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AFMS Scholarship Foundation
AFMS Scholarship
Foundation Officers - A Resume to Refresh Our MemoriesThe establishment of the Scholarship foundation was authorized by the addition of an Article to the By-Laws of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies in 1958. The AFMS Scholarship Foundation, Inc. was set up as a separate corporation with its own officers and directors. OrganizationThe Foundation was incorporated as the AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, INC., a Minnesota Corporation on March 18, 1964. A Tax Exemption Certificate was obtained from the Internal Revenue Service on November 6, 1964. The Board of Directors consists of: The President of the AFMS who is automatically both the Vice-President and a Director of the Foundation. The other Directors are: the AFMS President-Elect, and the President and the Vice-President of each of the six participating Regional Federations. The Board of Directors has the management of the Foundation. The Board elects a President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary, each for two-year terms, the President being elected one year, the Treasurer and Secretary being elected the next year, to insure continuity of experienced management. It will be seen that the Foundation, while an independent Corporation, is entirely in the control of AFMS Federation personnel. Purpose of the FoundationThe object of the Foundation is to accumulate a Fund, using only the income from the Fund to be used to finance Scholarships. The principal cannot be used for any purpose whatever, hence the usefulness of the Fund is perpetual. Awards to Beneficiary StudentsBeginning in 1965, one student received a scholarship grant of $300.00 per year for two years to help achieve an advanced degree in any of the Earth Sciences. In 1966, the grant was increased to $400.00 per year for two years; in 1967, the grant was increased to $500.00 per year for two years. As the Fund, and hence the income from it, increased, the grants were increased and, subsequently, more students received scholarship grants. By 1972, each Regional Federation received one grant of $750.00 per year for two years. Grants were increased to $1,000.00 per year in 1976; to two scholarship grants per each Regional Federation in 1981. In 1983, each grant was increased to $1,500.00 per year for two years; and the amount was increased to $2,000.00 per year for each grant in 1988. Grants are restricted to Graduate students to avoid the possible waste of money on students who are not committed to Earth Science subjects, or who drop out before graduation (Any student working toward an advanced degree is presumed to have definitely decided to follow that field for his/her lifetime vocation, insofar as such decision is possible). Since our joint interests lie in that field, grants are restricted to Earth Science students. Selection of Beneficiary StudentsUntil 1972, one person of prominence in the Earth Science field was selected from among twelve nominees, 2 from each Regional Federation. That person, normally associated with a prominent University or College, selected the schools., and the students who received the grants. Since 1972, each participating Regional Federation has selected their own Honorary Award Winner who then selected the school(s) and assisted with the selection of the student, or students, who then received the scholarship grant(s). This indirect method has served our purpose perfectly in that it benefits needy students, yet avoids the enormous task and expense of receiving, sifting through and evaluating applications from hundreds of applicants, which would otherwise be necessary if selections were made by ourselves in the conventional manner. The FundBetty Crocker coupons were accepted and turned in to General Mills at 1/2¢ per point until December 31, 1974., when the program was discontinued by General Mills. Coupons accounted for approximately 10% of the Fund at that time. The market value of the investments of the Foundation, as of October 31, 2004, stands at just over $900,000.00. With the exception of a few hundred dollars received from outside organizations, the entire amount has been donated, by Earth Science Clubs and Societies throughout the entire nation, and by individual members of such groups. GiftsAll gifts to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation are held to be tax-deductible to the donor. Gifts should be sent to each Regional Federation's Scholarship Chairman, who will see that the donor receives proper credit, and will forward the gifts to the proper Foundation Officer. Founder's Certificates are issued to individuals, dealers, or firms that contribute $500.00 or more to the Fund, either as one gift or cumulatively, but the individual's club does not receive credit for such gifts. Gifts may be made directly to the "Unrestricted Fund" by marking "Unrestricted" on the donation check or in a letter accompanying the donation. Unrestricted funds are not automatically put in to the investment account. Currently (11-1-2004) there is a "challenge" to collect money for the second scholarship for 2005, because of low interest and operating expenses. This money will be held in a unrestricted account for this special purpose. Goals for the FutureOur first goal was to establish a Fund of $50,000.00 which would provide an annual scholarship in Earth Science. This goal was reached in 1968. Having attained that goal, do we stop when such attractive vistas and horizons appeared? By no means! The Fund has now achieved over fifteen times it first goal and we are providing two two-year scholarship grants of $2,000.00 each year in each of the six Regional Federations. What do we see ahead? Wonderful additional opportunities for service and help for more and more students. Remember, the Fund itself is not consumed - only the income from it. Whatever is in the Fund keeps working year after year, indefinitely into the future. The larger it grows, the more good it can do - not only once, but time after time as the years go by. First written by W.H. DeHeui President (10/69); |
Last Revised on
April 13, 2008 |
amfed.org