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Home My WebLink AboutSUB000000536 Other Only, etc. 2021-06-01VAGARA Public Record VAGARA EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT Glenn Smith 804-692-3604 Glenn.smith@lva.virginia.gov VICE PRESIDENT Margie C. Tacci 703-435-6800 x. 2082 margie.tacci@herndon-va.gov SECRETARY Jessie Graham 434-297-6318 Jrg8h@virginia.edu TREASURER Jonathan Tillman 757-727-6686 Jonathan.Tillman@hampton.gov HISTORIAN Matthew Logie 703-658-3380 Matthew.logie@fairfaxcounty.gov MEMBERS AT LARGE Noble Payne 804-717-6973 paynen@chesterfield.gov Rachael Brinson 540-351-2861 rbrinson @remington-va.gov Nicki Taylor 540-727-3444 x. 125 ntaylor@culpepercounty.gov Benjamin Smith 804-239-5586 ben_smith@verizon.net Public May 2021 The newsletter of the Virginia Association of Government Archives & Records Administrators President’s Letter Greetings VAGARA Colleagues, As I put fingers to the keyboard, this year is 1/3 over and, it seems, there’s light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. I hope that, in this portion of the tunnel, you are not merely chugging along, but finding ways to thrive, both personally and professionally. A word of appreciation for renewing your membership. Our ranks have been trimmed by a little more than thirty, but that is normal, and we typically experience an uptick nearing conference time. As covered herein, we are planning the virtual conference in the fall. Please know your board is working to resume in-person conferences beginning in 2022. We’re negotiating hotel contracts for the next two years, specifically addressing the effective management of potential “unplanned events” like what we’ve been through the past year. There should be an update on that in the next letter. Speaking of membership and conferences, without last year’s conference there was no 2020 meeting of the members. To rectify that, VAGARA held its first virtual annual business meeting on March 4 to cover the 2020 business. Twenty-four members participated, exceeding the quorum requirement. Normal business items were dispatched; there was a conference update; and Dianna Catron, VAGARA’s immediate past president, was recognized for her service—all in twenty-seven minutes! The 2021 business meeting will be a part of the fall’s virtual conference. In this newsletter, and by separate message, is a survey in which your participation is requested. President’s Letter continued… INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Letter……………………………………………………………….……..…1-2 Membership/We Care Updates………………..…………………………………………2 Fall Conference Update…………………………………...………………………..........3 Audit Update……………………..……………………………………..………...............3 Job Announcement………………………………………………..……….....................3 Announcement Corner………………………………………………..………...............4 VAGARA Public Record PAGE 2 We would like to learn what topics/issues/concerns are of the most interest to you, so that our program chair, Jessie Graham, may have a place to start in recruiting presenters. Please participate, but only once. Thank you in advance. Following up from February, board members Nicki Taylor and Rachael Brinson stepped up as auditors for the 2020 fiscal review. They did a great job, and our association was well served by their efforts. VAGARA is strong financially, and the few findings they made have all been addressed. One thing that working during a pandemic has taught most, if not all, of us is that virtual meetings, though toll-taking on the personal-connection level, do offer a great benefit of accomplishing business without the need for travel. While not officially addressed, there has been a growing consensus of keeping at least most of the board meetings virtual, after the arrival of whatever will be the new normal. With that in mind, this is the year that a nominating committee will form to fill a slate of officers and members for the following two years. Would you begin to consider how you might serve? Any questions on that, please reach out to me or any other board member. All the best for an enjoyable spring, pollen suffering notwithstanding. Warmest regards, Glenn Smith President Membership Update Our membership currently stands at 135 members/vendors. If you did not pay your 2021 dues by April 1, your account was suspended. The good news is that you can request that your account be reactivated, and pay for 2021, by sending your request to ntaylor@culpepercounty.gov Any of the Executive Board members will be glad to assist you with questions or concerns. Thank you for your continuing participation and support of VAGARA. We Care Program As part of our We Care program you are encouraged to review and update your membership details. Be sure to add your birthday month, so VAGARA can send you a birthday email during the month of your birthday. Also, do you know of a member that could use a “pat on the back,” a “thinking of you,” a “get well,” or another spirit -lifter? If so, please email Nicki Taylor at ntaylor@culpepercounty.gov and she will send a card on behalf of VAGARA. MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Nicki Taylor 540-727-3444 x. 125 ntaylor@culpepercounty.gov WEBMAST ER Jessica Burgess 804-692-3795 Jessica.burgess@lva.virginia.gov NE WSLET TER EDITOR Jessie Graham 434-297-6318 Jrg8h@virginia.edu VAGARA Public Record PAGE 4 PAGE 3 Fall Virtual Conference Update The VAGARA Fall 2021 Annual Conference will be a single-day virtual event on Thursday, October 28th. For those with budget constraints – don’t worry! The 2021 conference will be FREE to VAGARA members. Registration will be open to all, but non-members will be required to pay the $20.00 membership fee to attend. Please email executiveboard@vagara.org with questions and suggestions! Audit Update An internal audit of the 2020 financial records was conducted on February 25, 2021. The audit is designed to provide an overview of VAGARA’s financial status and to show the Board’s accountability for the money it receives. The records were found to be in good order with clear accountability for funds received and expended. Audit Committee: Rachael Brinson and Nicki Taylor Job Announcement Blacksburg Town Clerk Duties include the management of public records. Review of applications begins on May 24, 2021. Link to apply: https://www.blacksburg.gov/departments/departments-a-k/human-resources/employment- opportunities/town-clerk Did you know? Vendor members of VAGARA are eligible for FREE advertising in the Newsletter! Paid vendor members may contact the Newsletter Editor for more details. VAGARA Public Record PAGE 4 PAGE 5 Do you have a job posting you’d like to announce? A retirement or promotion you’d like to celebrate? Please consider emailing announcements@vagara.org to have it included in a future newsletter and/or on the website! Welcome New Members! VAGARA welcomes those that have become members since our last newsletter. We are thrilled to have you and cannot wait to get to know you. Should you need any assistance, please feel free to contact any VAGARA member. Do you have photos? If you have photos taken at VAGARA Annual Conferences, 2012-2019, please email announcements@vagara.org. We would love to have them as we compile the organizational history for this time period. Scotty Bryan, Chesterfield County Kristen Freeman, Amherst County Question: At the Library of Virginia, the _________ allows you to search print, manuscripts, and archives. While _________ is the new home of their digital collection. VAGARA Public Record Thank You VAGARA Vendor Members!