The Sault and District Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) in Sault Ste-Marie may close by the end of the year unless people volunteer to fill executive positions.
Mary Anne MacDonald, the branch chair for about ten years, told the Sault Star, “I just simply don’t want to have to do the advertising, chair the meeting, do the agenda, make sure we have a program because we can’t find somebody to do programs.”
OGS president Patti Mordasewicz hopes the branch can find administrative support outside the community. She thinks technology may allow people who live at a distance to handle some of the responsiblities.
The Sault and District Branch covers the District of Algoma. It joined the Ontario Genealogical Society in 1983.
You can read more in the Star article, Shortage of those willing to step up to executive posts could pull plug on Sault Ste. Marie and District branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.
Many groups are facing this problem… Lack of volunteers and board members, and vacancies for executive positions. Perhaps OGS should do some strategic planning for the member groups, as the future for the smaller historical and genealogy societies is precarious. Resources are needed to help the groups remain viable in this technological age.