WAGS BOARD MINUTES 2021
WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
22 February 2021
The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Monday, 22 February 2021 as an online Zoom session with Lisa Krekelberg as moderator. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Jim Wilson, Janette Guinn, Wanda Manning, Linda Blanton, and Betty Jane Hylton. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 2 February 2021 were approved.
Margaret expects to have the spring Bulletin Vol. 50 No. 1 ready to proof by the end of the week.
Wanda will contact those who have not renewed yet this year. A new member is Alana Masters. Betty Jane says she is also researching the Good family as she is and they are in contact.
Any questions we have can be forwarded to Lisa at JCPL.
Old Business
WAGS programs for 2021
April – Jennifer Randles
October – Judge John Keiner
November – Allen Jackson – if it is an in person meeting at JCPL
May –
June –
July –
August –
September –
Ideas discussed:
RootsTech – get ideas for programs from the presentations there
Roundtable on individual genealogy success– suggestion by Linda
Genealogy Series
JCPL – Universal Class – link on webpage
Brainstorming about increasing membership
Suggestions offered:
“Talk it up!”
Stress the benefits of membership: Bulletin, queries, programs, . . .
Lisa Louise Cooke – Animoto video for the Fresno, CA genealogy society
Get program announcements published in the JC Press and the Jonesborough Herald and Tribune.
How to research old houses
Mrs. McCowan’s tour
New Business
Budget for 2021
Treasurer Sada had emailed a Proposed Budget for 2021 listing the paid in 2020 and the allocated for 2020.
FGS dues? Betty Jane has heard nothing from FGS for two years.
Jim suggested we spend on really good programs.
WAGS has about $3600 in certificate balances and about $2900 in the business primary share according to the 01/31/2021 treasurer report.
Additional
WAGS needs to get an announcement to the newspapers that 2021 is the 50th anniversary of the association.
JCPL is celebrating their 125th year this year and have bricks for sale for $125 to be set in front of the JCPL. The bricks can have 3 lines with 20 spaces per line. A motion for WAGS to buy a memorial brick was made by Jim. It was seconded by Sada and passed. Betty Jane has the form to apply for one of these memorial bricks for WAGS which she will fill out and get to Sada to write a check to make the purchase.
JCPL is planning to move some of the magazines in the Tennessee Room to regular magazines area.
The library does not have the four DVD set of Bulletins. Wanda will take a complete set of the WAGS DVDs to JCPL.
The WAGS March 2 Zoom meeting at 7 p.m. will feature Judy Fambrough-Billingsley. Margaret will send out information about the meeting tomorrow.
Lisa stated the library employees are getting vaccinated and hope to be able to open JCPL by April or May or so.
The meeting was adjourned about 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary
*****
WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
30 March 2021
The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 30 March 2021 as an online Zoom session with Lisa Krekelberg as moderator. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, David Ownby, Janette Guinn, Etta Mays, Linda Blanton, and Betty Jane Hylton. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 22 February 2021 were approved.
David Ownby was welcomed as the new Vice Chairman of WAGS.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda had emailed her report stating that we now have 71 members. She included information from two new members. There were no book sales.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada stated there would be no information until after 31 March.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from 15 through 29 March with 184 views on 26 March, the day after Wanda announced the Bulletin was uploaded to the page. These were the only days shown due to an error message about the whole month not being up loadable.
Bulletin Editors Report — Bulletin editor Margaret reported the Bulletin has been uploaded to the WAGS website Members Only area.
Library News – Library Liaison Lisa expects the JCPL to be open to public meetings by October. April 19 the library will be open for grab and go items from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to1 p.m. on Saturdays. The Tennessee Room will be open with limited seating for scan and copy – get and go. The computers will be available for 20-minute sessions at the start. The Friends of the JCPL will have their book sale in the front right side room. Wednesday 14 April will be a soft opening from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Friends of the Library. Roundtable will be held when the JCPL is open.
Old Business
WAGS programs for 2021
April – Jennifer Randles
October – Judge John Keiner
November – Allen Jackson – if it is an in person meeting at JCPL
May –
June –
July –
August –
September –
Discussion: Etta cannot reach DePew to ask about a presentation.
Margaret will contact Steve Watson, the gentleman who wrote the Bulletin article about Revolutionary War spies, to see if he could present a program.
Genealogy Gems by Lisa Louise Cooke would be an excellent choice for a program for May. Please log in to her website and review some of her Gems you think would be good. The logon is WAGS54US and the password is preservingthepast!2017.
Etta said Mel could call Tim Massey to see about having a program on Davy Crockett.
JCPL has new upgraded software to view microfilm there; that could be demonstrated. Also available is interlibrary microfilm loans.
Etta suggested genealogy societies during the pandemic by Genealogy Squad. Margaret will send the URL to all of us.
A roundtable discussion would be a good program after the library opens.
Increasing membership
No ideas offered.
Backup plan discussion
Board members, someone needs to know where all your WAGS board information and data are stored. Bulletin editor Margaret stated she realizes a different program needs to be implemented or purchased to create the Bulletin because the one she uses is very outdated.
Additional information
PayPal information is being sent to Betty Jane – this needs to go to treasurer Sada.
Kingsport Public Library will have a virtual presentation by Lori Thornton titled Branching Out: Online Family Trees on Tuesday 13 April from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Betty Jane shared we need to send short notes of support for the Washington County Archives in their effort to get the Washington County Deed Book A back from the Tennessee State Library in Nashville. Send the letters to our representatives Alexander, Crowe, and Hicks.
The meeting was adjourned about 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary
*****
WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
27 April 2021
The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 April 2021 as an online Zoom session with Lisa Krekelberg as moderator. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, David Ownby, Janette Guinn, Jim Wilson, Wanda Manning, Linda Blanton, and Betty Jane Hylton. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 30 March 2021 were approved.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda reported WAGS has 72 regular members. She reported four DVD sales and three book sales. Wanda also shared information from one new member, Dr. Stephanie Myers.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada stated the business checking account balance on 28 February 2021 was $3474.05. There were two withdrawals totaling $225 with $100 to Judy Fambrough-Billingsley and $125 for memorial brick at JCPL. There was a dividend of $0.29 making the ending balance as of 31 March 2021 as $3249.34. PayPal balance on 28 February 2021 was $622.55. Three memberships at $18 each made the 31 March PayPal balance of $676.55. Sada suggested that some the PayPal balance be moved. David made a motion to transfer $250 to the ECU checking account. Betty Jane seconded the motion which passed.
Library News – Library Liaison Lisa shared that JCPL has been restricted open for two weeks. Patrons have genealogy questions. Daniel is trained on the new microfilm machine. JCPL has a Family Search update. Perhaps meetings can be held at JCPL in the later summer. Some of the older publications in the Tennessee Room have been moved to the magazine area where they can be checked out.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from March 28 through April 26 with 65 views on March 29, 18 visitors, and 20 views of the Members Only page.
Bulletin Editors Report — Bulletin editor Margaret reports new WAGS member Dr. Stephanie Myers has contributed an interesting article about the Carriger family. The Revolutionary War spies article in the latest Bulletin was well received and the article will be continued in the next issue.
Vice Chairman – Vice Chairman David shared that Chris Pattillo will present the May 4 WAGS program on Zoom. He suggested using a Genealogy Gems video for the 6 July program. Maybe someone from the East Tennessee Historical Society staff could present a program about using newspapers for research.
Old Business
WAGS programs for 2021
June –
July –
August –
September –
October – Judge John Keiner
November – Allen Jackson – if it is an in person meeting at JCPL
Perhaps an August or September meeting could be presented by JCPL to reacquaint patrons with local and online materials and links available from there.
Sada made a motion to send Jennifer Randles a Maxwell print for presenting the April program. Betty Jane seconded the motion which passed.
New Business –
Etta will be resigning due to health reasons.
David will send the agenda for the May 25 WAGS board meeting.
Bulletins on USB drives –
The convenience of selling the Bulletins on USB drives was discussed. Wanda says it is really easier to do and can put all four DVDs on one USB drive. Need to put an update on the website with the same price as the four DVDs which is $75 and add USB cost, packaging, and postage. Jim made a motion to purchase a six-pack or so of USB drives. David seconded the motion and offered to send prices to Wanda. The motion passed. Margaret and Wanda will get the USB ordering information written up and ready to put on the WAGS website.
NGS publications –
WAGS has received three publications from NGS since their consolidation with FGS. Dues will be $44 with 100 members in our organization and are due in May. Sada will forward the information to Margaret and Betty Jane, and will send in the $44 renewal fee.
WAGS members not renewed –
Wanda says there are about 20 former members who have not renewed for 2021. She will send the list of names and their emails to the WAGS board members so they can contact and encourage them to rejoin WAGS.
The meeting was adjourned about 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary
*****
WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
29 June 2021
The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 as an online Zoom session. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Wanda Manning, David Ownby, Lisa Krekelberg, Janette Guinn, Jim Wilson, Linda Blanton, and Betty Jane Hylton. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 25 May 2021 were approved on a motion by Betty Jane and seconded by David.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda reported that WAGS has 75 regular members. She reported two thumb drive sets of Bulletins sold and one subject index sold in PDF format.
Library News – Library Liaison Lisa shared that starting July 1 patrons will have increased access to the library including more seating and 4 hours on the computers. The very successful Summer Reading Program is halfway finished with 207 currently registered for the Adult Summer Reading Program. She and Margaret are working to set up room reservations for the WAGS meetings. She will share with Margaret the new titles in the Tennessee Room for publication in the Bulletin. Lisa and Linda met to look at the journals in the Tennessee Room. JCPL is looking into adding a subscription to a historical newspaper database. Library staff would like to know if WAGS are available to meet with patrons by appointment again in the Tennessee Room.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada stated the business checking account balance on 30 April 2021 was $3316.61. There was one deposit of $224 and no withdrawals. A dividend of $0.29 was issued 31 May 2021 making the balance as of that date $3540.90. PayPal balance on 30 April 2021 was $712.55. One membership of $18 made the 31 May PayPal balance $728.91. She will transfer all the PayPal balance to the business checking account. David asked if Genealogy Gems membership had been paid because he cannot access the site for the July WAGS program. Sada will contact Lisa Louise Cooke at Genealogy Gems for that information.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from May 30 through June 28 with June 20 being the busiest day with 36 views and 31 visitors. There were 35 visitors from the United States and 1 visitor from China which was questioned as legit. She has checked Word Press and security and finds no problems.
Bulletin Editors Report — Bulletin editor Margaret reports articles are still coming in and are always welcome until September 1 deadline. She has more articles on Revolutionary War Spies from Steve Watson in New Mexico.
Vice Chairman Report – Vice Chairman David discussed the programs for 2021 – as follows:
July – Genealogy Gems session – Share Your Own Life Stories by Sunny Morton
August – Summer Gather Round – share pandemic research findings
September – visit and tour Knob Creek Museum with owner Deanna Holly Carey. Museum will open at 5 p.m. with meeting/tours beginning at 6 p.m.
Old Business
USB drives and WAGS DVDs
Corresponding secretary Wanda reported getting more requests for Bulletins and indexes on USB drives instead of DVDs. Total price for mailing all 4 DVDs information on one USB drive would cost $86 according to her detailed calculations. A request for one Bulletin or the Subject Index can be emailed by PDF for $8 each. WAGS website and the Bulletin will post the new USB prices.
New Business
Zoom meetings or in-person meetings
WAGS general meetings in-person at JCPL:
October – Judge John Kiener
November – military – Alan Jackson
WAGS board meetings – Zoom meetings to continue
Officer notebooks – where are they?
Betty Jane is looking for descriptions of duties of WAGS officers from officer notebooks that were made by Chairman Richard Odum and issued in November 2007. Do we have an updated/combined WAGS Constitution and By-Laws completed after 2015?
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary
*****
WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
27 July 2021
The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 July 2021 as an online Zoom session. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Wanda Manning, David Ownby, Daniel Whisenhunt (JCPL), Janette Guinn, Linda Blanton, and Betty Jane Hylton. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 29 June 2021 were approved on a motion by Sada and seconded by David.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda reported that WAGS has 76 regular members. She reported no sales for July 2021. She also gave information on the new member.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada stated the business checking account balance on 31 May 2021 was $3504.90. There was one deposit of $72, a transfer of $728.91 from PayPal, and one withdrawal of $85 to the National Genealogical Society. With a dividend of $0.29, the ending balance on 30 June 2021 was $4257.10. PayPal balance as of 30 June was $0.
Library News – Library Liaison Lisa was unable to attend and Daniel stated that Lisa will be meeting with their rep for Newspapers.com to get a quote and look into a demo for the staff. The city is planning a rewire of the JCPL building. It will probably start in August and possibly run into October. Phone capability may be limited during that time.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from June 27 through July 26 with July 7 and July 18 being the busiest days. Betty Jane has worked with Wanda to update the pricing of Bulletins on DVDs and on USBs. She will add a link from the publications list to the Bulletins DVDs and USBs.
Bulletin Editors Report — Bulletin editor Margaret reports articles are still coming in and are always welcome until September 1 deadline. Betty Jane got her article on marriages in early.
Vice Chairman Report – Vice Chairman David discussed the programs for 2021 – as follows:
August – Summer Gather Round – share pandemic research findings
September – visit and tour Knob Creek Museum with owner Deanna Holly Carey. Museum will open at 5 p.m. with meeting/tours beginning at 6 p.m.
October – John Kiener
November – Alan Jackson if our meeting is in person at JCPL
Old Business
USB drives and WAGS DVDs
The Bulletins on DVDs are $86 for all four including mailing. That is also the price for the same on a USB drive.
Officer notebooks
David states he will transfer the officer info to PDF files. Margaret is also looking for the 2015 change to the WAGS Constitution and By-Laws.
Future meetings: Zoom or in-person
Sada made a motion to keep the WAGS board meetings on Zoom. David seconded the motion which passed. WAGS general meetings can be in-person at JCPL starting with the October meeting with John Kiener presenting as the situation stands now.
NGS status
All can go into the website with the name and password that will be sent to me.
New Business
Nominations committee
David will chair the nominations committee for 2022 WAGS officers. Remember that directors do not have to be local residents.
Increasing membership
We all need to keep this in mind to come up with ideas.
Acknowledgement for Knob Creek Museum and future speakers
A suggestion was made to make a donation and give Deanna a year WAGS membership. Margaret will also recognize and thank our presenters in the Bulletin. We can give Alan Jackson membership and a Bible Book for his November presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary
*****
WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
31 August 2021
The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 31 August 2021 as an online Zoom session. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Wanda Manning, David Ownby, Lisa Krekelberg, Lois Wetzel, Linda Blanton, Betty Jane Hylton, and Janette Guinn. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 27 July 2021 were approved.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda reported that WAGS has 77 regular members. She reported the sale of Bulletin thumb drives for V. 1 and 2 for August 2021. She also gave information on the new member.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada stated the business checking account balance on 30 June 2021 was $4257.10. There was one deposit of $177, one withdrawal of $49.95 to Genealogy Gems, and a dividend of $0.36 making the ending balance on 31 July 2021 of $4384.51. PayPal balance as of 30 June was $0. One membership of $18 was added which made a balance on 31 July 2021 of $17.18. David related that the percent that PayPal is charging is going up. It makes a difference whether the membership is corporate or non-profit. This needs to be checked and addressed.
Library News – Library Liaison Lisa stated that JCPL is starting a major rewiring project and will be updating the wiring from when the building first opened in 1999. This wiring should make their technology more efficient and better equipped to handle the volume of patron services offered today. As a result of the rewiring, public computers will be unavailable for several weeks starting Saturday 18 September. There have been several vacancies recently in the public service departments, but they are finding good candidates to fill those roles. In Adult Services, they are filling a part-time vacancy from one of the clerks who got a graduate assistantship opportunity at her MLS school in Kentucky.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from August 1 through August 30 with August 24 and 21 being the two busiest days.
Bulletin Editors Report — Bulletin editor Margaret reports the Bulletin has 90 pages this issue. Lisa will get a list of the new books in the Tennessee Room at JCPL to her. Information on Revolutionary War spies and the Watauga Association are included in this issue.
Vice Chairman Report – Vice Chairman David discussed the programs for 2021 as follows:
September – visit and tour Knob Creek Museum with owner Deanna Holly Carey. Museum will open at 5:30 p.m. with meeting/tours beginning at 6 p.m.
October – John Kiener with a Zoom meeting on legal terms for genealogy
November – Allen Jackson — if our meeting is in person at JCPL
If not, then perhaps the meeting could be about the many and varied resources available at JCPL, including information about the new microfilm reader and what software is available there.
Old Business
Officer notebooks status
Some board members did not receive the 25 pages that Betty Jane had sent on 16 August so she is going to resend the email.
Future meetings: Zoom or in-person
WAGS board meetings were voted to be Zoom at the 27 July meeting of the board. The general meetings will be Zoom or in person depending on the status at JCPL.
Nominations committee
David will chair the nominations committee for the 2022 board members. It is suggested that he have one board member and one general member on the committee. Wanda will send the membership list and those getting free Bulletins to all board members.
NGS status
Sada will send the NGS name and password to all WAGS members – or just to the board members?
Honoraria
Sada made a motion to donate $150 to the Knob Creek Museum and David seconded the motion which passed. Sada made a motion to give presenters a one-year membership in WAGS. David seconded the motion which passed. David plans to get John Kiener a $25 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.
New Business
Request for help with chairman duties
Margaret requested help: David volunteered to help her.
The meeting was adjourned about 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary
*****
WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
28 September 2021
The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 28 September 2021 as an online Zoom session. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Wanda Manning, David Ownby, Lisa Krekelberg, Jim Wilson, Linda Blanton, Betty Jane Hylton, and Janette Guinn. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 31 August 2021 were approved.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda reported that WAGS has 77 regular members. There are now 37 Life Members due to the death of Elaine Cantrell. She reported no sales.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada stated the business checking account balance on 30 August 2021 was $4384.51. There were no deposits, one withdrawal of $350 to the Post Office for box rental for one year, and a dividend of $0.37 making an ending balance on 31 August 2021 of $4034.88. Post Office box rental has gone up from $265 in 2020. PayPal balance as of 31 July was $17.88. Two membership payments for a total of $33.76 made an ending balance on 31 August 2021 of $50.94. The question of PayPal as a non-profit: WAGS has no proof of a 501(c)(3) status. Could there be a connection with NGS as a parent organization? Only 3 memberships were made through PayPal this year.
Library News – Library Liaison Lisa stated that JCPL adult services have a new part-time clerk, Andrea Hyder. The library’s public computers are still closed due to the rewiring project. The project is moving along faster than anticipated, so they hope they won’t be down too much longer. Staff are putting together an order of Tennessee Room books. Are there any titles that the WAGS board members would suggest we add to the collection? Margaret and Lisa have been looking at tech for WAGS meetings – perhaps hybrid? – save for future re-presentations? Lisa has some boxes of WAGS materials (Bulletins and books) that appear to be left over from the 2018 sale. Would WAGS be interested in partnering with the Friends (if they are willing) for one of their sales? Friends are having sales 30 October 2021 and in April 2022. David made a motion to offer the books for the April 2022 JCPL sale. Betty Jane seconded the motion which passed.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from August 30 through September 28 with September 8 being the busiest with 30 views and 15 visitors. WAGS Facebook page has 341 members. Queries come to there and Betty Jane answers some by private message. She posts sources and information about events for genealogists on the WAGS Facebook page.
Bulletin Editor Report — Bulletin editor Margaret reports the Bulletin has 94 pages this issue and is ready to go as soon as the inside front cover revision is reviewed by the board. The main focus of this issue is on Northeast Tennessee in the Revolutionary War before the 1796 statehood.
Vice Chairman Report – Vice Chairman David discussed the programs for 2021 as follows: October – John Kiener with a Zoom meeting on legal terms for genealogy
November – Allen Jackson — if our meeting is in person at JCPL
Perhaps a meeting about the Manhattan Project and Oak Ridge?
Old Business
Officer notebooks status
Wanda sent her revision and Betty Jane received it. Margaret sent hers but it was not received. Others have not been sent.
Future meetings
November – Allen Jackson — if our meeting is in person at JCPL
If not, then perhaps the meeting could be about the many and varied resources available at JCPL, including information about the new microfilm reader and what software is available there.
Perhaps a meeting about the Manhattan Project and Oak Ridge could be presented.
We should keep all meeting recordings for a period of time. It was suggested to always have at least two zoom meetings a year for distant folks interested in WAGS.
Nominations committee
David is the chair of the nominations committee for 2022 board members. Linda and Jim will also be on the committee which will communicate by email.
NGS status
Sada is the administrator for our NGS status. The annual meeting will be in Sacramento in 2022. FGS still has the goal of getting the 1812 pensions digitized.
New Business
Revision of Bulletin inside front cover
Drop the queries in the Bulletin – all members are entitled to one query on the WAGS website. Also drop the surname section. Add that membership can be paid by PayPal. JCPL in-person meetings are at 6:30 p.m.: Zoom meetings are at 7 p.m. These times can be flexible.
The meeting was adjourned about 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary
*****
WAGS Board Meeting Minutes
28 October 2021
The Watauga Association of Genealogists Board met about 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, 26 October 2021 as an online Zoom session. Board members present were Margaret Hougland, Sada Johnson, Wanda Manning, David Ownby, Daniel Whisenhunt, Linda Blanton, Betty Jane Hylton, and Janette Guinn. The minutes of the last WAGS Board meeting held on 26 September 2021 were approved with a motion by Sada and a second by Betty Jane.
Membership Report — Corresponding secretary Wanda reported that WAGS has 78 regular members which included a new member. She reported two Bulletin email sales. She has been charging $3.00 for up to 20 pages. Joe Wilson, a Life Member, asked if WAGS would like several boxes of Bulletins that he needs to find a good home.
Treasurer Report — Treasurer Sada stated the business checking account balance on 31 August 2021 was $4034.88. There was one deposit of $30 and one check was written to Knob Creek Museum for $150. A dividend of $0.33 was issued on 30 September making the ending balance $3915.21 as of that date. PayPal balance as of 30 September was $50.94.
Library News – Library Liaison Lisa’s report was given by Daniel. It looks like the JCPL rewire project will be completed by Thanksgiving. The library will be closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday 25 November through Sunday 28 November so that the JCPL IT manager can work on connecting their hardware to the new network. They hope to have public computer access again on Monday 28 November. JCPL will convert two alcoves near the Computer Center and the alcove near the Tennessee Room into study rooms with half-glass walls. They will be seeking community feedback with regard to furniture and equipment as needed in these spaces. JCPL is planning to purchase the book, The Shipleys of Maryland, from the Shipley Family Association for the Tennessee Room on a recommendation by Betty Jane.
Webmaster Report — Webmaster Betty Jane shared a website report printout showing views per day from September 27 through October 25 with October 1 being the busiest with 149 views. That was the day the Bulletin was posted. The posts on Facebook range from 160 posts reached and three or four shares.
Bulletin Editor Report — Bulletin editor Margaret reports the Bulletin was completed on time and sent to Wanda and Betty Jane for distribution. This issue had the theme Revolutionary War and the Pre-Revolutionary era.
Vice Chairman Report – Vice Chairman David discussed that the November WAGS meeting will be in the JCPL meeting room with Allen Jackson presenting a program concerning the history of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (Mountain Branch) in Johnson City.
Old Business
Officer notebooks status
Janette stated she had not sent her Word revisions because she has no way to convert the PDF files. David offered to do the revision when we send our files to him.
Future meetings
March – a JCPL presentation on changes there
April
May
June
Nominations committee results
David suggested that he can set up nominations to be made by online ballot. He proposed to close nominations by November 12. Members could vote by ballot from November 19 through December 3. Results could be announced on December 7.
New Business
WAGS donation to JCPL and Friends of the Washington County Archives
Sada will send out a budget proposal to help the board with this decision. Linda suggested the board could increase WAGS donations to $1000 to JCPL, and $1000 to the Friends.
Create policies for receiving old issues of the WAGS Bulletin
Should they just be recycled? Maybe put the latest 5 years on eBay and if they do not sell, then recycle them.
Other items from the Board
Sada stated she is getting the weekly mailing from Genealogy Gems that she will send to WAGS board members. We can use the old password . . . She will also email the Quarterly magazine from NGS to the WAGS board members.
The JCPL Wi-Fi is okay. We can use our laptops there but it will be slow.
The meeting was adjourned about 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Janette F. Guinn
Recording Secretary
*****
