Hello and Welcome to my Campaign Page for NW/Plains CC Rep

My name is Darilee Cordray Bednar. I live in Marysville WA just a few miles away from my first USGenWeb county - Skagit WA . My second USGenWeb website Denali AK

I am married with 4 children, all grown, and busy raising their own families and doin' their own thing.

I work full time in my own bookstore in lovely downtown Marysville. I teach a genealogy classes at the local Senior Center and am a volunteer at the Family History Center every Wednesday night. Last year I attended two Family History Center Conferences to teach a class and talk up the USGenWeb Project.

I have been a member of the USGenWeb Project since 1996. I enjoy doing genealogy!!!! I've transcribed original records, scanned yearbooks, read cemeteries, built websites, researched hundreds of people for my visitors, and collected books for my genealogy library. I currently have 1343 pages of genealogy on line, most of it original information. My genealogy book collection is over 2000 titles and my yearbooks are at 5602 volumes.

Three months ago I had no intention of joining the political arena and then May happened.

This year as in years past, the AB has been in constant flux. Our reps for the Northwest/Plains were resigning in a consistent manner. At one point, we, the CC's, had no representation at all. In May I volunteered to serve to this election. I volunteered to see what was the matter. I volunteered to see why really enthusiastic people suddenly quit the USGW... not just the AB but also their Counties.

I can tell you what I want and I can tell you what is happening on the AB and I can tell you about possible solutions to some of the problems.

What I want

FREE GENEALOGY.
    That is simple. I want CC's to transcribe original documents, find and link to good genealogy resources, and create pages to display this material for free. I don't care if it is a team of 5 CC's working together or a Genealogical society. FREE RESOURCES.

HELP THE COUNTY COORDINATORS.
    I want CC's to know about sources for finding search engines, how to present their information, and how to use internet. This means easy to find help pages and or a Co-CC who will act as a teacher/helper

RECOGNITION
    I want each CC to be acknowledged as a leading historian for their county. I would like to see the virtual tour return. I would like to go to list and see a newspaper article about a USGenWeb Project CC and the work being done for the community.

What Is Happening on the Advisory Board

TIED UP BY STURGIS
    The AB is using Sturgis to run the USGW... and it's basically unworkable. Right now the AB is always in session... No breaks... On going discussions... Revelant discussions... BUT... there is no committee reports, no old business, no new business... Because STURGIS says ... Yes we need guidance/guidelines...

HAMSTRINGED BY "MEMBER-NO-IN-GOOD-STANDING
    I have been a member for over one month and so far I have had to judge 6 people and decide if they should be considered "member-not-in-good-standing". I voted to retain 4 members of GAGEN as "members in good standing" and I voted to keep 1 member of the AB as a "member not in good standing" Did I like making these decisions? NO! I cracked a tooth over the GAGEN decision...because I found merit in all the arguements. And while we are dealing with "mnigs" problems... No committee reports, no general business being performed.

Solutions

CREATING REGULAR MEETINGS
    Just this week a suggestion came from a CC to the board. She had written possible guidelines to create manageable meetings... with a beginning and an end. Apparently some version of her suggestions has been tried before. Well, maybe it needs to be tried again.

A MORITORIUM ON DISMISSALS
    The current situation seems to be "My way or the Highway". Personality conflict play a big part. Some states are war zones. One possible solution, if a SC dismisses a CC then the SC must step down until a state vote is taken to approve the dismissal. If CC's dismissal is approved... then SC is restored. Simple majority rules. If the NC dismisses etc. etc.

CREATION OF ACTIVE COMMITTEES
    Did you catch the part when I said no committee reports? Create the committees and stock them with working CC's. Have regular committee meetings and expect performance.

FIND MORE CC'S
    Every year there are more and more genealogy conferences and yet the CC base seems to be shrinking. Let's work on recruiting people from the counties for the counties.
    I'm not saying that a CC who has deep roots in a county across the USA needs to give that county up to a local (especially because some of the remote CC's have access to libraries and the inclination to transcribe)

LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST
    Work on the By-laws....

QUESTIONS AND A FEW ANSWERS

WHY CLOSED MEETINGS ON EXEC. private email from a non-USGW member.
    The AB has a list that is not archived nor is it open to everyone. This list is to discuss private issues relating to a sensitive motion, as in "members-not-in-good-standing". It most certainly is not a social club or a central hub of intrigue. I have asked questions a few "why and how come" questions on Exec. because I wanted an answer quickly and knew that one of the "oldsters" could/would answer it. It is understood that items brought up in Exec. are private and not to be spoken of or presented to other lists.

WHAT HAVE I DONE FOR THE GOOD OF THE CC'S SINCE I STARTED AB private email
    It has only been since mid May I've been on the AB, so not much. Besides the grivances motions, I have voted to support the development of the FGS Project (Family Group Sheets). This group are eager to become a recognized USGW project. I believe the broader the base the stronger the mountain. These people want to offer FREE Genealogy. Good for them.
    I have been talking the other NW/Plains Rep about instituting a PR Committee to at least begin a calendar of Genealogy Conferences for our states. Did I mention I'm pro PR? Promotion of the CC's and the USGW Project.

Thank you very much for considering my positions...

and listening to my opinions...

I would be happy to hear your opinions or answer more questions. Write to Darilee

...Please vote..

Darilee Bednar