Contributions of Extra Academics

From
Date
Cc
This message is reposted for Carole P. Marshall from Conch-L, the list
server of the Conchologists of America (COA), which, despite the name, is
an international organization. Although the note deals chiefly with modern
mollusks rather than fossils, Florida and COA conchologists are also active
in paleontology, and the contribution of extra-academics is impressive.

Dear All,
  I know I have posted this information in the past, you have heard some of
it at the "Future of Shell Collecting Symposium" at COA in St. Petersburg and
to me it is a past subject. However, it seems that some of our Conch-L ers
were not on the listserve at that time and the subject has come up again.
With this idea in mind, I am reposting some of the more pertinent information
I have gathered.

In Florida, there are 16 shell clubs. In the past 10 years we have:

> donated approximately $140,455 to help with scholarships for malacology
students and to institutions such as the Univ. of S. Florida in St.
Petersburg, Mote Marine Lab, Otego  Bay Foundation, Clearwater Marine
Aquarium, St. Petersburg Jr. College and the Science Center of Pinellas
County, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and many others.

>written at least 10 books on mollusks or related fields

>helped produce one video

>each club has been responsible for at least one exhibit of local shells

>all clubs have had members do public service work with the girl scouts, boy
scouts or 4-H clubs. Or given some talks at schools

>have had at minimum 70 new species of shells named for members of these
clubs
   This does not include ANY fossil species, only living recent species.
[The proportion of fossil species named for club members would also be
high--AKR.]

>Most have shell shows to educate the public on different aspects of mollusks

These accomplishments are only from the clubs in the state of Florida.

This, to me, is pretty impressive. We cannot forget the contribution of COA
grants and as of July 1996, COA had given $36,760 in educational grants. (I
am sorry I do not have an update at my fingertips)

I hereby urge you all to examine your own area and see what accomplishments
you can come up with. We really need to let others know of our
accomplishments as extra academics. There are many people out there who may
not know how serious some of us are and think all we want to do is collect
shells to put in the bathroom as a decoration. (That is fine too, I am not
putting those types of collectors down)

 Some of us chose not to go into academia for various reasons, but hopefully,
if that is your wish, you will make useful contributions to this hobby that
we all love. (Or we wouldn't be on this listserve)

I will be looking forward to a little bragging. What has your club done. I
have most of the Florida information, but I could use an update from each
club from Jan. 1996. Let's hear from other areas as well.

                                Thanks,
                            Carole Marshall
                             Marshalldg@aol.com

Andrew K. Rindsberg                     Telephone (205) 349-2852
Curator, Paleontological Collection     Telefax (205) 349-2861
Geological Survey of Alabama            <arindsberg@ogb.gsa.tuscaloosa.al.us>
P.O. Box O
Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-9780, USA