 Founded to Serve |
 Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc |
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Founded to Serve |
Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc |
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. February of 2008 I’ve developed a fairly simple guiding principle or life philosophy. Adhering to the K.I.S. principle I can sum it up in one word. That one word that I use to guide me through life is – are you ready – Others. Yes I believe in helping and interacting with others. The best moments in life occur while helping others. In my career, I’m a customer service representative who happens to work on computers. As you might guess there is never a shortage of things to add or fix on computers. While I’m actually technologically challenged, I enjoy helping people solve the problems they are having with their computers, or adding new equipment that makes their job more productive or easier. At my church I’ve worked with preschool and elementary age children. So long in fact that many of them are having children of their own. I may get a chance at teaching them too. I tell you it’s a great feeling to have been a part of these children’s lives and a part of the lives of those I work with. On a larger scale, look at all the help – both time and money – that was extended to those who lost their belongings, jobs, even family members in the hurricanes that occurred about two years ago. I don’t think the recovery efforts would have even gotten off the ground had it not been for volunteers making others their priority. One friend had four trailer truck size generators on the Gulf coast less than a day after the hurricane hit providing power for four hospitals in the damaged areas. My future son-in-law spent his entire Christmas break that year working on helping others clean up. I’ve found that rockhounds follow this philosophy too. Look at all variety of folks in our clubs and federation that teach others about our hobby. Most of them freely give of their time to teach others, usually only charging for materials. Think about all the rockhounds that got together to start our clubs and later our federation. I don’t remember hearing of anyone doing the work for pay. They did it so others could enjoy our hobby. Think about those in our clubs that volunteer to teach classes, give programs at our meetings, and work to produce our shows that raise most of the funds for us to fund our club projects. How about our field trip leaders? They work hard to find places for us to go rock collecting. By now I’m sure you’re wondering – What’s all this rambling about? It’s headed straight toward our workshops this summer and fall. We have a lot of people lined up to place and to help provide students with a wonderful learning experience. Other than the desire and reward of doing the job, about all these folks for pay is room and board, maybe a little reimbursement for gas. The point is they do what they do to help others. It’s up to us to help them out by filling up the workshops. I’m a fan of motivation and since the workshops are so valuable, I’m going to offer a special President’s prize to the club that sends the most students to the workshops this year. This motivation – ok it’s really a bribe – will be a donation of $100 to the winning club. My only request is the money be used to help others learn more about our hobby. No pizza party, please!!! I may do something for second and third place as well, but haven’t worked that out yet. I’m serious about filling our workshops this year. By the time you read this, you should either have already sent your applications to the workshop registrars, or you should be getting them in soon. I plan to be at most of the workshops, so I’m sending my applications in early. I’m going to let the registrars know my first choice of classes, but will also let them know they can put me in another class that needs students to be able to have the class. I hope you’ll do the same. Some classes will fill up early, so if you can’t get into the one you really want, please consider others and try another class. I’d like to see all the classes full. You will also notice the annual meeting host is empty on the inside back page. I should have already had someone lined up to host the meeting. It hasn’t happened. If your club has a show the last quarter of the year, would you consider hosting the annual meeting in conjunction with your show. My only request is that it not be the second weekend of December. That’s the weekend of my club’s show. Won’t you consider hosting the annual meeting? We need a room for the meeting, arrangements for a hotel, and the host club would need to arrange for the banquet. The federation will reimburse you for your expenses although we do have a set dollar limit for the meeting. Please call me if you are interested. My contact information is inside the front cover of the Lodestar.  Steve
Henegar
SFMS President3415 Northboro Court Murfreesboro, TN 37129-1209 IMMEDIATE
PAST PRESIDENT
 Buddy Shotts P.O. Box 427 Lucedale,MS 39452 Email: @ |
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The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. Send e-mail to: sfms@amfed.org |
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