Today we’d like to introduce you to Lea Sinclair Filson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am the Governor General of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. I learned I was a descendant back in the late 90’s and joined the society. I have eight lines to the Pilgrims who travelled to America on the Mayflower: Issac Allerton and his wife Mary Norris, Allerton and their 3-yr-old daughter, Mary Allerton; Stephen Hopkins and wife Elizabeth Fisher Hopkins; Francis Cooke; Edward Doty; and Degory Priest.
I joined The Mayflower Society in Louisiana where I served in the offices of Governor, Deputy, Governor, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor. I was elected to the national board first back in 2005 as a Member-at-Large. I served a second beginning in 2008, then was elected Assistant Governor General in 2011 and Governor General in 2014. My term is ending this year after twelve years on the board.
The Executive Board oversees an Executive Director with a staff of 20 full and part time people, as well as working with GSMD Committees from all over the country, in Canada, DC, and Europe.
Our organization has an historic house, a library, a publication arm. Our departments include Lineage Research, Membership, Sales, Communications, Admin, and of course our docents at the Mayflower Society House.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I am the fourth woman since 1897 elected to run this organization. It is a man’s world and has been fascinating working my way to this place.
Our members are extremely passionate about their lineage to the Mayflower Pilgrims and very proud of the sacrifices they made to help found our Country. More on that later, but that passion can sometimes become many varied opinions on how the society should be run.
It is also hard to run the society from a distance through only weekly phone calls with the Executive Director.
When I first was elected, we had six people with no boss at our offices and because we had amassed endowments and were in need of growth to serve the members better, it was imperative that we go from being a family to a family business.
We have all worked together to grow and prosper and we are proud of where we are today.
General Society Mayflower Descendants – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our mission is about lineage and research and education about the Mayflower story:
The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, GSMD, is committed to research on the lineal descent of the Mayflower Pilgrims and education about the Pilgrims who travelled aboard the Mayflower in 1620. The Society provides education and understanding of why the Mayflower Pilgrims were important, how they shaped western civilization, and what their 1620 voyage means today.
We are all things Mayflower Pilgrim. We live, breathe, and work to tell the story of how they signed the Mayflower Compact which was all about self-government and separation of church and state which inspired our U.S. Constitution. They signed a treaty with the Wampanoag Tribe and held the peace for 54 years. Our famous annual holiday called Thanksgiving came about because of a three-day harvest festival they shared with the Wampanoag Tribe.
We know we are set apart because we all have lineage to the Pilgrims, but we love sharing them with all people because they are not only our family, but America’s family.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is knowing what your goals are, striving toward them in an enjoyable way throughout the journey, and realizing them while working with integrity with others. It takes a village and anyone who believes their idea is the only idea is missing out on other great ideas plus great learning experiences.
I also believe in strong consensus and then joining together to follow it. Its okay to debate, disagree, rant and rave, but once the consensus has been reached, everyone needs to come together to do the best for the organization. I try to reinforce that with our membership and our Plymouth staff.
Contact Info:
- Address: General Society Mayflower Descendants
4 Winslow Street
Plymouth, MA 02360 - Website: www.TheMayflowerSociety.org
- Phone: 508-746-3188
- Email: governorgeneral@themayflowersociety.org
Image Credit:
Lea Sinclair Filson, Governor General
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