Hello County Coordinators:
I love introductions. For me, it’s like pulling teeth. Oh well, on with the show. I have recently been nominated and have accepted the opportunity to be a candidate for election to represent you. The Northwest Plains Region CC represents County Coordinators from a wide range of states (Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming) on The USGenWeb Project Advisory Board.
It might surprise you to learn that I have been the Stearns County, Minnesota County Coordinator for nearly eleven years. I’ve devoted approximately one third of my life to supporting the research activities of other interested Stearns family history buffs. I have strong ties to Stearns County and when the MNGenWeb Project was born, it seemed natural that I would jump at the chance to take on the challenge this county.
As a thirty-five year old husband and father of three boys, I have been engaged in my family history as long as I can remember. My introduction to my Stearns connections started because of my dad. We would take trips to cemeteries and he would set me off to run the rows looking for certain monuments. I had no idea what I was really doing as a kid (it was fun!), but I look back on those times with fondness. I really took interest in my family history years later when I attended college at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Not only is SJU found within Stearns County, I had numerous relatives living as students on campus as well as past and present members of the Order of St. Benedict. It was a boon of information plus it allowed me to have a central location within the county to move about and do research for my dad. After I left college, I came to appreciate that the resources I had at my easy disposal were not readily available to those that lived outside the county…heck, the state. I knew when I volunteered and adopted Stearns that I would make it my mission to aid anyone researching information about the area and their respective families. My county has a tremendous group of people that share my interest in the county — their support over the years dwarf my own contributions.
In 1998, when my dad passed away, I took full hold of our family history files and my interest in supporting the research in the county has never waned. Much time has passed since I initially volunteered and I have largely worked independently of the hierarchy above my neck of the woods Stearns. I’ll chalk it up to youth…I’m much wiser now than I was at 23. So, I figured I should throw my hat into the ring (by the way, thanks for the nomination).
I generally like to fly under the radar, but I would be grateful if you would consider voting for me. As your Representative, I want to guide the project in such a manner that it benefits and supports the County Coordinator. The USGenWeb Project is only as good as its volunteers. County Coordinators will ultimately make this project successful. I would like to ensure, as long as I’m on the Advisory Board, that the County Coordinators I represent are well-informed about the activities and actions that may impact their ability to support their county. If it impacts me, it impacts you.
Thanks for opportunity to represent our region — please contact me if you have any questions.
