Committees

Advocacy Committee

The APG Advocacy Committee promotes members' awareness of laws and activities which may affect genealogical and historical research and engages in activities to improve access to records.

Members: Alec Ferretti (Chair); Kelly Barbano-Bodami, Renee K. Carl, Rich Venezia, Michael Waas

Awards Committee

The APG Awards Committee selects the persons who will receive the various awards given by APG on an annual basis.

Members: Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG (Chair); Francine Crowley Griffis, CG; Mark A. Wentling, CG

Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws Committee was constituted on 23 September 2021 to review and update the Bylaws to better serve the organization. They were last reviewed in 2017.

Members: Margaret R. Fortier, CG (Chair); Dawn Carlile, Teresa Devine, Michael Ramage, J.D., CG

Chapter & SIG Review Committee

Standing Committee. The bylaws required at least three (3) members, one of whom must be a director. The chair of this committee is the Chapter and SIG Liaison. The APG Chapter Review Committee reviews the bylaws of new chapters and Special Interest Groups applying for charters and presents their recommendations to the Board regarding approval.

Members: Jessica M. Taylor (Chapter Liaison & Chair); Michelle Custer Bates, Dana Leeds

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s focus is to ensure APG serves all professional genealogists regardless of age, national origin, gender identity, disability, race, or color. In addition, this Committee will help to inform and educate members and committees regarding best practices related to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Members: Melinda Kashuba, PhD (Chair); Grant Din, Ricki King, Victoria Kolakowski, Pat Richley-Erickson

International Affairs Committee

The APG International Affairs Committee promotes members' awareness of international developments which may affect genealogical and historical research. It also promotes awareness of, and interest in, professional genealogical services on an international level.

Members: Nefi Arenas Salazar (Chair); Rose Cohen, Chris Paton, David Ryan, Cathie Sherwood, Jessica M. Taylor

Listening Committee

The Listening Committee receives communications from members containing compliments, questions, concerns, and recommendations. The committee reports member communications to the board, along with any recommendations for action, and responds to the members about the outcomes.

Members: John Boeren, LLM, PLCGS (Chair); Sheila Benedict, Lynn Broderick, Joe Hunter, Vicky Lambert, Shaunese Luthy

Long-Range Planning Committee

The Long-Range Planning Committee was constituted 15 October 2021 to examine the current state of APG, envision what the organization should/could be, and make recommendations for actions that will take us to that future.

Members: Suzanne L. Hoffman (Chair); John Boeren, LLM, PLCGS; Alec Ferretti; Laura Kovarik; Amanda Perrine

Marketing Committee

The APG Marketing Committee promotes an awareness of, and interest in, professional genealogical services as well as the members of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Members:  Ricki King (Chair); Dana Goolsby Jones, Theresa McVean, Amber Oldenburg, Ann Wead-Kimbrough

Member Benefits Committee

The APG Member Benefits Committee seeks ways to enhance the value of an APG membership by identifying and securing discounts to services and products used by APG members.

Members: Karin Coppernoll (Chair); Cinda Baxter, Cathie Sherwood, Carla Sparks

Nominations Committee

Standing Committee. The bylaws require three (3) members, one of whom must be a director appointed by the Board. Two members are elected annually by the membership. The APG Nominations Committee publicizes the need for qualified nominees via a variety of channels to ensure a strong pool of candidates, issues a call for nominations for elected positions, and recommends a slate of candidates.

Members: Vacant

Professional Development Committee

Standing Committee. The bylaws require at least three (3) members, one of whom must be a director. The APG Professional Development Committee encourages, promotes, and provides educational opportunities for those engaged in genealogical business pursuits.

Members: Jenifer Kahn Bakkala (Chair); Shannon Byers, Margaret R. Fortier, CG, Daniel Loftus, Angela Packer McGhie, Susan O'Connor, Amanda Perrine

Professional Management Conference Committee

The Professional Management Conference Committee provides assistance as needed to the contracted PMC Coordinator to conduct the annual Professional Management Conference.

Members:  Dawn Carey Henry, Coordinator, Suzanne L. Hoffman and Doug Morrison-Cleary (programs), Amber Oldenburg (social media)

Professional Review Committee

Standing Committee. The bylaws require at least three (3) members, one of whom must be a director. The APG Professional Review Committee reviews complaints about members relating to the APG Code of Ethics and Professional Standards, and presents their findings and recommendations to the Executive Committee for action.

The members of this committee are confidential and were approved by the Board of Directors in January 2022.

Publications Advisory Committee

Standing Committee. The bylaws required at least three (3) members, one of whom must be a director appointed by the board. The APG Publications Advisory Committee reviews and approves all publications of the Association of Professional Genealogists, including but not limited to the Quarterly (APGQ), APG eNews, online content for the APG website, press releases, flyers, and other content including items distributed by chapters and special interest groups (SIGs) to ensure that printed and electronic materials best represent the standards and policies of the organization.

Members: Deborah Harvey (Chair); Jenifer Kahn Bakkala; Corey Oiesen

Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee recommends criteria and application processes for awarding APG scholarships to the board for approval, receives and evaluates applications, and recommends scholarship awardees to the board for approval.

Members: Chair to be appointed; Melinda Kashuba, PhD

Virtual Coordination Committee

The Virtual Coordination Committee advises the board, committees, and the Executive Director on best practices for using virtual technology, provides training as needed, and ensures that all virtual events meet a high standard of professionalism.

Members: Suzanne L. Hoffman

Website Committee

The Website Committee monitors and evaluates the performance of the APG website with particular emphasis on how well it is serving the needs of members and other users. The committee makes recommendations to the board for improvements to the website’s capabilities.

Members: Suzanne L. Hoffman (Chair); Fiona Brooker, Kerry Scott, Cathie Sherwood