Thank you for even greater active participation at the annual Tucson meeting and for voting at a higher level than in recent memory. We certainly have more members contributing good ideas and agreeing to help. It also makes a real difference to those who put in the time required to "go through the motions" of carrying out the routine, required tasks of running FM that you took the time to vote. Even better next year?

We have in the past discussed competition for Board positions and concluded that for an organization like FM it doesn't make sense. It is hard enough to find people to devote the time required to be on the Board and take on responsibility, and friends don't want to "campaign" against friends. If you disagree, though, let us know. Also, what did you think of the format/length/contents of the meeting? Please drop me a line (baritebill@aol.com) and let me know.

A special thanks to those who helped with the FM booth at the Convention Center. This was the best year yet for volunteers. Those who contributed an hour or two promoted and explained FM and the hobby and also met interesting, different people. I always learn from chatting with neighboring colleagues from the Mineralogical Society of America and the Mineralogical Association of Canada.

The minutes of the subsequent FM Board meeting which should appear in the newsletter reflect our discussion of future FM activities. Judging from comments at Tucson, many of you are prepared to contribute, so please contact any Board member who you see is working on an activity of interest to you. E-mail addresses are in our newsletters.

The meetings and follow up discussion in Tucson brought home to me that FM is largely about friendships, either at the chapter or national level. Why do most of us who do give time to FM do so? I suspect in many cases it is because of the people we get to know. Recent studies indicate a more active and varied social life improves cognitive function in old age and lengthens life span, so one of the solutions to our "ageing membership" problem is to embrace it – actively. Let us hear from you.

Bill Dameron, President - May 2006

Previous Leters from the President

• December 2005