Chairman's Corner

It is the time of year for New Year's resolutions, so I have a few for the Foundation and for myself.

1. Clean up the Foundation Gallery. Because space is so limited, the gallery gets used for Foundation storage. We have a really great collection on display, but we need to find a place to store all our stuff and get some of the clutter out of the gallery. (My garage is even worse and I resolve to clean it up this year.)

2. Have more field trips for the Foundation. One of the benefits of joining a group like the Foundation is to go on trips with other collectors. As I pointed out in last month's newsletter, the number of localities for collectors to visit is constantly getting smaller. Any one who can help by organizing or leading a trip let me know. (I resolve to get out in the field for more collecting.)

3. The Foundation needs more material for sales. At the last workday we cleaned out the entire trailer. There are about a hundred flats for the Flagg show and then about ten more flats for future sales. For small donations, we can give the donor a letter for tax purposes, and sell the material at our sales. For very large donations we must keep the material for two years before selling it. Please find that extra material. (I resolve as a part of my first resolution of cleaning out my garage to donate specimens I find there to the Foundation.)

4. The Foundation needs to resolve to continue past projects and find new projects for the good of the mineral collecting hobby. We will continue the Minerals of Arizona Symposium. Harvey Jong is working on a CD from the ninth symposium on type minerals. Any other ideas please let us know. (I resolve to look at all the half finished projects that have accumulated over the years - may be I can finish one.)

Resolutions for all members. Repeat after me: "I resolve to be more active in the Foundation. I resolve to volunteer at the Museum. I resolve to donate my extra specimens to the Foundation.

Ray Grant

Next Page