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Be a Volunteer!
Thank you, IGSI volunteers, for your support at the 2024 Minnesota Irish Fair!
IGSI's booth at the 2024 Fair
A popular spot for visitors at the 2024 Fair
All IGSI programs and services are provided by volunteers, with very limited services from paid contractors. We greatly value the time and talents of our many members, friends, and neighbors who regularly help sustain and improve the Society.
Fresh ideas, energy, and talents are continually welcome and essential. Even if you feel your time or talents might hold you back, or if you live a distance from our Minnesota facility, "get to know" our team and you will enjoy the effort.
Many of our volunteer efforts come from members at home. If you are able to come to Mendota Heights you have options to help with our Library effort and with live events. Without your talents and skills, many of our goals for the Society can’t happen. If you can give a little time to keep IGSI services strong, you will connect with a wonderful group of people.
How to Volunteer
A few current volunteer opportunities are posted below. For more information contact the IGSI volunteer coordinator with a note as to a role that would interest you, even if not listed here. If you have expertise or talents to share, or special interests, please tell us how you can help. We would love to have you join our family of volunteers!
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Training and partnership are provided!
Outreach efforts in Minnesota
- Celtic Junction is an active organization in the Twin Cities with offerings including Irish languae & literature, history & culture, music, dance, and more. Their Arts Center in St Paul includes a Library, Reading Room, and some classroom space. IGSI would like to provide classes or outreach services there, possibly with the engagement of additional IGSI members during a Zoom session. If you live near their Arts Center and would have interest, please contact Walt at education@irishgenealogical.org to explore this.
- Irish Fair of Minnesota - Work From Home
The 2024 Fair on Harriet Island in St Paul was a great success for IGSI, with great weather, many visitors to the new booth location, and a great follow-up response to date! IGSI has is building on this year's plan to be well organized for 2025. Join our team, and consider being a delegate volunteer on the Fair's own planning committee.
- IGSI would like to collaborate with the Scottish American Center in Minneapolis, the annual Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games, and other Scots-Irish related cultural efforts. IGSI and the Minnesota Gen Soc are reviewing the materials in the current Library collection relating to Scottish ancestral research and will be developing a finding aid to help interested patrons. If you would like to help in this effort please contact Walt at education@irishgenealogical.org to explore this.
Educational events - Work From Home or at Live Events
- On Tuesday, March 11, 2025 the Ulster Historical Foundation will have a program with IGSI in Minnesota as part of their US Tour. The live event will be held in Mendota Heights, but will also be broadcast as a virtual event. The following morning consultation sessions will be offered at the Minnesota Genealogy Center, where the Irish Collection is held.
- Please join our planning team. Any skills or time you can contribute are welcome.
- We also hold 4 hybrid events and monthly virtual webinars. We welcome more team members to assist with organizing, conducting, and broadcasting these events. Over 3,000 registrants have attended these sessions since 2020.
The Hoffman Research Library and Irish Collection in Mendota Heights, Minnesota
There are many roles available to play, and you don't need to be a librarian or skilled researcher to help. In fact, helping on this experienced team is an excellent opportunity to learn if you wish to build your research skills: addressing member requests, becoming familiar with the Irish Collection (over 3,000 titles), helping library patrons, cataloging the collection, and improving the ways that patrons can pursue their genealogy research. The regular team works together in the Library on Wednesdays, and we have volunteers present in the Library on the second Saturday of each month to assist patrons from 10am - 4pm. Join our team, have fun, and learn!
Membership - Work From Home
- help the Membership Chair in replying to submitted questions
- help to prepare the annual tally of donations to the Society
- help with recruitment of new IGSI members and volunteers
Writing opportunities - Work From Home
The Ginealas e-newsletter (monthly)
- articles on any topic of interest to members: stories, book/software reviews, tips, profiles
- submit an item for one of our regular columns (or suggest others):
Library Corner, Canada Connection, New & Noteworthy, and Know Your Society
- validate & update posted hyperlinks
The Septs journal (quarterly)
- we welcome original articles relating to Irish ancestral research or cultural topics
- submission details and upcoming themes can be found at this link
- help us to plan new technology to make past articles from 150 issues readily available.
Technology, Marketing, & Social Media
As these tools evolve, new talent can help IGSI to be more efficient and effective. Please join us!
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