Nominations Are Open

 

Recently, in her Monday blog, Diahan Southard reflected on leadership  by relating how she followed her sister to get to an unknown location.

Thanks to GPS, I hadn’t followed someone through traffic in years. That is, until I found myself trailing my sister through Seattle the old-fashioned way.   Not far into our drive, we got stuck behind a slow truck in the right lane. But my sister couldn’t pass without risking losing me, so I had to make the first move, change lanes, and then let her slide in ahead.   The rest of the way to our destination I thought about the seeming incongruity of this situation. I didn’t know where I was going, so I was following someone else. But then to get there most efficiently, I had to be willing to go first. I had to step out and actually make a space for my leader to lead. [1]

This is a profound way to view leadership, especially for someone who is thinking of stepping into a new role.  There always comes a point at which the new leaders make the positions theirs. With the support and guidance of the older leaders, they can maintain a strong organization as they develop their own ideas.

It is the time of year that we have to begin thinking about the May election of officers for South King County Genealogical Society. Nominations are now open for Vice President and Secretary, two-year terms beginning June 1, 2026, for each office. In order to meet goals along the way, we need to have candidates by the end of March.

It is extremely important that we get candidates for these offices.  You may not be aware that we were unable to find a presidential candidate to succeed Valorie Zimmerman when she retired after four years of service. Since June 1, 2025, the society has been led by a quinumvirate composed of past presidents and current elected officers. Two of those elected officers will be retiring this year after their four years of service.

We have to face the brutal truth about our present leadership—we are aging out! Several of us are octogenarians. Our vision of a viable progressive Society is strong but, after cataract surgery and macular degeneration, our physical eyesight is growing dim. We are mobile thanks to replacement parts—hips, knees, heart valves—and our daily schedules may include an afternoon nap.

Our older leaders have to pull back to allow younger, new people to move into the leadership roles. And we have had good volunteers take up positions on committees and library help desks. We are grateful for these volunteers.  In the last few years several smaller genealogical societies have ceased to exist because they couldn't attract younger members. We have grown thanks to our virtual meetings and special interest groups.

But we need people to step up for the board office positions. We are incorporated in the State of Washington and must abide by the Bylaws and Standing Rules we have on file. Section 5.5.3. – Quorum. To conduct any board meeting where voting is required, three elected officers will constitute a quorum, unless otherwise specified in the bylaws or standing rules. 

Without officers, we cannot continue as an incorporated organization. Without officers, the board cannot conduct business such as approving a budget so we can pay guest speakers. After 42 years of service to our communities, we are in danger of folding because we can't fill our board officer positions.

It may sound as if we are looking for warm bodies to fill these positions and, as opposed to looking for candidates on Find-A-Grave, yes, we are looking for warm bodies. But we are looking for energetic, dedicated warm bodies. people to carry the Society forward.

If you are still reading this, you know I am speaking to you. Let’s get rid of some of your reluctance.

“I don’t know how to lead this group and I don’t have any ideas.” You will have the support of well-seasoned retired leaders; ask one or more to be your mentors. We don’t expect you to have all the new ideas and answers; we’ll come up with those collectively as needed.  What we do ask you to have is fresh energy and dedication.

“I can’t commit to a four-year term.”  We are asking you to commit to a two-year term which has an option for re-election to a second two-year term. Term limits apply after the second term in order to avoid burnout and to make room for other energetic candidates.

“I don’t live in South King County.” Our current secretary, Melanie Hinds, lives in Illinois. She is retiring this year after four years of excellent service.  She quickly learned the local acronyms-BECU, UDub ‘Go Dawgs”; she was able to mentally locate East Hill, Westside and The Valley.  She learned to spell Puyallup and SeaTac. If you have questions about the position, email secretary@skcgs.org

“I might do Vice President but I don’t want to go on to be President.” We recognize that the two offices have different functions and do not expect the VP to automatically run for the President office.

If you have other questions please email v.zimmerman@skcgs.org for questions about President or Vicepresident@skcgs.org about that position.

Are you willing to be nominated for any of these positions? President for the remainder of term expiring  May 31, 2027 or Vice President or Secretary for term expiring May 31, 2028, please email member-at-large@skcgs.org

 

Respectfully submitted

MaryLynn Strickland
Member-at-large

 

 

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[1] Monday Minute with Diahan Southard "Taking the lead when I wasn't in charge," 12/15/2025

Send your stories to m.strickland@skcgs.org

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