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Larry Gulley Scholarship Winner Reflections

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Isabella Brown

Is it strange to say that attending the SGA/GLA conference clicked in my mind like puzzle pieces? I’ve never been to a conference before, so this was my first conference, joint conference, and SGA conference all rolled in one, and what a way to start out!

As a student, I’ve been trying to make the most of my opportunities and explore as many career opportunities as possible. When I started volunteering at the Reese Library’s Special Collections at Augusta University, I was fairly certain that this was the career field for me. Attending the SGA/GLA conference cemented my decision in my mind.

Being away from home was nerve-wracking, but as soon as the conference started, I was welcomed in immediately. As awkward as I was, I never felt alienated from being a new face. Everyone was excited to talk to each other, trading experiences and advice like candy. I got to meet so many wonderful people who gave me contacts, invited me out, and were genuinely happy to see me.

The sponsors were lovely to talk to. I didn’t realize just how many opportunities there were in archives outside of an academic setting! It’s helped me find a goal careerwise for my future outside of “get an archive job.” It also showed some opportunities for my friends as well. I have friends who are getting their degrees to become illustrators. Collecting contact information to share felt just as exciting as it was to receive a stamp on my sponsor bingo card.

The breakout sessions were as fun as they were informative, and there were a lot of thought put into them. I attended some that were geared towards archivists, others towards librarians and there was plenty of overlap. It was a good taste to see what both professions deal with and how I can incorporate it into my work.

Walking along the table for the MLIS Scholarship raffle with the donation jars filled with red tickets was highly encouraging as a young professional. The community truly cares and supports each other. Rows of items ranging from gift baskets to a ukulele were donated to assist with future librarians and their education. While I unfortunately couldn’t stay and see the results, I can assume it went well.

Overall, my time at the SGA/GLA conference was overwhelmingly positive and I enjoyed every second of it. I got to meet new people, see new employment and education opportunities, and realize that this is the career I want to pursue. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to attend.

Georgia Archives Month Grant now open!

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Purpose: The Georgia Archives Month Spotlight on Archives Grant is intended to help archives, museums, or heritage institutions in Georgia promote public awareness of their archives and manuscript collections. This grant will help selected organizations fund their events during Georgia Archives Month in October.

Grant parameters: The 2024 award amount will be one award of $500 and a Hollinger Metal Edge Gift Certificate in the amount of $250; award monies are intended to be used by the selected institution to fund an in-person or virtual event to be held during Georgia Archives Month in October 2024. The event should promote archives and manuscript holdings at an archives, museum, or heritage institution. Approved expenses for the Georgia Archives Month event include publicity costs such as printing and mailing expenses; an honorarium and travel costs for a speaker; and food and drinks for the event (only 50% of the total grant award may be used for expenses associated with food and drinks). Any questions about suitable uses of the grant should be directed to the Georgia Archives Month Committee. Past winners can be found here.

Selection process: The Georgia Archives Month Committee will accept applications for Spotlight nominees through October 15, 2024. The application includes a narrative describing how the funds will be used to promote the archives and manuscript collections of the archives, museum, or heritage institution during Georgia Archives Month. Only completed applications will be considered. The grant may be used to support an existing program or exhibit, but a new program or exhibit created specifically for Georgia Archives Month is preferred. Extra consideration will be given to institutions that are promoting diverse collections and to outreach efforts directed towards underrepresented groups.  Applicants will be notified of their status by the first week of October. The GAM Committee will award the grant to the successful applicants at this time and coordinate publicity about the awards with the award recipients.

Grantee responsibilities: The grantee will use the funds for the program or event outlined in the original application. The GAM Committee realizes that some change of details can take place, but a radical departure from the original application will result in a withdrawal of funds. In program literature and program scripts, the grantee agrees to mention the 2024 sponsors of Georgia Archives Month for their support (guidelines will be provided). The GAM Committee strongly encourages grantees to send letters to the 2024 GAM Committee sponsors thanking them for supporting the Spotlight on Archives grant program. The GAM Committee will provide the appropriate contact details to the recipient. The grantee will submit to the GAM Committee a summary of their event, photos of the event (if available), and receipts that document expenses by November 30, 2024. The grantee will allow the GAM Committee to use that information in future articles and promotional materials to raise awareness about this program or Georgia Archives Month. Please download this application and send to archivesmonth@soga.org as a PDF when completed.

GAM Spotlight Grant Application 2024Download

Applications OPEN for Brenda S. Banks Educational Workshop Scholarship!

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The Society of Georgia Archivists is now accepting applications for the 2024 Brenda S. Banks Educational Workshop Scholarship. The application deadline is Early May, date still to be determined.

Starting in 2008, the Society of Georgia Archivists has awarded a scholarship each year for attendance at an SGA-sponsored Spring/Summer Workshop. Past SGA workshops have addressed a variety of themes and issues faced by archivists and archival institutions, including electronic records, exhibits, donor relations, digital collections, diversity, and funding.

This year’s Spring/Summer workshop will be Writing for Impact: Introductory Grant Writing Workshop, providing an introductory session about the basic fundamentals of grant writing, grant research, and the overall grant lifecycle.Speaker: Lilly Heidari (she/they), Grants and Development Manager at the Historic Oakland Foundation, former Manager of Donor and Guest Relations at the High Museum.

Join us for an interactive and informative workshop on the fundamentals of grant writing. Led by an experienced grant writer, this workshop will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively navigate the grant writing process and provide a space to ask any questions you may have. Throughout the workshop, you’ll learn more about the basics of grant writing, including understanding the terminology and structure of grant proposals, tips for adapting your language to apply for funding from different grant makers, databases with grant opportunities, and more! Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the ropes or a seasoned grant writer seeking to refine your skills, this workshop will provide you with valuable insights and practical tools to nurture your grant writing abilities. (ZOOM link to be provided)

Meet The Speaker

Lilly Heidari (she/they) is an Atlanta-based grant writer and manager. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, she holds a B.A. in English and Theatre with a Concentration in Creative Writing from the University of South Carolina. Previously, Lilly worked for non-profit film production company Local Cinema Studios coordinating partner relations, events, and grant writing and management. They have spent the past two years working as Manager of Grants and Donor Relations at the High Museum of Art, managing government, foundation, and corporate grants as well as the museum’s Friends of the Collection donor groups. In April 2024, she started at the Historic Oakland Foundation as their Grants and Development Manager working on grants to fund the Oakland Cemetery’s educational and historical programming as well as conservation and preservation initiatives. A proud Iranian-American, Lilly is also an actor, writer, and musician.  

Cost:

Members: $10

Non-members: $25

Students: $15

For more information and to register for each workshop go to: https://soga.wildapricot.org/events.

Scholarship parameters: The registration fee for one of the desired workshops will be waived by the Society of Georgia Archivists for the successful scholarship applicant. Additionally, the recipient of the scholarship will also receive an Annual Membership to SGA (or a 1-year renewal if a current member) and a $100 credit to apply to a Society of American Archivists (SAA) class or purchase in the SAA bookstore. Please note that the scholarship winner is responsible for submitting their workshop registration form by the registration deadline. After the workshop, the recipient will submit a brief article on the experience for use in the SGA Newsletter.

Eligibility

Individuals eligible to compete for the scholarship are those engaged in compensated or volunteer archival work at any level in an institution in the state of Georgia, SGA members employed outside the state of Georgia, graduate students preparing for a career in archives at a college or university in Georgia, or SGA student members studying outside the state of Georgia. Preference will be given to applicants who do not have access to institutional support for attending the SGA Spring/Summer Workshop. Individuals may apply or be nominated by a supervisor or instructor.

To Apply

To apply for the Brenda S. Banks Educational Workshop Scholarship, please complete the online application and submit your cover letter and CV or resume to scholarships@soga.org, prior to Early May, date still to be determined.

For more information or if you have any questions (or experience any difficulty with the online form) please contact: scholarships@soga.org

2024 Carroll Hart Scholarship Now Open!

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The Society of Georgia Archivists is now accepting applications for the 2024 Carroll Hart Scholarship. The application deadline is March 1, 2024.

This year’s Georgia Archives Institute will be held June 3-14, 2024.

For full details, please go to https://soga.wildapricot.org/scholarships/hart

The Society of Georgia Archivists awards a scholarship for attendance at the Georgia Archives Institute held each summer in Atlanta. The purpose of the scholarship is to enhance archival education and membership. The scholarship is named for Carroll Hart, former director of the Georgia Department of Archives and History, founding member of the Society of Georgia Archivists, and founder of the Georgia Archives Institute.

Individuals eligible to compete for the scholarship are:

  • Those engaged in compensated or volunteer archival work at any level in an institution in the state of Georgia.
  • SGA members employed outside the state of Georgia.
  • Graduate students preparing for a career in archives at a college or university in Georgia, or SGA student members studying outside the state of Georgia.
  • Those who identify as members of an underrepresented community or who work with collections that document underrepresented communities or groups.

Preference will be given to applicants who do not have access to institutional support for attending the Georgia Archives Institute.

The scholarship will cover an amount equal to the non credit tuition for the Institute, but not to exceed $550, and a year’s membership in the Society of Georgia Archivists. Please note that individuals must apply separately to the Georgia Archives Institute and pay the application fee to the Georgia Archives Institute. All regular deadlines and requirements for the Georgia Archives Institute apply. After participating in the Georgia Archives Institute, the recipient will submit a brief article on the experience for use in the SGA Newsletter.

How to apply:

Please fill out the online portion of the application for the Carroll Hart Scholarship. Then, to complete your application email your resume or CV and cover letter to scholarships@soga.org. Your application is not complete until these documents have been received.

Complete applications including cover letter and CV or resume must be received by March 1, 2024.

SGA Magazine 2024 Submissions Open!

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Calling All SGA Members!

SGA Communications is now accepting submissions of your stories, articles, photos, or other news from this past year for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the SGA annual magazine. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 16, 2024.

We are especially interested in stories about new and exciting processing projects, maintaining diversity initiatives at your institutions (whether that’s advocating for disabled archivists or seeking out donations from BIPOC communities), and creative events hosted by your institutions that have been pivotal for outreach. If your institution has some other exciting news to share or projects you can’t stop talking about, we welcome those submissions as well!

See past magazine issues for ideas on what we are looking for: https://soga.wildapricot.org/publications/magazine. 

In your submission please include your name, institution and any relevant photographs with citations to provide visuals in a word or google doc. Send submissions or questions to communications@soga.org.