Ruth C. Bishop Family History Volunteer
Hall of Honor

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is proud to host the Ruth C. Bishop Family History Volunteer Hall of Honor. It is the goal of the Federation to make this the most prestigious yearly award recognizing volunteers in the genealogical community. FGS inducted the first members to the Volunteer Hall of Honor in 2003.

The Volunteer Hall of Honor has two sections:

• Living Volunteer Hall of Honor: Recognizes one person a year, who is chosen from the nominations received from FGS member societies. This award is presented at the FGS Annual Conference Banquet.
• Posthumous Volunteer Hall of Honor: An unlimited number of deceased individuals will be inducted based on the nominations received.

Award Specifications:

• Those to be considered for induction into the Volunteer Hall of Honor can only be nominated by a current FGS member society. Each qualified group may submit one nominee per category per year.
• The Living Volunteer Hall of Honor winner will receive a registration to the FGS conference for the year in which he/she is inducted, five (5) complimentary hotel nights (Tuesday through Saturday at the conference hotel), airfare to the conference, and a ticket to the FGS banquet. The Living Hall of Honor winner will also merit a cash award of $1,000, donated on their behalf, to the nominating society.
• A certificate will be presented to the nominating society for each person inducted into the Posthumous Volunteer Hall of Honor. An additional certificate will be included for the family of the individual inducted.
• The individuals receiving recognition in the Volunteer Hall of Honor will be listed on the FGS Web site.
The criteria for choosing the winner will be based solely on the amount and type of volunteer service rendered. Genealogy background, years of research, education, etc. will not be a part of the criteria.

Nominations:

Nominations for both the Living and Posthumous Awards must be received by May 31, 2008. A panel of seven judges from across North America will consider the merits of each nomination and make the final selections. Nominations must include:

• Name, email address, and postal address of the Nominating Society
• Name, title, and contact information for Nominator
• Name and contact information for Nominee
• Several paragraphs describing the Nominee's service including biographical information on the nominee, volunteer work they have done and how that work has impacted your society and/or genealogical research in your area.

Please take this opportunity to nominate an outstanding volunteer who has made significant contributions to your organization. Also, consider nominating posthumously a member of your society who, during his or her lifetime, made a significant contribution benefiting the genealogical community. The process is simple and easy.

To nominate an individual or society for the Ruth C. Bishop Family History Volunteer Hall of Honor, use the online form. You may also submit your nominations to the FGS Business Office:

Federation of Genealogical Societies
Attn: Ruth Bishop Award
PO Box 200940
Austin, TX 78720-0940

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is proud to have been chosen the administrator of the prestigious Ruth C. Bishop Family History Volunteer Hall of Honor.

We encourage all FGS member societies to participate in this celebration of Volunteers by nominating volunteers to the Ruth C. Bishop Family History Volunteer Hall of Honor!