By Ann Eccles
Volunteers are traditionally honored during the month of April. This year the week to recognize volunteers is April 18-24, so at this time, I would like to recognize the many people who contributed their time and talent to IGSI activities in 2020.
As a totally volunteer organization, IGSI functions only with the help of members who step forward to help with many tasks. The largest number were members who volunteered to help with the virtual Celtic Connections Conference (too many to list here).To see the full list of ‘’thank yous” to conference volunteers, view the 2020 Conference video.
Some of the same people who helped with the conference also had a role in other Society activities in 2020. Those who served on the IGSI Board of Directors: Ann Eccles, Kim Scanlan, Tim Scanlan, Gigi Hickey, Pat Schoenfeld, Kay Swanson, Nancy Fennessey, and Ron Zweber.
Our e-newsletter (Ginealas) highlights the work of a number of volunteers: Greg Winters, as editor, with contributions from Mary Wickersham, Gigi Hickey, Fern Wilcox, Sarah Martin, Char O’Connell, Kevina Munnich, Audrey Leonard, Ann Eccles, Kathleen Foley, and Kay Swanson.
Mary Wickersham chaired the Technology Committee, which also included Tom Rice, Bob Zimmerman, Randi Helgeson, Char O’Connell, and Greg Winters, as well as Board members Ann, Pat, Kay and Kim. Mary also maintains the website and send most of the emails to members.
Gigi Hickey prepared and posted items to the IGSI blog. Jeanne Bakken coordinated volunteers and Kay Swanson and Char shared Membership Committee responsibilities. Char also promoted IGSI on social media. Audrey Leonard served as IGSI Librarian and main Researcher. Special thanks go to Maureen Meier and Mary Schowalter who responded to the request to barcode IGSI library materials. Maureen completed the project just a month ago.
Kathleen Foley coordinated educational offerings in 2020 becoming a “webinar guru” when in-person classes were no longer a possibility. Thanks to 2020 IGSI webinar presenters: Tammy Priolo, Jane Kennedy, Sheila Benedict, Tom Rice, Mary Wickersham, Kevin Cassidy, and Lois Mackin.
