Report on the 2011 Annual Meeting and Reunion, Portland, OR

by Jeanne Arnold Jeffries, President

The Annual Meeting and Reunion and Board Meeting was a success in every way from my point of view.  The Board took a risk and decided to rotate meetings from East to Mid America to West.  In Michigan, attendees from Michigan and Ohio and IN came.  In Portland, CA, WA and OR people came. To me, it confirms our hope that more will attend when we meet in their geographic area.  We had so much help from everyone there.  Volunteers roll up their sleeves and go to work.  Linda Williams and Barbara Gomez are awesome.

The Board meeting accomplished necessary tasks.  Wayne Nelson presented and the Board approved as did the Annual Meeting, the amendments to the Bylaws.  Jeanne Arnold Jeffries presented, and the Board and Annual meeting approved, the nominations of Barbara Gomez as Treasurer following the resignation of Keith Sheldon. Keith had served 16 years faithfully filling that position. The nominations of Keith Sheldon (to fill term 2011-12), Linda Williams (term 2011-14)and Marjorie Julian (term 2011-14) as Directors were similarly approved.

Keith Sheldon recommended restoration of the donations to the three museums (Norwalk OH, Middlebury VT and Deerfield MA). The donations were suspended two years ago. After discussion, member Haven Baxter, Oregon, suggested that SFA contact the museums to determine if a reciprocal relationship with some benefit to SFA members could be developed, such as free admittance for SFA members to the museum.  The Board and Membership voted to approve this suggestion.

Three proposals regarding the lineage database were discussed. The Board decided to choose the proposal presented by Linda Williams from the University of Michigan, School of Information. Linda has a contact there who will arrange a study of SFA and all database issues. The board discussed the computer reports from Jeanne and from Rose Sheldon Newton and unanimously chose the University of Michigan proposal.

Reports from committees included Wendy Black who managed a very successful Reunion, and Peter Jeffries, DNA Administrator, who reported news of a possible connection between Isaac Sheldon of Northhampton, MA and 13 John Sheldon of South Kingstown RI.

The Reunion Planning Committee met Sunday morning to review all elements of the meeting.  Wendy Black will share the results of the evaluations collected by Barbara Gomez. The Short Talks and Table Topics were well attended. The Display Room was open and utilized throughout the meeting. Most of the attendees came from Oregon, Washington and California, many for the first time. The attendance at the discussion tables for John 13 and Isaac were most numerous. John 8 and Godfrey had several descendants.  Those at an unconnected table were assisted by a moderator, and the Table set up to discuss any topic had lively participation.

As President, I welcome new Board Members, including James Russell who will undertake the Quarterly editorship. We are a group of volunteers who work hard to preserve Sheldon history, maintain and extend Sheldon lineage and offer an opportunity for Sheldons to meet and share. I am grateful for all the hard work which made the 2011 Portland meeting such a success.

Throughout the year ahead, I anticipate we will communicate by electronic means to plan the meeting approved for Northampton. David Harris will be the local host. He is exploring possible venues.

Thank you to retiring Board Members, Shirley Martin, Kim Bemis Martin Nelson, and Helen Reed for years of contributions to Sheldon Family Association.