Saying Goodbye to 2010 - Looking To The Future!

Outgoing CFMS President passes the gavel to in coming President Jim Brace-Thompson

Photo Credit: John Martin

Excerpt: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE from the December Issue of the C.F.M. S. Newsletter

Grow the Federation!
By Fred Ott

As this is my last newsletter article as President, I’d like to share some observations that I’ve made during the year.

Past: Our Federation exists today based upon a solid foundation of successes constructed by our predecessors. We owe each of them a debt of gratitude that can best be expressed by building upon past efforts and successes and growing our individual Societies and the Federation. Imagine starting your own business and building it up to be a very successful venture, only to have it fail shortly after ‘turning the reins’ over to someone else; what a disappointment! Conversely, there is no greater satisfaction than to have subsequent owners capitalize on the birth and growth of your business by bringing it to new heights. So, too, is it with our societies and the Federation. Not only should we ‘thank’ those who came before us; we need to show our sincerest appreciation by continuing their legacy.

Present:  I’ve found that members of most (if not all) societies are eager to learn new ideas and tools to make their jobs easier, our passion for rockhounding more fun and the shows more profitable. The challenge has
always been to develop a system of ‘sharing’ this information and I’m proud to say that we are well on our way of using the Internet, modern technology and the Federation meetings and conventions to do just that. The ‘key’ is constant communications. When gathering email addresses for our new database, I was often surprised to find societies for which there was no way to contact them except by US postal mail. The information on the Federation’s website was either inaccurate or incomplete; all the more reason to capitalize on the new technologies!

Future:  Looking ahead, I am  very excited about the future of our Federation! We are indeed fortunate to have incoming officers and directors who are talented, motivated and energized to make their contributions and continue leading us to future successes. Please give them your support at every opportunity.

Thank you for allowing me to be the CFMS President this year.

Remember: rockhounding is MORE than a hobby; it’s a PASSION!
                          
Fred Ott, President 2010

There are several regional Federations - find the one that is nearest to you and get involved - links in the right hand column.
For more info on the AFMS go to: http://amfed.org

California State Rock Reprieved!

The announcement from Fred Ott, Pres. of the CFMS on their Yahoo Group was exciting news!

He thanked everyone for their efforts in defeating Senate Bill 624 which would have removed Serpentine as the California State Rock.

So at the time of this posting it looks like the bill has died in committee!

There are lots of people rejoicing:

Andrew Alden on his Geology Blog at About.com exclaims: Ding Dong SB624 is Dead

...and from Garry Hayes over on the Facebook Group "California Serpentine Awareness! Keep our Rock! Fight SB 624"

"Thanks for all who helped educate the legislature about serpentine with your letters and calls! The bill died in committee, as it should have. It was unfortunate that this battle ever had to take place, when a few well-placed inquiries could have headed it off. Please stick with this Facebook page in case the issue ever arises again!"

Photo credit: Andrew's Photo Gallery of Metamorphic Rock

State Rock Banned! What is Your Home Built ON?

I could have printed a teaser and re-directed you to the CFMS Newsletter - but this is an URGENT matter - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! ACT on this!!!

There is nothing "symbolic" about these actions - a lot of CA homes are built on Serpentine based soils and rock! Imagine trying to sell a home built on a "banned" substance...the only winners here are the lawyers!!!! (the opinion of the author only - not the AFMS, CFMS or Shirley Leeson)

SERPENTINE, CALIFORNIA STATEROCK

By Shirley Leeson

By the time you read this, it may already be too late.

California State Senator Gloria Romero, from the Los Angeles area has introduced SB 624, to strip Serpentine as the California State Rock.

The reasoning is that serpentine is really ASBESTOS in disguise and causes mesothelioma.

Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee (Friday July 16, 2010 stated “Romero’s office says the language originated with the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, an anti-asbestos group whose major sponsors are law firms specializing in asbestos litigation.” These organizations say the bill is a “symbolic measure to correct this historic mistake." It may also give them more ammunition to pursue their lawsuits.

At the time of this writing the California State Senate has passed the bill, 36 – 0.

Currently it’s in the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and the date of the bill (number unkown if it's different from the senate) coming to the floor in the Assembly is unknown.

The really sad thing is there is no organizations who are opposing the bill. Contact your state Assemblyperson and ask them to vote no on this historical rock. Our serpentine was the FIRST state rock proposed in the U.S. and with it was our state mineral - Gold.

Do something! Do your homework, google State Rock – Serpentine. Most of the California Newspapers have given it a fair shake. Have you contacted your state senator and assemblyperson? I have.

P.S. They are NOT proposing another rock to take it's place...It will be left BLANK!

Article originally appeared in the Sept. 2010 CFMS Newsletter

Photo originally appeared in the SFGate Article: Geologists protest bill to remove state rock

Hard Working Volunteers Set Up The Show!

AFMS/CFMS Gem Show and Convention

Great photos of the set up day...this is WORK!

Photos courtesy of John Martin