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A Personal Message From Our Club President
An Invitation to Join an Important Conversation
May's meeting was designed to be a listening session for the board as we prepare for the November elections and the transition into 2027. Unfortunately, the meeting was small. Many of you were already gone for the summer, which meant you couldn't participate in an important conversation, and the board couldn't hear your views. So, this column is written directly to those of you who were unable to attend the May meeting, to let you know what took place, and to tell you what we'd like to hear from you.
We’d like you to start with the same three questions we posed at the meeting — your answers are just as important as those we heard in the room:
We’re also especially interested in the full range of perspectives, including the ones that push back. If any of these additional questions resonate, we want to hear those answers too:
You don’t have to answer all of these questions. But if any surface something real for you, we want to hear it.
And if you were at the May meeting, thank you for starting this conversation. If anything has stayed with you since then -- something you didn’t get to say, or something you’ve thought about since -- we want to hear it.
Reach out to any board member directly or email John at [email protected] or Sheila at [email protected]. Written responses are welcome. We’ll carry what we hear into the planning work ahead.
Sixteen members started this. We want to hear from the rest of you.
Please click here to read John's full letter to the membership (also published in the May issue of TreeLines), which also shares his summary of the May meeting.
May's meeting was designed to be a listening session for the board as we prepare for the November elections and the transition into 2027. Unfortunately, the meeting was small. Many of you were already gone for the summer, which meant you couldn't participate in an important conversation, and the board couldn't hear your views. So, this column is written directly to those of you who were unable to attend the May meeting, to let you know what took place, and to tell you what we'd like to hear from you.
We’d like you to start with the same three questions we posed at the meeting — your answers are just as important as those we heard in the room:
- What has changed about your experience in this club over the past few years? What’s different now from before?
- If you were advising the next president, what would you tell them to keep doing? What would you tell them to change?
- What parts matter most to you about how we learn together now, and what would you not want to lose going forward?
We’re also especially interested in the full range of perspectives, including the ones that push back. If any of these additional questions resonate, we want to hear those answers too:
- Is your club membership meeting your expectations, or are we falling short somewhere?
- Is our meeting content relevant to your research? Does it feel at the right level, or sometimes over your head, or not challenging enough?
- Do you value the interactive, hands-on meeting format, or would you prefer something more relaxed?
- What would make you want to come to more meetings?
- What would make you more likely to volunteer, knowing you’d have support?
You don’t have to answer all of these questions. But if any surface something real for you, we want to hear it.
And if you were at the May meeting, thank you for starting this conversation. If anything has stayed with you since then -- something you didn’t get to say, or something you’ve thought about since -- we want to hear it.
Reach out to any board member directly or email John at [email protected] or Sheila at [email protected]. Written responses are welcome. We’ll carry what we hear into the planning work ahead.
Sixteen members started this. We want to hear from the rest of you.
Please click here to read John's full letter to the membership (also published in the May issue of TreeLines), which also shares his summary of the May meeting.
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Leadership Opportunities Help Guide Our Club’s Future in 2027 Our club thrives because members step forward to share their time and talents. As we plan for 2027, we are looking for volunteers to fill four essential leadership positions:
Without members stepping into these positions, the club would not be able to continue. The good news – support and guidance are available for every role, and no one is expected to do this alone. Your involvement ensures that our programs, meetings, and community connections continue to flourish. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES President: The President provides overall leadership and direction for the club. Responsibilities include presiding over meetings, guiding the board, helping shape the club’s programs and goals, and securing speakers for events and presentations. This role ensures that everything runs smoothly and stays on track. Vice President: The Vice President supports the President and plays an important role in coordinating meetings and programs, including speakers. This position also steps in when the President is unavailable, helping maintain continuity in leadership. Secretary: The Secretary maintains accurate records of the club’s membership, taking Board meeting minutes, and organizing important documents. This role helps preserve the history of the club. Treasurer: The Treasurer manages the club’s finances, including collecting dues, maintaining records, and providing financial updates. While attention to detail is helpful, systems and support are already in place to make this role manageable. Why This Matters These roles are essential to keeping the club running and continuing to offer the programs, resources, and connections that make our genealogy community so valuable. You Won’t Be Alone Every leadership position comes with guidance, support, and examples from past officers. If you are willing to help, you will have assistance every step of the way. TreeLines MagazineDon't miss the latest issue of our TreeLines magazine! In case you missed Daeon's email, here is the link to the May issue. January marked the debut of our new club bi-monthly magazine, TreeLines. Building upon the tradition of our club newsletter, TreeLines is taking it to a new level, with the same excellent content but with a new look. It covers all the club news plus informative genealogy features in a colorful and polished format. |
SUMMER SCHOOL is Back in Session!May marked our last regular monthly meeting until the fall. But for those of you who tough it out through our Phoenix summers, the months of June through September offer special opportunities for moving your genealogy research forward. Join us at our special TGC Summer School sessions! Modeled after our popular Ancestor Hour — but with extra time — these sessions provide a relaxed, collaborative environment where you can focus on your genealogy research. Bring your questions, get one-on-one assistance, or simply work alongside fellow members who share your interest in family history. Whether you’re just getting started or working through a research challenge, this is a great opportunity to dedicate a couple of uninterrupted hours to your genealogy. Dates and location are tentatively the same as the rest of the year -- the first Monday of the month (excepting holidays/holiday weekends) in the Center for Higher Learning at Kiva.
Meeting time is from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. If you plan to join us on any of these dates, it is helpful (but not essential) if you give Sheila a heads-up about any specific goals and/or questions you are bringing, so that we can be sure we are prepared to help you address them! Keep an eye out for reminders and any updates via email. Please Consider Volunteering!And Help Keep Our Club Strong Would you like to be more active in the club and help keep it thriving? We have several great opportunities:
Click here for more information on these volunteer opportunities, as well as job descriptions for our open board positions. |