In yesterday’s Crème de la crème post, you may have read the article, Genealogy society could fold, about the dire situation of the Norfolk Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. Because of dwindling membership, from 200 to 125, and volunteer fatigue, this branch may have to fold. Not enough people are attending meetings and the remaining members of the executive are becoming tired.
The Norfolk Branch needs more volunteers if it wants to continue. If your ancestors came from Norfolk County — or even if they didn’t — volunteering for them may interest you. Perhaps some volunteering can also be done from far away, although it appears the priority is to fill executive and committee chair positions.
Alan Campbell, president of the Ontario Genealogical Society, issued the following notice to members and former members in its weekly e-newsletter.
“This is a reminder that there is meeting of Norfolk County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society on Sept. 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Delhi Seniors Centre, 418 Queen Street, Delhi, Ontario. This meeting is being held to vote to become an inactive Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. The vote is being taken simply because new volunteers have not come forward to fill the positions on the Executive and those of Committee Chairs. It would be unfortunate if a Branch that was chartered in October of 1987, were to move to inactive status with the resulting loss of easier access to family history materials by researchers.
“Potential volunteers are welcome to contact either Co-chair of Norfolk Branch for more information prior to the meeting: Marie Shull at rmb@xplornet.com or Shirley Godfree at sgodfree@oxford.net.”
Let’s hope there is good news in the near future for the Norfolk Branch.
