Table of Contents
- Dig We Must by Howie Green 1–2
- Quantum States of the FMS: A Message from the President by Philip S. Neuhoff 2–3
- Treasurer’s Report CY 2024 by Andrew D. Silver 4
- Website Committee Updates by Simone Conti 4–6
- FMS Membership in Focus: Exploring the Way Forward by Doug Bank 7–8
- UV Waves: Building a Stronger Fluorescent Mineral Society by Sean Stimac 9–10
- Donate to the FMS: Money and Time by Mike Crawford 10–11
- Uncomfortable Conversations: How to Talk About Fluorescents at Mineral Shows by Dan Moore 12–13
- Rock Dealers as Recruitment Agents for the FMS by Mark Cole 13–14
- Post to Post: How Can the FMS Win the Social Media Race? by Lauren Anderson 15–16
- From the Editor: Members Only? by Howie Green 17–20
- Bart Pickard: The Newest Member of the FMS Board of Directors by Bart Pickard 20–21
- The Fluorescent Mineral Society: How Did It Start? by Don Newsome 22–23
Dig We Must
By Howie Green · pp. 1–2
The Fluorescent Mineral Society faces a gap between growing public interest in luminescent minerals and stagnant membership and participation. The article reviews the Society’s development from a dues-funded newsletter and journal into a broader community supported by chapters, online resources, and social media. It considers possible changes to the membership model, including free access to publications and partnerships, and asks members to help shape the Society’s future through greater involvement and feedback.
Quantum States of the FMS: A Message from the President
By Philip S. Neuhoff · pp. 2–3
The Fluorescent Mineral Society’s recent work and future opportunities are presented in the context of its mission to foster fellowship, collecting, education, and research. The president highlights the Tucson annual meeting, chapter activities, the Journal archive, the integration of Nature’s Rainbows, plans for a user-contributed mineral database, and potential collaboration with mindat.org. He argues that realizing these opportunities depends on members contributing time and expertise, and invites them to take an active role in Society activities.
Treasurer’s Report CY 2024
By Andrew D. Silver · p. 4
The Fluorescent Mineral Society’s 2024 financial report summarizes membership income, other receipts, operating costs, and the year’s overall balance. Membership dues generated $8,791.43, while total receipts were $11,149.81 and expenses were $2,358.38. The report itemizes costs for software, the website, payment processing, filings, the post office box, the annual meeting, and elections. It also notes settlement funds held in savings for future education and outreach.
Website Committee Updates
By Simone Conti · pp. 4–6
Four website projects are advancing access to fluorescent-mineral information and resources. The complete Journal of the FMS archive is available to members, while scans of the Henkel Glossary cards are being organized for online access. Nature’s Rainbows content is being transferred to the new GlowNotes blog, and an early Fluorescent Mineral Database is being developed to record specimens, localities, photographs, and luminescence properties. The report also invites volunteers to assist with content migration, website improvements, and database development.
FMS Membership in Focus: Exploring the Way Forward
By Doug Bank · pp. 7–8
The article considers whether the Fluorescent Mineral Society should replace its dues-based membership with free access supported by donations and fundraising. Drawing on the author’s experience as an active member, it weighs broader access against the financial needs of publications, the website, and the annual meeting. Suggested revenue sources include donations, specimen auctions, and advertising; possible donor benefits include recognition and early access. The central question is how to define membership around participation, shared knowledge, and support for the Society’s mission.
UV Waves: Building a Stronger Fluorescent Mineral Society
By Sean Stimac · pp. 9–10
UV Waves could become a stronger tool for recruiting and retaining members by making its content more community-centered and visible to prospective readers. Suggestions include soliciting more member contributions, adding a section about member activities, offering selected articles or issues freely, and promoting the magazine through social media and related organizations. The article also recommends improving digital accessibility, offering trial access, and sharing member success stories. These approaches aim to demonstrate the publication’s value while expanding engagement with the Society.
Donate to the FMS: Money and Time
By Mike Crawford · pp. 10–11
The Fluorescent Mineral Society can best serve the fluorescent-mineral community by pairing reliable educational resources with volunteer effort and financial support. The article distinguishes the Society’s detailed publications from the brief, specimen-focused posts common on social media, and proposes covering science, collecting, photography, lighting, display, identification, and collection care. It argues that a donation-supported model could widen access to information while sustaining the organization, though it would require careful budgeting and additional volunteer work.
Uncomfortable Conversations: How to Talk About Fluorescents at Mineral Shows
By Dan Moore · pp. 12–13
Conversations at mineral shows can build interest in fluorescent specimens and encourage dealers to offer more of them. The article recommends using a UV lamp openly, explaining a specimen’s response to dealers, and connecting fluorescence with potential sales, while asking permission before taking specimens to a dark area. It also offers ways to engage curious shoppers, explain the hobby accessibly, and direct newcomers to useful resources and light suppliers. The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show’s fluorescent display provides an opportunity for public outreach, including with students.
Rock Dealers as Recruitment Agents for the FMS
By Mark Cole · pp. 13–14
Mineral dealers and online sellers can connect new fluorescent-mineral enthusiasts with the Fluorescent Mineral Society because they regularly meet collectors and supply specimens. The article recounts how a dealer introduced the author to the FMS and proposes incentives for sellers who recruit members, including discounted first-year dues, advertising, recognition, and tracked referral codes. It also recommends dealer-focused outreach materials and measuring which promotions work. The goal is to make Society recruitment a practical part of mineral sales and show activity.
Post to Post: How Can the FMS Win the Social Media Race?
By Lauren Anderson · pp. 15–16
The Fluorescent Mineral Society’s social media presence can help share mineral knowledge and connect with audiences across different platforms, but consistent activity requires volunteers. The article compares the functions of Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and describes the Society’s official Facebook page and Instagram account as complements to its established Facebook group. It highlights the value of varied posts about specimens, collecting, lighting, displays, and photography, while warning that infrequent content and unanswered interactions can reduce engagement and allow unreliable information to spread.
From the Editor: Members Only?
By Howie Green · pp. 17–20
Successful FMS-affiliated activities—including the NERF meeting, Ultraviolation, UV Nomads field trips, Facebook discussions, and Tucson gatherings—often welcome participants who are not dues-paying members. The article describes the education, collecting, and fellowship these events provide, with examples such as trips to New York and Ontario sites and collecting near Tucson. It questions whether paid membership requirements limit the Society’s reach, arguing that open participation can build community and attract volunteers more effectively than publication benefits or membership giveaways alone.
Bart Pickard: The Newest Member of the FMS Board of Directors
By Bart Pickard · pp. 20–21
Bart Pickard traces his path from childhood mineral collecting and an early fascination with fluorescent specimens to displays, museum work, and fluorescent-mineral sales. After joining the Dallas Gem & Mineral Society, he built a display and began selling specimens at shows. His activities include updating fluorescent displays at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, collecting and preparing Terlingua calcite, and participating in FMS events. The profile introduces his collecting, outreach, and business experience as a new member of the FMS Board of Directors.
The Fluorescent Mineral Society: How Did It Start?
By Don Newsome · pp. 22–23
The founding of the Fluorescent Mineral Society began with Don Newsome’s search for fluorescent-mineral collectors in local clubs and his idea for a national organization. Encouragement from mineral-magazine editors and Ultra-Violet Products helped generate responses from interested collectors, leading to planning meetings in California in 1970 and 1971. The article recounts the Society’s first meeting, its initial officers and seven founding families, and the creation of UV Waves, the Journal, a constitution, and early meetings. By the end of 1971, the FMS had 48 charter members in five countries.