Irish Genealogical Society International Logo
Irish Genealogical Society International

Be a Volunteer!

Thank you, IGSI volunteers, for your support at the 2024 Minnesota Irish Fair!
 
The logo of the MN Irish Fair
 
Visitors at the IGSI booth in 2024
IGSI's booth at the 2024 Fair
 
A crowd of visitors at the Fair booth in 2024
A popular spot for visitors at the 2024 Fair
 
All IGSI programs and services are provided by volunteers, with very limited services from paid contractors. We greatly value the time and talents of our many members, friends, and neighbors who regularly help sustain and improve the Society.
 
Fresh ideas, energy, and talents are continually welcome and essential. Even if you feel your time or talents might hold you back, or if you live a distance from our Minnesota facility, "get to know" our team and you will enjoy the effort!
 
Many of our volunteers serve from their homes. If you are able to come to Mendota Heights you have options to help in our Library and with live events. Without your talents and skills, many of our goals for the Society can’t happen. If you can give a little time to keep IGSI services strong, you will connect with a wonderful group of people.
 
How to Volunteer
A few current volunteer opportunities are posted below. For more information contact the IGSI volunteer coordinator with a regarding your interesta and skills, even if not listed here. Other expertise, or special interests, might be a perfect fit. We would love to have you join our family of volunteers, and are happy to craft a role to suit your time and interests!
 
Current Volunteer Opportunities: Training and partnership are provided!
 
Outreach efforts in Minnesota
  • Celtic Junction is an active organization in the Twin Cities with offerings including Irish languae & literature, history & culture, music, dance, and more. Their Arts Center in St Paul includes a Library, Reading Room, and some classroom space. IGSI would like to provide classes or outreach services there, possibly with the engagement of additional IGSI members during a Zoom session. If you live near their Arts Center and would have interest, please contact Walt at education@irishgenealogical.org to explore this.
  • Irish Fair of Minnesota - Work From Home
    The 2024 Fair on Harriet Island in St Paul was a great success for IGSI, with great weather, many visitors to the new booth location, and a great follow-up response to date! IGSI has is building on this year's plan to be well organized for 2025. Join our team, and consider being a delegate volunteer on the Fair's own planning committee.
Educational events - Work From Home or at our Live Events
  • On Tuesday, March 11, IGSI will host a program in Eagan, Minnesota as part of a US Tour of Irish scholars. This will also be broadcast as a virtual event. The following morning our guests will offer consultation sessions at the Minnesota Genealogy Center, where the Irish Collection is held. Please join our planning team, or during the week of the event.
  • We hold hybrid events and monthly virtual webinars. We welcome more team members to assist with organizing, conducting, and broadcasting these events. Over 3,000 registrants have attended these sessions since 2020.
The Hoffman Research Library and Irish Collection in Mendota Heights, Minnesota
There are many roles available to play, and you don't need to be a librarian or skilled researcher to help. In fact, helping with this experienced team is an excellent opportunity to build your research skills: addressing member requests, becoming familiar with the Irish Collection (over 3,000 titles), helping library patrons, cataloging the collection, and improving the ways that patrons can pursue their genealogy research. The on-site team works together in the Library on Wednesdays, and we have volunteers present in the Library on the second Saturday of each month to assist patrons from 10am - 4pm. Join our team, have fun, and learn!
 
Membership - Work From Home
  • help the Membership Chair with correspondence and maintaining the database
  • help track the ongoing tally of donations to the Society
  • help with recruitment of new IGSI members and volunteers
Writing opportunities - Work From Home
 
The Ginealas e-newsletter (monthly)
  • articles on any topic of interest to members: stories, book/software reviews, tips, profiles
  • submit an item for one of our regular columns (or suggest others):
    Library Corner, Canada Connection, New & Noteworthy, and Know Your Society
  • validate & update posted hyperlinks
The Septs journal (quarterly)
  • we welcome original articles relating to Irish ancestral research or cultural topics
  • submission details and upcoming themes can be found at this link
  • help us to plan new technology to make past articles from 150 issues readily available.
Technology, Marketing, & Social Media
As these tools evolve, new talent can help IGSI to be more efficient and effective. Please join us!