Time Value Please Do Not of any violations. A.F.M.S ...amfed.org/news/n2015_05.pdf · Gem Trails...
8
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID McMinnville, OR Permit No. 7 Time Value Please Do Not Delay It is AFMS policy that its name and logos may not be used for commercial purposes. Please notify the Central Office of any violations. American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Serving Seven Regional Federations Volume 68, Number 6 – May, 2015 <www.amfed.org> AFMS Newsleer Carolyn Weinberger, Editor PO Box 302 Glyndon, MD 21071-0302 Address Service Requested Ed. Note: Sco Peters is the Conservaon & Legislaon chair for the Eastern Federa- on and ALAA state representave for Pennsylvania. Sco and others are work- ing “behind the scenes” to reopen the sites for organized, planned club trips, but this will take me. Unfortunately he re- ports that despite the closures, he’s learned that some clubs and individuals are sll scheduling field trips to at least one of them - further complicat - ing the process of gaining legal access, even if on a limited basis. Let this be a warning to all to follow the AFMS Code of Ethics, to always heed quarry and collect- ing site rules and to not trespass on closed or post- ed areas. As a rockhound community, we must do everything we can to ensure that private sites re- main open. Collecng Sites Closed Spring collecng season is upon us here in the northeast and it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the closing of two well-known col- lecng sites in Pennsylvania. I have learned from Jeri Jones via the December issue of Rock Buster News, newsleer of the Central Pennsylvania Rock and Mineral Club of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania , that the property owner has closed the Rossville mala- chite/azurite locaon in northern York County. The site is well known to collectors as it has been well adversed in books and arcles since the early 1970’s. From what I understand, the locaon has become dangerous due to over collecng. If any- one is seen at the site, the owners will nofy prop- er authories. The second site that is now closed to collect- ing is the St. Clair, Pennsylvania, fern fossil loca- on. The fossils found at this locaon are very detailed white and somemes yellow plant fossils on black shale. The plants were replaced by pyrite which was later believed to be replaced by pyro- phyllite a whish aluminum silicate. I spoke with a representave of the owners of the property and she informed me that overzealous collectors began bringing in power tools to collect, posng their trips and selling the fossils they collected via the internet. The representave indicated that the owners will prosecute any individuals they find collecng on their property. Currently, the owners will permit school trips to collect at the site. I am in the process of making further inquiries to see if members of mineral clubs can obtain permission to collect for their personal collecons, for muse- um exhibits or for distribuon to children at our shows. If I receive any addional informaon I will pass it along. Please do not aempt to collect at these loca- ons unless you receive express permission from the owners of the property. You will risk prosecu- on and may cause the loss of any possibility of reopening these sites. If you know of any collecng sites that have closed or are in danger of closing, or any laws that may restrict our collecng acvies please email me at <[email protected]>. I will pass that in- formaon on in future newsleer so that in that manner we can all be informed about the status of our collecng locaons As always, please remem- ber to collect responsibly. Collecting Sites Closed by Scott Peters, from EFMLS News, March 2015 Also In this Issue A Word from the President .......................... 2 Junior Acvies ............................................ 2 Endowment Prize Update............................. 3 Recruing A New Editor ............................... 4 Club Rockhound of the Year ......................... 4 Upcoming Regional Convenons.................. 4 Staying Out of Trouble .................................. 5 Have You Updated? ...................................... 6 AFMS Commiee Chairs ............................... 7 Judges Training Seminar ............................... 8 Code of Ethics ............................................... 8 AFMS Land Use Policy .................................. 8 Save the Dates AFMS/SCFMS Convention October 23 – 25 Austin, Texas Official Newsletter of the AFMS
Transcript of Time Value Please Do Not of any violations. A.F.M.S ...amfed.org/news/n2015_05.pdf · Gem Trails...
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDMcMinnville, OR
Permit No. 7
Time ValuePlease Do Not
Delay
It is AFMS policy that its name and logos may not be used for commercial purposes.
Please notify the Central Office of any violations.
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Serving Seven Regional Federations
Volume 68, Number 6 – May, 2015<www.amfed.org>
AFMS NewsletterCarolyn Weinberger, EditorPO Box 302Glyndon, MD 21071-0302
Address Service Requested
A.F.M.S. Newsletter Ed.Note: ScottPeters is theConservation&
Legislation chair forthe Eastern Federa-tion and ALAA staterepresentative forPennsylvania. Scottand others arework-ing “behind thescenes”toreopenthesites for organized,planned club trips,butthiswilltaketime.Unfortunately he re-
ports thatdespite the closures,he’s learned thatsomeclubsandindividualsarestillschedulingfieldtrips toat leastoneof them - further complicat-ingtheprocessofgaininglegalaccess,evenifonalimitedbasis.
LetthisbeawarningtoalltofollowtheAFMSCodeofEthics,toalwaysheedquarryandcollect-ingsiterulesandtonottrespassonclosedorpost-edareas.Asarockhoundcommunity,wemustdoeverythingwecantoensurethatprivatesitesre-mainopen.
Collecting Sites Closed
SpringcollectingseasonisuponushereinthenortheastanditiswithaheavyheartthatImustinformyouoftheclosingoftwowell-knowncol-lectingsites inPennsylvania. Ihave learnedfromJeriJonesviatheDecemberissueofRockBusterNews,newsletteroftheCentralPennsylvaniaRockandMineralClubofHarrisburg,Pennsylvania, thatthepropertyownerhasclosedtheRossvillemala-chite/azuritelocationinnorthernYorkCounty.Thesiteiswellknowntocollectorsasithasbeenwelladvertised in books and articles since the early1970’s.FromwhatIunderstand,thelocationhas
becomedangerousduetoovercollecting.Ifany-oneisseenatthesite,theownerswillnotifyprop-erauthorities.
Thesecondsitethatisnowclosedtocollect-ing is the St. Clair, Pennsylvania, fern fossil loca-tion. The fossils found at this location are verydetailedwhiteandsometimesyellowplantfossilsonblackshale.Theplantswerereplacedbypyritewhichwas laterbelievedtobereplacedbypyro-phylliteawhitishaluminumsilicate. I spokewitha representative of the owners of the propertyandshe informedmethatoverzealouscollectorsbeganbringing inpower tools to collect,postingtheirtripsandsellingthefossilstheycollectedviatheinternet.Therepresentativeindicatedthattheowners will prosecute any individuals they findcollectingontheirproperty.Currently,theownerswillpermitschooltripstocollectatthesite.Iamintheprocessofmakingfurtherinquiriestoseeifmembersofmineralclubscanobtainpermissiontocollectfortheirpersonalcollections,formuse-umexhibitsor fordistribution to childrenatourshows.IfIreceiveanyadditionalinformationIwillpassitalong.
Pleasedonotattempttocollectattheseloca-tionsunlessyoureceiveexpresspermissionfromtheownersoftheproperty.Youwillriskprosecu-tionandmaycause the lossofanypossibilityofreopeningthesesites.
If you knowof any collecting sites that haveclosedorareindangerofclosing,oranylawsthatmayrestrictourcollectingactivitiespleaseemailmeat<[email protected]>.Iwillpassthatin-formationon in futurenewsletterso that in thatmannerwecanallbeinformedaboutthestatusofourcollectinglocationsAsalways,pleaseremem-bertocollectresponsibly.
Collecting Sites Closedby Scott Peters, from EFMLS News, March 2015 Also In this Issue
AWordfromthePresident..........................2JuniorActivities............................................2EndowmentPrizeUpdate.............................3RecruitingANewEditor...............................4ClubRockhoundoftheYear.........................4UpcomingRegionalConventions..................4StayingOutofTrouble..................................5HaveYouUpdated?......................................6AFMSCommitteeChairs...............................7JudgesTrainingSeminar...............................8CodeofEthics...............................................8AFMSLandUsePolicy..................................8
Save the Dates
AFMS/SCFMS ConventionOctober 23 – 25
Austin, Texas
Official Newsletter of the AFMS
The AFMS
Officers:
Proudly Serving Seven Regional
Federations
PresidentMarion Roberts
President-ElectMatt Charsky
1st Vice PresidentVirginia Adian
2nd Vice PresidentJ. C. Moore
3rd Vice PresidentJon Spunaugle
4th Vice PresidentAnn Monroe
5th Vice PresidentJudy Beck
SecretaryAnne Cook
TreasurerPat LaRue
Page 2 AFMS Newsletter – May, 2015
Hereweareworkingonthehalfwaymarkofourfiscalyear,andIamstilllookingforsomefeedbackandreportsfromsomeoftheVicePresidents.Idowanttohearfromyou.Haveyoucontactedyourcommittees,toseeifwecanassistthemorjusttoletthemknowwearestillhere? Iwasseriousaboutalotmorecontact.Please help me!!! Iwillbedoingmypart.Conservationandlegislationchairsfromallregions,IwanttoseeyourinputtoJohnMartin(AFMS)ChairfortheAFMSpublication.
Now,ontoastartofourtravels.VivienandIloadeduponSundayMarch22andwereonourwayeastfortheEFMLSConventioninNorthCarolinawhenwerealizedthatwehadmisreadandtransposedthemileagethatwehadtotravelinordertoarriveattheconventionontime.Asaresult,weleftonedaylaterthanweshouldhaveandhadtodriveextramileseachday.Makingalongstoryshort,wearrivedinHickory,onThursdayintheearlyafternoon.Wecrossedthestatesabout18hoursaheadofastormfront(thatwouldspawntornadoesinOklahoma),sothetripwasagreatone.Wearrivedin70degreeweatherthenhadthetemperaturedroptoalowof30overnight,butaregoingbackinthe70’sagain.
WehaveenjoyedthestayhereinHickorywheretheshowhasgoneoninrealgoodorder.FridayIspenttimeintheKidsEducationalroomwitharetiredgeologist,whereweexplainedhowgeologicalmapsweremadeandhowandforwhattheywereused.Igotaneducationalongwithsome300to4007thand8thgradekids.TherewerefivedifferentareasoftheEarthSciencescoveredintheroom,andthekidswouldcirculatetoeachat10minuteintervals.Ifeltthistobeaveryefficienthandlingofthecrowd.
IamwritingthisontheroadheadingwesttovisitwithfamilyandtoattendtheRMFMSConventioninOgdenlaterinApril.I’llcontinuewithmoredetailsnextmonth.
Marion
Having Fun: Junior Activitiesby Jim Brace-Thompason, Jr. Activities Chair
More Books for Rockhounds, Young and Old
Lastmonth,IreportedonacouplebooksIspottedattheannualwinterconventionoftheAmericanLibraryAssociationintendedforyoungrockhounds.Well,booksseemtobesomethingofathemesofarthisyear.Justyesterday,mylocalVenturaclubhereinCaliforniareceivedacataloginourP.O.boxfromtheGemGuidesBookCompany,whichcelebratesits50thanniversarythisyear.
TheirJuniorRockhound&OutdoorExplorercategoryincludesover135books.Ifyou’relookingforbooksasgiftsforyourownchildorgrandchildortoaddtoaclublibraryforallofyourjuniormembers,you’llfindtheentirerangeofourhobbyrepresented.SampletitlesincludeTrueorFalse:Rocks&Minerals,ExperimentswithRocks&Minerals,Emma’sFirstAgate,Dave’sDown-to-EarthRockShop,HowtoBeaRockCollector,JulietheRockhound,ColorYourLifewithCrystals,Gemstones,What’sSoMysteriousAboutMete-orites,OhSayCanyouSayDi-No-Saur,TheUsboureDinosaursStickerBook,
Earthquakes,LifeofaMiner,Caves,Volcanoes,GoldRush:TheYoungProspector’sGuidetoStrikingitRich,andmuchmore.You’llevenfindthefullrangeofDiamondDanActivityBooks.
GemGuidesservesasbothapublisheranddistributorforbooksonalltopicsrockrelated—andforallages,notjustkids.CategoriesforadultsincludeRocks,Minerals,&Gemstones;Astronomy&SpaceRocks;CrystalHealing;JewelryCrafts;Prospecting&TreasureHunting;andRegionalInterestforoutdoor,nature,andtravel.TheyalsooffertheentireRoadsideGeologyseries,theGeologyUnderfootSeries,theGemTrailsSeries,theFalconRockhoundingGuideSeries,andjustabouteveryotherrock-relatedseriesimaginable.Checkthemoutonlineatwww.gemguidesbooks.comoremailorwritefortheircurrentcatalogatsales@gemguidesbooks.com,1275West9thStreet,Upland,California91786.For50years,GemGuidesBookCompanyhasbeenleadingustosourcesthatmakelearningbothinterestingandfun!
A Word from the Presidentby Marion Roberts, President
Purpose of the AFMS: To promote popular interest and education in the
various Earth Sciences, and in particular the subjects of Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Lap-idary and other related subjects, and to sponsor and provide means of coordinating the work and efforts
of all persons and groups interested therein; to sponsor and encourage the formation and international development of Societies and Regional Federations and by and through such means to strive toward greater international good will and fellowship.
The A.F.M.S. Newsletter is published monthly except
January, July and August by the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
Address corrections and changesSubscription Information, Distribution Questions:
Each Regional Federation Club is entitled to receive three (3) copies of the
AFMS Newsletter. These are sent to the President, Editor and Federation Director or Secretary.
Subscriptions are $4.50 per yearRemit payment to the AFMS Central OfficeChecks should be made payable to “AFMS”
Address maintenance and mailing labeling arethe responsibility of the AFMS Central Office.
All changes and questions should be sent to:AFMS Central Office
Steve WeinbergerPO Box 302
Glyndon, MD 21071-0302<[email protected]>
410-833-7926
Content – LettersEditorial Comments – Submissions
Any communication concerning the content or format of the newsletter should be sent to the
Editor: Carolyn WeinbergerPO Box 302
Glyndon, MD 21071-0302<[email protected]>410-833-7926
Deadline is the 1st of each month preceding publication
(i.e. April 1 for the May issue)
Material in this Newsletter may be duplicated
for non-commercial purposes provided credit is given this publication and the author.
For commercial use, the individual author(s) must be contacted for approval.
Page 3AFMS Newsletter – May, 2015
SomeveryniceprizesweredonatedtotheAFMSEndowmentFundDrawingthismonth.
#15.DorisKeanehasfashionedapendantfromgold-filledwirewrappedaroundacabochonofdendriticquartz.Theapproximatevalueis$65.(MWF)
#16.DorisKeanehasdonatedasecondpendantfashionedfromgold-filledwirearoundadichroicglassdiscmadebyJulieWhitlatch.Theapproxi-matevalueofthispendantis$70.(MWF)
#17.MattandJeanCharskyhavedonatedaMookiteCarvingfromMadagascar.Ithasanapproximatevalueof$150.(EFMLS)
#18. K.C. Fosterhasdonateda Herkimer“Dia-mond”pendantwithArgentiumsilverhandmadechain.Ithasanestimatedvalueof$200.(EFMLS)
Prizescanstillbedonatedforthe2015AFMSEndowmentFundDrawingtobeheldattheAwardsBanquetinAustinTexasonOctober24,2015.Sendmeane-mailwiththephotoanddescriptionofthedonationbyMay1,soIcanincludethedescriptionintheJunenewsletter,whichisthelastissueuntiltheSeptemberissue.YoucanthenbringtheprizetoAustinormailittome.
Pleasecontinuetopurchaseticketsfromyourregionalrepresentative.Theticketsare$5eachor$20forfivetickets.Ifyouarenotatashowwhereyourrepresentativeissellingtickets,youmayaskforticketsbymailore-mail.Contactyourfederationrepresentativeorme.Wewillbegladtomailyourtickets.
ThankyouforyoursupportfortheAFMSEndowmentFund!
AnyonewhohasanitemtodonatecanmailittomeatDonnaMoore,25235N.StateRoute97,Cuba,IL61427,oryoumaycontactthesalesrepresentativefromyourfederation.Questionscanbedirectedtomye-mailatmwfsecretarygmail.comormyphone309-231-2116.
Representativessellingticketsandsolicitingprizes
The Prize List is Growing!by Donna Moore, Endowment Fund Chair
California Federation ColleenMcGann P.O.Box224SantaClara,CA95052 [email protected]
Eastern Federation CarolynWeinberger P.O.Box302Glyndon,MD21071-0302 [email protected]
Midwest Federation J.C.Moore 25235N.StateRoute97Cuba,IL61427 [email protected]
Northwest Federation ChrisBlickfeldt 236TollgateRd.Boise,ID83716 [email protected]
Rocky Mountain DeLaneCox 8152SpankerRidgeDr. Bentonville,AR72712 [email protected]
South Central CatherineE.Rouchon 5845WinchesterLane Clinton,LA70722 [email protected]
Southeast JerriHeer 7301N.HowardAve. Tampa,FL33604-5224 [email protected]
Page 4 AFMS Newsletter – May, 2015
Recentlya friendcontactedmeregarding theresponsibilitiesof being aneditorofarockandgemclub.Her club was undergoingsomepoliticalupheavalsandshehadbeenasked tocon-sidertakingoverastheclub’seditor.Shehadnoidea,andalotofmisconceptions,aboutwhat the jobentailed. Forthatreasonshewashesitanttoconsidertheposition.
Iknowthatmanyclubsare,orwill, facethissamesituation. Becominganeditorcanbeveryintimidating!You,asanofficer,orinvolvedmemberofyourclub,canbeinapositiontomakethejobeasier.Todothisyouneedthehelpofproficienteditorswhocanbeofhelptoyourneweditor.Now there is help available!
The Special CongressRepresenting InvolvedBulletinEditors(S.C.R.I.B.E.)hasjustcompletedaNewEditorGuide!ThedocumentistheresultofS.C.R.I.B.E.membersparticipatinginagroupdiscus-sionviatheS.C.R.I.B.E.DiscussionGroup-http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Scribefolks.
ThisGuidecoverswhatneweditorsarelookingtoknow:
Recruiting a New Editorby Mark Nelson, BEAC Chair
•therolesandresponsibilitiesofarockclubeditor •howtogetstarted •whatskillsaneditorshouldhave •accesstoeditingandpublishingtools •budgetingforabulletin •participatinginbulletinexchanges •editorresources •developingafirstbulletin •publicationanddistribution
ThisNewEditorGuide is available for free, for a limited time, at the S.C.R.I.B.E.web site:<scribe.rbnet.net>.Bestofall,clubdirectorscanrequest that their neweditorbecomeamemberofS.C.R.I.B.E.atthiswebsiteandreimbursethe$6a yearmembership fee.ThisgivestheirneweditorcontactwithanetworkofveryproficienteditorsthroughoutNorthAmerica,accesstoaward-winningarticles,poetry,humorandinformation.Theycangetamentortoworkthemthroughthetechnicaldetails.TheycanbeTHE BEST editorintheirfederation!
IfIcanbeofanyhelptoyourclubortoyoureditor,justask!Youcanreachmeat<mnelsonairataol.com>.
Eastern Federation
TheGem,LapidaryandMineralSocietyofMontgomeryCounty,MarylandrecognizesMark Dahl-manasour2015AFMSClubRock-
houndoftheYear.Withanylargejobintheclub,Mark is consistently theonewhosteps forward.Within twoyearsof joining,MarkwasPresidentwherehetooktheinitiativetorejuvenateourAFMSFuturesRockhoundsofAmerican(FRA)programforjuniors.Participationskyrocketedtoover40enthu-siasticyouthmembers.DuringhisPresidency,heledmanyorganizationalimprovements,whichstillremainineffect.NextMarkmanagedandimprovedtheclubshow.HethenbecameourFRAAdvisorwherehepromotedcreativitytotheprogram.To-day,Markstillinspiresuswithhiscalm,measuredapproachtoallhedoesfortheclub.Wearegreatlyappreciativeofallhisefforttosupporttheclub. submittedbyHolyMcNeil
Quiet,dedicatedandreliablearealltermsthatdescribetheChesapeakeGemandMineralSociet-ies’RockhoundoftheYear,Earle Pfetzing. Earlehasbeentherecordingsecretaryforyears,readilyagreeing to continue in the job foranotheryeareachtimehe’sasked.Hisminutesarewelltakenandaccurate-always!.Hestayslateeverymonthandhelpscleanupthevenue-usuallypushingabroomormoptoensurethatthefloorisspotless.When it’stimeforourannualclubshow,or thatofanotherareaclub tohave their show,Earle isalwaysthefirsttosignuptoworktheChesapeakeinformationbooth. Heworkswellwith visitors,gladlyandcheerfullygivingoutinformationabouttheclubandourmeetings.WecommendEarleforhisdedicationtotheclubandforbeingour“Rock-houndofGibralter”!
Club Rockhound of the Yearfrom Evelyn Cataldo, ACROY Chair
Upcoming Regional Federation Conventionsfrom Bob Livingston, Show Coordinator
Bythetimeyoureadthis,twoofoursevenregionalfederationswillhavealreadyheldtheirannualconventionswithtwomoreontheimmediatehorizoninMayandJune.Ihopethatasmanyofyouaspossiblecanattendatleastoneoftheseannualaffairs,especiallythatofyourownfederation.Attendingthemeetingsgivesyouaninsightonhowyourorganizationworksandmostdefinitelywillgiveyouachancetogettoknowthe“moversandshakers”better.It’salwaysfuntoputafacetoanameandhaveachancetotalkwiththesehardworking,butfunanddedicatedpeople.
Pleaseremembertoletmeknowthedatesassoonasyouplanyour2016,2017andbeyondconventionssothatwecangetthemonthecalendarandavoidconventionsonthesamedates.
CaliforniaFederation
Eastern Federation
Midwest Federation
NorthwestFederation
Rocky MountainFederation
South CentralFederation
Southeast Federation
2015 June12-15Lodi,CA
March27-29Hickory,NC
May23-24Wheaton,IL
April10-12Ogden,UT
July16-18Cody,WY
AFMSOctober23-25Austin,TX
November6-8Melbourne,FL
2016 Sept14-16Placerville,CA
October21-23Rochester,NY
AFMSJuly27-August1
Albany,OR
Page 5AFMS Newsletter – May, 2015
Staying Out of Troubleby Barbara Florio Graham. To request permission to reprint this article, contact Barbara Florio Graham at <[email protected]>
continued on page 6
Mostofusareflatteredtobeaskedtoserveon a Board, ortobenominatedfor a top posi-tion on a clubo r federat ionexecutive. It’s awaytoservefel-lowmembers,toperhaps initiatechangesyoufeelwillimprovethefederation, and
to enjoy the company of otherswho share acommoninterest.
Certainly youneverexpect that to get intoanykindoftroublewiththegovernment.Butifyouareinvolvedinanot-for-profitorganization,youmaybemorevulnerablethanyourealize.
Thisisnotareasontorefuseanomination.Therearemanyreasonstoaccept, includingtogiveback toagroupyousupport, to takeyourturnwhenothershavedevotedyearstoservice,andfortheclosefriendshipsthatoftenariseasaresultofsharingdecisions.
There’s also a logical benefit to consider.Servinginanelectedpositionraisesyourprofilewithinthegroupaswellastooutsiders.ItlooksgoodonyourLinkedInpageorothersocialmedia,andaddstoyourcredibilitywhenapplyingforajoborbeingselectedforanaward.
I am not a lawyer or an accountant, butI’ve had a great deal of experiencewith not-for-profitorganizations,helpingtowriteaCon-stitution and by-laws, and serving on variouscommitteeswithstrictreportingrules.Iwanttoencourageyouto run foroffice,butalsoknowwhat’s involved, and how to protect yourself. Thereareseveralkeythingseveryorganizationshoulddotoavoidhavingtheirnot-for-profitstatusquestionedbytheIRS(orRevenueCanada),andtoensurethesmoothrunningofannualmeetings.
Thekeyistransparency.Aslongaseverythingisoutintheopen,withfullinformationavailabletomembers and carefully documented, thereshouldnoproblems.
Keep inmind that intentiondoesn’t count.A treasurercan’tclaimheorshewas trying tolearnanewaccountingprogram,ortherecordingsecretarywassick,oroneBoardmemberthoughtsomeoneelse“wassupposedtodothat.”
DangerSigns
I’veheardthemall.TherewastheagmwhereIwasservingasParliamentarian(atermusedforsomeonewhositsbesidethechairofanannualmeetingtoremindtheChairandmembersaboutrulesforconductingthemeeting),andtherewerenominutes of the previous agm because thesecretarywhotookthemhadacomputercrash.
Guesswhat? That’s no excuse. She shouldhave rewritten them from her original notes,andpromptly sent copies to thePresidentandV.P.toensurethattherewouldalwaysbeacopyavailable,nomatterwhosecomputeractsup.
Atarecentagmforanationalorganization,thetreasurer’sreportcontainednosub-totals,noindicationthatifoneaddedupalltheexpensesandsubtractedthattotalfromtheincome,therewasaseriousdeficit,andevenalineatthebot-tomshowingahealthybankbalance.Huh?
And another large, national organization Iused to belong to had a crisis just before theholidays.ThetopthreeexecutivemembersbegantohidethingsfromtherestoftheBoard,whore-signedenmassewhentheydiscoveredtherewasnomoneytopayofficestaff,rentwasoverdue,andtheorganizationwasessentiallybankrupt!
Sohereareabaker’sdozenofthemostim-portantrulestofollow:
1.Thesecretaryhastotakeminutesofeveryboardmeeting.Ifhe/shecan’tbethere,someoneelsehastodothis.It’snevernecessarytorecordevery discussion, but key items on the agendashouldbelisted,withanydecisionsmade.
Even if theboarddecidesto“look intothisfurther,”orto“postponethistothenextmeet-ing,”orto“putthisontheagendafortheagm,”thisinformationneedstobedocumented.Boardmeetings do not usually have formalmotions,andunlessyourby-lawsspecifyotherwise,votescanbebyshowofhandsanddon’thave toberecorded. But decisionsmust be noted, and iftheBoarddealswithadifficultissue,it’swisetorecordthenumberofvotesforandagainst.
It’simportantfortheminutestoincludefullnamesofallBoardmembersinattendance,andwhochairsthemeetingiftheactualPresidentorChairmancan’t.
TheAnnualMeeting
2.Minutesofanannualmeetingneedtobemoredetailed.Theyshouldfollowtheagenda,in-cludethefullwordingofanymotion,thenameof
themoverandseconder,andhowmanyvotedfor,against,or abstained.Detailsof anydiscussionaren’tnecessary,butanykeyobjectionsshouldbe noted, especially if themotion is defeatedor amended. Keep inmind thatminutes are apermanent record, so it’s important touse fullnames.YoumaythinkeverybodyknowsthatBudisJamesSmith,buttheminutesneedtospecifyJames(Bud)Smith.
3.Checkyourby-lawstoseeifaquorumisrequiredforanannualmeeting.Ifacertainpro-portionofmembershavetobeinattendance,it’simportantthatsomeoneactuallycountthosepresent,givethatnumberforthesecretary,andensurethatafullquorumremainsintheroomforeveryvote.This isoftennotnecessary forsmall organizations, but check the by-laws tomakesure!
Your by-laws should also specifywhethernon-members can attend themeeting.Mostorganizationsallowthis,buttheChairneedstomakeitclearthatonlymemberscanvote.
4.Thetreasurerneedstoprovideafull,de-tailed,written report. This should include thesourcesofall revenue,anddetailsaboutevery
SIDEBAR:
IRS info: http://www.irs.gov/uac/News-room/
TheIRSrequiresmosttax-exemptorganiza-tionstosubmitanannual informationreport,theForm990anditsrelations,whichincludesasignificantamountoffinancialreporting.Thereportrequirestax-exemptNPOstocomplete: *anobjectrevenue&incomestatement,withparticularcategoriesspecified(e.g.salaries,postage,rentalrevenue), *abalancesheet,withparticularcategoriesspecified(e.g.cash,accountsreceivable), * a statementof functional expenses, inwhichallexpensesareallocatedtoeitherpro-gramservices,fundraising,oroperations,and *areportofexpensessegregatedbyindivid-ualprogramservice(e.g.educationalmailings,aseminarprogram), *asupportschedulethatdetailstheorga-nization’s sourcesof revenue,withparticularcategoriesspecified(e.g.charitabledonations,membershipfees,investmentincome).
Page 6 AFMS Newsletter – May, 2015
Staying Out of Troublecontinued from page 5
expenditureexceptminorandroutineofficeex-penses.Whenindoubt,includemoreinformationrather than less. The report needs to includesub-totals,aplusorminusbalance,andanota-tionaboutanyadditionalfundstheorganizationisholdinginreserveorhasinvested.Thisreporthastoincludefullcontactinformation.“$1,652toJimmyfortransportation”willraisearedflagtotheIRS,ifnottomembers!
Itisstandardforanoutsideauditortocheckthebooks.Oftenheorshewillprovidealettersayinga formalaudithasnotbeenperformed,butthereportseemstobeinorder.
5.Noticeoftheannualmeetingneedstobesenttoallmembersinadvance.By-lawsusuallyindicate the lead time necessary. This noticeshould include a call for nominations and thenominationprocedure,whichusuallyincludestherequirementthatnomineesbepaid-upmembers,andthatnoonecannominatesomeonewithoutobtainingtheirconsenttorun.It’salwaysbesttohandlethis inadvance,butmanyorganizationsallownominationsfromtheflooratthemeeting.Unlessthisisspecifiedintheby-laws,theBoardmay decide not to allow this, butmust notifymembersofthatwhenannouncingthemeetingandaskingfornominations.
Membersalwayshaveanoptiontonominatetheir executive. No Board can present a newexecutive as already determinedwithout anyconsultationwiththemembership.
6. It’shelpfulto includetheagendafortheagm,alongwithanyreports(includingminutesofthepastagm)includedintheprintorelectronicpackage.Themorereportsdeliveredinadvance,the better. But print copies of the treasurer’sreportshouldbeavailableatthemeeting.
ConductingtheMeeting
7. There are various different sets of rulesforconductinganannualmeeting,butIuse(andrecommend)amodifiedversionofRobert’sRules.Theseinclude:
8.Everymotionrequiresaseconder,andmustbevotedon. Incaseofan issuethatgeneratesalotofdiscussion,noonecanspeakmorethanonceuntilallspeakershavebeenheard.Thisen-suresthateveryonehasachancetospeak,andtherearenoback-and-forthargumentsbetweenspeakers.Themoverofthemotiondoesgettospeakagainattheend,justbeforethevote.
9.TheChaircannotspeaktoamotion,soifhe(orshe)feelsit’simportanttoexplainsome-thing, he has to “vacate the chair” and turn it
overtosomeoneelseforthebriefperiodofthediscussion.Thisshouldbenotedintheminutes. 10. If discussion goes on too long, anyonecan“CalltheQuestion”fromthefloor.TheChaircanneverdothis;ithastocomefromamember.Calling thequestionmeansalldiscussionstopsandthevoteistakenimmediately.Ifthemotionis defeated, it cannot be raised again. So it’sbettertoofferanamendmentratherthantocutoffdebatelikethis.Butitcanbeusefulatalargemeetingwhenmembersfeelnewspeakerskeeprepeatingpoints thathavealreadybeenmade. 11.Anamendmentfollowsthesamerulesasamotion,buthastobeacceptedbythemoveroftheoriginalmotionbeforeitcanbedebatedandvotedon.Someamendmentsareminorandmaygeneratenodiscussionatall.Ifanamendmentisaccepted,theamendedmotionisthenvotedonimmediately.
Theminutes need to record the completewordingoftheinitialmotion,aswellasthecom-pletewordingoftheamendedmotion.
12.Theactualnumberofvotesfor,against,andabstentionsforeverymotionneedtobere-cordedintheminutes.It’simportanttobeableto lookback inpastminutes to see if a crucialmotionwaspassedbyasmallmargin,asafutureBoardmaydecidetorevisitthatissue.
Votingforthenewexecutivegenerallytakesplaceattheveryendofthemeeting,bysecretballot.Atrustednon-membercanbeenlistedtocountballots.InoneorganizationIbelongto,thewifeofaformerPresidentwhohasremainedontheBoardasourCorporateSecretarydoesthis.Theactualcountforeachcandidate isgiventotheSecretary for theminutes,butusuallyonlythe outcome is announced to themeeting, tosaveanyembarrassment.
13. Amotion to adjourn is required, but itdoesn’tneedaseconder,andisneverdebated.Often the Chair asks for amotion to adjourn,indicatingthemeetingisover.
Our organizationswould not existwithoutvolunteers,andeveryoneshouldoffertotakeapositionontheexecutive(or insomeotherre-sponsiblerole)everysooften,sothatthesamepeoplearen’talwaysincharge.
Thisnotonlyspreadsoutthetimerequiredandtheresponsibility,butalsoensuresthatthegroupdoesn’tfallintoarut,alwaysdoingthingsthesamewaybecausethe“leader”doesn’twantanythingtochange.
Thesameistrueofnewsletter/bulletineditors.Theirdecisionsshouldalsobetransparentandtheyneedtobeopentosuggestionsfrommembers.Butthosewhocriticizeorwantthingstochangehavetobewillingtotakeovertheresponsibility.
Anyorganizationisonlyasstrongasitsvol-unteers,andwillonlystayoutoftroubleiftheyfollowthesefewsimplerules.
BarbaraFlorioGrahamhasassistedawidevariety of authors, sole entrepreneurs, andbusinesses define their brand and create a fullpromotionalplatform.Theauthorof threebooks,includingFive Fast Steps to Better Writing andFive Fast Steps to Low-Cost Publicity, she haswritten for hundreds of newspapers andmag-azines, contributed to 39 anthologies in fourcountries,andhasbeenaregularcontributortoSCRIBEformorethanadecade.Barbara’sbooks,coursesandservicesaredescribedonherwebsite:http://SimonTeakettle.com.
Have You Updated Your Club Information?by Steve Weinberger, AFMS Central Office
Manythankstothoseclubsthathavealreadysentustheir2015listofofficers.Nowwe’rewaitingtohearfromtherestofyou!
InordertocontinuesendingyourclubthelatestinformationfromtheAFMS,weneedtohavethenameandmailingaddressforyourclubPresident,FederationDirectororSecretaryandEditor. Wewanttokeepourlinesofcommunicationopenwithyou,sopleasee-mail(orsnailmail)theinfotomeat<[email protected]>assoonaspossible.
Onanothernote: severalclubshaveaskedthat informationabouttheir localshowbelistedintheAFMSNewsletter.Unfortunately,spacedoesnotallowustodothat.Pleasebesuretosendthatinformationontoyourregionalfederationnewsletterwhereitwillbepublished.
AFMS Committees: 2014– 2015
Here is the listing of the people who have agreed to serve as Committee Chairs for 2012-13. Please feel free to contact these people if you need information, have questions or would like to share ideas with them.
All American Club Regina Kapta <rmkapta at comcast.net>
AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year Evelyn Cataldo <cataldoevelyn at yahoo.com>
AFMS Newsletter Carolyn Weinberger <editor at amfed.org>
Boundaries Bob Carlson <illegitimusnoncarborundum at inbox.com>
Bulletin Editor Hall of Fame Carolyn Weinberger <editor at amfed.org>
Bulletin Editors Advisory Mark Nelson < MNelsonair at aol.com> >
Bylaws Revisory Steve Weinberger <central_office at amfed.org>
Central Office Administrator Steve Weinberger <central_office at amfed.org>
Commemorative Stamps Wendell Mohr <wmohr at erols.com>
Conservation and Legislation John Martin <<smartin at antelecom.net>
Endowment Fund Donna Moore <MWFSecretary at gmail.com>
Financial Investment Lauren Williams <slharuir at msn.com>
Historian Shirley Leeson <shirleyleeson at cox.net>
Inter-Regional Field Trip Doug True <dtruefossils12 at yahoo.com>
Judges Training Seminar Dee Holland <beauholland at centurytel.net>
Junior Programs Jim Brace-Thompson <jbraceth at roadrunner.com>
Long Range Planning Don Monroe <donmonroe at windstream.net>
Name Badges Frank Mullaney <rockyfiv at aol.com>
Nominating Richard Jaeger <rjgrsci at aol.com>
Parliamentarian Ron Carman <rrcarman at centurytel.net>
Past President’s Advisory Richard Jaeger <rjgrsci at aol.com>
Photography Steve Weinberger <central_office at afmed.org>
Program Competition Doug Moore <steinhund at gmail.com>
Publications B. Jay Bowman <bjb at wildblue.net>
Public Relations Bob Jones <jonesb52 at gmail.com>
Safety Ellery Borow 207-547-3154
Show Consultant Bob Livingston <gemguy at verizon.net>
Uniform Rules Ron Carman <rrcarman at centurytel.net>
URC Eligibility Files Anne Cook <secretary at amfed.org>
Ways and Means Richard Jaeger <rjgrsci at aol.com>
Website/Webmaster Marty Hart <webmaster at amfed.org>
Web Site Contest Dan Imel <lapidry at aol.com>
AFMS Scholarship Foundation Dee Holland, President (see Judges Training) Marion Roberts, Vice President Cheri George, Secretary Jon Spunaugle, Treasurer
AFMS Newsletter – May, 2015 Page 7
Page 8 AFMS Newsletter – May, 2015
AFMS Judges Trainingby Barbara Sky and Donna Moore
TheMidwestFederation(MWF)ishostinganAFMSJudgesTrainingsessionattheGreaterSt.LouisAssociationofEarthScienceClubsShowinSt.Louis,Missouri,onAugust14-16,2015.JayBowmanwillbeteachingtheclasswhichwillbeheldatanareahotel,thenjudgingwilltakeplaceattheshowonSunday,August16.
Anyonewhowouldliketobecomeanaccreditedjudgeiswelcometoparticipateinthistrainingclass.IthasbeenapprovedastheAFMStrainingsessionforthisyear.Yourcostwillbeforyourroom,mealsandtravel.
Theclasssitemotelhasnotbeenfirmedup,butMWFUniformRulesChairmanBarbaraSkyisworkingonaplacethatisreasonable
pricedandnottoofarfromtheclubshowsite.Ifyouareinterestedinattendingthetrainingclass,pleasecontactBarbarasoshewillbeabletogivethehotelanideaofhowmanyroomsweneedtoreserve.Shecanalsogetbacktoyouwiththedetails.Thisisopentoanyonefromanyfederation,notjusttheMWF.
Jay’sclassistwodaysofclassroomsessions,whichinvolvegoingovertheAFMSUniformRules,whichcanbedownloadedfromtheAFMSWebsite(www.amfed.org/rules/rules.htm),thenadayofpracticejudgingatthelocalshow..Youmustbringthecurrentrulesbookwithyoutothetrainingclass.Itisatimecommitment,butifyourfederationisliketheMWF,thenumberoftrainedjudgeshasdwindled.
BarbaraSkycanbereachedbye-mailat<[email protected]>byphone636-207-8766orbymailat25RolandAve.,Winchester,MO63021-5259.DonnaMoorecanbereachedat<[email protected]>orbyphone309-231-2116,ifBarbaraisn’tavailable.
AFMS Code of Ethics
Iwillrespectbothprivateandpublicpropertyandwilldonocollectingonprivatelyownedlandwithouttheowner’spermission. Iwillkeepinformedonalllaws,regulationsofrulesgoverningcollectingonpubliclandsandwillobservethem.
Iwill to thebestofmyability,ascertain theboundarylinesofpropertyonwhichIplantocollect. Iwillusenofirearmsorblastingmaterial incollectingareas.
Iwillcausenowillfuldamagetopropertyofanykind-fences,signs,buildings. Iwillleaveallgatesasfound.
Iwillbuildfiresindesignatedorsafeplacesonly andwill be certain they are completelyextinguishedbeforeleavingthearea. Iwilldiscardnoburningmaterial-matches,cigarettes,etc.
Iwill fill all excavationholeswhichmaybedangeroustolivestock. Iwillnotcontaminatewells,creeksorotherwatersupply.
Iwill causenowillful damage to collectingmaterial andwill take home only what I canreasonablyuse. IwillpracticeconservationandundertaketoutilizefullyandwellthematerialsIhavecollectedandwill recyclemy surplus for thepleasureandbenefitofothers.
IwillsupporttherockhoundprojectH.E.L.P.(HelpEliminateLitterPlease)andWillleaveallcollecting areas devoid of litter, regardless ofhowfound. I will cooperatewithfield trip leadersandthoseindesignatedauthorityinallcollectingareas. IwillreporttomycluborFederationofficers,BureauofLandmanagementorotherauthorities,anydepositofpetrifiedwoodorothermaterialson public landswhich should be protected forthe enjoyment of future generations for publiceducationalandscientificpurposes. Iwillappreciateandprotectourheritageofnaturalresources.
Iwillobservethe“GoldenRule”,willuse“GoodOutdoorManners”andwill at alltimes conductmyself inamannerwhichwilladdtothestatureandPublic“image”ofrockhoundseverywhere.
1. Adherence to theAFMSCode of Ethicsassures compliancewithmost statutes and reg-ulationsgoverningcollectingonpublic landsandencouragesrespectforprivatepropertyrightsandtheenvironment.ClubsareurgedtoreadtheAFMSCodeofEthicsinatleastonemeetingeveryyear,topublishtheCodefrequentlyintheclubnewsletter,andtocompelcomplianceonclubfieldtrips.
2.Individualsandclubsareurgedtowritetheirelectedrepresentativesandlandusemanagementagencysupervisorsregardingissuesofrulemaking,legislationandenforcementaffectingfieldcollectingofmineralsandfossils.
3.Individualsandclubsareurgedtojoinandsup-portactivitiesoftheAmericanLandsAccessAssociation(ALAA),asisterorganizationwithresponsibility foradvancingtheinterestsofearthscienceamateurswithlegislaturesandlandusemanagementagencies.
4.TheAFMSwillreceiveareportfromALAAatitsannualmeeting.
5.TheAFMSendorsestheprincipleofmultipleuseofpublic landsasaguaranteeof continuingrecreationalopportunities.
AFMS Land Use Policy
6.Wilderness andmonument designationsareinconsistentwiththeprincipleofmultipleuse.Inviewofthevastamountofpubliclandalreadydesignatedaswildernessandmonuments,futuresuchdesignationsshouldbeminimal, taking intoaccount the increaseddemand for recreationalopportunities,includingrockhounding,createdbyagrowingpopulation.
7.Infurtheranceoftheprincipleofmultipleuse,theAFMSbelievesthatlaws,regulationsandruleses-tablishedbyrelevantgovernmentalauthoritiesshouldbedesigned toallow freestpossibleaccess toallpubliclands,coupledwithminimalrestrictionsontherecreationalcollectionofminerals,fossils,gemstonematerialsandothernaturallyoccurringmaterials.
8.Arighttocollectmineralsandfossilsonpubliclandsshouldbeprotectedbystatute.
9.TheAFMSurgesitsmemberstoworkwithanyorallgovernmentauthoritiestoachieveagoodworkingrelationshipinordertoimprovethe“PublicImage”ofrecreationalcollectors.
