An organizational meeting of persons interested in forming a computer interest group for genealogists in NW Iowa was held Saturday, January 8, 1994 at the LeMars Public Library in LeMars, Iowa. Darrell Easton of Akron, Iowa was the temporary chairman.
Fourteen people were present. Each person introduced himself/herself and told of computer equipment owned and experiences and expectations related to genealogy research. Officers were elected:
President: Darrell Easton, Akron, Iowa
Vice-President: Stan Bastman, Spencer, Iowa
Secretary: Grace Hertz, Laurens, Iowa
Treasurer: Frank Postma, LeMars, Iowa
After much discussion, the group voted to name themselves the Computer Genies of NW Iowa.  Meetings will be held monthly on the first Saturday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in a location Centrally located in the area (perhaps Primghar). Meeting location will be discussed at the next meeting.
Annual dues for the group will be $5.00/immediate household; dues are to be paid January 1 of the membership year.
The next meeting will be February 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the LeMars Public Library. The secretary will take care of publicity for the meeting; she will notify members about the
next meeting.

The meeting adjourned .
Grace Hertz, Secretary

The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met at 1:30 p.m.  at t he LeMars Public Library.   DarreII Easton president .
Fifteen people were present. Each person introduced himse1f/herself and told briefly of their experience with computer genealogy.
The minutes of the January meeting were read. Stan Bastman moved and Kathy Fisher seconded that they be approved. Motion carried
Treasurer Frank Postma reported that he opened a checking account and deposited the $55 received in dues. Sonny Athens moved and John Winterringer seconded that the report be approved. Motion carried.
There was no old business.
The main business of the meeting was to draft a Constitution and Bylaws. The following Articles were discussed. Members will receive written copies of the proposed constitution and Bylaws at the March meeting and they will be voted upon at the April meeting.
Raymnnd Atwood moved and Kathy Fischer seconded that we be affiliated with the Iowa Genealogical Society. Motion carried
John Winterringer moved that the next meeting be in Spencer on March 5.  Motion carried. Stan Bastman  will make arrangements for a place.
Raymond Atwood moved and John Winterringer seconded that the meeting be adjourned

Alice Dalager, Secretary pro tem

The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, March 5, 1994 at 1:30 p.m. in the Spencer City Council Chambers in City Hall, Spencer, Iowa. Twenty-people were present.
Darrell Easton was in charge of the meeting.  The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The treasurer's report showed a balance on hand of $90.00 (includes dues from 7 new members added at the February meeting). Those present introduced themselves.
A final review was made of the Club Constitution & By-Laws. Changes in several parts of the Constitution were suggested, voted on and passed by those present. Copies of the amended document will be sent to all members; the final vote to approve the Constitution & By-Laws will take place at the April meeting.
More offices were filled:
Co-Librarians: Kathy Fischer & Donna Weatherly (elected)
 Co-Editors of Newsletter: Janice Danielson (elected) & Carol Hansen (appointed)
Assistant to Secretary: Alice Dalager (appointed)
In order for the Computer Genies to become a member of the lowa Genealogical Society, a minimum of ten of the members must belong to the l.G.S. Members who also belong to the l.G.S. include: Janice Danielson, Alice Dalager, Grace Hertz, Vicki & Karen Kessler, John Winterringer and Darryl| Easton; at the April meeting, those present will be asked if anyone else belongs to the l.G.S.
The suggestion was made by Janice Danielson for the club to have hands-on sessions for members to learn about GedCom, Bulletin Boards and various computer genealogy programs.
The next meeting will be Saturday, April 2 at 1:30 p.m. at the LeMars Public Library. The program will be a demonstration of the Brothers Keeper genealogy program. The May meeting will be in Storm Lake; Janice Danielson will make arrangements for meeting location and program.
The meeting was adjourned.

Grace Hertz, Secretary

The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, April 2, 1994 at 1:30 p.m. at the LeMars Public Library. Eleven people were present; those present introduced themselves .
Darrel1 Easton was in charge of the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved . The treasurer's report was not given as the treasurer was not present; three new people joined the organization ($15.00 was added to the treasury as a result ) . Other members of the group who also belong to the Iowa Genealogical Society include Donna Weatherly & Edith Staab; this brings the total to eight who belong to the l.G.S.; when there are ten members
of the Computer Genies who are also members of the I.G.S., the Computer Genies of NW Iowa may al so become a member of the l.G.S . The motion was made by Kathy Fischer, seconded by Donna Weather1y and passed to accept the Constitution and By-Laws as presented. The motion was made by Kathy Fischer, seconded by Donna Weatherly and passed that all paid members by the end of the April 2, 1994 meeting will be considered charter members of the group (25 people). The next meeting will be Saturday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Members will have access to computers with demonstrations of various genealogy programs including Brother's Keeper, P.A.F., and Family Tree Maker . Members were reminded to send surname indexes to Kathy Fischer. The business meeting was adjourned.
Darrel1 Easton gave a demonstration of the Brother' s Keeper genealogy program.
Grace Hertz, Secretary

The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, May 7, 1994 at 1:30 p.m. in the computer lab of the Storm Lake branch of Iowa Central Community College. Twenty-two people
were present; those present introduced themselves.
Darrell Easton was in charge of the meeting. Minutes of the previous meet ins were read and approved . The treasurer's report showed a balance on hand of $145.00. Bills were allowed to Kathy Fischer, Librarian for $20.00 for files and to Darrell Easton - $26.23 for telephone bills. Money was collected from several new members. Two more members of Computer Genies who are also members of  the Iowa Genealogical Society are needed for the group to become a member of the I.G.S. Benefits to the group in becoming a member of the I.G.S. were discussed; the possibility of having a slumber party at the I.G.S. Library in Des Moines was discussed; also
the idea of a slumber party at the LDS Family History Center in Spencer.
A discussion was held about data discs and what to charge someone who wants information from them (librarian has the data discs). The motion was made by Stan Bastman, seconded by Janice Danielson to charge members of Computer Genies $5.00/disc copy printout and non-members $10.00 for the first disc copy printout desired (the $10.00 includes $5.00 for the membership fund & $5.00 to the disc fund; non-members will pay $5.00 for each successive disc printout.  Non-members will be encouraged to share family discs with the
Computer Genies .
The tax exempt status of the club was also discussed.  Several members will check into this matter and report at the June meeting. Future activities of the group were discussed including having a picnic at an upcoming meeting and at the November 1994 meeting holding the 1st annual midwest genealogy computer convention; genealogy groups would be invited to have exhibits; Darrell Easton will begin to make arrangements. The motion was made by Janice Danielson,
seconded by Don Hertz and passed to adjourn the meeting.
The next meeting will be June 4; Janice D. will make arrangements for the meeting which will possibly be at the LDS Family History Center in Spencer.
Those present at the meeting worked on various genealogy computer programs on the computers.

Grace Hertz, Secretary

The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, June 4, 1994 at 1:30 p.m. at the Family History Center in Spencer.  Nine people were present to learn about doing research at the Family History Center and to do their own family research at the Center.
Stan Bastman, Vice-President was in charg of the meeting.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.  The Treasurer's report showed a balance on hand of $104.32.  The Computer Genies have been invited to go back anytime to have more meetings at the computer lab at the Storm Lake branch of I.C.C.C.  The program at the next meetingon July 2 will tentatively be presented by an expert in restoration and preservation of photographs.  It was suggested to do some long-range planning of programs;  suggestions for future programs included computer bulletin boards and copying of old photos (making copy negatives);  Stan Bastman would have the equipment at a meeting to copy old photographs.  The meeting was adjourned.

Grace Hertz, Secretary

    The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, July 2, 1994 at 1:30 p.m.  at the LeMars Public Library .
    Eleven members were present and introduced themselves. The program about preserving photographs was presented by Stephanie Wal1 of Sioux City, a Creative Memories consultant.
Darrell Easton was in charge of the meeting.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The treasure report showed a balance on hand of $104.32.
    Unfinished business included a discussion about the proposed convent   After much discussion, the motion was made by Larry DuVal seconded for a task force to be formed to investigate the possibilities of sponsoring a computer genealogy convent's the motion passed. Larry DuVal will chair the committee.  Means of generating income for the group were discussed; members of the group could help others with their own genealogy research to raise money; publicity could be put the I.G.S. news letter and the Genealogical Helper to advertise the research services of the Computer Genies.
    It was suggested that we send our news letter to other genealogical groups in Iowa and exchange newsletters with Various groups . Two more memberships were added to the Iowa Genealogical Society; Ethel Heidesch and Rose & Larry DuVal.  Genealogy information on CDROM' s is available for purchase through various sources .
    The motion was made by Frank Postma, seconded and passed to adjourn .
Grace Hurtz, Secretary

    The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, August 6, 1994 at 1:30 p.m. at the LeMars Public Library.  Fifteen members and one visitor introduced themselves. The program about Computer Bulletin Boards was presented by Mike Miller, an instructor at Western Iowa Tech (& also a member of the group). He gave explanations of various computer bulletin boards and do's and don't's about BBS's.
    Darrell Easton was in charge of the meeting. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The treasurer's report showed a balance on hand of $79.32. Two new members, Mary Storley and Charles Gaskell, each paid $5.00 annual dues . Darrell passed around a notebook to encourage members to update their lists of surnames in the database. 
    Danielson passed out the group s first newsletter.  Darrell read a letter from the Iowa Genealogical Society reporting that the Computer Genies of NW Iowa could become a
special interest group as part of the l.G.S.; more information about becoming part of the Iowa Genealogical Society will be sent soon from the l.G.S. Larry DuVal passed out a sheet listing decisions needed to be made before organizing a computer genealogy convention (see attached sheet); some of the items were discussed and members were asked to look over the list in preparation for further discussion at the next meeting.
    The next meeting will be September 3 at the Spencer City Hall; Stan Bastman will present the program on scanners; members are to take an old family photograph and a blank computer disc to the meeting; Stan will scan the photo and put it on the disc for each person. The motion was made by Don Hertz, seconded by Ray Atwood and passed to adjourn the meeting .

Secretary pro-tem,
Don Hertz

    The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, September 31 1994 at 1:30 p.m. in the Spencer City Council Chambers in City Hall . Fourteen members and four guests introduced themselves . Stan Bastman presented the program about  Computer scanners; he Scanned old photographs and put them on Computer discs for those Present.
    Darrell Easton was in charge of the meetings   Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved The treasurer's report showed a balance on hand of $89.32. Larry DuVal gave a
report on the proposed computer convention; he passed out an information sheet. If the convention is held, Spring 1996 (March or April?) would be a good time. He has contacted Morningside Colleges Western Iowa Tech and other locations as possible sites for the convention. Members were asked to give ideas for topics in the breakout rooms.
    The suggestion was made for the Computer Genies to work with the Iowa genealogical Society and hold both conventions together at the same time  A decision will be made by December 1 as to whether or not to go ahead with the convention. Members were reminded to get data discs to Kathy Fischer.
    Four members were selected for the auditing & nominating committee: Bob & Donna Weatherly, Kathy Fischer, Earl Belt and John Winterringer; Darrell will contact these people about their responsibilities. The election of officers for 1995 will take place at the December meeting; new officers will he installed at the January 1995 meeting. The Computer Genies will probably be affiliated with the Iowa Genealogical Society with all the benefits as other genealogy groups in the state; the group will not be considered a charter member . The decision about the status of the group will be made at the I.G.S. Annual Meeting in Marshalltown, September 30 -October 1.
    Stan Bastman will make arrangements for the October 1 meeting of Computer Genies; he will chair the meeting as Darrel1 Easton will be at the I.G.S. Annual Meeting.

Gr ace H e r t z
Secretary

    The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, October 1, 1994, at 1:30 p.m. in the Round Room of the Spencer Public library. Vice president Stan Bastman presided.  Fifteen members and one guest introduced themselves.
    The minutes of the September meeting were read and approved with one correction.
    Frank Postma said that the treasury balance on hand on September 3 was $79.32, not $89.32.
Frank reported a new balance of $119.32.
    Frank reported for Grace Hertz, secretary, that a number of people are on the mailing list who are not members and asking whether they should be left on or removed.  The names were read
and several were recognized and left on.  Questions remain on others.
    There was no old business.
    New Business:  President Darrell Easton and several others are attending the Iowa Genealogical Society meeting in Marshalltown this weekend.  We look forward to a report from
them.  Darrell will be having back surgery in Sioux Falls on October 14.
    Tom Folkes moved and June Ames seconded that the meeting be adjourned.
    Stan Bastman presented the program on "Copying Photographs with Your 35mm Camera."

Alice Dalager, Secretary pro tem

    The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, November 5, 1994 at 1:30 p.m. at the Plymouth County Historical Society Museum in LeMars. Sixteen members & two
guests were present.
    President Darrell Easton was in charge of the meeting.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The treasurer's report showed a balance on hand of $124.32.  Darrell reported that the Iowa Genealogical Society has no information on computer genealogy for setting up a computer for the use by the public; members of our group could help them with the computer set-up. Darrell reported about a computer convention held in Cedar Rapids in 1993; he has contacted the hosts of the convention for more information about hosting our own convention.
    Concerning the data discs turned in by members of the group to Kathy Fischer, only one copy of them has been ordered; concern was expressed that no more copies had been ordered. The cost for each disc is $5.00  Members are encouraged to submit an updated data disc and printed surname list each year to the librarian. The motion was made by Kathy Fischer, seconded and passed for the club to place a display ad in the Hawkeye Heritage for one year to advertise our group (1/8 page advertisement - $13.00/issue for a total of $52.00). Members of the nominating committee are Bob & Donna Weatherly, Ethel Heidesch, June Ames & John Winterringer. It was suggested that the newsletter be published on a regular basis such as 4 times a year.
    Darrell Easton & Grace Hertz gave a report of the Iowa Genealogical Society Annual Meeting in October.
    The motion was made by Stan Bastman, seconded and passed for the group to meet for the next regular meeting at a restaurant in LeMars for a noon luncheon and then go to the Plymouth County Historical Society Museum at 1:30 for the regular meeting.

Grace Hertz, Secretary

    The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, December 3, 1994 at 1:30 p.m. at the Plymouth County Historical Society Museum in LeMars. Eleven members and one guest attended. Prior to the meeting some of the members met at the Pantry Cafe in LeMars for a noon Christmas luncheon.  President Darrell Easton presided. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer's report showed a balance on hand of $169.32. Dues for 1995 were collected; new membership forms were completed by those present.
    The Auditing Committee composed of John Winterringer(Chrm), Ethel Heidesch and Bob & Donna Weatherly reported that the Treasurer's books were in order. Larry DuVal reported about the possible location of Buena Vista College in Storm Lake for the proposed convention. He reported on meal costs, housing arrangements, meeting rooms & breakout rooms, and display arrangements.  The motion was made by Darrell Easton, seconded and passed to go ahead with the Buena Vista College location for the genealogy computer conference to be held in the Summer of 1996, preferably in June 1996. Larry will mail letters to all members of the group to ask how they will help. Members were asked to give possible program suggestions for the conference. Darrell will check with the Iowa Genealogical Society about having a combined conference with them.
    It was noted that meetings need to be planned at least 3 months in advance for publicity purposes.  The motion was made by Larry DuVal, seconded and passed that our group will
publish a newsletter quarterly (in January, April, July, and October); it will be mailed to all members.
    It was noted that on the data discs, information from an individual won't necessarily go on just one disc; an individual may only want 1-2 surnames from 3-4 discs that were turned in by one person. It was suggested that the group sell a surname rather than a disc. Only the librarian will
know who turned in the information; the person buying data must contact the librarian.
The Nominating Committee reported that all 1994 officers have consented to continue in 1995 with the exception of the Vice-President; Larry DuVal was nominated to be Vice-President. The motion was made by Donna Weatherly, seconded and passed to elect the proposed slate of officers for 1995.
    The next meeting will be on Saturday, January 7, 1995 at 1:30 p.m. at the LeMars Public Library. Grace Hertz will give the program about documentation "Cite Your Sources". Members
were asked to give program suggestions to Larry.  The motion was made by Bob Weatherly, seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting.

                          Grace Hertz, Secretary

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