The meeting was called to order at 1:03 PM by President Norma Schellberg.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
Norma Schellberg welcomed six visitors and sixty members, and announced three coming events:

(a)  Tonight, the Arizona State Genealogical Society (ASGS) is meeting in its regular UMC meeting space at 7:00 p.m. The topic: Colonial Era Medicine presented by Dr. Rudell Byrd.

(b)  On Thursday, March 18, the Green Valley Genealogical Society will meet at 1:00 p.m. Two speakers will be featured: June Herron talking about “The Importance and Excitement of Using Maps” and Betty Malesky identifying some “Migration Routes in the U.S.”

(c)  On Friday, March 19th, our own Lynne Brooke, drawing on her experience working for the DAR, will host an informal work session for SCVGS members with DAR applications in process or having other DAR-related questions.

Norma indicated that this year’s Volunteer of the Year will be announced at the April General Meeting.

MINUTES: Since there is no February General Meeting, Liz Kelly asked that the minutes of the January 12th General Meeting be approved as they appeared in the January issue of Ancestor E-News. They were.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Cleo Wolf asked if there were any questions about the Treasurer’s report as printed in the February issue of AncestorE-News. It will be filed for audit.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Ancestral Search: Barb Krecklow encouraged members to sign up on the March and April schedule sheets for monitor duty in the Genealogy Rooms.‘

Beginners’ Class: Barb noted the successful completion of this year’s big class of 27. She asked any class members present to stand for recognition.

Display Case: Sue Huffer said members should watch for a new exhibit in the wall case facing the Genealogy Rooms after the middle of March.

Field Trips: Joan Eddy noted there is a sign up sheet at the back of the room for any members interested in attending the ASGS workshop on “Formatting and Printing Your Family History.” It will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 13th at its ASGS regular meeting room at UMC and there is room in Norma Schellberg’s van, leaving at 8:00 a.m. from behind the Vistoso Center.

Genealogy Tree Photos: Karen Jonaitis said the pictures on the Genealogy Tree this month were all contributed by students in the Beginners Class. She hopes the rest of the membership will be inspired to contribute 4” x 6” photocopies of some of their ancestors’ pictures.

Hospitality: Bonnie McGregor thanked those who brought cookies/treats for this meeting.

Library: Mike Carroll mentioned the three titles added to the Library this month: The Irish at Home and Abroad (all the issues published of this journal), Walking With Your Ancestors, and You Can Write Your Family History. The Library Committee is always glad to receive member recommendations of items for purchase.

Membership: Russ Krecklow reported that the Club membership now stands at 156!

Program: Evelyn Thomson reported that it is likely that Betty Malesky’s not-yet-complete recovery from her back surgery will prevent her from being the speaker for the April General Meeting. In that event, Jerry Flowers will talk about purchasing and using digital cameras in genealogical research. Members who have heard Jerry think it should be an excellent presentation.

Evelyn also said that the Program Committee has finalized ¾ of next year’s General Meeting speakers.

SIGs: Helen Jennette indicated that the coming month is a very active month for the Special Interest Groups. The German SIG will meet on Wednesday, March 10 in the Havasu Room. On Thursday, March 11, the Family Tree Maker SIG will meet in the Havasu Room. The Legacy SIG will meet Monday, March 15 in the Yaqui Room, principally for those just beginning to use Legacy. The Irish SIG will meet in the Apache Room on March 23 at 1:00 p.m. On April 14, the Colonial Virginia SIG will meet in the Havasu Room. The Scandinavian SIG has suspended operation. Among the membership, some interest has been expressed in organizing Czech, Italian or Scottish SIGs. Sign-up sheets are available for you to indicate your interest.

OLD BUSINESS:

(a)  Mike Carroll presented a slate of candidates for next year’s Board with most current members willing to serve the permitted second year: Norma Schellberg for President, Mike Carroll for Vice-President-President Elect, Cleo Wolf for Treasurer, Liz Kelly for Secretary, Joan Eddy as Past-President, and a new face, Susan Noren for Member-at-Large. Bob Jennette, having stepped in more than a year ago to fill an unexpected vacancy, decided to conclude his Board service as Member-at-Large. The election will take place at the April General Meeting.

(b)  Norma Schellberg explained that although the membership showed interest in adding short programs to the format of the General Meetings, they won’t happen unless someone volunteers to arrange for them and facilitate their presentation.

NEW BUSINESS:

(a)  Norma reported that a Bylaws Committee (herself, Russ Krecklow and Liz Kelly) is working on a revision of the Society’s Bylaws, simplifying language and eliminating outdated procedures. When that project is complete, the proposed revision will come to the members for approval.

(b)  Norma explained that the Board has decided to change the dues year from a fiscal to a calendar year. Several other clubs have done this. The dues will not increase. One advantage is that snowbird members would pay dues in January and be members until the following January, receiving communications electronically throughout the summer and fall. At present, their dues money pays for membership only until the end of June. Secondly, with dues coming in only in December-January instead of January for snowbirds and April –June at the beginning of the fiscal year, recordkeeping would be simplified for both the Treasurer and the Membership Chair. Dues during this transitional year will be $7.50 for a single membership for the half year July-December ($12.50 for a couple). Beginning in December 2010, the dues for 2011 would be, just as this year, $15.00 for a single membership and $25.00 for a couple

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 1:28 p.m.. The next General Meeting will be April 13, 2010.

Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Kelly, Secretary