CFMS Newsletter

Theme
“Gemstones of the World” - a poster illustrating one or more gemstones or minerals that interest you, from anywhere in the world.

Eligibility
Any kids grades 1-8. Each grade will have a winner. Ribbons awarded for 1st through 4th place. 1st place winner will also receive a prize./p

Contest Rules

• All entries must be on paper 12 X 18 inches.
• Include name, address, age and school grade of participant on back of Entry.
• Artwork can be pen, ink, crayons, magic marker, paint or any other artists’ medium; however, no 3-dimensional posters.
• The title may be on the front or the back.
• List names of the gems and/or minerals and why you chose them.
• All entries become the property of the Summit Lapidary Club.

Scale of Points
Originality and Artwork—30 points; Design—25 points; Title—25 points; Listing of gems and/or minerals and reason—20 points.

Deadline
Entries must be postmarked by April 1, 2009; send to David Rich, 1166 Broadview Road, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278.

Winners to be displayed and awards given at Summit Lapidary Club's Spring Gemboree on April 25, 2009. If you have questions, contact Contest Chairman David Rich: (330) 630-9625, DRICH@lapidaryclubofohio.org.

LONG RANGE PLANNING:
We, the CFMS!

By Richard Pankey

A project I have undertaken is to improve the perception and understanding of the Federation by our member societies. In the January 2008 Newsletter I asked for feedback from our member societies. I wanted to find out what you, the clubs, the people of the Federation, know about and how you perceive the CFMS. And what kind of response did I get? Less than 10 clubs responded. Some were very detailed, lengthy replies. Some were short and concise. All were good information. What do the other 110 societies think about the Federation? What do they know about the Federation?

So again in the December 2008 CFMS Newsletter I have asked for feedback from the societies in the form of a questionnaire. Hopefully this will get better participation from the societies. The questionnaire was directed to the Federation director but could be responded to by the society president. If you haven’t seen or don’t remember the questionnaire, please go back to your December issue and take a few minutes to complete it. Just pull it out of the newsletter, complete and mail it back to me.

This project has two main objectives:

• To develop a comprehensive statement of what the CFMS is and does.
• Most of all, I would like to change the thinking of THEM the Federation and US the societies to US the Federation!

Knowing how the societies currently perceive the Federation is valuable information for achieving these objectives.

PUBLIC LANDS ADVISORY-NORTH:
Northeast California RAC

By Norvie Enns

After three times applying for a position on the BLM Resource Advisory Committee, I've received a notice of acceptance to the Northeast CA RAC. Hopefully, input into this committee will have a positive effect on our rockhound collecting and enjoyment of public lands.

Concurrently I am also a member of the Blackrock/Highrock Wilderness & Conservation Area for the BLM RAC Subgroup. For four years the Subgroup worked with the BLM on a management plan that was agreeable to everyone. There are still issues to be addressed, one of which is to have the Blackrock Desert geodes area named as a rockhound recreation area. This would require the stewardship of the local gem and mineral club and the CFMS. I do not know whether this will happen or not, but I will keep working on it.

Membership on the CFMS PLAC Committee has declined from 18-20 people in the 1980s and 1990s to five members now. All rockhounds need to notify and inform PLAC committee members of upcoming meetings and hearings involving our collecting rights. Also please keep in touch with PLAC members about new issues and concerns that need CFMS input regarding public lands. Norvie Enns, Reno Gem & Mineral Society, 775-786-9887, nve5103@charter.net.

OMNIBUS LANDS BILL ON HOLD

By Carolyn Weinberger, AFMS Newsletter Editor

Many of you are aware of the Omnibus Lands Bill that was introduced last fall. The intent was to push this legislation through the Senate before the last session concluded with the end of 2008. An update: the bill was withdrawn. Reasons included a threatened filibuster by Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn and a perceived lack of 60 votes to invoke cloture. And of course, the Senate did have important economic issues to deal with, so a filibuster would truly have bottled things up. Note, however, the bill will probably be reintroduced in January when the new Congress begins.

NOTES FROM JOHN

By John Martin, AFMS Conservation & Legislation Committee

Proposed 29 Palms Acquisitions Project
Toward the end of last year, the US Marine Corps (USMC) announced they would hold three Open House Scoping Meetings in early December 2008 (Dec. 3 in Twentynine Palms, Dec. 4 in Victorville, Dec. 5 in Ontario). The meetings were part of the Navy's Proposed Action to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed acquisition of 366,000 acres of public land, including 189,000 acres of Johnson Valley OHV Area, from the Bureau of Land Management. As most of you already know, the transfer of these public lands would have huge impact on the OHV community and recreating public. While it's now too late to attend one of these Scoping Meetings to let the USMC know where you stand, you can still send comments, pro or con. Comments must be received by Jan. 3l, 2009, for consideration in the Draft EIS. For more information, visit http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/las.

A Warning about Artifacts
Just a note to remind any rockhounds with an interest in arrowheads, scrapers and the like: these can get you into a lot of trouble if they are collected on Public Lands. That's BLM and USFS managed land and maybe others. Did you know that old rusty cans, rusty barbed wire, pieces of purple glass and even nails, especially the square ones, are also considered archeological artifacts? Collect them, and you can be arrested, your vehicle impounded, and you may face fines and jail time. So when you are out collecting rocks, just remember that even junk is now considered archeological artifacts, and be careful about what you pick up, as illustrated by the case below.

"Folsom pair pleads not guilty in artifact-theft case" (Sacramento Bee, 11/13/08) "A Folsom father and son pleaded not guilty Thursday to allegedly removing archeological artifacts from public lands." The pair "allegedly unlawfully collected archaeological items that were at least 100 years old and had archaeological interest including Native American projectile points, stone tools, bifaces and flaked or ground stone from Nevada ... The two men face a potential prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $850,000..." Above reprinted from News.bytes, issue 358 - BLM California

Mojave Max Emergence Contest for Kids
Pennsylvania has the country's official Ground Hog to mark the emergence of spring. Now, California has "Mojave Max," a desert tortoise residing at The Living Desert in Palm Desert. A contest is underway for any students in grades 1-12 to guess when Mojave Max will emerge from his burrow, where he's currently snoozing the winter away. Students (one from each participating county) who submit the closest guess will be declared winners. Eligibility is restricted to students enrolled in public, private and registered home schools in Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. If kids in your club may be interested, they must enter online at www.mojavemax.com/ (Above based on a Desert Manager's Group news release.)

RULES COMMITTEE:
AFMS Uniform Rules Updates

By Dee Holland

Following are new and modified AFMS Uniform Rules that were passed by mail ballot and will be in force January 1, 2009. Because the CFMS Show is so early this year, we want to make sure everyone is fully aware of these changes, so we urge local officers and directors to notify members of your club or society as soon as possible. CFMS club members can download the new information at www.amfed.org then look for “AFMS Rules. ”

1. Part I - Arbitration Committee wording – at the end of paragraph 2.3 add: “See Arbitration Committee, S-I-P-V-2(2003),” and on page S-I-P-V-2(2003) add the title: “Arbitration Committee” to paragraph 8.8 (all else remains the same).
2. Part II – Paragraph 5.1 (c) (3) change “three months” to “thirty days.”
3. Part III – Rule 6.7 change “for the same trophy” to “in the same class” (This change allows an exhibitor to compete for the same trophy in a different class without having to wait 3 years.)
4. Part IV – In paragraph 7.0 after the second sentence, add: “E-mail may be accepted, but must have all information as listed on the registration form.”
5. In division C, subdivision CA, add size limitation in classes CA-1, 2, 3, and 11: “One piece must have minimum measurement of 100 x 150 millimeters.” Also in subdivision CW (one type of work), change Class CW-10 to: “Contoured polished specimen(s) – one piece must have minimum measurement of 100 x 150 millimeters” (F)(1)(T21) (lists dimensions in millimeters to agree with those used in other classes).
6. 10 pieces minimum be shown in D classes: Change Rule 15.12 to read: “All classes in this division must contain a minimum of ten items.” Renumber Rule 15.12 (Out-of Class) to 15.13 and 15.13 (References) to 15.14. Also, in Out-of Class, add: “(h) Items under the imposed minimum of ten.”
7. Add 3 names to lapidary list: caymanite, larimar, pietersite, if not already there.
8. Certification cards for AFMS judges: ADD TO: Special Operating Procedure #12 – JUDGES TRAINING, p. 2: CERTIFICATION CARDS FOR AFMS JUDGES - Certification cards are to be issued on approval of the AFMS Judges Training Chair and instructors at RECOGNIZED Judges Training School Facilities. Recognized Facilities and instructors shall be approved by the Judges Training Chair. To Receive a Certification Card, the Applicant: 1) Must have attended an approved Judges Training Course. (A one or two day seminar does not count toward this certificate.) 2) Must have judged at least two years at the Regional Level and one year at the AFMS Level as a full judge. (Not a learning judge) 3) Must be recommended by two or more AFMS Certified Judges.

Certification Award Committee shall consist of Judges Training Chair, Committee members to be Judges Training Instructors of approved courses. A list of persons having received certification cards is to be maintained by the Judges Training Chair. Upon approval of the Uniform Rules Committee and the AFMS Board of Directors, those judges who have already qualified to receive their certification will receive AFMS Certified Judge Cards.

CFMS SCHOLARSHIP:
Seeking Scholarship Honorees

By Jennifer Haley, CFMS Scholarship Committee Chair

Bring in the new year by nominating someone as a Scholarship Honoree this year. It will be a meaningful experience for your club, and that special person who has made exceptional contributions towards furthering the purposes and goals of CFMS. The person need not be a member of a rock club. It could be that quiet geologist you’ve known for years in your community that makes an extra effort to bring what he learns in the field back home to his community working with kids and giving talks on his free time. The Honorees are announced at the November business meeting and have the unique opportunity to offer a $2,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice. This scholarship will go to a student who will be attending that school as a junior or senior in the Fall term, majoring in the Earth Sciences or Jewelry Arts, and achieving a 3.0 grade point average. The student will know in sufficient time to prepare for the Fall semester knowing she/he is the recipient of our grant. The student is invited to attend the Awards Banquet during the CFMS Show. Clubs, now is the time to start working your rock magic to find and let me know who those exceptional people are! Enjoy the journey. Send your nominees to: Jennifer Haley, Chair, CFMS Scholarship Committee, 5442 Washington St., Napa, CA 94558.

SHOW DATES:
Club Shows

By Susan Chaisson-Walblom

Welcome to a new column for the CFMS Newsletter by your Show Dates Chair! Each month will have new ideas to enhance your local club’s show. Attendance is one of the most important things to work on. Displays, demonstrations, seminars and good vendors are a few things that will attract your club’s membership, as well as other people, to a show. But, without the proper publicity, they will not come! There are many free places to advertise our club shows, starting with the CFMS Newsletter and Website. We should all also take advantage of the Rock & Gem Magazine's Show Calendar section. There is a link to this on the CFMS Website. Go to LINKS, scroll down to Rock & Gem Magazine Show Calendar and fill out the electronic submission form. The Show information should be submitted as soon as a Show date has been established for the following year. If you have an idea for bettering a Club Show you would like to share, please let me know!

SLIDE & VIDEO LIBRARY:
Call for Entries!

By Bill Gissler

Authors/producers of non-commercial slide, video or digital presentations are invited to participate in the 2009 Program Competition. Entrants must be members of a CFMS or AFMS affiliate society. Winners receive a cash prize and national recognition. Deadline for all submissions is April 15, 2009. Details, entry form and tips to improve presentations are available on the AFMS web site (www.amfed.org) or contact Marge Collins, Program Competition Coordinator, c/o margaret@qtm.net (QTM.net) or 3017 Niles Buchanan Road, Buchanan, MI 49107.

TAX ADVISOR:
Internal Revenue Service Form 990

By Mike Kokinos

Societies that are required to file Form 990 or 990EZ should be aware of material changes to the Forms. Most of our societies have gross receipts less than $25,000 so are only required to file Form 990N. There are no material changes to this Form.

The new forms 990 apply to societies with a 2008 calendar year and organizations with fiscal years beginning in 2008. For example, a fiscal year society with year ending May 31 will file the revised Form for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2009.

I recommend Societies required to file the revised forms access the IRS web site at www.irs.gov, then access the exempt organization section to locate the revised forms and the revised instructions for filing.

DEMONSTRATOR DIRECTORY:
Looking for Interesting

By Terry McMillin

Are you looking for new and interesting demonstrators? So am I. I'm in the process of compiling a list of people who are interested in demonstrating at shows and society meetings. If you know of anyone who would like to be included on the list, please send me subject and contact information. The list will be made available at the April CFMS Federation meeting. Please send your leads to: Terry McMillin, terry.mcmillin@yahoo.com, (209) 524-3494.

By-Laws Update

By Theresa Kokinos