Polk County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Headquartered in Bolivar, Missouri, United States of America

2004 Minutes

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January

The Polk County Genealogical Society met January 8, 2004 at the PCGS
Library at 7:00 in the evening. There were twenty-four present, including
guests Deanne Murphy and Bill Bob & Judy Kallenbach.

President Susan Sparks called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the December meeting were read. They stood approved as read.

The financial report reported a total balance of $24,488.52.

Susan announced that Chris Thiessen, the only nominee, would fill the position
of Director at Large.

Joyce Burkhart, mail carrier, reported on 2003 activities. She reported the society
received 505 pieces of mail in 2003. Her report is attached.

Susan reported that a "Basic Genealogy Class" is to be held Thursday evening,
January 15 at 7:00.

Susan then introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Bill Bob Kallenbach. He shared
with us the story of Polk County resident, Charles U. Becker. Becker was from the
Wishart community and was our state representative in 1914. It was a very informative
and enjoyable presentation.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50.

Patty Warren

Secretary

Approved March 4, 2004

Attendance: 24 people

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February

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March

The regular monthly business meeting of the Polk County Genealogical Society
met March 4, 2004, at 7:00 p.m.  President Susan Sparks opened the meeting by
welcoming everyone.  As there were several new faces, we went around the room
and each introduced ourselves.

Patty Warren, secretary, read minutes of the November 2003 meeting and those of
the January 2004 meeting.  Those minutes stood approved as read.

Julie Trout , treasurer reported the following:
Checking $4,688.22
Building Fund $14,897.01
Petty Cash         $64.32
Savings    $8,616.49
Total $28,266.04

Membership 205 as of March 1, 2004.

Julie then presented  the 2003 financial summary.  It is attached.

Acknowledgements were then made to Lou Thelen Kemp and to Roy Kirchner for
their generous gifts.   Mrs. Kemp's gift was a bound set of volumes of the 1870
Missouri Census Index and the United States 1790 Census.  Mr. Kirchner's gift was the Heritage-Quest Missouri Census 1830-1930.

Leta Gass reported that our contract with the County Commissioners was about to be
completed.

The evening's program began with a video, courtesy of Commissioner Roy Harms. 
The topic of the video was the old county jail.  Then Linda Crawford presented some
information from the Old Jail notes from Sheriff Eagon.  Susan and Leta had gleaned
some old jail information from the courthouse, which they shared with us.  The program
ended with those present sharing stories they knew about the jail and the sheriffs that ran
them. 

Meeting was adjourned.

There were 25 present.

Patty Warren, Secretary

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April

The regular monthly business meeting of the Polk County Genealogical Society
met April 1, 2004 at 7:10 p.m.  President Susan Sparks opened the meeting by
welcoming everyone.

Patty Warren, secretary, read minutes of the March 2004 meeting.  Those minutes
stood approved as read.

Julie Trout , treasurer reported the following:
Checking $4,407.76
Building Fund $13,875.67
Petty Cash         $64.32
Savings     $5551.45
Total            $23,899.20
Membership 144 as of April 1, 2004.

President Sparks presented the contract for historic records preservation.  The group
then authorized the Board of Directors to sign this contract with an unanimous vote.

Thanks go to Dean Polly for donating a Polk County plat chart.

Committee reports included one from Leta Gass, who reported that the obit file was
now cleaned-up.  The committee is now working on the organization of the funeral cards.

A review of the agenda for our Annual conference was made.  Linda reported that
Hazel Voris would be here from OGS.  If a special book was desired, please see her. 
She also announced that OGS had the second part of the Polk County 1900 Census
ready and it would be available at conference for $23.00.

Susan reported that we were now a formal non-profit organization.

Bunny Jones announced that she was collecting Mother's and Father's Day stories
for Local Life.

The evening's program was presented by Charles Gass. He had a very interesting
presentation about the old land surveys. 

Meeting was adjourned.

There were 28 present.
Patty Warren, Secretary

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May

The regular monthly business meeting of the Polk County Genealogical Society
met May 6, 2004 at 7:10 p.m.  Vice-President Linda Crawford opened the meeting
by welcoming everyone.

Patty Warren, secretary, read minutes of the March 2004 meeting.  Those minutes
stood approved as read.

Julie Trout , treasurer reported the following:
Checking $4,732.51
Building Fund     $9,398.32
Petty Cash         $56.31
Savings     $5,556.38
Total             $20,043.52
Membership 148 as of May 1, 2004.

A report was given concerning the Preservation Supplies Grant.  It was granted and
will total $4,998.00.  We were also updated on the Historic Preservation Grant.

Leta Gass reported that the inventory was completed and will be available in print form.

Committee reports included one from Leta Gass, who reported that the funeral cards
were indexed and that this index was ready to be put on our web site.

Linda reported that the Family History Book had come back for the second time, that
the proof reading was complete and we had sent it back to the publisher.  We are waiting
for the history portion to come back for its second proof-reading.

Charles Gass gave tour of the improvements made on the upstairs.

The evening's program was presented by Dale and Joanna Newcomb.  They gave us a
Power Point presentation entitled "Propaganda in Coins."  It was a very informative and
enjoyable presentation.   They finished a program with an Q & A session that was lengthy
due to our numerous questions.

Linda adjourned the meeting at 8:40.

There were 19 present.
Patty Warren, Secretary

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June

The Polk County Genealogical Society met for its regular monthly meeting on June 3, 2004
at the PCGS Library. The meeting was opened at 7:00 by president Susan Sparks. She
asked the guests in attendance to introduce themselves.

In the absence of PCGS secretary Patty Warren, vice president Linda Crawford read the
report. It was approved.

Julie Trout gave the treasurer’s report as of that day. Checking account was $1,062.80.
The building account was 9,354.80. The savings account was $5, 558.74 with $61.64 in
petty cash. This came to a total of $16,037.98 with $590 to be deposited still. The grant
fund is at $1000.63. We have not received a check yet for the second grant. The membership
is at 149.

Susan stated that the correct date for the School Days Reunion was September 11, not
September 4.

She also told about the crew from PBS’s show The History Detectives being in the
genealogy library to film some of the episode on Pretty Boy Floyd and the gun which a
member of the Kee family has that they say belonged to Pretty Boy.

The "Sons of Confederate Veterans" were to join PCGS for a combined program, for a
program presented by Linda Cushman who is the author of the book All for the Southern
Cause. She was introduced by Mark Sparks. She spoke for 45 minutes and that was
followed by a "Question and Answer" session.

The meeting was dismissed at 8:30 with 54 present.

Submitted by Linda Crawford in the absence of Patty Warren.

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July

The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, July 1, 2004 at 7:00 P. M. at the PCGS Library. President Susan Sparks called the meeting to order. The minutes were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was given.

Checking $1,328.41
Building $8,329.33
Petty Cash $59.88
Savings $5,558.74
Total $15,276.36

Membership 152

Susan reported on the Delarue Grant, microfilm project, garage sale, and open house.

James presented the change in Monday hours from 10:00 to 7:00 to 10:00 to 2:00. Mike Jones moved to make the change and it was seconded by Bob Phillips. Motion carried.

The evening's program was presented by our twins, Rena Smith and Reva Altic. They shared Overcash history and highlights of their trip to their ancestral home in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. It was a delightful presentation.

There were 28 present.
Patty Warren, Secretary

Attendance:

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August

The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, August 1, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the PCGS Library. Vice-president Linda Crawford called the meeting to order. The minutes were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was given.

Checking $1,446.33
Building $4,649.90
Petty Cash $55.45
Savings $5,563.38
Total $11,715.05

Membership 158

Reports

• Bunny reported on the Family History Book. It is projected to be completed in September or October. We are waiting to make the blue line corrections. The book contains over 700 family histories.
• James reported that library volunteers are needed the next two weeks on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Bob updated us on his files.
• Joyce updated us on the Rural School Reunion coming up on September 11.
• Bob reported on the equipment purchased from the former Micromagic auction.
• Joyce gave a summary of the questionnaire from last meeting. The number one suggestion was to paint the wall.
• Linda reported on our Open House. She thanked Teresa for the beautiful rose bouquets and Chris for sharing her orchids.
• Linda asked for volunteers for our table at the OGS conference.
• Left over yard sale items are available for anyone who would like them.
• Julie read a postcard from Charles & Leta.

Ladies from the DAR presented the Society a CD of the Index of Old Probate Records.

Linda announced the Preservation Workshops in Nevada, MO, those who are interested in going, please inquire at the library.

Our next meeting will be September 2 with Charles Gass presenting a program on Lewis & Clark.
The evening’s program was presented by Jim Hamilton, editor of the Herald-Free Press. He shared with us many of his past columns.

Meeting adjourned.

There were 32 present.

Attendance:

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September

The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, September 2, 2004 at 7:00 P. M. at the PCGS Library. President Susan Sparks called the meeting to order. The meeting began with the reading of the announcements. Announcements were about the following:

• Rural School Reunion and Downtown Festival September 11 – workers needed
• Ozarks Genealogical Society Conference, Sept. 17-18 in Springfield
• "History Detectives" show on Pretty Boy Floyd – September 13 at 8 p.m. PBS
• Local Records Grant paperwork has been sent
• Workshop on Historic Resources October 20 at the Library Center Springfield
• Archives workshop October 20 at Bushwhacker Museum in Nevada
• The PCGS will be closed on Library Sept. 6 for Labor Day

Please see attached September agenda for details.

The minutes were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was given.

Checking $1,615.43

Building $4,649.90

Petty Cash $85.79

Savings $5,563.38

Total $11,914.50

Memebership 164

Reports

• We received another box of goodies from Dr. Hall. It included books and microfilm
• We are sending to thank yous to DAR for their gift of the American Spirit Magazine and to Jim Hamilton for the following newspapers – the Reflex, the Cedar County paper, and both the Wednesday and Friday issues of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press.
• Bunny reported on the Family History Book. The blueline has come and went. Jim Hamilton and Jim Watson came and took pictures of the process. The book is expected before the end of the year, hopefully in mid October.

We voted not to have a bake sale at the School Reunion, but did vote to sell soda.

Updated by-laws were presented and voted upon. 14 votes were needed for each article to pass. The vote was as follows:

Mission Statement 20 Yes 0 No 1 Abstaining

Article IV 20 Yes 0 No 1 Abstaining

Article V 19 Yes 1 No 1 Abstaining

Article VI 20 Yes 0 No 1 Abstaining

Standing Rules 21 Yes 0 No

Program for the October meeting will be a sharing from the membership. Topic will be announced later

The evening’s program was presented by Charles Gass. He shared the story of his third great uncle, Patrick Gass, who was a member of the Lewis & Clark expedition. Charles was dressed for the period in a costume made by his mother. He had several great stories to share with us, to help this great story to come alive. Great Job! Charles!

Meeting adjourned at 9:15.

22 in attendance

Patty Warren, Secretary

Attending:

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October

The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the PCGS Library.  Prior to the meeting, a group picture was taken by Katie Duncan to commemorate our 10^th anniversary.  President Susan Sparks called the meeting to order and welcomed guest Julie Burris, Chris Thiessen’s granddaughter.  The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Julie Trout, treasurer, gave the financial report which included the following:

Checking $2,014.49
Building $4,384.99
Petty Cash $60.20
Savings $5,568.03
Total $12,027.71

Membership 166

Announcements were as follows:

• History Book -- $2,000.00 will be taken out of savings to purchase extra books. As of today 751 books were sold at the pre-sale price. Seven books have been sold at the new price. Books are expected by the end of October.
• A report was given on the status of the preservation grant.
• Linda Crawford, vice-president, asked for request for songs for the December meeting. She also asked for refreshments for that meeting.
• Halloween on the square is October 30 and 31, the society will be participating in the trick-or-treat. We will decorate the front of the library. Donations of treats and volunteers are needed.
• The Chamber of Commerce Open House weekend is November 6^th & 7^th. Again we will need donations of refreshments and volunteers.
• Thanks to Daisy’s niece, Sandra Stovall Richardson, for her donation of microfilm, census records, periodicals, microfilm reader and microfiche reader.
• Thanks to Gary Ayres for his donation of an original copy of the 1902 Humansville Book.
• Thanks to Mr. Roy Kirchner, Jr. for his donation of a new computer.
• Thanks to Noel Gladden for his donation of the Independence School Record Books.
• October is National Family History month.
• Upcoming workshops are “Personal Care of Records” at the Springfield Library and the second archive workshop at Nevada. See Susan for more details.
• Susan shared a letter from Dr. Hall with us.
• Our annual conference is April 2^nd. The following speakers have agreed to present with no charge to us:  Marsha Rising, Gordon McCann and Hal Funk.

Linda Crawford, chair of the nomination committee, presented the following slate of officers for consideration as officers for 2005:

President – Susan Sparks

Vice-president – Mike Jones

Secretary – Patty Warren

Treasurer – Julie Trout

Director-at-Large – James Whitman

There were no nominations from the floor.

The evening's program was a sharing by those in attendance of the surnames they are researching and of the brick walls they might have. A test next month will be given, with a prize for the winner.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 with 25 present.

Patty Warren, Secretary

Attendance:

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November

The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, November 4, 2004 at 7:00 P. M. at the PCGS Library. President Susan Sparks called the meeting to order and welcomed guest Carol Tucker Whitman. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Julie Trout, treasurer, gave the financial report which included the following:

Checking $1566.08
Building $3157.48
Petty Cash $74.69
Savings $3583.88
Total $8382.13

Membership 171

Announcements were as follows:

• The PCGS Library now has DSL Internet Access on one phone line. No other lines were needed.
• Jack Glendenning has given the society a large Polk County 1881 wall map. The Secretary of State’s office has approved the map for preservation by the state archives. The archives are willing to remove the varnish from the map. They will then preserve the map and send it back to us. We need to decide whether we want to frame and hang the map or archive it. A digital image of the map will also be given to us. A discussion was held on this. A decision will be made by the officers. A “show of hands” agreed to allow the state archives to proceed with the preservation.
• Carol Poindexter, Polk County Record of Deeds, gave the society the old microfilm reader from her office as she has a new one. It still is under warranty and has a contract service.
• Roy Kirchner, Jr. has purchased the Cedar County newspaper on microfilm 1880-1890. ($500)
• President Sparks gave an update on conference speakers. Sandy Hempe and Diane McKinney, from the state archives, will be presenting a session “Do It Yourself Archiving at Home.” Flyers will be competed next week for our conference. A discussion of a need for reservation for vendors followed.
• President Sparks proposed a project for next October’s Family History Month. Her proposal would be a “Living History Tour of Greenwood Cemetery.” The Mayor and Dale Newcomb have been approached with this project. President Sparks explained the idea behind this project is to have different members to present short presentations of different people buried in the cemetery. Mayor Ealy would like to be Jack Killingsworth. John Rutherford of the SCV may send some members to participate. This project is proposed to happen the first or second weekend in October of 2005. We cannot charge admission for this event, but can take donations. There followed a discussion of having flags on veterans graves.
• Charlie Gass has installed UV film on all light fixtures to protect our documents.
• Our December is a sing-a-long & party. It is December 2^nd.
• Our Halloween activities on Saturday night were a great success. Sunday night was rained out.
• Christmas Open House is this coming weekend. President Sparks encouraged all members to come down and join us. We have a “Hospitality Site." Baked goods are needed. Purchases that day will be gift wrapped.

Ballots were passed out for the election of officers.

The following were elected as the PCGS 2005 officers.

President – Susan Sparks

Vice-president – Mike Jones

Secretary – Patty Warren

Treasurer – Julie Trout

Director-at-Large -- James Whitman

Julie Trout presented the evening's program. It was a follow up quiz from last month’s program. The quiz was completed as a group.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 with 20 present.

Prepared by Patty Warren, Secretary, minutes taken by member

Attendance:

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December

The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, December 2, 2004 at 7:00 P. M. at the PCGS Library. Vice president Linda Crawford called the meeting to order. The minutes of the last meeting were not read in the absence of Patty Warren. Julie Trout, treasurer, gave the financial report which included the following:

Checking $1847.97
Building $2870.08
Petty Cash $95.41
Savings $5571.76
Total $10,385.22

Membership 177

Announcements were as follows:

• Tuesday December 14 is executive meeting, with new officers going to bank to update accounts at 11:00 a.m.
• James Whitman asked for volunteer help in the library.

Special presentations were made at this time:

To Linda Crawford from the society, a plaque for her service as an officer

To Bunny Jones from the society, a plaque for her time and effort on the Family History Book

To Bunny Jones from Linda Crawford, napkins for her and effort on the Family History Book

Linda and Jack Crawford led the program with the showing of Christmas cards. They then led us in group singing of Christmas favorites.

Meeting adjourned with 20 present.

Prepared by Patty Warren, Secretary, minutes taken by member

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Business meetings are the first Thursday of every month at the
Polk County Genealogical Society Research Facility, on the square in Bolivar, MO

Copyright 2003-2010, Polk County Genealogical Society, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Last revised: January 27, 2010

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