January 18th, 2007
Meeting Minutes
The regular monthly meeting of the Troy Irish Genealogy Society
was held on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at the Red Front Restaurant
in Troy, New York. The following individuals were in attendance:
Kris Ayotte
Kay Brearton
Ed Dyer
Jeanne Keefe
Bill McGrath
Cathy McGrath
Joyce Musco
Lizette Strait
Jan Sullivan
Donna K. Vaughn
The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Donna
Vaughn, President. Joyce Musco was welcomed to the meeting,
A motion was made by Jeanne Keefe and seconded by
Jan Sullivan to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2006 meeting.
The motion passed. The minutes have been published on the TIGS website.
REPORTS
Donna Vaughn informed the members that on February
3 there will be a Celtic Night at the Celtic Hall in East Greenbush.
She also gave a brief overview of the items discussed at the recent
Board meeting.
There was no report from the Vice President, Kris
Ayotte. She distributed membership cards she had laminated.
Cathy McGrath, Treasurer, reported that the current
balance in the treasury is $608.20. A $30 check was issued today
to cover the balance due for the screen printing. Of the $165 recently
deposited, $115 consisted of donations. The dues increase to $10
is now effective for new members. Those who have paid for this year
will receive a few months grace period to carry them over to January
2008 at which time they will pay $10 to renew their membership.
Various methods of increasing dues paying members and/or donations
utilizing the website and list were discussed. Lizette Strait will
look into adding a note about dues in the footer. It was suggested
that e-mail be sent to the list with a link to the website which
would lead to a membership form.
Webmaster, Jeanne Keefe, reported that Volume II of
the Rensselaer County Marriage Index is on the website. Still to
go up on the site are the 1903 city directory deaths and the lookup
resource list. The 1903 deaths must be integrated with the 1902.
As a method of increasing dues paying members, Kris Ayotte, suggested
allowing only dues paying members to post surnames on the website.
Also mentioned was the possibility of a “members only”
section on the website which would require a password to access.
This could give dues paying members access to items such as the
surname list, resource list, etc. The increase in dues to $10 will
be effective January 18, 2007 and each year it will cover January
through December.
Lizette Strait reported that there are currently 185
list members.
Bill McGrath, Project Chairperson, reported that Volume
II is on line. He noted the jump in hits on the website counter
when Volume II went up. He asked if it would be possible to have
volunteers begin work on Volume III during January and February.
Jeanne Keefe said that she could make the scanner and computer available
on a Saturday or Sunday. Bill suggested scanning all the grooms’
records first and then the brides’. He noted that in many
cases in Volume II the clerk who entered the data entered the current
date and not the date of the marriage. That information would be
available when the person requested a copy of the certificate form
the County Clerk. Bill discussed the benefit of creating a business
card for TIGS that would include the website address and could be
given to individuals who are interested in the Society. Jeanne Keefe
agreed to develop a business card and send it to the officers who
could in turn print it on card stock paper.
OLD BUSINESS
Donna Vaughn shared the price list for various items
that could be imprinted with the TIGS logo. Joyce Musco volunteered
to handle the mailing of shirts to those who make a donation. Kris
Ayotte suggested that a reduced price be available for paid members;
e.g., $12.50 vs. $15.00.
Donna Vaughn reminded the members about the TIGS participation
in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Albany. Kay Brearton reported
back on the tentative price for a banner for the Society. A motion
was made by Kris Ayotte and seconded by Jeanne Keefe to approve
the required expenditure for a banner. The motion passed. Ed Dyer
asked that a price be obtained from another vendor – Swota
in North Troy. Kay Brearton will get a price from them before any
purchase is made. Jeanne Keefe will generate the design for the
banner.
Kris Ayotte will develop an introduction for the resource
list before it is put up on the website.
Donna reminded the members that Jeanne Keefe will
be giving her speech about Troy at RPI and the public is welcome
free of charge.
The members discussed the contents of the proposed
newsletter which would be published quarterly. It was suggested
that it include family histories that are submitted as well as genealogy
queries and genealogy events. Also part of the newsletter would
be a membership form for interested parties to join TIGS. It could
also include helpful websites for genealogists. It was suggested
that the newsletter could be available on the website to paid members.
The agenda item regarding possible changes to the
Charter was tabled.
Donna noted that a letter from TIGS was sent supporting
the proposal to add weekend hours to the NYS Library schedule. Many
individuals also sent letters. The members discussed the participation
of TIGS in the Irishfest in Altamont. Lizette Strait suggested that
a posterboard presentation be developed to illustrate some of the
projects that have been undertaken by TIGS. The marriage index project
could be highlighted.
NEW BUSINESS
The President told the members about the successful
fundraiser recently held by a local church group. It was similar
to the antique road show. People brought items to be appraised -
$5.00 for one item and $10.00 for three items. The appraiser worked
free of charge. It would be an excellent idea for a fundraiser for
TIGS; however, a location would be needed. The members will investigate
possible locations.
OPEN GENEALOGY FORUM
Bill McGrath brought many of his family history items
with him to share with the members. Kris Ayotte demonstrated the
new miniature scanner she purchased. It is slightly larger than
a pencil and scans pages of information which can then be loaded
on to a computer.
The February 15 meeting will be held at MJ’s
on the Avenue (formerly Old Daley Inn) in North Troy at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Cathy McGrath and seconded by
Kris Ayotte to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved and
the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Brearton, Secretary
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