Twenty-eight members of the Gerking Family signed the guest book at the 42nd Annual Gerking Family Reunion held at Blue Lake Park just east of Portland, Oregon. Our hosts were Ed and Cindy Dreske of Portland, Oregon.
 
The following signed the guest register:
 

 While family members gathered, they played the  icebreaker nametag game that proved so popular at last year’s reunion. Many of the family played pickup softball on the nearby diamond. Copies of the latest Newsletter were distributed to those attending.

  Following lunch and a little time to get further acquainted the business meeting was held.

Business Meeting
President Susan welcomed everyone to the reunion.

2000 Reunion Minutes
Secretary Beth read the minutes from the 2000 reunion. It was moved, passed, and seconded the minutes be approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Beth reported a balance of $579.55 in the Gerking family savings account and noted that mailing the newsletter to those unable to attend the reunion will drain the account further. Income for the year was $320, and expenses totaled $322. It was moved, passed, and seconded the treasurer’s report be approved as read.
 President Susan noted that there  had been no newsletter last year, and if there had been the cost would have been around $250-300 for copying and mailing.

Discussion about keeping the reunion group on a sound financial footing followed. Part of this will be accomplished by following through on the decision made in 1999 to drop those who have not in some way expressed an interest in continuing the receive the Newsletter, as well as emailing the Newsletter to those with email.  Although unable to attend the reunion, Janelle Jackson had suggested that in order to remain a member of the Gerking Family Reunion each family unit pay a $10.00 annual fee, with an invoice to be sent to each family unit at the beginning of the year. Membership would entitle the family to receive the Newsletter and other mailings/announcements. It was decided that rather than mailing an invoice an announcement in the Newsletter and by email would be more suitable as it would cut down on the mailing expense.

It was moved by Mike Dreske and seconded by Paula Beck that the Gerking Family Reunion institute a $10.00 per family unit membership fee. The motion carried.
 
1990 The Gerking Family in America Reprint
There continues to be interest in reprinting the 1990 book, and it was decided by the group to reissue the book at a cost of approximately $35.00. If at least 25 people are still interested in purchasing the book, that price would cover the cost of copying and shipping. A deposit of $17.50 (one-half) would be required to reserve a copy, with the balance due prior to shipping. Beth will contact those who’ve previously expressed an interest and will also make the book’s availability known through email and the Internet. Several people indicated their interest on a list passed around during this reunion.

It was moved by Betty Van Meter and seconded by Mike Dreske that the 1990 edition of The Gerking Family in America be reprinted as outlined above. The motion passed.

Election of Officers
It was moved by Mike Dreske and seconded by Ed Dreske that Janelle Jackson be named Historian, succeeding Florence Bowe, who has retired. The motion passed.

Susan and Beth will continue to serve as President and Secretary-Treasurer respectively.

Tribute to Florence Bowe
The assembled group overwhelmingly voted praise and thanks to Florence and Larry Bowe, who for so many years have recorded and expanded the Gerking family’s genealogy. Janelle had found a picture of Florence’s grandmother, Angie Gerking Junkin, and prior to the reunion had arranged to have the photo enlarged. She then hand-tinted the photograph and donated a frame from her collection as a family gift to Florence. Florence and Larry were unable to attend the reunion due to poor health, but President Susan delivered the picture to them following the reunion.

Next Reunion — August 11, 2002
It was agreed that the setting for this year’s reunion was the best yet at Blue Lake Park. Susan will reserve the same area for next year’s meeting, which will again be the second Sunday in August). In the reunion announcement we will emphasize the easy access and parking (if you come early), nearby ball diamond, horshoe pit and restrooms, and grill. In discussion about how to boost attendance it was agreed to call this a “reunion picnic” and stress that the meal is potluck.

Other Business / Announcements
• President Susan told the group that one of Janelle’s projects is going to be documenting information contained in the Gerking genealogy. Janelle requests that family members send her copies of vital records such as birth, death and marriage certificates for this project. The documents can be for any family members, living or deceased.
 • President Susan also told the group that Beth has obtained the list and board administrator rights for both the Gerking and Gerkin surname boards at lists at RootsWeb.com and has also requested that Gerking and Gerkin mailing lists be created there. No word has been received on the mailing lists. [Note: Approvals for the mailing lists were waiting on the computer when I returned home from the reunion.—Beth] A project is also underway to move the Gerking genealogy, including the information in Florence’s book, to a web site, although this is a long-term undertaking.
 • A collection to cover reunion expenses was held and amounted to $192.00.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Perry Johnston, Secretary