FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Andrew Sicree]

I think that it is important to encourage collectors to learn
more abut the science of mineralogy, so I author a
monthly newsletter supplement called "Popular Mineralogy."
This newsletter supplement is written for the serious
and interested amateur. Most mineral collectors will find
the articles accessible and (hopefully) interesting.

Aimed at helping club newsletters educate mineral collectors,
I put out an issue of the "Popular Mineralogy" newsletter
supplement each month on a subscription basis. Each issue
has four pages of original content about mineralogy and earth
sciences. Subscribing clubs can use the articles in their
newsletters and/or websites.

The idea behind "Popular Mineralogy" is to make the editor's
life a lot easier. I've been a club editor and editor
of the national Friends of Mineralogy Newsletter, too. I know
how tough it can be to get club members to submit articles
for the club newsletter. With the Pop Min supplement service
the editor can rely on having a constant source of new,
professionally-written content delivered on-time. The editor
can choose to use some or all of the articles - because the
supplements are sent in both WORD format and as hard copy,
editors can use what they want cutting and pasting them
into their club newsletters.

One difficulty that some clubs get into
is that, when their membership declines a bit,
they have fewer volunteers to take on tasks
like newsletter editor. And because the editor
has fewer people to call on, the newsletter is
harder to put together. This often results in
a "sparse" newsletter, which gives members the
impression that the club is in decline, which
then leads to fewer renewals. And so the downward
spiral continues. The club editor has a tough
job (I've been there - was an editor for 10 years)
and I'm trying to provide help for the editors.
"Popular Mineralogy" can help a club attract and
retain members.

Also, as a professional mineralogist with a Ph.D. in
mineralogy, I provide articles that are scientifically
accurate and unique.

The current price for a year's subscription is $69.99 - which is
less than $6 per month. Interested clubs can contact me at
Andrew Sicree, P.O. Box 10664, State College PA 16805.
or at sicree(at)verizon(dot)net and I'll send them
a sample issue.

Andrew

Andrew A. Sicree, Ph.D.

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Andrew A. Sicree, Ph.D.
Professional Mineralogist*
P. O. Box 10664
State College PA 16805
For email: sicree(at)verizon(dot)net

*Providing professional mineralogical services
including science writing; consulting services;
identification of unknown objects; curation
of mineral, fossil, and gem collections; design of
mineralogical and geological displays; and
creation of science educational programs.

Ph.D. mineralogy and geochemistry, Penn State Univ.
M.S. chemistry, Carnegie-Mellon Univ.
B.S. chemistry and English, Carnegie-Mellon Univ.

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