page, especially TSLA articles.
Library News — Library Liaison David stated that JCPL will begin curbside pickup and delivery on Monday 1 June since the JCPL has been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Program – TSLA virtual archives – will be digital in late summer or early fall. David is also waiting to hear from Mr. Cook. The 125th celebration of the JCPL community is expected sometime before or after January 2021.
New Business
FGS Renewal is $119 and is due by the end of the month. Is the amount based on the number of members? Betty Jane stated that the FGS conference is in Kansas City on September 2 – 5.
Old Business
WAGS programs for 2020
Lori Thornton – September – could do a virtual presentation
Richard Cook – maybe August – for a program on Oak Ridge – NOT a virtual presentation
Judge John Kiener – perhaps October? – have not talked with him yet – topic – court system?
November – Allen Jackson – who has a new book
That leaves July – ?Mike Depew – ?virtual program from his home?
PayPal status
WAGS website cost is $119.41 – pay out of PayPal? How much is DreamHost monthly?
Increasing Involvement in WAGS
Betty Jane and Wanda have been answering queries off the website and from emails. Some queries are made of Adult Services at JCPL and can be redirected to WAGS email. WAGS could have a virtual meeting to share with all members. Betty Jane reported she participated in a great virtual meeting with a Northeast Alabama group.
July Meeting
David will moderate another Zoom virtual meeting on Wednesday 1 July. An open general meeting will be at 7 p.m. and the board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Part of the meeting will be how to use the Zoom meeting platform. Margaret made a motion to this affect; Sada seconded the motion which passed.
Maybe the WAGS 7 July general meeting could be a virtual presentation by Jennifer Randles from TSLA.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary

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WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
1 July 2020

The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met a few minutes after 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 1 July 2020 as an online Zoom session with David Ownby as moderator. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Etta Mays, Sada Johnson, Betty Jane Hylton, Lois Wetzel, and Linda Blanton, with Janette Guinn with audio – no visual. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 2 June 2020 were approved.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada shared the checking account report with $4484.16 in that account as of 30 June. PayPal balance was $461.03 with two membership payments totaling $34.36.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda had emailed a report stating WAGS now has 73 regular members. She shared the email addresses of the two new members. There was one book sale. Margaret has sent a detailed welcoming message to the three new members from last month’s report.
Bulletin Editor Report — Bulletin editors Sada and Margaret report that 40 pages have already been contributed to the next Bulletin. Lois said she could write up fifteen DAR markers for the Bulletin. Betty Jane had taken some DAR marker information off the TNGenWeb page.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from June 1 through June 29. Lowest was 8 on 18 June and highest was 38 on 22 June.
Library News — Library Liaison David stated that JCPL is still operating curbside only pickup since there has been no 14-day decline in coronavirus cases in our area. ProQuest is announcing that library users will have access beyond the library. JCPL does not have the proxy port because of the expense to set it up but perhaps McClung in Knoxville could be a partner. Margaret said the TSLA could also perhaps be available.
Old Business
WAGS programs for 2020
Mike Depew – no contact made
Anne G’Fellers-Mason – July virtual presentation
Richard Cook – no travel at all rest of year
August – share one of Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems videos??
David – Jennifer Randles – August?
David asked if we could put Genealogy Gems video behind password on members only section of the WAGS website.
Etta – has not been able to contact Mike Depew.
December WAGS meeting is usually a social.
Sada made a motion to donate $200 to Heritage Alliance in appreciation of the July virtual program by Anne G’Fellers-Mason. The motion was seconded by Lois and passed.
The Genealogy Gems membership is due by July 4 and is either $199 or $149.
New Business
Nominations committee for 2021 WAGS officers
Perhaps Jim and Tom can head this committee.
Suggestions from board
Use the membership list to invite to the virtual meeting July 7 and put meeting information on the WAGS webpage.
The meeting was adjourned about 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary

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WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
25 August 2020

The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, 25 August 2020 as an online Zoom session with David Ownby as moderator. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Etta Mays, Wanda Manning, Jim Wilson, Betty Jane Hylton, and Linda Blanton, with Janette Guinn participating audio and receiving visual. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 23 July 2020 were approved.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada shared ending balance as of 31 July was $4284.54 with a payment to Heritage Alliance of $200. PayPal balance was $281.11 after a payment of $179.10 to Genealogy Gems. The Post Office box is paid for and is up $22.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda reported WAGS now has 75 regular members, 25 exchange members and 38 free/life members. She had included the email address for a new member. Two books and one DVD were sold.
Bulletin Editors Report — Bulletin editors Sada and Margaret report the Bulletin is all laid out with about 90 pages. There are several family genealogy articles this time.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing total view per month per year from November 2012 to present. She also shared views per day from July 26 through August 24. Lowest was 5 on 31 July and highest was 53 on 8 August. She has created a page for the 2021 special membership price of $9 in Members Only to be posted in October. It was decided to leave the special half price information displayed until the end of April 2021. Information handouts from WAGS programs can be removed after two years display. She continues to post WAGS information on the WAGS Facebook page.
Library News — Library Liaison David stated that JCPL is not open and is still doing curbside only.
Old Business
WAGS programs for 2020 and 2021
Lori Thornton – $100
Billingsley – Interest in her book was expressed by Betty Jane, Margaret and the JCPL. Margaret will contact her.
October – John Kiener
November – Allen Jackson
April 2021 – Jennifer Randles – David says she could do this in person.
Etta will try to contact Mr. DePew.
2021 – Richard Cook from Oak Ridge – David will check with him to present next summer or fall.
Evaluate Genealogy Gems August meeting
Program was well attended and well received.
Announcements to entire membership for September
Margaret will send out September meeting information and the discount 2021 membership dues to all members. She will also ask for suggestions for programs.
Nominations for 2021 WAGS officers
Sada and Etta are on the nominating committee for 2021 WAGS officers. We need a vice chairman and another director.
New Business
Sada’s communication with two firms
The consensus was to totally ignore both of the requests.
Program handouts – put on website?
Take handouts older than two years off the website. Program handouts need to be in the Members Only section. Leave them up three to six months.
Date and time for Board Meetings
WAGS board meetings will be last Tuesday of the month; WAGS general meetings – first Tuesday of the month.
Continuing virtual meetings
All meetings are virtual using Zoom for now. Regular meetings will be held with no password needed. How about recording meetings and having a video file? David hopes to have an answer for the next board meeting. Should WAGS have their own Zoom account? David could check for a pricing schedule.
Review of By-Laws and physical home location of officers
To change By-Laws: read at one meeting, read at next meeting and pass with a 2/3 vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary

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WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
29 September 2020

The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 September 2020 as an online Zoom session with David Ownby as moderator. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Etta Mays, Wanda Manning, Betty Jane Hylton, and Linda Blanton, with Janette Guinn participating audio and receiving visual. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 25 August 2020 were approved.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada shared ending balance as of 31 August was $4156.90 with 2 deposits totaling $160 and a check written for $288 for Postal Box rental for one year. PayPal balance was $299.11 with one membership added for $17.18.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda reported WAGS now has 76 regular members, 25 exchange members and 38 free/life members. She had included the email addresses for three new members on her report. She will send out emails concerning the reduced membership of $9 for 2021 after the November WAGS meeting.
Bulletin Editors Report — Bulletin editors Sada and Margaret report the Bulletin will be ready Wednesday or Thursday for Betty Jane to post on the Members Only section of the WAGS webpage. It contains an interesting article concerning the 1903 smallpox epidemic.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from August 30 through September 28 with one viewer from China on 28 September. Lowest was 6 on 6 August and highest was 174 on 2 September. A monthly 2020 report from March through September showed June with the most views.
Library News — Library Liaison David stated that JCPL is closed through November. Jennifer Randles at TSLA confirmed for at least a Zoom presentation in April on TeVA. The Broylesville book is stuck in California and will be put in the Tennessee Room at JCPL when it arrives. JCPL director Julia Turpin said WAGS may use the library Zoom account for free.
Old Business
WAGS programs for 2020 and 2021
David installed a video camera for Judge John Kiener for his October program presentation. Allen Jackson is the November presenter. David will give technical assistance. Billingsley will receive $100 for her March 2021 presentation. Etta will get two Overmountain prints to David for presentation gifts to Judge Kiener and Allen Jackson. David will check to see about a railroad program, perhaps about Tweetsie or the rail from Knoxville to Tri-cities. Margaret will check with Fred Alsop concerning the Carter Railroad Museum. Etta will check with Scott Bowers about personal history. WAGS can always use one of Lisa Louise Cook’s Genealogy Gems videos as a program.
Nominations for 2021 WAGS officers
There were no changes in the nominations for 2021.
Potential By-Laws changes
Announce the potential WAGS By-Laws changes at the October meeting. Announce and vote on at the November meeting. Etta and Sada will write up the changes and get them to David by Wednesday.
Possibility of continuing Zoom with meetings at JCPL
October and November 2020 meetings with Zoom
No December 2020 or January 2021 meetings are held
February 2021? Regular meeting March 2021 in JCPL?
New Business
Etta suggested each board member to be sure to have a special WAGS board email addresses list so that all ten members get all important emails sent to them.
WAGS Board meetings are always on the first Tuesday of the month.
WAGS general meetings are always on the last Tuesday of the month.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary

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WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
27 October 2020

The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 October 2020 as an online Zoom session with David Ownby as moderator. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Jim Wilson, Etta Mays, Wanda Manning, Linda Blanton, and Betty Jane Hylton, with Janette Guinn participating with audio and receiving visual. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 29 September 2020 were approved.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada shared ending balance of $4057.24 as of 30 September 2020 with no deposits and one check written to Lori Thornton for $100. PayPal balance was $350.65 with three membership renewals at $18 each.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda Stated that membership renewal for 2021 is in progress so the numbers are changing daily. She reported WAGS now has about 71 regular members, 25 exchange members and 38 free/life members. Copy service had one item.
Bulletin Editors Report — Bulletin editors Sada and Margaret report the Bulletin has been posted and they already have two articles for the next issue.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from September 27 through October 26. Highest was 266 on 6 October and lowest was 6 on 16 October.
Library News — Library Liaison David stated that JCPL is closed through the end of the year 2020. The JCPL Board of Directors will have a called meeting to discuss the 2021 operations. Backlog of books ordered for the Tennessee Room at JCPL has been taken care of: Family Search Guide update, Native American, Civil War materials. The Broylesville Mill book was ‘stuck’ in California but the author’s donated copy is now on its way. An event coming up at JCPL is an online book discussion on October 29.
Old Business
WAGS programs
Margaret needs a member contact for Judy Billingsley for her program presentation in March 2021. The author of “Too Brown to Keep” is in California and will be presenting remotely. JCPL has a copy of her book as does Margaret, who will share it around the WAGS board members. Betty Jane volunteered to be the contact for Ms. Billingsley. Margaret has the author’s email and phone number.
By-Laws changes
Three changes/additions were outlined:
One elective director at large can be a non-resident WAGS member
The Webmaster will be an officer of WAGS
The three elective directors will each be selected for a three-year term at staggered intervals
Sada made a motion to accept these three changes to the WAGS By-Laws. Wanda seconded the motion which passed. Margaret will send out this information with the letter she is sending out before the November meeting next week. Discussion was held whether the editor and webmaster offices could also be non-resident members. This was tabled until a later meeting.
Possibility of continuing Zoom meetings with JCPL
Zoom meeting can be held for the February WAGS Board meeting. No board meetings in December or January, and no WAGS general meetings in December, January, or February.
New Business
Programs for 2021 May – November
March – Judy Billingsley
April – Jennifer Randles from TSLA – might be a Zoom meeting, might be in person
Suggestions: November – Allen Jackson – military; Judge Kiener – Margaret will call; Etta will again try to contact Bowers and DePew.
Donations
Betty Jane made a motion to make our annual donation to JCPL of $500 and to Friends of the Washington County Archives of $500. Sada seconded the motion which passed. Margaret will donate a digital video camera to the JCPL as a gift.
Genealogy Gems program suggestions
These titles of videos were suggested for WAGS programs:
10 Genealogy Tech Tools – to be used for the November 2020 meeting
Other suggested videos – in no particular order:  
Best Websites for Finding Historical Maps – 2 votes, 
Genealogy Cold Cases, 
Time Travel Genealogy 
Your Guide to Cloud Backup,
 Using the Cloud to share Genealogy,
 Evernote for Genealogy (Beginning), 
Create Historical Maps Collection, 
5 Ways to Use Old Maps,
 How Alice the Genealogist Avoids the Rabbit Hole,
 Genealogy Giants,  4 Top Records Sites
, Genealogist Guide to DropBox.

The meeting was adjourned about 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary

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