For further information, please contact:
Adam Dean (909) 489-4899
theagatehunter@verizon.net
or
Shep Koss (661) 248-0411 (Home Phone)
theshepster@webtv.net or freudonetoo@yahoo.com
By now you all know that the Ant Hill trip was cancelled at the last moment due to impending severe weather creating hazardous conditions on
the hill slopes. Examining those hill slopes that morning showed most were buried in collapsed overhang burying the fossil layers. Thankfully we didn't have a large group there risking burial as has happened before. Be sure to attend the Cady Mountain weekend trip this month. Weather should, at this time of year, cooperate. But be sure to contact us in case of last minute changes.
Saturday of the fossil trip I still found about a dozen people waiting in the steady rain who didn't get the cancellation notice. The legality of collecting fossils at Ant Hill has also been brought into question necessitating more research. Also contact Adam or Shep about interest in another Double Tourmaline weekend so we can notify the owners of those mines on attendance. See Field Trip Reports on last year's trip. The upcoming trip is tentatively planned for late June or early July.
-Adam & Shep
By Bud McMillin & Patt McDaniel
Bud’s question:If we are on a field trip and car pool, is there any coverage under our CFMS liability policy to cover society members riding in the car in the event
of an accident?
Patt’s answer: There is no coverage for members in the sense of accident coverage, but if a passenger holds CFMS and its officers and volunteer responsible for their injuries, the policy would respond. The liability insurance of the driver would, of course, be primary. To reduce risk, it is best to let people optionally arrange for their own carpools, if they wish.
The following are quotes from the CFMS insurance brochure:
“If volunteers are using their own autos in the business of the club (such as going to the bank or moving a display) and are involved in an at-fault accident, they are not only personally liable, but the club may also be held liable. This coverage is designed to protect the club in that event. This insurance covers only damages over and above coverage provided under other policies in force at the time of an occurrence resulting in a claim. Drivers are responsible for their own liability and should carry insurance. We recommend that you ask your automobile insurance agent for at least $500,000 CSL (Combined Single Limits) or greater. The clubs should not allow an individual to drive on behalf of the organization unless it has been determined that the individual has at least minimum legal limits of coverage.”
and:
“Never arrange carpools for others or assign rides. Only responsible parties with auto insurance should be asked to drive their own vehicles on behalf of the organization (for example: moving displays or trips to banks or printers).”
-Patt Wilson McDaniel
McDaniel Insurance Services
By Jim Brace-Thompson
This month, I turn to a topic of immediate relevance given the upcoming combined AFMS/CFMS Show & Convention this June sponsored by the North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society. Please encourage all pebble pups and junior members to enter a display, competitive or not. Displaying at a regional federation show is always a rewarding opportunity, an opportunity made even more unique this year in that it will also be the national show. In addition to the usual awards, at AFMS shows, the Lillian Turner Award (a certificate, $100 bond, and mineral specimen) go to the Outstanding Junior display. Forms for entering displays are easily downloaded from the CFMS web site, www.cfmsinc.org. Click on the link to "AFMS/CFMS Show & Convention-2010"; you'll be whisked to a page with show info and forms. Deadlines are May 18 for noncompetitive and June 1 for competitive entry applications.
Why encourage your club’s kids not just to attend but also display? A fun part of collecting and the lapidary arts is sharing what we’ve found or made. We get to “show off” and also learn from others, getting advice, sharing tips, and just generally forging bonds of friendship and networks of like-minded individuals. I often get phone calls or emails from people who have seen my fossil displays at shows, and it’s resulted in trading specimens, sharing localities, and building friendships.
But creating an effective display involves more than getting a glass-fronted box and throwing in a bunch of rocks. The junior program leader should obtain a copy of the AFMS Uniform Rules, read it, and hold a seminar with your club’s kids to go over the basics of building an effective display. Such a seminar should be hand-on. Bring rocks and fossils in varied shapes and sizes. Place a display case front-and-center, and then vividly illustrate display techniques; for instance, show the difference that lighting can make, or show how specimens can get lost against a “busy” background of plaid versus how they can be highlighted against a neutral background like eggshell white. You might also supply kids with a photocopied “tip list” of do’s and don’ts of displaying (e.g., use neutral linings; strive for balance; include neat, clear labels that are precise, concise, and large enough to read; make effective use of lighting; etc.). A nice touch, if any members in your club have such photos, is a brief slide show or photo album of award-winning cases from past local or federation shows. Finally, turn the kids loose to try out different arrangements and display techniques themselves and have them share critiques and ideas. One thing to resist: the urge to step in and design a child’s display yourself. Any competitive exhibit should spring from the imagination and efforts of the individual child.
Once you’ve taught your pebble pups the techniques of assembling an effective display, help them gather the best of their rock, mineral, or fossil collections or their lapidary artwork and prepare a display for the show. The rules for competitive exhibits can sometimes be challenging to follow, even for adults, so help guide kids through them. If your kids don’t feel they have enough for an individual display, organize a collective club display. One way or another, let’s go to the show!
Helping kids with their first big show display is a sure way to help them learn, build a network and—as always—have fun!
- Jim
By Susan Chaisson-Walblom
Seeking Nominations for AFMS 2011 Scholarship Foundation Honoree
The goal is to have nominees determined at or shortly after the conclusion of our annual November Directors’ Meeting in Visalia, but please don’t wait until then! I’m sure any number of worthy names come quickly to mind, so please share your thoughts with me as soon as you can.
To make a nomination, send me the name/s of your nominee/s along with a brief background explaining why you believe your nominee deserves this award. Please consider service that has been long and reaches beyond the regional level. You may submit your nominations by contacting me
by
phone at (661-943-1861),
mail (42122-52nd Street West, Quartz Hill, CA 93536),
or e-mail (slchaisson@yahoo.com).
Thank you in advance for your nominees!
- Susan
Editors note:
Dee Holland was kind enough to forward the following correct information about the AFMS scholarship after my March article…Thank you Dee!
Hi Susan,
In the CFMS March Newsletter, page 6, you mention in the first paragraph, the scholarship is for two years, with $2000. per year. This was changed at the Billings AFMS Scholarship meeting. Starting 2011, the scholarship will be for ONE year, and $4000. per student for each of the two students chosen by the AFMS Honoree from CFMS.
You might be interested in 2010; this year there will be two students who will receive $2000. for one year unless we collect enough unrestricted donations to cover for 2010 only the extra $24,000 needed for each student to receive the additional $2000 to make the total $4000. per student for one year – 2010.
Unfortunately CFMS has not come through with the needed donations so far, unlike several of the other regional federations who have met their goals.
Dee Holland, AFMS Scholarship President
By Richard Pankey
This is the final call for this most important and interesting seminar presented by the CFMS Field Trips – North. What you can learn here can dramatically affect access to and collecting on many of our historic and favorite collecting sites. So far the response and sign-ups have been good but there still is plenty of space available.
The purpose of this seminar is to encourage CFMS societies to establish and share claims and to provide them with the information to do so. Some CFMS societies already have claims and it is recommended that more societies have and share a claim. If your society is interested in having a claim or you just want to find out more about claims and how to do one you should attend. I would especially like representatives from societies that already have claims to attend and tell us about you experience with your claim. I would like to hear from all societies who have or had a society claim. If you can’t attend please e-mail or send me the information that I requested in the March Newsletter. This seminar is for societies who have questions about claims, for societies that want to have a claim, and for all rockhounds that are interested in claims.
This seminar is hosted by the Mother Lode Mineral Society on Saturday, April 24, 2010 in Empire, CA, near Modesto. An announcement flyer with details, map and directions is available on the CFMS Web Site - www.cfmsinc.org and on the COOP web site - www.ourfieldtrips.org. Or e-mail me at dickpankey@juno.com and I will send you a flyer. This is an all day seminar and lunch will be served. The cost of the seminar is $5.00 (payable at the seminar), which includes registration, coffee and tea, and a lunch of hot dogs with all of the trimmings, potato salad, chips and a beverage. Please reserve your place at this seminar by notifying Bud McMillin at bud.mcmillin.b7yj@statefarm.com or at 209-527-8000 (work) or 209-524-3494 (home) no later than April 16th.
-Dick
By Beth Myers
Successful organizations always plan for the future.
If your society is like many others, it’s difficult to think creatively and plan for the future at Board meetings and General Membership meetings – there just isn’t enough time!
One solution is to establish a Long Range Planning Committee which takes very little effort but can yield impressive results. One society conducts their Long Range Planning meetings once each quarter. Although chaired by a single society member and attended by several regulars, all members are invited to attend and participate. Here is just one success story that resulted from such a meeting:
This society has an Education Program which provides outreach opportunities for teaching elementary school children, The Scouts, etc. about many aspects of geology and earth sciences. Until recently, members of the society had to load the containers of rocks/minerals/fossils/etc. into their own vehicles, drive to the schools, unload the containers, provide the instruction, re-load the containers into their vehicles, then unload them at their home. The Long Range Planning committee researched the cost of purchasing a new 5’ X 8’ enclosed trailer including the cost of insurance. With some fund-raisers, donations and two grant requests, the society now owns a fully self-contained “Education Trailer” complete with loading ramp and storage areas which is towed to-and-from each school. What a difference it has made!
If your society doesn’t already have a Long Range Planning committee, now may be the perfect time to add this silver bullet to your society’s arsenal!
-Beth
By John Martin
HAPPENINGS AROUND
CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA INVOLVING PUBLIC LANDS
For Rockhounds who use our National Forests for their collecting the USDA Forest Service is in the process of revising their Resource Management Planning Rule for the 193 million acres of National Forest System land they manage. This is the chance to have our concerns and issues addressed and included in these plans which could have an effect on our collecting in the National Forest for many years to come. If you collect in any of our National Forests and would like to continue you may want to attend one of the national workshops listed below or submit your issues, concerns, desires and any comments to the USFS through the links listed below. The best place to start would be your local US Forest District Office and ask when and where any local meetings are going to be held and where to send comments on the management plan for your local forest area.
Following the meetings, notes will be posted on the planning rule Web site, http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule to allow for further feedback. Summaries of the presentations and discussions in the science forum and roundtables, along with the individual comments received during the 60-day formal comment period on the Notice of Intent, will be used to develop the proposed rule and a draft environmental impact statement.
The meeting that includes the CFMS is scheduled below:
* Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5),Sacramento, CA on April 6, 2010;
Webcasting may also be available for selected meetings; please check the planning rule website, at http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule
To encourage widespread participation the Forest Service is using new media tools in conjunction with the public meetings. Please visit http://blogs.usda.gov/usdablogs/planningrule to participate in the Forest Service web-based planning rule blog.
It’s your Forest, use it the way you want, so get your comments in as soon as you can.
Now on to the BLM report.
The Bureau of Land Management has the responsibility to manage the public federal lands
through out this country. Most of the land under their management control lies
in the 13 western states.
At the top of the list right now is proposed legislation
to turn 13 million acres of this public land into some form of wilderness area
or new national monuments.
Both of these designations will put a real damper on our ability to have access
to collecting areas within these closed areas.
Some examples of these proposals are in California and is titled California
Desert Protection Act of 2010, S-2921 and if enacted will create nearly
1.6 million acres of new wilderness and National Monuments in the southern
California desert area. These new designations will have a large impact
on Rockhounding in Southern California because many of the prime collecting sites lie
within the boundaries of this proposed legislation. Central California is having
its own problems also.
The area known as Clear Creek has been a favorite
collecting area for more than a hundred years, where you can collect Serpentine,
the California State Rock, Actinolite, Jade and other related rocks and minerals.
It is also the only area in the world where Benitoite, the California State Gem Stone,
has been found. The Clear Creek Management Area is about 40 miles wide and 75 miles long and has been closed to all human contact for the last several years do to a
questionable EPA report of Asbestos contamination. There are now hearings being
conducted on the future of this area and several California Gem and Mineral Society
members have been involved in these discussions and meetings and have been able
to provide useful input in trying to get this area open once again for recreational
uses including Rockhound Collecting.
There is currently a proposal to create an additional 4,989,800 acres of
Federal Public Lands into National Monuments some of these areas are in the area of the CFMS
and are:
- Berryessa Snow Mountains, California
- 500,000 acres Heart of the Great Basin, Nevada
- Northwest Sonoran Desert, Arizona
- 500,000 acresOwyhee Desert, Oregon/Nevada
- Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, California (Expansion)
- Bodie Hills, California
- The Modoc Plateau, California (Several Million Acres)
- National Historic and Scenic Trails (Multiple States)
- Nevada officials oppose possible national monuments
Elko County is joining Nevada's congressional delegation in trying to nip in the bud any ideas the Obama administration might have about establishing two national monuments in northern Nevada. U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., are pushing measures in Congress to require congressional approval of any such federal designations.
While some of these proposed National Monuments may not have any collecting areas and some may be needed to preserve and protect environmental, cultural, and historic areas these monuments are proposed to be created by executive order and NOT going before congress for debate and/or public input at an estimated cost to the American Tax Payer of $2,383,260,000.00.
We welcome your inputs and comments.
The CFMS PLAC South Committee has set up an Email Address < plac-south@antelecom.net > that can be used to advise the committee of new and pending legislation that may have an effect on our ability to enter, collect and enjoy Rockhounding in the California Federation of Mineral logical Societies area. The email address may also be used to ask questions or voice concerns over issues that involve our collecting hobby. When email is received at this address it is also received by the members of the committee so that all members have access to the information and can respond in a timely manner with appropriate answers or guidance.
Please use this email address to voice your concerns or questions. We will try our best to give a timely response.
-John
By Bural LaRue
The third week in March of each year is National Poison Prevention Week and is designated highlight the dangers of poisons and how to avoid them. I recommend visiting their website www.poisonprevention.org. This site was established to provide information about events associated with National Poison Prevention Week.
Here’s one recent example of how contact with a toxic substance nearly cost a life. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, poisonous gas that kills more than 25 kids a year. Some of these deaths could be prevented by CO alarms; these are available at hardware stores for about $20…a small price to pay to help detect one odorless poisonous gas in the home. I nearly lost my sister 2 months ago from CO coming from a faulty furnace. Fortunately her dog woke her up and she was able to escape in time to call 911.
Please post the toll free nationwide number for the Poison Control Center by each phone at home and on your cell phone. 1-800-222-1222. It’s monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Stay safe out there!
-Bural
By Jennifer Haley
Our committee hasn't as yet, received any letters of nomination for 2011 Honorees.
We know there is someone who does deserve this honor but we have no way of knowing
unless you let us know. The most favorable time to mail them in is before the
June Annual Show & Convention and the November Business Meeting when our
committee sits down together. This year we know donations are understandably down.
Even checks in the amount of five dollars from your club will make a jingle in the
Scholarship Fund when it's deposited. Thank you!
-Jennifer
By Mike Kokinos
In 2007 the Internal Revenue Service announced a new annual electronic filing requirement for small tax-exempt organizations.
Beginning in 2008, small tax-exempt organizations (almost all our societies) that previously were not required to file returns may be required to file an annual electronic notice. Form 990-N Electronic Notice (e-postcard) for tax-exempt organizations not required to file Form 990 or 990-EZ. This filing requirement applies to tax periods beginning after December 31, 2006.
Last year societies that did not have Federal tax exemption, attempted to file Form 990N. These were rejected even though the EIN (tax identification number) was provided.
The IRS exempt staff originally told me that the EIN master file database would be used for filing the Form 990N. This was not the case.
If you tried filing and were rejected, I recommended calling the IRS Exempt Organizations at toll free (877) 829-5500.
If your Society was unable to file for lack of an EIN, you must obtain it first. In some cases, you might not be sure the Society has an EIN. Chances are the Society actually has an EIN. Check with the Society’s banking institution. They are required to obtain an EIN before allowing a bank account to be opened.
WARNING
Please make sure Treasurer’s and other officers are aware of this new requirement. The new requirement requires the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization that fails to meet its annual filing requirement for three consecutive years. Late filing will not be a problem as it is a new program. Societies using a calendar year should file by May 15. Late filings should be completed as soon as possible.
To file, go to the IRS website (irs.gov) do a search on 990-N. It will lead you to the site to file this electronic form.
Those societies with gross receipts over $25,000 should check filing requirements. In most cases only the Form 990EZ will be required.
-Mike
By Dee Holland
The AFMS Uniform Rules Committee is soliciting changes to the AFMS Rules BOOK. This information must be in to me, as Chair, by May 1st, no later.
The URC meeting will be Wed. June 16th at 1pm at the host hotel, and changes will be on the agenda at that time. Items not on the agenda will be held over for next year.
Send to:
Dee Holland, P.O. Box 23
Tendoy , ID 83468
or email me at: beauholland@centurytel.net or shirleyleeson@cox.net
-Dee
By Loretta Ogden
All of the members of North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society have been very busy planning and working on the 2010 AFMS, CFMS & NOC Show and Convention. We are all hoping you are planning to come. The show is called Hidden Treasure and when you are here you will experience all the treasure we can find for you.
The field trips we have planned are superb and if you don’t have a vehicle we will do our best to match you with one of the locals. All of these trips are planned after the show so you won’t miss any of the other activities. There are two different trips to tourmaline mines and also our wonderful and bountiful Mojave Desert. This area is on the list to be closed to us so now may be your last chance. The exact dates and info are listed below.
We will have over 40 dealers with everything your heart desires and more.
There are world-class speakers lined up for the weekend. Bob Jones of Rock & Gem magazine and the knowledgeable Walt Wright who we are lucky enough to call a member of our club.
The competition will be fierce and the displays spectacular. The demonstrators are anxious to show you all they do and hopefully spark your interest in something new.
The social activities are measuring up to be loads of fun. I guarantee you have never had a past Presidents luncheon like this one. You are going to love it.
The Cracker Barrel on Friday night is going to be a pirate debacle. There will be a treasure hunt, food and good company galore. But be prepared someone may have to walk the plank.
The awards banquet is going to be a Mexican Fiesta complete with dancers, music and of course the traditional authentic food.
It is our hope that you will enjoy yourselves and take home priceless memories of your time at The Hidden Treasure Show.
Two Tourmaline Mines in Two Days!
- June 21st:
The Oceanview - Fee Dig $50 (this is a $25 discount per person)
Caravan to the Lake Henshaw Resort (I am working on a group rate reservation
for the spaces next to the mine)
- June 22nd:
The Himalaya - Fee Dig $50 (this is a $15 discount per person)
Fossil Hunters Choice! -
June 23rd:
-
Trip One - Ant Hill - More Strenuous Option
- Trip Two - Jalama Beach - lead by Jon Meredith - less strenuous option
Rock Hound or Tourist? - June 24th:
- Trip One - Lavic Siding - lead by Jay Valle - More Strenuous Option
- Trip Two - LA County Natural History Museum - lead by Dr. Larry Barnes - less strenuous option
-Loretta
By Dee Holland
The deadline for competitive exhibits for the combined CFMS/AFMS show in La Habra, CA is fast approaching. The deadline on the application form (download at amfed.org) is May 15th, but we’ve moved it back to no later than June 1st.
This is on a first come, first served basis because of the limited space. Please contact me with any questions you may have regarding entering a competitive exhibit.
You can reach me at:
beauholland@centurytel.net or shirleyleeson@cox.net
See you at the show!
-Dee
By Colleen McGann
AFMS ENDOWMENT RAFFLE TICKETS
FOR SALE
$5 EACH OR 5 FOR $20
BUY TICKETS FOR YOUR CLUB AND BUY FOR YOURSELF!
Raffle drawing to be held at the AFMS/CFMS Show June 18-20. 2010.
Some of the auction items are a 2” Eudialyte sphere, a faceted amethyst pendant and earring set, a pear cut amethyst ring, a 13 “ high amethyst cathedral, and a chrysophrase wire wrapped pendant.
For tickets contact:
Colleen McGann
PO Box 224, Santa Clara, CA 95052-0224
(831)212-1951
or colleen.mcgann@hds.com.
