The 2007 FGS (Tampa) Fall Seminar was, by all accounts from attendees, vendors, and the FGS Board, an unqualified success! Our speaker, Amy Johnson Crow, CG, delivered four information-packed presentations from which every attendee -- both beginner and veteran researcher -- agreed that they learned a great deal. Amy is a consummate presenter who incorporates quality information and humor in all of her materials. We are exceptionally proud to have brought Amy to Tampa for this, our third annual Fall Conference.
Our vendors, societies, and other exhibitors enjoyed the intense interest of all of our more than 80 attendees. In addition, there were 20 door prizes, as well as many free books and magazines, donated by the following: Aha! Seminars, Inc., AncestorStuff.com, Ancestry Publishing, Digital Genealogist, LLD, Everton Publishers, the Florida Genealogical Society, Inc., the Genealogy Guys Podcast, the Hillsborough County Public Library System, RootsMagic, Inc., Trevetta Hartline Wunderlin, and more. We are sincerely grateful for the support of our society's activities by these wonderful people .
One of the great delight and highlights of the annual Fall Seminar is the awarding of the FGS Volunteer of the Year award. This year's recipient is Loraine Jacobs Rose. Loraine is a much-loved and -respected member of the society and the Corresponding Secretary of the FGS Board. She s, coordinating the Telephone Tree to remind our members of monthly meetings and other upcoming events, handling correspondence, and contributing her efforts and talents wherever they are needed. Despite personal and family health concerns, she has worked tirelessly in the past year (and indeed for many years) to make our genealogical society a high quality, professional and scholarly organization. Loraine is shown at right receiving her 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award plaque from society president Drew Smith. In addition, her name has been added to the society's Volunteer of the Year Award plaque that hangs in the Ceta Rodgers Armitage Room at the John F. Germany Library in downtown Tampa. Her name joins that of Treveta Hartline Wunderlin, the 2006 award winner, and their names and contributions will be honored and remembered for all time by our society.Planning is already under way for the FGS 2008 Fall Seminar, which will commemorate and celebrate the society's 50th anniversary. We are the oldest genealogical society in the State of Florida and are planning a gala conference for next year! Watch for details in the coming months, and let us know if you'd like to volunteer to be part of the planning and excitement!
