Brief History of BVGS

The BVGS was started in January of 1980 after a common interest in genealogy was discovered among local citizens at a four-week workshop offered at the Oakland High School by Iowa Western Community College.  Orpha Hackett suggested the name for the Society, and Roma Smith designed the logo shortly after the meetings began.  The Society became a chapter of the Iowa Genealogical Society (IGS) in November of 1981.

Accomplishments and activities of the Society over the past twenty years have been significant.  Since the Society was founded, members have walked all Pottawattamie County cemeteries with the exception of Council Bluffs.  These cemeteries were then charted so that the graves of loved ones would be easier to locate.  The information was published by the Society in a series of books available for sale by the IGS.  (See our section titled Publications for Sale.)

There were also major restoration projects in some of the cemeteries led and funded by BVGS. 

Pottawattamie County Marriage Books have been extracted and information put on file with the Society.  Obituaries have been extracted from local newspapers with the information kept on file for researchers.  Countless queries have been answered.

Marcella Caughell funded an addition to the Eckels Memorial Library in 1997 in memory of her husband, Floyd Caughell.  This addition includes the Floyd Caughell Genealogy Room which holds the Society's collection of research materials.

We try to keep the Floyd Caughell room open during library hours to assist family and history researchers in finding needed information.  To that end we have most of the local newspapers on microfilm.  These papers go back to the late 1800's and include the Carson Fair Dealer, Oakland Acorn, Carson Critic, Avoca Journal-Herald, and others.  We also have county, state, and federal censuses on microfilm. 

We offer access to microfiche records, both foreign and domestic.  Our collection also includes passenger lists in book form and on computer CD's and on microfiche. 

We have several county histories of Iowa and many volumes of local family histories on our shelves.  We have begun a collection of local school annuals.  We continue to collect local church histories and platte maps.  We have one of the few microfilm/microfiche reader/printers in the local area.  For genealogists, we have the Personal Ancestral File program on the computer as well as several CD-ROMs for research purposes.

We welcome visitors to our room whenever the Eckels Library is open.  If the room is not open when you visit, we can make arrangements to be there when you are -- just let the front desk know, and they will call a member.  When visiting in person, the Society charges only a nominal fee for copies.  For inquiries coming through the mail, the Society charges a small research fee to have volunteer members look up answers to questions you may have about your family or the local area.  We are tyring to increase membership and enlarge our collection of materials so we can be of more help as more and more people are becoming interested in their heritage.

(by Jennifer Drawbond for our 20th Anniversary Newsletter.)

BVGS By-Laws

ARTICLE I

NAME AND LOCATION

Section 1.1  ~  The name of the organization is Botna Valley Genealogical Society.

Section 1.2  ~  The meetings are to be held in Eckels Memorial Library Genealogy Room, Oakland, Iowa.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

Section 2.1  ~  The purpose of this society shall be to aid individuals; to begin, develop, and improve the genealogical pursuits and endeavors and to prepare or write their genealogy or family history.  The objectives of the society shall be:

To stimulate and further interest in genealogy.

To aid individuals in their research and in compiling family histories.

To provide and seek out methods to further research in genealogy.

To gather, compile, and preserve genealogical and historical data.

To exist as a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 3.1  ~  Membership shall be open to all who are interested in genealogical, biographical, or historical research.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS AND DUTIES

Section 4.1  ~   Elected:  The officers of the society shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer.  A Corresponding Secretary may be appointed.  The above officers shall constitute the Executive Council.

Section 4.2  ~  The President shall be the principal executive officer, with the responsibility for the general supervision of the affairs of the society.  The President shall preside at all of the meetings of the society and the Executive Council.  The President shall be a member, ex-officio, of all committees except the Nominating Committee when one exists.  The President shall assume the position of Registered Agent of the corporation.

Section 4.3  ~  Vice President:  This officer will assist the president and shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of that officer and shall serve as the chairman of the Program Committee.

Section 4.4  ~  Recording Secretary:  This officer shall maintain a record of the proceedings of each meeting of the society and council.  May also assume other duties relative to the office as needed.  This will include putting news items in area newspapers.

Section 4.5  ~  Corresponding Secretary:  This officer may be appointed as necessary.  This officer shall attend to the publicity needs of the society.  This officer shall be responsible for correspondence as needed.

Section 4.6  ~  Treasurer:  This officer shall be responsible for the funds of the society and make such disbursements as approved by the society.  This officer shall give financial reports as directed to the members of the society.  This officer will be responsible for keeping an alphabetical list of the membership of the society as dues are paid.

Section 4.7 ~ Any officer vacancy caused by unforeseen circumstances:  A replacement can be appointed by the President or a special election may be held with nomination from the floor.  The method of replacement shall be determined by a vote of the majority.  Majority is half of members present plus one

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 5.1  ~  There shall be a Board of Directors to make recommendations to the society body of members.  Then the Society votes on the Board's findings.  There shall be two members appointed by the society at a regular meeting.  One is to serve for one year and one member shall serve for two years.  One new board member is to be appointed each year as one goes off.  The other board members shall be the present officers -- President/Registered Agent, Vice president, Secretary, and Treasurer, thus making six members to the board.  Meetings to be called as often as necessary to discuss and present their recommendations to the society members.

ARTICLE VI

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 6.1  ~  When a nominating committee has been appointed, they shall present a list of nominees for office at the November meeting.  Candidates must have agreed to serve.  Nominations may also be made from the floor.  A majority vote of those present shall elect.  Majority is half of members present plus one.

Section 6.2  ~  Those nominees elected will take office at the first meeting in the new year.

Section 6.3  ~  Those nominees elected will serve their office for a period of two years.

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS

Section 7.1  ~  The meetings of this society will be held the first Monday of each month at a specified time.

Section 7.2  ~  Special meetings of the society may be called by the President with the approval of the Council.

Section 7.3  ~  The amount of the annual dues shall be set at any regular meeting with the amount recorded in the secretary's minutes.

Section 7.4  ~  The annual dues are payable in January and become delinquent by the April meeting.  Membership ceases if dues are delinquent following the April meeting.

Section 7.5 ~ There shall be a financial audit of the books of the treasurer each year prior to the treasurer's annual report.  An auditing committee of two active Society members will be selected from volunteers or be appointed by the president.  A notation with their signatures and date shall be made in the treasurer's book to show the books have been audited. 

ARTICLE VIII

COMMITTEES

Section 8.1  ~ Special committees may be appointed by the President as needed during that term of office.

ARTICLE IX

SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX & ROOM

Section 9.1  ~  A safety deposit box shall be obtained at a local bank for the purpose of safe-keeping the following articles:

Articles of Incorporation

Copies of the Revenue Sharing Agreement with the Iowa Genealogical Society (IGS)

Contract with the City of Oakland for the extension of the Eckels Memorial Library which is named the Floyd Caughell Room

501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Certificate

Any other important documents

Section 9.2  ~  One key to the safety deposit box will be in the possession of the Botna Valley Genealogical Society Treasurer and one key in the possession of the Botna Valley Genealogical Society President.

Section 9.3  ~  The use of the Floyd Caughell Room by the Botna Valley Genealogical Society is for no less than fifty (50) years (2047) and may be renewed at that time for another fifty (50) years.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Section 10.1 ~ Proposed amendments to these By-laws must be presented in writing to the Executive Council at least two weeks prior to the regular meeting, to be read by the secretary at that meeting.  No voting takes place.  All local active members are to be notified of the proposed changes.  The proposed amendment will be read again at the next regular meeting at which time voting will take place.  If there is a two-thirds vote in favor of the amendment, these By-laws shall be amended.

(Last change to BVGS By-Laws was 5 November 2018.)

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