september 2009 afms newsletter

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PAIDBurley, ID 83318

Permit No. 9

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American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Serving Seven Regional Federations

Volume 62, Number 8 – September, 2009<www.amfed.org>

AFMS NewsletterCarolyn Weinberger, EditorPO Box 302Glyndon, MD 21071-0302

Also In this Issue Mega Thanks to the Billings Gem & Mineral Club

For being such Wonderful hosts!

Imagine.... ...160 displays - 60 of them entered in competition. ...akidscornercompletewitharaffle,spin-a-wheelandinteractivemineral identificationgame. ...scadsofdealersfeaturingjewelry,minerals,"oldthings(fossils)",lapidaryequipment,findings,tools and lots and lots of cutting rough. ...an active silent auction with a large variety of interesting things to bid on ...a very active demonstration area featuring suchcraftsasfiligree,wirewrapping,concaveand regular faceting, silversmithing, and fossilpreparation. ...lotsoffriendly,involvedmembersoftheBillings Gem and Mineral Club. ...a faceted stone auction that raised about $10,000fortheAFMSScholarshipFoundation. ...abanquetattendedbyabout250peoplethat featured excellent food! ...reasonablyshortAFMSandNFMSmeet-ings held in comfortable surroundings. ...excellentfieldtrips. ...thefamousRockFoodTable. ...thefirstevershowingofamoonrockinMontana. ...anattendanceofover3,000people. HadyouattendedtheNFMS/AFMSconven-tioninBillings,MTthisJuly-August,youwouldhave

experienced all of the above and much more. What a wonderful week everyone had.

Many,many thanksmust be extended to Doug and JeannetteTruewhoseemedto

be everywhere and doing everything. Many of the visitors fromAFMScommentedonhowseemlesseverything went. Other members of the Billings club handled the various other tasks - hosting the various mealfunctions,handlingtheseminarsandtalks,set-tingupanddismantlingshowcases,coveringdealertables,runningwiresetc.Itwasapleasuretoseeandmeetsuchwonderfulandhappypeople.Allofyoucanbevery,veryproudofajobwelldone.

IfyoumissedtheshowinBillings,youcanstillown a piece of the fun. Doug has produced a show poster which you can still purchase and have mailed toyou. Theposter,picturedabove is$9($5+$4postage). You can obtain it by contacting Doug at: Opening the show

Billings Gem & Mineral Club2622Broadwater

Billings,MT59102

Checks should be payable to the Billings Gem & Mineral Club.

We truly thank the mem-bers of the Billings club for being such wonderful hosts.

FromthePresident ..................................................... 2Uniform Rules Meeting .............................................. 2Ted'sSafetyCorner .................................................... 3Club Rockhounds of Year .......................................... 4Richard Glismann ........................................................ 4JuniorActivities ............................................................ 4Words of Caution ....................................................... 5Upcoming Regional Conventions ............................ 5QuickTipsforEditors ................................................ 6Web Master Contest Report ................................... 6Web Master Contest Results ................................... 7AllAmericanAwardWinners ................................... 8EndowmentFundDrawingResults ......................... 8WinningArticlesBooklets ........................................ 8EditorsContestResults ............................................. 9AFMSRecognitionAwards ......................................14CompetitiveExhibitTrophies .................................14AFMSCommittees ...................................................15A.L.A.A. ........................................................................ 16AFMSCodeofEthics ............................................... 16

Address Seervice Requested

The AFMS

Proudly ServingSeven Regional

Federations

Officers:

AFMS Newsletter -September, 2009

PresidentJoy Bourne

<[email protected]>

President-ElectEmerson Tucker

<[email protected]>

1st Vice PresidentBob Miller

<[email protected]>

2nd Vice PresidentLauren Williams

<[email protected]>

3rd Vice PresidentAnn Monroe

<[email protected]>

4th Vice PresidentRichard Jaeger

<[email protected]>

5th Vice PresidentColleen McGann

<[email protected]>

SecretaryAnne Cook

<[email protected]>

TreasurerPat LaRue

<[email protected]>

NewFriendsAreSilver,buttheOthersAreGold!” ThisoldroundwassungaroundmanyaGirlScoutcampfirewhenIwasmuchyounger,anditjustpoppedbackintomindasIwaspreparingthis message to my Rockhound friends.

Bythetimeyoureadthis,the2009AnnualMeetingandConventionwillbehistory.IwanttothanktheBillingsGem&MineralClub,theNorthwestFederation,thevariousmembersinvolvedinputtingontheconventionandespeciallyDougTrue,conventionchair,forhostingsuchawonderfulevent.Weweretreatedtooutstandingspeakers,wonderfulslideprograms,excitingcompetitiveandnon-competitivedisplaysandthewarmhospitalitythatMontanahastooffer.Mytravelingcompanionandgoodfriend,SueMacinnisandIwereespeciallypleasedtomeetsomanyofyouandmakelotsofnewrockhoundfriendsduringourtime together. NowI’mlookingforwardtonextyear’sAFMSshowinCaliforniaandthenthefollowingyearinSyracuse.It’sgratifyingtoseeclubsofferingtohosttheseshows.IknowthereisacertainreluctanceamongmemberswhenthequestionofhostingaregionalorAFMSshowarises.Yes,itinvolvesworkandexpenseoverandabovetheeffortofproducingthenormalannualshow,butwithpropermanagementandplanningitcanbedonewithoutlosingmoney.Ihaveseenshowsheldinagreatvarietyofplaces,fromfancyconventionhallstofairgroundsbuildings(whichoftenworkoutquitewell),evenalocalhighschool!Themostimportantitemsarethewilltogetthejobsdoneand,ofcourse,enoughwillingmemberstodothework.

Youwillfind,atthepost-mortemevaluationofyourShowcommittee,thatitwasreallyagreatexperi-encetohavemadesomanynewfriendstoaddtoyourlistof“old”friends.Youwillbeenrichedwithbothsilverandgold-how'sthatformakingaRockhound'sDay?

Joy

"Make New Friends, but Keep the Oldby Joy Bourne, AFMS President

Uniform Rules Committee Newsby Barbara Jacobsen, URC Chair

AttheannualmeetingoftheUniformRulesCommittee,aproposalfortheestablishmentofanewDivi-sionforBeadingandBeadwork,DivisionI,wasconsideredandadopted.SeveralproposalsregardingCC-7,CreativeCabochons,werealsoconsidered. TheURCCommitteedecidedtodeletethecreativeclassdefinitionandchangetheModerndefinitionto"ModernandCreative",thusallowingtheminallclassesthatallow the Modern cabochons.

ProposedchangestoS-I-P-II-2-2009wereadopted,includingthetimingofregionalsubmissionsofpro-posals for changes to the Uniform Rules and the providing of such changes and an agenda to URC members. TheCommitteealsoapprovedaproposalforrewritingandcombininbofthefirstandsecondsectionsof

the Uniform Rules to reduce repitition and confusion aboutregionalandAFMScompetition.

TheCommittee examined editorial revisions to theAFMSReference List for Fossils. TheAFMSMineralCompetition Listwas discussed and its scoringwasclarified.Finally,severalchangestotheAFMSMineralClassificationListwereapproved.

AllchangeswillbeavailableandtakeeffectasofJanuary1,2010.

Members of the Uniform Rules Committeefront: Josie Middleton, Barbara Jacobsen, Barbara Sky,

Anne Cook, Betty JamesBack Row: Bob & Kathy Miller, Joe Slouber,

Tom Burchard, Jay Bowman, Dee Holland, Bob Carlson


Purpose of the AFMS: To promote popular interest and education in the various Earth Sciences, and in particular

the subjects of Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontol-ogy, Lapidary 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

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Content – LettersEditorial Comments – Submissions

Any communication concerning the content or format of the Newsletter should be

sent to the Editor:Carolyn Weinberger

PO Box 302Glyndon, MD 21071-0302

410-833-7926<[email protected]>

Deadline is the 1st of each month preceding publication

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Material in this Newsletter may be duplicated for non-commercial purposes provided credit

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must be contacted for approval.

Radioactivity and You

ItaughtmilitarystudentsaboutnuclearweaponeffectsanddefenseagainstsameformytwoyearsUSArmyactivedutyservicemanymoonsago.Myfeelingat the time was that few outside the nuclear physics or health physics world had anymeaningfulunderstandingofthistopic.Ifearthatthegeneralknowledgehasnot improved much since then.

Whentheterm‘radioactivity’isusedingeneralconversation,IfeelmostthoughtsfocusonThreeMileIslandandChernobyl.Iknowscoresofpeoplewhowouldtakeawidebertharoundanoperatingnuclearpower plant (out of safety concerns) rather than take one of the fascinating tours some of them offer.

Radioactivityandfluorescencearesomewhatrelated,inthatneithercanbedetectedbyanyofthefivesenses;specificelectronicdevicesarenecessarytoknowtheirexistence.However,fluorescencecan’thurtyou,whileradiationcanbeahazard.

Therearethreetypesofradioactivitythatmaybeemittedbytheunstablenucleiofcertainminerals.BorrowingontheGreekalphabet,theyare:

•Alpha:structurallyaheliumnucleus.Thisformofradiationhasverylowpenetratingpower(canbestoppedbyasheetofpaper),thusisnohazardoutsidethebody.Internally,however,itposesariskifanalphaemitter would be inhaled or ingested. •Beta:structurally,astreamofelectrons.Betahassomepenetratingpower,thoughcanbestoppedbyathinpieceofaluminum.Itismoreofanexternalhazardthanalpha–prolongedskincontactwillproduceasunburn-likeeffect.Internally,it’soflowerhazardthanalpha,buteatingisnotadvised. •Gamma:essentiallysimilartoX-rays.These,dependingonenergylevel,havegreatpenetratingpower,andcanbestoppedonlywithgenerousamountsofhigh-densitymaterialssuchasLead.Theymaypassthroughthebodywithoutdoingdamage,ormaychipelectronsoffatomsandcausegreatdamageiftheenergyishigh and the exposure time is long.

Howmayoneidentifysuchspeciesintheircollection?Tostart,someofthemorecommonradioactivemineralsare:Uraninite,Torbernite,Autunite,andGummite–alluraniumcontainingspecies.Todetectthem,aGeigercounter(militaryRadiacinstrument)isneeded.eBaylistsquiteafewdevicesinthe$20-$60range,mostareCivilDefenseitems.ManyofthemmeasureGammadoserateanddetectBeta,suchastheCDV700deviceusedbyCivilDefense.Alphadetectorsareunusual,andhardertofind.IfyouhavealocalCDunit,theymaybewillingtolendyouadevice.Inanyevent,youneedoneusedforpersonnelmonitoring(lowerdose rate) rather than one for survey.

So,youdeterminedpartofyourcollectionisradioactive…whattodo.Commonsensetakesover.Don’teat,drink,orsmokewhilehandlingthesematerials.Washyourhandsafterhandling.Storethemfurtherawayfromyourlivingareas(doseratedecreaseswiththesquareofthedistance).Avoidmechanicalprocesseswhichmayputfinedebrisintheair.ConsiderthatLead-linedboxforfairlystrongGammaemitters(butnotfor Beta).

Likemanyotherhazardsinlife,onecangenerallycontrolthemwithknowledge.Handledsafely,you’llgetmoreradiationinaCTscan,fromnormalbackground(alwayspresent)radiation–cosmicraysandnaturallyoccurringradioactives,andfromtheradioactivePotassium40presentinyourownbodiesthanyouwillfromyour mineral collection.

FreesafetyP.S.:TheUSDeptofH&HSoffersahouseholdproductsafetysite,whichmaybereachedathttp://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm.Thissiteincludesmanyspecificallynamedcommercialproductscommonlyfoundaroundthehomeanddiscussestopicssuchashealtheffects,symptomsofexpo-sure,firstaid,physiciannotes,andmanyothers.

Additionalinformationmaybefoundat<www.hedegaard.com/Minerals/Groups/Radioactives.html>.Thislinkisfairlywellwrittenandmaybeincludedforthosewhowishtodoadditionalreading:

[I’veenjoyedsharingsafetythoughtswithAFMSpeopleoverthispastyear;hopefully,youfoundthesearticlesdifferent,interesting,andinformative.-TJR]

Ted's Safety Cornerby Ted Reith, AFMS Safety Chair


Richard "Dick" GlismannJanuary 12, 1930 – July 12, 2009

DickGlismann,apastpresidentoftheNorthwestFederationandGoldenSpikeGem&MineralSocietypassedawaythispastJuly.afterashortbattlewithcancer.Atthetimeofhisdeathhewas79yearsold.

Aretiredtoolmaker,Dickspentover50years inthehobby. Dickdidn'tjustjoinaclubtobeamember,hejoinedtoparticipate!Hejoinedthe IntermountainFacetersGuild andbecameoneof it's famed "DareDevil"faceters.DickalsowasamemberoftheGoldenSpikeGem&MineralSocietyandtheRockArtisansofUtahandinadditiontoholdingnumerousofficesandchairmanships,heultimatelywaselectedpresidentofeachofthegroups.ThisofcourseledtohiselectionaspresidentoftheNorthwestFederationin1996.Healsoservedas5thand4thRegionalVicePresidentfortheAFMSin1999and2000.

DicklikedtoshowoffhisfacetedstonesatshowsacrosstheNorthwestandoccasionallyatAFMSConventions.ThisledhimtobecomeinterestedincompetitionandinworkingontheUniformRules.HeservedontheURCcommitteeforthreeyears,ultimatelybecomingitschairman.

Many people outside theNorthwest knewDick and hiswife Bonnie fromAFMS conventionsthroughouttheUnitedStates.Itwasrareforthemtomissattendingwhethertheconventionwasontheeastorwestcoast....orsomewhereinbetween.HeandBonniewouldalwaysattendtheTucsonshowseachFebruaryandDickcouldbeseenpurchasinggoldmountingsforthevariousfacetedstonesthattheDareDevilgroupauctionedoffeachyearateithertheNorthwestorAFMSConventiontobenefittheAFMSScholarshipFoundation.

DickissurvivedbyhiswifeBonnie(formerAFMSClubRockhoundoftheYearchair),asonanddaughter and four grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers and a sister.

ThosewishingtomaymakecontributionsinDick'smemorytotheAFMSScholarshipFoundation% of your local federation coordinator.

Carolyn Weinberger

The50StateChallengeRevisited

Oneyearago,Iposedthequestion:Whatdothefollowing stateshave incommon? Alaska,Arkansas,

Delaware,Georgia,Hawaii,Idaho,Illinois,Iowa,Louisi-ana,Massachusetts,Minne-sota,Mississippi,Montana,Nebraska,NewHamp-shire,New Jersey,NorthCarolina,NorthDakota,Rhode Island, SouthDa-kota,Utah,Vermont,WestVirginia,andWyoming.

Answer: Not a singleclubfromthose24stateshadenrolledevenasinglechild intotheAFMSFutureRockhoundsofAmericaprogramwhileI’vebeenoverseeingitthesepastseveralyears.Thus,Iissued“The50StateChallenge”toseekidsallacrossAmerica,ineachandeverystate,wearinganAFMSFRAMembershipbadge.Iaskedthatifyouresided in one of those states and if you had even a single childinyourclub,pleasecontactme(805-659-3577,[email protected]),sowecouldsignthemupandsendthatchildanFRAMembershipbadge.

I’mverypleased tonoteandwelcome the fol-

Having Fun: Junior Activitiesby Jim Brace-Thompson, Jr. Activities Chair

lowingstatesintothefold:Alaska,Idaho,Illinois,andUtah.That’sbetter—butwestillhave20statestogotoachieveourgoalofanFRA-affiliatedgroupofkidsineachandeveryoneofourglorious50states.Here’smylogic:I’mprettysuretherearerocksineachofthose20remainingstates,andI’venoticedwherevertherearerocks,therearerockhounds.Andthroughourclubsandsocieties,rockhoundsoftenmeetotherrockhounds.Undertherightcircumstances,pebblepupsresult.Ergo,I’mprettysuretherearepebblepupsineachofthoseremaining20states,andwouldn’t itbegreattogivethemaFutureRockhoundsofAmericabadge?!

Asofthiswriting,nationwidewenowhave79clubswithanFRAaffiliation,with1,558Membershippatchesdistributed,2,636activitybadgesawarded,and93kidswho have earned at least 6 of the activity badges and thushaveearnedtheirRockhoundbadge,symbolicallygraduatingfrompebblepupsor“future”rockhoundstotrue-blue,full-blownrockhounds.TheAFMSFRAprogram is intended to cultivate interest within the next generation of rockhounds by giving them a sense ofbelonging,bothwithintheirindividualclubandwithintheirbroader federation,with the long-termgoalofsustainingourhobbywellintothefuture.Sohere’stospreadingtheword,spreadingtheFRAprogramintoeachandeverystate,andspreadingthefun!

AFMS Club Rockhounds of the Yearfrom Loretta Ogden, AFMS Chair

Eastern Federation

TheGem,Lapidary&MineralSo-cietyofMontgomeryCounty,MDis proud to recognizeHeather

Felsen asourRockhoundoftheYear.Shedoesanexcellentjobchairingourannualshow,managingamultitudeofdetails:venue,dealercontracts,floorplan,andmore.Fewissuesrequirefirefightingattheshow,duetoHeather’sexcellentplanning.HeatherenlistsSocietyvolunteerstopresentawiderangeofactivities,educationaldisplays,andexhibitsatourshow. Her leadership shines and she gets results alwaysremainingcalm,cool,andcollected!

submitted by Mark Dahlman, president

Midwest Federation Iwouldliketonominateaverydeserving member as Rockhound of theYear –Tom Dilworth.A

memberoftheBruknerGem&MineralClub,TomistheShowChairmanandhasbeenthatformanyyears.Hehasheldtheofficesofpresidentandvicepresident for the club.He took faceting lessons,wirewrapping,andcabochons.Heisnotonlyahardworker but is very active in all aspects of the club.

submitted by Yvonne Owen, president

Northwest Federation TheMt.HoodRockClub(Or-egon) is proud to nominate Lamar

and Merlia Tilgner for Rockhounds of the year 2009.Memberssince1972,theyhavetaughthun-dredstheartsofCabbing,Silversmithing,Beading,Wire-wrapping,Displaying, Judging, Earrings, BeadKnotting,andHigh-speedSanding. LamarwasthefirstPresidentofthePortlandRegionalGem&MineralShowAssociationandcre-atedtheNorthwestRockhoundRetreat.HealsonegotiatedadisplaycaseforourclubintheNorth-west Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Merlia sews400grabbagseachyearandhasbeenhelpingwithMembershipforover20years.Togethertheyare invaluable to our club.

submitted by Stephen Petkovsek, President

It'seasytorecognizeamember(orcouple)fromyour club!

Just tell us in about 75-100wordswhy yourclubhonoreesovaluabletoyourgroup.EachAFMSaffiliated clubmay submit information about onemember (or couple) per year and have it published in this newsletter.

SendyourinformationtoyourregionalACROYchairpersonor,ifyourfederationdoesnothaveone,directlytome.Thenwatchthisspace!


Words of Cautionby John Wright, RPG, AFMS Conservation & Legislation Chair

for recreational activities like rockhounding.)This“Act” is going to affectboth“public and pri-vate” lands.Notonlyisthisgoingtolimitalotofdesirablematerials,itisalsogoingtolimitalotofprimeareasforoutings.Thebillisoutofcommitteeand on a fast tract for passage this fall. By the time you read this article it will probably be too late for contactingyourRepresentatives,butwestillhaveanopportunitytowriteourSenatorsandstopthisinsane legislation.

2. Clean Water Restoration Act (S787) (Wetlands). ThisbillisstillincommitteeasIwritethisarticle,butrememberI’mworkingalittlemorethanamonthin advance and it may well be on fast tract for passage bythetimeyoureadthisNewsletter.Inmyopinionthis bill is one of the largest power-based and mas-sivelandgrabsindecades.Thesheerscopeofthisproposed legislation ismindboggling. Every bodyofwaterfromlittlestreamstotheGreatLakesandboundary lands “public and private” are going to be placed under government control. Millions of acres considered to be seepage areas that replenish subsurfaceaquifersaregoingtobeseverelyrestricted.“Wetlands” are going to be significantly expandedto include massive areas considered marginal under previous criteria. Evenmountain, high plains, anddesert runoff areas are going to be controlled and protected.ThefewthingsI’vementionedherearejust the tip of the iceberg so to speak.

Inthepastsixmonthsseveralimportantpiecesof legislation were bundled into a couple of major packages and passed by Congress that is going to haveadrasticimpactonourhobby.Thereseemstobe a lot of apathy and lack of interest on the part of ourmembershipaboutlegislativematters,butthemain problem is that our members are just not well informed.Pendinglegislativemattersthatcould adversely affect recreational activities on public owned lands have been covered by articles in the AFMSNewsletterformanyyears.Thenewslettersareavailableonlineandcopiesaresenttoofficersineverymembersocietyandareafederation,butthatis where the information seems to stop. Most of our membershaveneverseenanAFMSNewsletterortheirFederation’sBulletinsandimportantpendinglegislative matters are seldom mentioned at meetings or published in bulletins.

Thereiscurrentlymorelegislationpendingthatcould affect our hobby and their sponsors are work-inghardtobringthemtotheflooroftheHouseandontotheSenateforavotepriortothe2010mid-termelectioncycle.TherearethreeinparticularthatIthinkweneedtobeawareof:

1. Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009. This isamassivebill (justthesummary isa100 pages) that is going to be devastating to many rural areas and small communities that depend on mining for their livelihood. Most of the problems for activities like rockhounding are going to be the resultofcollateraldamage.(Thismeanswearego-ingtogetzappedeventhoughthebilldoesprovide

3. Antiquities Act of 1906: Ma-jor Acts of Con-gress and Act 58 of 1967. Efforttoup-datethis law is in the very early stages of com-mitteework.Thissit-uation could change quicklyasithasalotof bi-partisan support. Don’t pick up anyarrowheads,potteryshards,oranythingelsethatlooksoldandmanmade,particularlyonanystateorfederallands.Ifthislawisup-dated,itwillmorethan likely include private property also.

Therewasnotmucheffortmadebyourmem-bers to stop the recently passed legislation and while there seems to be some growing concern, thereprobably will not be much opposition to the pend-ing legislation on our part in the near future unless therearesomedramaticchanges.Alotofefforttoresearch and glean the information needed by our membersisbeingdoneatalllevelswithinAFMSandALAA,butifthisinformationisnotpassedontothemembership,wewillnevergetthegrass-rootsup-portneededtopromote,change,ordefeatlegislativematters that affect our hobby.

CaliforniaFederation

Eastern Federation

MidwestFederation

NorthwestFederation

Rocky MountainFederation

South CentralFederation

SoutheastFederation

2009April 17-19San Jose, CA

Oct. 17-18Bristol, CT

May 16-17Berea, OH

AFMSJuly 30 - Aug. 2

Billings MTOct. 2 - 3

Roswell, NMOct. 10-11Temple, TX

Sept. 18 – 19Jacksonville, FL

2010 AFMSJune 18–20La Habre, CA

March 6–7Newark, DE

Nov. 13 - 14DeRidder, LA

2011 AFMSJuly 7–10

Syracuse, NY

Upcoming Regional Federation Conventionsfrom Bob Livingston, Show Coordinator

HereisalistingoftheupcomingRegionalFederationConventions.Pleaseremembertoinformmeonceyourfederationselectsitsdatesothatwecanavoidconflicts.YouwillnoticethattheAFMSmeetingsfor2010and2011havealreadybeenscheduled.andthesedates therefore should be avoided when scheduling your own federation convention.

High bidder in the "Dr Bob" scholarship foundation auction.


Quick Tips for Editorsby Linda Jaeger, Bulletin Editors Advisory Chair

If you have a question (or sugges-tion) about editing or writing or the bulletin contest or something related, send it to me by email: <[email protected]> or at home address: 3515 E. 88th St., Tulsa, OK 74137. If I cannot find an answer to your question, we’ll publish the question and ask the read-ers for their answers.

Congratulations to all ourwinningeditors,authors,andwebmasters!Lookforthelistofwinners elsewhere in this edition of the AFMS Newsletter.Thentakea little breath and start looking at entries for the next contest.

Remember that you can find sample score sheets onlineattheAFMSwebsite,<www.amfed.org>,as well as good information on editing a newslet-ter.

WHICH or THAT – How do you know? As I read judges comments on this year’sentries in the articles and features categories,I noticed several comments about using” that”insteadof“which”andviceversa.So how do you know when to use each one?

Let’slookatacoupleofexamples: 1 - “We found limestone and sand-stone, which are sedimentary rocks.” Thephrase“which are sedimentary rocks”de-scribes all limestone and allsandstone.Inotherwords,limestoneandsandstonearemembersofa group called sedimentary rocks. When nouns that are members of a group are being described bynamingthegroup,weuseaphrasebeginningwith“which.”

Ifweleftthe“which”phraseoutofthesen-tence,itwouldnotchangethemeaningofwhatitwaswefound.The“which”phrasejustgivesextra information about all sandstone and all limestone (they are sedimentary rocks) – thisinformation could even go in parentheses.

2–“We found a geode that was filled with amethyst crystals.” In this example,notice we cannot say that all geodes have am-ethystcrystals.Inotherwords,notallgeodesaremembers of the group that has amethyst crystals. Only some geodes have amethyst crystals. When the descriptive phrase is a group that contains only someofthenounsbeingmodified,weusea“that”phraseandnocomma.

Considerthequestion,”which one (of the noun beingmodified)?” If the answer is“that one (referring to themodifier phrase),” thenusea“that”phrase.Iftheanswerdoesnotmakesense,it’stimetousea“which”phrase.

Okay. Test yourself with these sen-tences: A.WehavesapphiresthatcamefromHelena,

Montana. B.Wehavesapphires,whichcamefromHelenaMontana. C. Oklahoma is one of the states that has dinosaur remains. D.Oklahomaisoneofthestates,whichhasdinosaur remains.

E.OurclubbelongstotheRMFMSthatisaregionalfederationoftheAFMS. F.OurclubbelongstotheRMFMS,whichisaregionalfederationoftheAFMS.

G.A collection of petrified wood that hasabsorbed iron during petrifaction is inside the front door. H.Acollectionofpetrifiedwood,whichhasabsorbed iron during petrifaction, is inside thefront door.

How’d you do? A.yes – only some sapphires come fromHelena,Montana;which sapphires? – the ones from Helena B. no – to use“which,” all sapphiresmustcomefromHelena,Montana

C. yes – only some states have dinosaurremains; which states? – the ones with dinosaur remains D. no--touse“which,”allstatesmusthavedinosaur remains

E.no–touse“that,”onlysomeoftheRM-FMScanbearegionalfederationofAFMS;which RMFMS? – this sounds like there is more than one RMFMS and does not make sense! F.yes–allofRMFMSbelongstoaregionalfederationofAFMS

G. yes–onlysomepetrifiedwoodhasab-sorbed iron during petrifaction; which petrified wood? -- the wood that absorbed iron H. no – to use“which,” all petrifiedwoodmust have absorbed iron during petrifaction

References: Lica,Lorraine,PhD.“TheDistinctionBetween‘Which’and‘That’.”The Distinction Between “Which” and “That” with Diagrams Especially for Scientists.Lor-raineLica.25May2009.<home.earthlink.net/~lica/wichthat.htm>.

Stewart, Jennifer.“UsingWhich and that.”Write101.com.JenniferStewart.9February2001.25May2009.<www.write101.com/W.Tips115.htm>.

Well,it’salloverexceptfortheshouting—andthere definitelywill besome shouting going on in the upcoming months. All theregional federa-tion contestants have had the Web sites of theircontestantsjudged,and the results have been returned to the Webmaster Contest Committee Chairpersons for eachregionalfederation.Threeofthesevenfedera-tionshavealreadyheldtheir2009annualshows—California Federation, Midwest Federation, andNorthwestFederation—andtheCFMS,MWF,andNFMScertificateshavebeenpresentedalongwiththe and 1stand2ndplaceanimatedGIFs(imageswitha moving part) that are to be placed on the top two regionalWebsitesasasymbolofthequalityofthesite.TheSFMSshowistentativelysetforSeptember18–19,andtheRMFMS,SCFMS,andEFMLSshowsareallscheduledforOctober,sotheresultsoftheircontests will be announced then.

TheNFMS/AFMSshowwasJuly31–August2inBillings,Montana.Thesevenregionalfederationfirst-placeWebsiteswerejudgedbyWesLingerfeltandBobKeller(ofBob’sRockShopfame),andtheAFMSresults were announced at the Breakfast with the EditorsandWebmastersonSunday,August2.TheAFMSfirst-placewinnerreceivedaplaque,andthetopthreeplacesreceivedanimatedGIFsforinclu-sionontheirWebsites—asymbolofexcellence.Allentrantsreceivedcertificatesfortheirachievement.TheAFMSWebmasterContestwinnersarelistedon the next page of this newsletter.

TheAFMSannualmeetingwasheldJuly29dur-ingtheAFMS/NFMSShowandConvention.Anamechange for the Webmasters contest was proposed to the attendees.

Everyone involvedwith theAFMS2009Web-masters Contest has been very pleased with the enthusiastic response the new contest received in spite of its sudden and unexpected appearance into thecontestworldduringthefinalmonthsof2008.Atotalof46Websiteswereenteredintothecontest.California had the highest number of entries with 12,andtherestofthefederationshadfourtoeightentries. I expect thateach federationwill receivemoreentriesforthe2010contest.

TheContestCommitteeMembersandallthejudgeshavethoroughlyreviewedthe2009contestScore Sheet, theGuidelines for a goodWeb site,andtheEntryForm.Thecontestfor2010willbeevenbetterthanthecontestfor2009.Thegoalofthe contest is for every club to have a Web site that makes viewers want to learn more about the club and about rockhounding, provides clubmemberswithcurrentclubactivityinformation,andgetsnewmembers for the club.

AFMS Webmasters Contest Report by Phyllis George, Ad Hoc Webmasters Contest Chair

continued on page 7


AFMS 2009 Webmaster Contest Reportcontinued from page 6

Forty-fivewebsiteswereenteredinourfirsteverAFMSWebmasterContest.ThesewerefirstjudgedattheregionallevelwiththebestthenforwardedtoourtwocrackAFMSjudges-WesLingerfeltandBobKeller-forre-evaluation.Basedonthecommentsofallthejudges,wewillbemakingafewrevisionstothescoresheetfor2010,andyourAFMSBoardofDirectorshasjustapprovedrenamingthecontestthe"Website"sincejudgesaren'tlookingatthewebmaster,butratherthecontentofthewebsite.

Herearetheresultsofthe2009competition.Congratulationstoallwhoentered.

Region Webmaster Club Club Location Website1 CFMS TerryYoschak RosevilleRockRollersGem&MineralSociety Roseville,Ca www.rockrollers.com2 SFMS Mike Baldwin MemphisArcheological&GeologicalSociety Collierville,TN www.memphisgeology.org3 NFMS SusanAppleby WillametteAgate&MineralSociety Salem,OR www.wamsi.org4 SCFMS PhyllisGeorge HoustonGem&MineralSociety Houston,TX www.hgms.org5 RMFMS BobLoeffler NorthJeffcoGem&MineralClub Arvada,CO www.peaktopeak.com/njeffco/6 EFMLS JoeMulvey MicromountersofNewEngland Nashua,NH www.micromountersofnewengland.org7 MWF Milton"Mike"Bamfield ParmaLapidaryClub Cleveland,OH www.parmalapidary.com

Duringthescoresheetanalysisbythejudges,several pointed out that the webmaster was being judged on items over which he or she has no control. Theyrecommendedthatthenameofthecontestbechangedfrom“WebmasterContest”to“WebSiteContest.”ThisproposalwasvotedonandapprovedattheAFMSannualmeetingduringtheAFMS/NFMSannual showand convention, so thenameof the2010contestisnow“WebSiteContest.”

The new and improved 2010 Score Sheet, EntryForm,andGuidelinesforWebSiteswillbeavailableasPDFdocumentsontheAFMSWebsiteandonalltheRegionalFederationWebsitessometimeinSeptember.ThesefilescanbeopenedwithAdobeAcrobatReader®.FreeAcrobatReadersoftwareisavailable at <www.adobe.com/products/reader/>.Contestinformationcanbefoundat<www.amfed.org/web/webmasters_contest.htm>.

Oncethe2010formsareavailable,anywebmas-ter wanting to enter his or her club Web site in the 2010contestshoulddownloadthethreefiles.BesuretoreadtheGuidelinesdocumentcompletely—it provides good information on how to improve

your Web site and discusses how your Web site will bejudged.TheEntryFormandtheScoreSheetwillbefillableandsaveablePDFfiles,andBOTHdocu-mentsareneededtoenterthecontest.Youcanfillthem out online and save them to your hard drive. OnlythetopportionoftheScoreSheetshouldbefilledout.E-mailyourcompletedEntryFormandthepartiallyfilled-outScoreSheet totheCommitteeMemberforyourfederation.Remember—waituntilthe2010formsarereadyandontheAFMSWebsiteandthevariousFederationWebsites.Donotsendin2009forms.

All formsare inPDFformat,andtheycanbeopenedwithAdobeAcrobatReader®.FreeAcrobatReadersoftwareisavailableat<www.adobe.com/products/reader>.Important:BesuretodownloadAdobeReaderVersion9sothedocumentsyoufillinandsavecanbemodifiedifnecessaryafteryousavethem.Versionspriorto8donotallowmodificationofthefilled-indocument.

Thecontestinformationcanbefoundat<www.amfed.org/web/webmasters_contest.htm>.

Members of the Web-masters Contest Commit-tee are as follows:

Cal i forn ia Federat ion(CFMS) MerryanO’Neill<[email protected]>

EasternFederation(EFMLS) DanImel <[email protected]>

MidwestFederation(MFMS) CindyRoot<[email protected]> NorthwestFederation(NFMS) CheriGeorge<[email protected]>

RockyMountainFederation(RMFMS) DaleWatts <[email protected]>

SouthCentralFederation(SCFMS) DonShurtz<[email protected]>

SoutheastFederation(SFMS) JimFlora <[email protected]>

2009 Webmaster Contest Resultsfrom Phyllis George, Contest Chair

2009-10 AFMS Officers: Sec'y Anne Cook, VP's Ann Monroe, Judy Beck, Marion Roberts, Matt Charsky, Pres-Elect Bob Miller, 2009 Pres. Joy Bourne and Pres. Emerson Tucker. Not pictured: Rocky McCall, Pat LaRue


2009 All American Club Award Winnersby John Washburn, Chair

The2009AllAmericanClubAwardCompetitionisnowhistoryandIwasdelightedtobeabletoan-nouncetheresultsduringthebanquetatBillings,MTonAugust1.ThejudgesandIwereveryimpressedwiththeentrieswereceivedanddelightedtoseethemanyactivitiesinwhichtheseclubsandtheirmembersareengaged.Ihopethatthiscomingyear will see more clubs compile a yearbook of their activities and enter. Guidelines andscoresheetswillbeavailableinanupcomingAFMSNewsletter.

Thecompetitionthisyearwasforclubactivitiesduringthe2008calendaryear.Andthe winners are:

Club Federation AwardSmall ClubsWacoGem&MineralClub,Woodway,TX SCFMS BronzeMedalAwardLincolnGem&MineralClub,Lincoln,NE MWF SilverMedalAwardSutterButtesGem&MineralSociety,Marysville,CA CFMS SilverMedalAwardWestCentralIllinoisRock&MineralClub,Macomb,IL MWF SilverMedalAwardWisconsinGeologicalSociety,WestAllis,WI MWF SilverMedalAward

Large ClubsClackametteMineral&GemCorp.,ofOregonOregonCity,OR

NFMS SilverMedalAward

TulsaRock&MineralSociety,Tulsa,OK RMFMS SilverMedalAwardElDoradoCountyMineral&GemSociety,Placerville,CA CFMS GoldMedalAwardMotherLodeMineralSociety,Empire,Ca CFMS 1stPlaceGoldMedal

Endowment Fund Drawing Resultsby Dee Holland, Chair

Prize Donor Winner Federation

1-CrystalVase B.JayBowman SkeeterKish MWF2-OpalPendant JoyceSpeed SteveFordham EFMLS3-AmethystClock GulfCoastGem&MineralSoc. FredSchaefermeyer EFMLS4-Sikhote-AlinMeteorite David Gheesling Manuel Garcia CFMS5-BrazilianAgatew/stand ElleryBorow RobertArtis MWF6-IntarsiaBola JerryBlimka T.Kapta MWF7 - Oval Carving JamesGaddey LakesideG&MClub NFMS8 - Dogwood Carving KenNeaves IdaAnderson NFMS

9-FacetedCitrinePendant SteveWeinberger Daleen Caldwell RMFMS10-MeteoriteSlab CarlShugart BerylFerguson SFMS11-JadeitePendant DallasGem&MineralSoc. AnnFrench EFMLS12-Wire-wrappedSmokyQtz JenniferRhodes PWGMS SCFMS13-BeadedPendant MiaSchulman SeanBranigan SFMS14-DolphinCarving KenNeaves Don Ogden CFMS15-Agates&JasperBook Ron Gibbs FredOtt CFMS

16-Agates&JasperBook Ron Gibbs Russell Oliger MWF

17 - Obsidian Bear Carving Costigans Minerals LamarTilgner NFMS

18-BeadedPendanat Cheri George Water-OakG&MSoc. EFMLS

19-PalmWoodSlab EugenePowell InezBerg CFMS

TheAFMSEndowmentFundDrawingfor2009isnowhistory. Iwanttothankthosewhodonatedthevariousprizesaswellasthosewhosoldthetickets.TheinterestearnedfromthefundsraisedovetheyearsfortheEndowmentfundhelpsprovideforvariousAFMSprogramsincludingthebadgesforourJuniorsprogramanddigitizingmanyofourslideprogramsinordertopreservethem.

Andthewinnersare...

Ifyouwouldlikeyourowncopyofthewinningarticlesandpoetry(includinghonorablementions),youcanpurchasetheWinningArticlesbooklet ineither hard copy or on CD.

There are a limited number of hardcopies, so reserve a hard copy by emailing me first <[email protected]>.Iwillsendareplyemail letting you know your copy is reserved - then youcansendachecktome(LindaJaeger)for$8.50.Thepricecoversprintingandmailing.

If you would like to purchase the CD version (all articles and poems are in both pdf formatandMicrosoftWord,or.docform),justmailachecktome(LindaJaeger) for$3.50.Thepricecovers the cost of producing the CD and mailing.

Orders should be sent to me at:

LindaJaeger3515E.88thStreet

Tulsa,OK74137-2602

Marion Roberts accepting the All American Award for his club from All American Chair John Washburn

Winning Articles Availablefrom Linda Jaeger


Original Adult Articles, Top 10

1. Belemnites of the Chesapeake, A Look at the Delaware State Fossil

by Bruce HargreavesMarylandGeologicalSocietyFrom:The Rostrum, 1/08

2. Coalby Brett Whitenack

McPhersonGem&MineralClubFrom:The Post Rock, 11/08

3. Herb BastuscheckAmerican Master of an Ancient Japanese Art

by Denise BicknellHoustonGem&MineralSociety

From:The Backbender’s Gazette, 10/08

4. Visit to the Black Hills Institute – Home of Stan and HMNS’s Wyrex

byPhyllisGeorgeHoustonGem&MineralSociety


5. Field Trip Do’s & Don’ts – Things to Think About

by Bill CainColoradoSpringsMineralogicalSociety

From: Pick & Pack, 10/08

6. Why Micromounts? by David Brand

NewYorkMineralogicalClubFrom: Bulletin of the New York Mineralogical Club, 7/08

7. QuartzitebyLoisLarson


8. A Blast from the PastThe Iron Age of Bartow County

byTomBatcha,GeorgiaMineralSocietyFrom:Tips and Trips, 3/08

9. Hunting Apatite at the Ray Mica Mines

byEdwardJ.Wagner,TheSouthernAppalachianMineralSociety

From:Mountain Mineral Monthly, 5/08

10. Can a Lake Be Dry?byMaryCrosswhite,GemLapidaryandMineral

SocietyofMontgomeryCo.,MDFrom:The Rockhounder, 1/08

Honorable MentionFunk’s MuseumbyKathyAnane

LincolnOrbitEarthScienceSocietyFrom:LOESS Bulletin, 12/08

It Makes a Gneiss PaperweightbySteveMorse


The Care and Feeding of Diamond Sawsby Wayne Barnett

TheHoustonGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Backbender’s Gazette, 4/08

Oldest Turtle Footprints Found in Colorado Rocks?

byTerryBehColoradoSpringsMineralogicalSociety

From:Pick & Pack, 6/08

Jane the Mystery Dinosaurby Mary Bertram


Try a Club Awareness ProjectbyJohnEichhorn

SantaClaraValleyGem&MineralSocietyFrom:Breccia, 2/08

Credibility & Character,A Necessary Aspect of Our Hobby and Our FuturebyJenniferHaley,NapaValleyRock&GemClub

From:NAPA GEMS, 12/08

Thundereggs & Geodesby Robert Rose

SweetHomeRock&MineralSocietyFrom:Nuggets & Pebbles, 7/08

Rock Club Outing to Saddle Mountain as

experienced by Ralph TretheweybyRalphTrethewey

MarcusWhitmanGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Rock Licker, 5/08

Rockhounding with the ObermeyersbyEdandDianeObermeyerOregonCoastAgateClub

From:Coastal Waves, Fall 2008

How Not to Go on a Field Trip, A Fairy Tale

byDebbieHood,OrcuttMineralSocietyFrom:Ore-Cutts, 8/08

III. Original Adult Articles Advanced, Top 10

1. Evidence Supporting the Existence of an Island in the Late Cretaceous

PeriodbyBenW.Vrana,Ph.D.

TheLoupValleyGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Loup Scoop, 5/08

2. A Walk in the Mountains: Horseshoe Cirque

byMikeNelsonColoradoSpringsMineralogicalSociety


The2009AFMSBulletinEditorsCompetitionisnowhistory.Theresultsareprintedbelow.

I'dliketothankthehardworkingregionalBEACchairsandourAFMSjudgesforhelpingtomakethecontest so successful.

RegionalFederationBulletinEditorsChairs: CFMS-DougArnold EFMLS-NatalieDarling MWF-CeliaTiffany NFMS-DarleneDenton SCFMS-DonSchurta RMFMS-LindaJaeger SFMS-EdJohnson

AFMS judges. These folkswere responsible forevaluating the bulletins and articles submitted from the regional federations.

Mini Bulletins TerryYoschak,Rocklin,CA

SmallBulletinsDanImel,Fairport,NY

LargeBulletinsDianeDare,Holiday,FL

NewEditorsCarolynWeinberger,Glyndon,MD

AdultArticlesJudithWashburn,Rochester,IL

AdultArticles,AdvancedClaudeBolzeandRichardJaeger,Tulsa,OK

JuniorArticlesKayAtkinson,Claremont,OK

FeatureArticlesBarbaraFenstermacher,,Aiken,SC

The 2010 contest rules will be announcedshortly by your regional federation chair. Be sure to follow the guidelines established for your federa-tionand,ifyourentryearnsahighenoughscoreattheregionallevel,itwillbeforwardedfortheAFMScompetitionwithresultsannouncednextJuneduringtheAFMS/CFMSconventioninLaHabra,CA.Ifyoudidnotenterthisyear,doconsiderdoingsoforthiscomingyear.Allentriesmusthavebeenpublished(orwritten)duringthe2009calendaryear.

And now,without further ado, here are theresults...

Bulletin Editors Contest Resultsby Linda Jaetger, Bulletin Editors Advisory

continued on page 9


3. A Rockhound Visits a Museum of Ancient Artby Walt Kubilius

AikenGem,Mineral,&FossilSocietyFrom:Hound’s Howl, 1/08

4. Neogene Sharks Teeth from Along the Texas Gulf Coast

byAlbertJ.RobbIIIandGeorgeWolfSr.,HoustonGem&MineralSociety


5. Cache Creek Park: A Chaffee County Gold Rush

byStevenVeatchColoradoSpringsMineralogicalSociety


6. Diamond WrongsbyDr.BillCordua,St.CroixRockhounds

From:St. Croix Rockhound’s Leaverite News, 5/08

7. WitheritebyDavidHess,WestCentralIllinoisRock&Min-

eralClubFrom:Rock Chatter, 5/08

8. Mining the Deep SeabyDr.VivienGornitz

NewYorkMineralogicalClubFrom:The Bulletin of the New York Mineralogical Club, 2/08

9. The Spectroscope in MineralogybyDavidBabulski,TheGeorgiaMineralSociety

From:Tips and Trips, 2/08

10. Lapis LazulibyChuckBoblenz

SantaClaraValleyGem&MineralSocietyFrom:Breccia, 3/08

Honorable Mention Ask Your Gemologist – The Perfect

DiamondbyMarkVillaneuva

HoustonGem&MineralSocietyFrom:TheBackbender’sGazette,1/08

Sandstoneby Dr. Wesley DeCoursey


Identify Those Unknowns – Cleavage and Fracture, Part 3

by Dr. Hal D. MahanTheSouthernAppalachianMineralSocietyFrom:Mountain Mineral Monthly, 1&2/08

Carbonate Minerals and Rocks including Calc-Silicate, Skarn, and CarbonatitebyDaveWoolley,Gem&MineralSocietyof

Lynchburg,VirginiaFrom:Gem & Mineral Journal, 9/08

Venus de RefugiobyRalphBishop,OrcuttMineralSociety

From:Ore-Cutts, 8/08

MeteoritesMeteors, Asteroids, & Comets

byJohnM.Wright,RegisteredProfessionalGeologist(MS#555)Retired

MississippiGulfCoastGem&MineralSocietyFrom:Snoopy Gems, 4/08

Another Dinosaur Discovered This Summer!

PhotosandarticlebyBobSimonRichmondGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Collecting Bag, 7/08

So You Think You and Your Right to Collect Fossils and Minerals Are Safe?

byTerryProctorHoustonGemandMineralSocietyFrom:The Backbender’s Gazette, 11/08

V. Junior Articles – Under 12, Top 10

1. Treasure!byJocelynRegehr(10)


2. Our Trip to Sharktooth HillbyCaseyLong(11)

MotherLodeMineralClubFrom:MLMS Ghost Sheet, 2/08

3. Ancient Egyptian JewelrybyAlexMiller(9),WestSeattleRockClubFrom:West Seattle Petroglyphs, 6&7/08

4. Adventures at the County Fair DisplaybyJayKahling(8)

ElDoradoCountyMineral&GemSocietyFrom:Petroglyphs, 9/08

5. Petrified Wood!byJasonHodge(7),StamfordMineralogicalSociety

From:The Vug Examiner, 9/08

6. CabochonsbyKathyJenkins(11)

ThreeRiversGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Strata Data, 5/08

7. Ammonite FactsbyJordanTinsley(8)

Gem&MineralSocietyofLynchburg,VirginiaFrom: Gem & Mineral Journal, 1/08

8. A Short Guide to ScrimshawbyAsherKemp(10)

ThreeRiversGem&MineralSocietyFrom: The Strata Data, 9/08

9. Saufina’s Scrimshaw ReportbySaufinaKemp(11)


10. Junior Report -- MalachitebySamAnguiano(9),LakesideGem&Mineral

ClubFrom: Geode, 9/08

VI. Junior Articles – 12 to 17, Top 10 (8 entries)

1. Rockus Collectralus: A Case StudybyChrisLee(17),GeorgiaMineralSociety

From:Tips and Trips, 1/08

2. Of Whales and NeedlesbyEliyahKemp(16)

TheThreeRiversGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Strata Data, 11/08

3. Uncovering Kansas – Interesting Facts About the Eleven Geological

Sections of KansasbyKatherineVasper(17)


4. First CabochonbyMaryBoesdorfer(15)


5. From Trash to TreasurebyElizabethSiegfried(17)

TheGem&MineralSocietyofFranklin,NCFrom:The Mountain Gem, 11/08

6. A Day With the Gemtreesby Michael Kuhn


7. Thanksgiving at Lavic SidingbyRodneyDuncan(12)

MotherLodeMineralSocietyFrom:MLMS Ghost Sheet, 1/08

8. Pizza Blast for Juniorsby Morgan Graham (16)

MississippiGem&MineralSocietyFrom:Rocky Echoes, 11/08

VII. Written Features, Top 10

1. Lake Texoma 2008 – Ammonites, Urchins, and Oysters on

Memorial WeekendbyNealImmega,HoustonGem&MineralSociety


2. KunzitebyErikSpande,WestSuburbanLapidaryClub

From:The Opal, 3/08

Editors Contest Resultscontinued from page 8

continued on page 11


Writing Directions for Rockhound Digging SitesbyRandyVandehey

SouthDouglasGem&MineralClubFrom:Rock Scoop, 8/08

Our Tonopah Field TripbyFranWolff,

SouthWashingtonMineralogicalSocietyFrom:Carny Hound, 11/08

More Mine VisitsbyGailNotestine

TheGem&MineralSocietyofFranklin,NCFrom:The Mountain Gem, 8/08

New Rock Nameby Mike Wheat

ColoradoSpringsMineralogicalSocietyFrom:Pick & Pack, 2/08

IX. Drawn Features (2 entries)

1. Indian Artifactsby Marie Zigler


2. NavettebyJimHoeschen

Columbia-WillametteFacetersGuildFrom:FACETS, 12/08

X. Adult Poetry, Top 10

1. The Collecting CyclebyBettyThompson

MineralogicalSocietyoftheDistrictofColumbiaFrom:Mineral Minutes, 3/08

2. Hard RockersbyVernRicker,AnokaCountyGem&MineralClubFrom:Hidden Treasures, 5/08

3. A Rock Is a Rock Is a RockTo Rockhound Friends -- Everywhere

byTerryProctor,HoustonGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Backbender’s Gazette, 11/08

4. StonesbyMaryO.Lisby

EastAlabamaGem&MineralSocietyFrom:Boulder Bouncer, 12/08

5. Collectorby Rosie Miller


6. Ode to Rose Bud CreekbySandyGrych

NorthMississippiGem&MineralSocietyFrom:North Mississippi Gem & Mineral Society

Newsletter, 2/08

7. Have You Seen My Mind?byJackieSullivan

WestCentralIllinoisRock&MineralClubFrom:Rock Chatter, 12/08

8. False Cluesby Betsy Oberheim

CentralPennsylvaniaRockandMineralClubFrom:Rock Buster News, 4/08

9. Installation of 2008 OfficersbyBillStonecipher

MarcusWhitmanGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Rock Licker, 1/08

10. Earth AngelbyWayneMills,OrcuttMineralSociety

From:Ore-Cutts, 6/08

Honorable MentionMy Love of Rocks

by Mary OwensEastTexasGemandMineralSociety

From:Rock-n-Rose, 12/08

A True Tale of the Morefield Mine on Christmas Eve Eve Eve

byDaveLinesSouthernMarylandRockandMineralClub

From:Rock Talk, 1/08

The SearchbyScottMayeaux

ARK-LA-TEXGemandMineralSocietyFrom:Rock Rattler Special Edition, 12/08

My GrandmabyBettyHicks,MagicValleyGemClubFrom:Magic Valley Gem News, 9/08

Tick Tock. We Rock!byFloyHawkins

NorthMississippiGem&MineralSocietyFrom:North Mississippi Gem & Mineral Society

Newsletter, 12/08

From Atop the Rock PilebyMalcolmWheeler,Sr.

BoeingEmployeesMineralSocietyFrom:The Tumbler, 12/08

XII. Junior Poetry (5 entries)

1. Christmas RocksbyAustinReeves(11),MotherLodeMineralSociety

From:MLMS Ghost Sheet, 12/08

2. Amazing AgatebyBlakeSullivan(9)

WestCentralIllinoisRock&MineralClubFrom:Rock Chatter, 12/08

3. Faux Pas, uhh, Rather Palm, ‘Faux Palm,’ that is

byOwenMartin,HoustonGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Backbender’s Gazette, 4/08

4. President’s Message – Review of ‘Water’exhibit at the AMNH

byAnnaShumate,NewYorkMineralogicalClubFrom:Bulletin of the New York Mineralogical Club, 3/08

5. Web Sites: Spy on ThesebyWendellMohr,Gem,Lapidary,&MineralSociety

ofMontgomeryCo.,MDFrom:The Rockhounder,10/08

6. This is My QuestbyJaneOwen,RichmondGem&MineralSociety

From:The Collecting Bag, 9/08

7. New York Field Trip – June 9-16, 2008byChetPerkins

TheThreeRiversGem&MineralSocietyFrom: The Strata Data, 8/08

8. President’s MessagebyBillWaggener,GeorgiaMineralSociety

From: Tips & Trips, 9/08

9. LaFarge Quarry Field TripbyRosie&TerryMiller


10. From the President’s PenbyJimHutchings,RosevilleRockRollers

From: The Rollin’ Rock, 11/08

Honorable MentionThe Gold Bug

byJimBarton,RosevilleRockRollersFrom:The Rollin’ Rock, 11/08

Be a SHOW-OFF!byTerryYoschak,RosevilleRockRollers

From:The Rollin’ Rock, 11/08

WAMS Coast Trip Feb. 16-17byEmilyStart,WillametteAgate&MineralSociety

From:WAMS Rockhound Rumblings, 3/08

I Always Need to Dig!byJohnCasto


Staurolite Field Trip to Taos, NMbyRogerPittman


Karnes County Field Trip RecapbyAlanCherepon,AustinGem&MineralSociety

From:The Stone Chipper, 5/08




3. RealgarbyEliyahKemp(16)

TheThreeRiversGem&MineralSocietyFrom:The Strata Data, 2/08

4. SimilarbyToriLaster(11)

ARK-LA-TEXGemandMineralSocietyFrom:The Rock Rattler, 12/08

5. The Journey of KatebyAnneHoffman(7)


XIII. New Editors, Top 10

1. No first place winner

2. Diablo Diggings, 12/08 Bonnie Eichler, Editor

ContraCostaMineral&GemSocietyWalnutCreek,CA(CFMS)

3. The LOESS Bulletin, 12/08 Ed Wagner, Editor

LincolnOrbitEarthScienceSocietyRochester,IL(MWF)

4. The Crystal & Gem News, 9/08Vi Jones, Editor

NorthPugetSoundFacetingGuildMarysville,WA(NFMS)

5. The Conglomerate, 10/08 Barbara Hardman, Editor

RenoGem&MineralSociety,Sparks,NV(CFMS)

6. Rocky Echoes, 11/08Janie Hand, Editor

MississippiGem&MineralSocietyFlorence,MS(EFMLS)

7. Cabber Grabber, 8/08Bonita L. Harris, Editor

MobileRock&GemSociety,Mobile,AL(SFMS)

8. Rock Chips, 10/08Dorothy Tonnecliff, EditorStocktonMineral&LapidaryClub

Stockton,CA(CFMS)

9. Rock Talk,2/08Jessica Thomson, Editor

SouthernMarylandRock&MineralClubClinton,MD(EFMLS)

10. El Gambrisino, 10/08Maxine Wyman, EditorGemcrafters&ExplorersClubLasCruces,NM(RMFMS)

Honorable MentionStone Age News

10/08, Bill Moser, EditorMarysville Rock & Gem ClubMarysville,WA(NFMS)

Shawnee Slate, 8/0Llewellyn Alspach, EditorShawneeGem&MineralSociety

Shawnee,OK(RMFMS)

The Official Publication of the Star CityRock & Gem Society, 8/08

Kerry Barnett, EditorRoanokeValleyMineral&GemSociety

Roanoke,VA(EFMLS)

XV. Mini Bulletins, Top 10 (7 entries)

1. Rock Rollers, 10/08Erma Riese, Editor

RockRollersClub,Spokane,WA(NFMS)

2. Rock Chatter, 10/08Donna Moore, Editor

WestCentralIllinoisRock&MineralClubMacomb,IL(MWF)

3. Greater Cincinnati Lapidary & Faceting Society Newsletter, 9/08,

Jim & Judy Budnik, EditorsGreaterCincinnatiLapidary&FacetingSociety

Cincinnati,OH(MWF)

4. Rock Scoop, 3/08Randy Vandehey, Editor

SouthDouglasGem&MineralClubMyrtleCreek,OR(NFMS)

5. The Nugget, 3/08, Sandy Grych, EditorMississippiGem&MineralSociety

Mathiston,MS(SFMS)

6. The Lake Rocker Newsletter, 9/08Kitt Kitterman, Editor

Osage Beach Rock & Mineral ClubOsageBeach,MO(MWF)

7. Dusty Rocks, 6/08Amanda Newnham, Editor

Rock&ArrowheadClubKlamathFalls,OR(NFMS)

XVI. Small Bulletins, Top 10

1. The Stone Chipper, 3/08Laura & David Dow, EditorsAustinGem&MineralSociety

Austin,TX(SCFMS)

2. Ore Cutts, 5/08Deborah Hood, Editor

OrcuttMineralSociety,SantaMaria,CA(CFMS)

3. Rock Buster News, 6/08Maxine Nicholas, Editor

CentralPennsylvaniaRock&MineralClubHarrisburg,PA(EFMLS)


4. The Strata Data, 12/08Michele Yamanaka, Editor

TheThreeRiversGem&MineralSocietyFt.Wayne,IN(MWF)

5. High Country Gleamings, 12/08Margaret L. Johnson, Editor

HendersonCountyGem&MineralSocietyHendersonville,NC(SFMS)

6. Hound’s Howl, 5/08Barbara Fenstermacher, EditorAikenGem,Mineral&FossilSociety

Aiken,SC(SFMS)

7. The Rockhounder, 7&8/08Wendell Mohr, Editor

Gem,Lapidary,&MineralSocietyofMontgomeryCo.,MD,Gaithersburg,MD(EFMLS)

8. Crack ‘N Cab, 3/08Loren Patterson, Editor

Gem&MineralSocietyofSyracuseSyracuse,NY(EFMLS)

9. The Quarry,8/08Jim & Judy Budnik, Editors

CincinnatiMineralSociety,Cincinnati,OH(MWF)

10. Canaveral Moonstone, 5/08David Jacobson, Editor

CanaveralMineral&GemSocietyMelbourne,FL(SFMS)

Honorable MentionThe Hard Rock News, 6/08

Kathy Reimers, EditorKitsapMineral&GemSociety

Silverdale,WA(NFMS)

The Opal, 3/08Mary Prosek, Editor

WestSuburbanLapidaryClub,Lyons,IL(MWF)

Rock Writing, 5/08Jeanne Boone, Editor

NevadaCountyGem&MineralSocietyNevadaCity,CA(CFMS)

Coastal Waves, Spring-08Carol Willey, Editor

OregonCoastAgateClub,Newport,OR(NFMS)

Snoopy Gems, 6/08Billie G. Wright, Editor

MississippiGulfCoastGem&MineralSocietyOceanSprings,MS(SFMS)

Rockhound Special, 11/08Karen Hinderman, EditorMt. Baker Rock & Gem ClubBellingham,WA(NFMS)



The Pineywoods Rooter, 6/08John D. Nash, Editor

PineCountryGem&MineralSocietyJasper,TX(SCFMS)

Chips and Chatter, 12/08Anita Dresner, Editor

PleasantOaksGem&MineralClubofDallasRichardson,TX(SCFMS)

XVIII. Large Bulletins, Top 10

1. Petroglyphs, 5/08Merryan O’Neill, Editor

ElDoradoMineral&GemSocietyPlacerville,CA(CFMS)

2. Pick & Pack, 12/08Betty Cain, Editor

ColoradoSpringsMineralogicalSocietyColoradoSprings,CO(RMFMS)

3. The Mountain Gem, 7/08Linda Behr, Editor

TheGem&MineralSocietyofFranklin,NC,Franklin,NC(SFMS)

4. T-Town Rockhound, 8/08Mary Watts, Editor

TulsaRock&MineralSocietyTulsa,OK(RMFMS)

5. Gem Cutters News, 1/08Carolyn Weinberger, EditorGem Cutters Guild of Baltimore

Baltimore,MD(EFMLS)

6. Breccia, 11/08June Harris, Editor

SantaClaraValleyGem&MineralSocietySanJose,CA(CFMS)

7. Pebbles, 3/08

Shawn van der Putten, EditorEverettRock&GemClub,Everett,WA(NFMS)

8. Ghost Sheet, 5/08Chris Whittier, Editor

MotherLodeMineralSocietyofCaliforniaModesto,CA(CFMS)

9. Tips and Trips, 9/08Tom Batcha, Editors

TheGeorgiaMineralSociety,Atlanta,GA(SFMS)

10. Mountain Mineral Monthly, 8/08Sylvia Forward, Editor

TheSouthernAppalachianMineralSocietyAsheville,NC(SFMS)

Honorable MentionPick & Shovel, 2/08Jim Atkins, Editor

LincolnGem&MineralClub,Lincoln,NE(MWF)

The Hot Springs Bulletin, 9/08Raymond Lynch, EditorTheHotSpringsGeologyClubHotSprings,AR(SCFMS)

The Vug Examiner, 6/08Edward Mattson, Editor

TheStamfordMineralogicalSocietyStamford,CT(EFMLS)


Rock-A-Teer, 8/08Dana James, Editor

PuyallupValleyGem&MineralClubPuyallup,WA(NFMS)

The Conglomerate, 10/08

Dawn Niedermiller, EditorMichiganMineralogicalSociety

Redford,MI(MWF)

News from Jasper, 10&11/08Patty Amos, Editor

Columbia Gorge RockhoundsCorbett,OR(NFMS)

XX. Special Publications (3 entries)

1. October 2008 Field Trip to Wabaunsee County

byLoisLarsonMcPhersonGem&MineralClub

McPherson,KS(RMFMS)

2. Junior Rockhound Meetings: Let’s Take a Closer Look at Rocks

byBonitaL.HarrisMobileRock&GemSociety

Mobile,AL(SFMS)

3. Michiana Gem and Mineral Society 1987-2008

byEdMillerMichianaGem&MineralSociety

Southbend,IN(MWF)

Bon Apetite! The Rockfood Table

Bill & Lois Pattillo brought their fabulous Rock Food Table to Billings


AFMS Recognition Awards Presentedfrom Dr. Bob Carlson and Shirley Leeson

Withthecancellationofthe2008AFMSmeetinginHouston,TXduetoHurricaneIke,thepresenta-tionoftheRecognitionAwardwasdelayeduntilthisyear.Asaresult,boththe2008and2009awardswere presented at theAwards Banquet held onAugust1.

AFMSPastPresidentShirleyLeesonpresentedtheawardfor2009withthefollowingcitation:

"Tonightwewillhonornotone,buttwopeople.Thefirsthonoreeissoftspokenandlikestokeepthingsmoving along smoothly. ThispersonmovedthroughtheofficerchairsinbothherregionalfederationandAFMS,andhasbeenanexhibitor,judge,parliamentarian.UponreachingtheloftystatusasAFMSpresident,shedidn;tretiretositonherlaurels,butcontinuedtoworkfortheAFMSanditssisterorganization,theAFMSScholarshipFoundation. Askhertodoajob,evennow,andshestepsintohelp. Today sheholds theofficeof Secretaryof theScholarshipFoundation,Treasurer for theAmericanLandsAccessAssociation,andduringthisshowserved

as a judge of competi-tive displays.

Joinmeaswehon-or none other than

Ruth Bailey."

"Oursecondhonoreeisold,reallyold!Hetalkswithauthorityandhe'sbeeninvolvedintheAFMSsince Methusela was a pup! He'sheldmanyregionalofficesandgonethroughtheAFMSchairs. Our honoree has been a money maker for the AFMSScholarship Foundation for24 years. He'sbeen an exhibitor and judge, an honoree for theAFMSScholarshipFoundation,wasoneofthefound-ersoftheAmericanLandsAccessAssociationandpromotedthepurchaseoftheGoldenTopazfortheSmithsonianInstitution. He'ssodedicatedthatheflewinfromAlaskajusttobewiththegrouptoconducttheScholarship

Foundation auctionat the show!

Pleasejoinmeinrecognizingthe

contributions of Ed Romack"

Dr.RobertCarlson,AFMSPastPresidentpre-sented theRecognitionAward for 2008with thefollowing citation:

"TheAFMSRecognitionAwardisaverypresti-giousaward.ItisawardedbyPastPresidentsoftheAFMSforserviceanddedicationthatisoutstanding.there are only a few people that can meet these requirements. This year's selection cannot be hiddenwhenaccomplishmentsareenumerated.Therefore,Iwishto announce that this years award goes to a couple: Steve and Carolyn Weinberger. StevewasAFMSPresidentin2001-02.HetookovertheCentralOfficein2004,andhasdoneayeo-man'sjob. Carolyn be-cameAFMSEditorin1999andcontin-ues to serve in that position today. Together, thiscouple has provid-edtheAFMSwithCommunicationandOrganization;withoutwhichtheAFMScouldnotexist.

Competitive Exhibt Resultsfrom Dee Holland

With 60 competitive exhibits to judge at the convention,allthejudgeswerekeptbusy.Theas-sembleddisplaysweresomeofthefinesteverseenat a show and the exhibitors are to be commended for their work. Here are the trophy winners:

A-7OpenMixed AlexMoedl,JuniorExhibitor IdahoFallsGem&MineralClub

A-1Open,Minerals GaryBuhr,EverettRock&GemClub

BU-1 Minerals AlexanderCarrington,Junior EverettRock&GemClub

BU-1 Minerals JoeSlouber,ButteMineral&GemClub

BU-7XMinerals LarryHulstron,LakesideGem&MineralClub

BC-1 Minerals Sue&AlLiebetrau,LakesdieGem&MineralClub

BS-6XMinerals PaulOtto,NWArkansasGem&MineralClub

BT-1Minerals AlexanderSchauss PuyallupValleyGem&MineralClub

BT-7XMinerals AlexanderSchauss PuyallupValleyGem&MineralClub

CC-7Lapidary SteveGustafson,Mt.HoodRockClub

CC-1Lapidary SteveGustafson,Mt.HoodRockClub

CC-1Lapidary RansomCutshall,Junior EverettRock&Gem

CC-2Lapidary LauraCimolino,EverettRock&Gem

DST-6JewelryWirewrap CharJorgensen,EverettRock&Gem

EGC-Educational LauraCimolino,Junior EverettRock&Gem

EGC-1Educational VIJones,NorthPugetSoundFacetingGuild CW-6Intarsia LinnEnger,HellsCanyonGemClub

EIC-5Educational ChrisBlickfeldt,IdahoGemClub

UV-1Fluorescent Al&SueLeibetrau,LakesideGem&Min.Club

CA-7Carving DickFreisen,LivermoreValleyLithophiles

AFMS Junior Trophy Winners!!!


AllAmericanClub JohnWashburn <[email protected]>

AFMSClubRockhoundoftheYear LorettaOgden <[email protected]>

AFMSNewsletter Carolyn Weinberger P.O.Box302,Glyndon,MD21071-0302 410-833-7926<[email protected]>

Boundaries JohnWright <[email protected]>

BulletinEditorHallofFame KittyStarbuck <[email protected]>

BulletinEditorsAdvisory LindaJaeger <[email protected]>

Bylaws Revisory SteveWeinberger P.O.Box302,Glyndon,MD21071-0302 410-833-7926 <[email protected]>

CentralOfficeAdministrator SteveWeinberger(seeBylawsRevisory)

CommemorativeStamps Wendell Mohr <[email protected]>

ConservationandLegislation JohnWright(seeBoundaries)

EndowmentFund Dee Holland <[email protected]>

FinancialInvestment LaurenWilliams <[email protected]>

2009 AFMS Committees

Here is the listing of the people who have agreed to serve as Committee Chairs for 2008-09. Please feel free to contact these people if you need information, have questions or would like to share ideas with them.

Historian ShirleyLeeson <[email protected]>

InternationalRelations BobJones <[email protected]>

JudgesTrainingSeminar DeeHolland(SeeEndowment)

JuniorPrograms JimBrace-Thompson <[email protected]>

LongRangePlanning ShirleyLeeson(SeeHistorian)

NameBadges FrankMullaney <[email protected]>

Nominating ShirleyLeeson(seeHistorian)

Parliamentarian DeeHolland(SeeEndowment)

PastPresident’sAdvisory ShirleyLeeson(seeHistorian)

Photography SteveWeinberger (see Bylaws Revisory)

ProgramCompetition Marge Collins <[email protected]>

Publications B.JayBowman <[email protected]>

PublicRelations FranSick <[email protected]>

Safety TedRieth <[email protected]

ShowConsultant BobLivingston <[email protected]>

Uniform Rules BarbaraJacobsen <[email protected]>

URCEligibilityFiles AnneCook <[email protected]>

Ways and Means MarveStarbuck <[email protected]>

Website/Webmaster Marty Hart <[email protected]>

AdHocWebmasterContest PhyllisGeorge <[email protected]>

AdHocCompetitionStudy Ron Carman <[email protected]>

AdHocInter-RegionalFieldTrip DickPankey <[email protected]>

AFMSScholarshipFoundation DeeHolland,President (seeEndowmentFund) JoyBourne,VicePresident RuthBailey,Secretary ArleneBurkhalter,Treasurer


TheOmnibusPublicLandsBillpassedtheHouseand the Senate,was signed by the President andisnowthelaw.However,theexacteffectonthepublic,onrockhounds,onourrightstoaccessourPublicLandsisstillnotknown.AnditwillnotbedetermineduntileachBLMDistrict/office,eachFor-estServiceDistrict/office,eachoftheotheraffectedgovernmental agencies interpretstheselaws,andincorporatesthemintotheirspecificManagementPlan.Thisiswherewecanstillhaveasay.Thisiswhere we can still have a voice and have affect on the finalimplementation.How?Bybecominginvolvedin the process. By talking with the managers of our PublicLands;byparticipatinginthemeetingscalledfor public input; by providing our ideas and wishes withletters,e-mailsandtelephonecalls.Bybeinginvolved in the process. Howdowe,howdoYOUgetstarted?Allofuslivelessthan100milesfromaBLM,FSorotheragencyoffice.Betteryetgototheofficethatman-ages the land where your favorite collecting site is. Thefirststepistogetacquaintedwiththeofficeandthe personnel. Get signed up to receive notices of publicmeetingsand/orgetontheirgeneralmailinglist.Nextgetinvolved–attendmeetings,learnhowthatofficeimplementsthecurrentlawsandhowtheyproposetoimplementtheOmnibusLaws,providecomments and get others involved with your efforts. More on this topic in future articles. Newlegislationthatwillaffectushasbeenin-troducedinCongress:S796HardrockMiningandReclamationActandHR699HardrockMiningandReclamationActof2009whichproposesignificantchangesintheMiningLawof1872,andS868TheFeeRepealActandExpandedAccessActof2009whichwouldrevokeauthoritygiventotheFStochargenewandhigheruserfees.Nowisthetimetolearnabout and comment on this developing legislation; now is the time we can be proactively involved. TheAmerican LandAccessAsso-ciation held its annual meeting during the NFMS/AFMSconventionatBillings,MT.onAugust1.Duringthemeetingnewofficersanddirectorswereelected,afewchangesto the bylaws and operating procedures were adopted and variousofficer andcommittee reports were read.

Joyce Hanshu has been carrying adoubleloadforALAA–SecretaryandTreasurer.Andsheisreadytogiveupherjobs.ThankyouJoyceforpitchingin anddoing this very important job afterNormpassed away. Ann Cook has been elected as Secretary.AnnisalsothesecretaryfortheAFMS.Ihavealsoappointed Ruth BaileyasTreasurer.Wearecur-rentlytransitioningthefilesanddutiesfromJoycetoRuth.RuthisalongtimeactivememberofALAAandmanyAFMSandCFMScommittees. MyinitialfocusaspresidentofALAAismember-

What's Happening with ALAAby dick Pankey, President, ALAA

ship.TheAFMShas633societieswithover49,000individualmembers.CurrentlyALAAhaslessthan100 individual members and less than 30 society members.Ourgrowthpotential,ourmembershippotential,ourfinancialsupportpotentialisGREAT. ThepotentialofourVoiceisgreat.Werepresentandadvocateforover49,000AFMSmembersplustheirfamilies.Wearesignificant.However,torepresentthemadequatelyweneedtheirsupport.Andhowdowecalculate/estimatethenumberofunaffiliatedrockhounds.Andhowdowecalculate/estimatethenumberofkidsandfamilies,teachers,andpeoplethatjustliketopickup“prettyrocks”orparticipateinsome other form of recreation on our public lands. Werepresentandadvocateforthesepeople,too.Shirley Leeson has volunteered and will be focus-ingonhereffortsonmembership.Irequestthatallcurrent members join the membership committee. Thatisbecomeanadvocate,apromoterofALAAand our mission. Keep your society and its members informedwith the news fromALAA. Encourageparticipation in our calls to action for response to legislationandmanagementplans.Beinvolved,bean advocate and participate in the legislative and regulatory process. Ifyou'renotalreadyamemberofALAA,pleaseconsider joining us! Membership for individuals (orhusbandandwife)is$25peryear.Clubscanalso join,butso manymorepeoplearecovered,themembershipfeeis$50peryear.YoucanreadmoreabouttheAmericanLandsAccessAssocation(ALAA)onourwebsite<http://amlands.org>whereyou can also download a membership application.

Treasurer Ruth Bailey, VP Shirley Leeson, Secretary Anne Cookat the A.L.A.A. meeting

Iwillrespectbothprivateandpublicpropertyand will do no collecting on privately owned land withouttheowner’spermission.

Iwillkeepinformedonalllaws,regulationsofrules governing collecting on public lands and wil observe them.

Iwilltothebestofmyability,ascertaintheboundary lines of property onwhich I plan tocollect.

Iwillusenofirearmsorblastingmaterialincol-lecting areas.

Iwillcausenowillfuldamagetopropertyofanykind-fences,signs,buildings.

Iwillleaveallgatesasfound.

Iwillbuildfiresindesignatedorsafeplacesonlyand will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.

Iwill discard no burningmaterial -matches,cigarettes,etc.

Iwillfillallexcavationholeswhichmaybedanger-ous to livestock.

Iwillnotcontaminatewells,creeksorotherwatersupply.

IwillcausenowillfuldamagetocollectingmaterialandwilltakehomeonlywhatIcanreasonablyuse.

Iwill practiceconservationandundertake toutilizefullyandwellthematerialsIhavecollectedandwillrecyclemysurplusforthepleasureandbenefitof others.

Iwill support the rockhound projectH.E.L.P.(Help Eliminate Litter Please) andWill leave allcollectingareasdevoidoflitter,regardlessofhowfound.

Iwillcooperatewithfieldtripleadersandthosein designated authority in all collecting areas.

IwillreporttomycluborFederationofficers,BureauofLandmanagementorotherauthorities,anydepositofpetrifiedwoodorothermaterialsonpublic lands which should be protected for the en-joyment of future generations for public educational andscientificpurposes.

Iwillappreciateandprotectourheritageofnatural resources.

Iwillobservethe“GoldenRule”,willuse“GoodOutdoorManners” andwill at all times conductmyself in a manner which will add to the stature and Public“image”ofrockhoundseverywhere.

AFMS Code of Ethics

september 2009 afms newsletter

Documents