Special Thanks!

Holding an institute in a virtual format is a unique challenge that comes with headaches and triumphs. As SLIG Academy now has wrapped up, we want to thank the woman who has made much of the success of this year's virtual programs possible: Cinda Baxter.

Last year, Cinda joined the SLIG committee as we transitioned to a virtual format and took to her new position and responsibilities with gusto. She elevated the entire SLIG experience with her knowledge and expertise. She dedicated a significant amount of time to make sure that courses were set up correctly, Hive Minders and others received proper technical training, students were outfitted with tools for their success, and the faculty were equipped to teach and deal with technical hiccups.

"Above and beyond" might be the best way to describe Cinda's work. In addition to her regular duties, she posted countless online "Zoom Ziplines" and other helpful tools and continued to innovate throughout the SLIG experience. Her ideas helped bring SLIG to life in this virtual year, and it was such a success.

We can't thank her enough, and we couldn't have had a better virtual coordinator for this year. Thank you for everything Cinda!

The Folks Behind the Scenes at SLIG

It takes a village to run a program. Or something like that :) 

These are the folks behind the scenes at SLIG 2021: committee members that work year-round, some who join in the fun for the last few months or weeks, and the on-site tech support team.

Each and every one played a key role in making this year's program a success! As we wrap-up SLIG 2021 and move toward the Academy for Professionals, we need to pause a moment to say

THANKS!

It was a small core group this virtual year:

• Cinda Baxter, Virtual Technical Coordinator
• Zachary Hamilton, Registrar
• Mary Kathryn Kozy, Syllabus Coordinator and Website/Database Manager
• Cheri Hudson Passey, Marketing

Which was expanded in December and January:

• Liz Miller, "Gal Friday"
• Amberly Beck, Photographer
• Sue Petersen, Hospitality (this year that meant stuffing and labeling and shipping!)
• Sherri Hessick, Dropbox support

We were also supported by members of the UGA Board:

• Whitney Tolman, UGA Administrator (year-round keeper of membership and funds)
• Tristan Tolman, UGA Tech Support Team
• Gerhard Ruf, UGA Tech Support Team
• Peggy Lauritzen, UGA Tech Support Team

SLIG would not be SLIG without each one of them passionately caring for the outcome of this educational experience.

Photo above:

Front row, left to right: Peg Ivanyo, Cinda Baxter, Zachary Hamilton, Mary Kathryn Kozy, Cheri Passey

Second row, l to r: Liz Miller, Amberly Beck, Whitney Tolman, Sue Petersen

Third row, l to r: Tristan Tolman, Gerhard Ruf, "Miss Peggy" Lauritzen, Sherri Hessick

Committee Highlight: Virtual Technical Coordination

Many of you have already "met" Cinda Baxter in her role as SLIG's Virtual Technical Coordinator. Others are likely familiar with her as a genealogist, fan of all things creative and tech, and frequent SLIG (and other institutes) attendee.

It is thanks to Cinda that we have a very firm foot on the ground as we move toward the intensity of holding SLIG and Academy programs in a virtual environment for 2021. She hit the ground running when she joined the committee in July, surveying faculty about their virtual program experiences and preferences, reviewing and recommending support options, and even creating a poll to name the 2021 Tech Hosts to keep SLIG "uniquely SLIG." 

Naturally, Cinda adds polish and pizazz to everything she does, so we can expect the best virtual experience possible at SLIG and the Academy this year!

You can read more about Cinda here.

Changing of the Guard: Registration

It is with sadness that we wish Mary Jane Saylor farewell as the SLIG Registrar. 

Mary Jane has served SLIG well over the course of several years. First as assistant registrar, then as marketing coordinator, and after a brief hiatus, registrar. 

I particularly appreciate the fact that Mary Jane joined the committee to help me as a friend rather than out of any particular need to serve. And her loyalty over the years has been greatly appreciated. If I needed something she was there to help, whether she lived in Utah, China, Oregon, or Indiana!

We all wish her well as she now sails into the sunset of post-SLIG service toward more grandchildren, research, quilting, and I suspect a variety of other fun projects!

Thank you Mary Jane!

Welcome Mr. Zachary Hamilton, our new registrar.  

Zachary has worn several hats over the past few years, so for those who have attended SLIG, he will not be an unfamiliar face. Before he was an official member of the committee, Mary Jane recruited him to assist with registration preparations on-site. 

He has since not only continued in that role, but helped with exhibit marketing, door prizes, is currently providing technical backup support for fall courses, and been a great "Guy Friday" during this year of transition, willing to provide support wherever needed. Zachary also serves on the UGA Board of Directors, which gives him . . . yes, more hats! 

So "hats off" to Zachary for accepting the challenge of taking over this role mid-program-season. He is already busy reviewing orders to become familiar with each one in order to serve you well.

Welcome Zachary. Here's to wearing one hat for awhile :)

Behind the Scenes at SLIG: Valerie Hansen

Valerie Byrd Hansen is another dynamic member of the Salt Lake institute of Genealogy (SLIG) 2018 committee. 


Eight years ago Valerie joined the SLIG committee and today still serves as the registrar for all the events that SLIG handles: SLIG itself; the fall Virtual Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum taught and coordinated by the impressive Angela Packer McGhie, CG; and the newest event, Tech Day, on January 20, 2018.

Valerie Byrd Hansen

Living in St. Helens, Oregon--which, by the way, is NOT the St. Helena of volcano renown--does not keep her from doing what she does best: helping other people, fixing issues, and making friendships. Valerie  is quick to praise SLIG, "I've met so many people through SLIG. It is totally amazing and rewarding!'

Her favorite memory of SLIG is attending with her both her mother and her mother-in-law. Atta girl, Valerie, for making genea memories with your family!

Valerie was asked what she would do with six more hours in her day. As supervisor of a medical records department by day, and as wife, mother and grandmother 24 hours a day, Valerie's first thought was that she would get more sleep. Her final thought, however, is that she would spend more time with her family and working on her genealogy...at SLIG, of course!

Until next time, the next committee member, and the next Behind the Scenes SLIG 2018! 

Behind the SLIG Scenes: J. Paul Hawthorne

SLIG is amazing, isn't it? The instructors and the students are the magic--but who sets up the magic?  The magical SLIG committee, that's who!  Before SLIG 2018 happens, this blog will feature each dynamic member of the committee.

J. Paul Hawthorne is a familiar face to to those who follow him on Facebook, Instagam, and Twitter. His gentle humor often features hats, masks, and digital appendages. Paul jumped at the chance when asked to join the committee as the Social Media Marketing Coordinator for SLIG in 2016.

Named for his paternal grandfather, James Boardman Hawthorne and his father, Paul Hawthorne, he started adding the “J” before his middle name when he joined the family tractor business in Southern California.

Paul says he enjoys the comradery between the committee members, the leadership of the Director, Peg Ivanyo, and the freedom within a framework that fits his personality.

His favorite SLIG memory is as a "first-timer." Paul shares that at his first Welcome Reception, he was overwhelmed. He not only saw all his genealogy heroes, but about half of the students there were actually teachers that he had learned from at conferences! He was intimidated, but he “stepped up to the plate and did his best”.

Paul likes a deep blue color because it is like his thoughts. These same thoughts were responsible for the unique and imaginative #mycolorfulancestry color coded Excel family tree charts that went viral last year. Keep on thinking, Paul! 

Until next time, the next committee member, and the next Behind the Scenes SLIG 2018 magic!