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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Greetings,

I'm sure you folks from the higher latitudes are anxious to get to Tucson. It has been a brutal winter in North America and similarly so in parts of Europe/Asia. Hopefully the high pressure ridge will hold for your visit and we will stay dry and warm (unfortunately for those of us in the southwest, but we're kind of weird that way).

As the world economy begins to emerge from the great recession, hopefully funding of museums and their activities may improve. The burgeoning phenomena known as social media is becoming an increasingly important part of day to day living for many people. It is also provides a new vehicle for making the public and decision makers notice and value your collections. This year's program, prepared by Katherine Dunnell, will hopefully better educate us its importance. I hate to say this but as part of the "older generation" I know I am not properly educated or motivated on the subject. However, it is obviously important in the next generation of visitors and curators. I'm looking forward to the education. Perhaps you can justify increased funding to tap into this - maybe even come up with a proposal for SMMP?

An important aspect of the Tucson meeting is to elect the Board of Directors. Julian Gray, Penny Williamson, and Terry Ottaway terms are expiring. Please consider any changes you may want to make to the board and be prepared to nominate any candidates you might feel are effective. The current slate can also be returned office.

Jim and Gail Spann are also hosting a "Meet the Curators" social event again this year. I would like to publicly thank them in advance for their generosity. It is a great opportunity to share good fellowship after our meeting.

 Looking forward to seeing you all in Tucson,

Virgil Lueth, President

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MINUTES OF THE DENVER MEETING
September 2013

Unfortunately, the minutes have gone missing.

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Report on the joint meeting of the
IMA-Commission on Museums and SMMP-Europe
Munich, Germany - October 25, 2013

Click on the link above to view the minutes.

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BEST PRACTICES PROJECT

"Best practices" documents are posted on the SMMP website:

BEST PRACTICES REPORT NO. 1: Research Sampling of Collections

BEST PRACTICES REPORT NO. 2: Moving Specimens

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SMMP RESEARCH STUDY GRANTS

Awards are to support curatorial research and methodologies that address one or more of the Society of Mineral Museum Professionals (SMMP) mission statement goals: 1) foster recognition of mineral science collections as essential scientific, educational and cultural resources, 2) promote support for growth, maintenance and use of collections and exhibits and, 3) advance museum practice through cooperation in the development, review and dissemination of information. Amounts vary up to a maximum of $1000 per grant. Grant awards determined by SMMP Board of Directors. Grant applications and more details are posted on our website:
http://www.agiweb.org/smmp/support-SMMP.htm

Grant proposals are due: August 1, 2013

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Board of Directors election

Three board member terms will be expiring this year.
Please be prepared to nominate candidates and vote.
Board members whose terms expire this year are:

Julian Gray
Penny Williamson
Terry Ottaway

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National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum Appoints New Executive Director
Leadville, CO – January 14, 2014: After a nationwide search, the Board of Directors of the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum (NMHF&M) has appointed Dr. Stephen L. Whittington as its new Executive Director. Dr. Whittington brings more than 20 years of experience in leading successful museums, as well as an impressive background in academics, publications and community involvement. Most recently the Director of the Museum of Anthropology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, Dr. Whittington is also Director of the Teozacoalco Archaeological Project in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Chairman of the NMHF&M Board of Directors, Paul C. Jones said, "We are very pleased to have someone of Dr. Whittingtonâ€âââââ‚ÂÃÆâ€ââ