This is the fourth of seven articles concerning the History of the Club. 

Joel Johnstone

Finances 

The earliest records for the club come from the financial ledgers maintained from the inception of the club in 1944 until 1954. A lot of interesting information can be gleaned from its lines. Collecting a dollar per year for adults and fifty cents for students didn’t generate a huge treasury very quickly. Fairly meticulous records were kept. Early records indicate that members often donated items the club needed. There are some reimbursements for movie rentals from the University of New Mexico. By the end of their first year the club had $23.79 in its account. 

In the early years most of the funds went for postal cards, and in October 1946 we see the first records of payments for refreshments, all of $5.50. We also see some purchases of flowers for members. 

In 1945 the club purchased a one year subscription to Rocks & Minerals for $2.00. In 1946 the club purchased its first piece of equipment from NM School Supply a film projector for $13.98. There are also entries of fines to members for not bringing a specimen to share at meetings 5¢. 

In 1947 regular membership dues are now $2.00 per adult, with student dues half of that. Members joining in the last half of the calendar year only paid half the dues for the remainder of the year. By the end of 1947 the club had amassed a balance of $85.61. 

1948 records the first payment to the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineral Societies for dues, then later a loan of$20 to RMFMS which the region pays back a few months later. That year the club also records having an auction and selling tickets for a raffle for a rod, reel & creel. In March a club building fund was started and by the end of the year it had all of $180.40, but it doesn’t seem to have been carried forward. By the end of 1948 the clubs accounts had swelled to $363.10. 

In 1949 records show the club was selling to members the book “Getting Acquainted with Minerals” by George Letchworth English, published in 1934, having purchased 7 copies from the NM Bookstore in February. That year is the first record of the club paying for an advertisement in the Albuquerque News. There is also an entry to Nebraska Salesbook Company for membership cards. The club also paid a considerable sum – $41.89 – for a “Bldg Booth at Convention.” This would have been the 6th Annual Convention of the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies. July shows another loan to RMFMS to the tune of $150 which is again paid back in a few months. In October the club purchases a Gemlap and motor from NM Minerals for $46.90. The club is also selling bags of something for 50¢ tumbling material maybe? They also sold Christmas cards to make money as well. 

In 1950 the books record the club buying a display case from NM Minerals for $35.70. We also see the first payment for mimiographing maps for a field trip, and the purchase of 500 stickers, presumably with some sort of club logo on them, which are then sold to members for 5¢ each. There clearly was some spending going on as an audit of the books at the end of the year indicates the club accounts are now down to $179.51. By the end of 1951 it has gone up to $204.32, due in part to the sale of local melons at meetings. By the end of 1952 the account now has $219.73. 

1953 is another year of heavy spending. Dues are still at $2.00 per adult, $1.00 for students. In January 1953 the club prints 1000 membership cards for all of $6.00. It is also the first entry that indicate that badges are being bought and sold. But throughout the year purchases are made for folders, brochures, copying, food, table rentals, etc and by the end of the year the balance shows only $9.70. In 1954 dues are raised to $3.00 per adult and $1.50 per student. In January of 1965 a “Family” membership appears to be added for the annual cost of $8.00. By October it is announced the dues for the following year will go up to 

$4.00 for adults, $2.00 for students, and $10.00 for families. In 2000 President Paul Hlava announces that the club is facing a considerable shortfall, and they need to raise the dues to $20 per family (from the previous $16.00) to cover Newsletter costs, Federation Dues, and Insurance starting in April, encouraging members to pay their dues early to avoid the increase. 

Scholarships 

With super annual auctions and superb member participation, the club was able to offer its greatest achievement with the giving of its first University scholarship in 1960. These annual scholarships have continued. They are awarded by the Department of Geology to a graduate student whose studies have included an emphasis on mineralogy. In 1965 the Club presented the University of New Mexico, though the Department of Geology, a gift of $4000 to establish a permanently endowed scholarship fund, the interest from which will be given annually and henceforth to a deserving student to assist their studies. In each of the years 1967 to 1968 additional gifts of $500 were added to the endowment so that the total fund was $5000, the original goal. 

In addition to this effort, another campaign was launched in 1958 to assist the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies’  scholarship  drive  for  a $50,000 fund. Our club diligently collected Betty Crocker coupons, pennies, and made grants to this fund drive. We were named a 200% club. This effort was very worth-while to the membership at the time. 

Next Month: Community Service & Club Logo 

First Published: AGMC News Nuggets Vol 64 #1 January, 2017