President's Message - Swan Song Address

In spite of the time demands that go with the job, I have very much enjoyed serving as President of the MMS the past three years. During that time the club has achieved many important objectives. Some of the highlights from 2001 through 2003 follow:

NAMA FORAY 2001

The project that I remember best and that I am the most proud of was the hosting by the MMS of the 2001 North American Mycological Association (“NAMA”) Foray at Saint John's University in Collegeville. It was a big undertaking for our club and it came off without a hitch as a result of the hard work by a small cadre of our members. Anna Gerenday and I co-chaired the event, which by the way netted several thousand dollars, and in subsequent conversations with NAMA officials, I heard many highly positive accolades for, and much praise of, our club's handling of the affair.

BOARD MEMBERSHIP EXPANDED

Three years ago I recommended and the board and membership approved the authority of the president to appoint, at his/her discretion, committee heads to join the board of directors for one year terms. As noted above, it is not mandatory that a committee heads accept such an appointment. This change has resulted in an increased wealth of knowledge and skills available to the board, thus improving both the board's decision making process and its final decisions. This year the board and the membership approved the officer position of Past President. It is a common practice among many nonprofit organizations to have such an office. The purpose is to keep the most recent preceding president involved with the board in order to assure a smooth transition and continuity of management. It also makes available to the president an experienced person to assist in overseeing the club's projects and provide help when needed with the club's many activities.

INTERNET WEB PAGE

We finally got the MMS web page, Minnesotamushrooms.org, setup correctly and the kinks worked out thanks to the skills of our most talented Webmaster, Will Ince.

MEETING SCHEDULES

In late 2002 the club membership adopted a year round monthly Monday evening meeting schedule that has proven to be popular. Next year the club will meet on the second and fourth Mondays during the months of May, June, September and October and on the second Monday of all other months.

FORAYS

The club has made it a requirement that in most cases foray sites will be located within a one hour drive time of the Twin Cities; as a consequence of this change, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of members attending the forays.

SEASON KICKOFF

Over the last three years the club has sponsored an overnight weekend visit to Southeastern Minnesota in the middle of May to celebrate the start of our state's mushroom season. This event has been well attended and it has presented members with an opportunity to visit with their MMS friends in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

The board has authorized an updated investment strategy with respect to a limited portion of its assets in order to earn a better return on the club's funds. The long range outcome should be an improved financial position. As a result of the club's already healthier financial condition, membership fees have been reduced for both singles and families.

POTLUCK CHANGES

Beginning this past autumn a rule was adopted by the board that limits the number of species of mushrooms that can be used as ingredients in the potluck dishes. This restriction was applied for the first time recently and was met with approval by the membership. I am pleased to report that this change did not have an adverse impact upon the quality of the dishes served.

NEW AWARD

Two years ago the board of directors created the MMS Lifetime Achievement Award, the winner of which is selected by the president. It is an award not to be given casually or often. Anna Gerenday was the first-time recipient of this important award and it is my hope that future winners will be as deserving as Anna.

FIELD GUIDES

Three years ago the board approved the acquisition of a substantial number of copies of the Audubon Field Guides for the club. This investment has paid off as it enables members to follow along when a particular mushroom is being identified by the use of the guide's understandable descriptions of that species' physical and habitat characteristics in the form of keys.

In closing, I would like each of you give to Ron the same terrific support you have given to me during my three terms as President of the Minnesota Mycological Society. Although I am leaving the presidency, I look forward to seeing each of you frequently in the coming years at one of our many club functions. Remember that the MMS continues to thrive as an organization only because of its members' willingness to volunteer to help with, and contribute to, the club's many projects and activities. Please do not hesitate to offer your assistance when asked; you will discover that one of the finest rewards of involvement is having an opportunity to learn just how very extraordinary your fellow members are and besides it is a lot of fun, which is after all what the club is all about. I urge each of you in the coming years to make a commitment to uphold the club's fine traditions and to make the beginning of the next 105 years of the club the best they can be; and most of all to be appreciative of, and to try and match, the foresight, dedication and wisdom of the many hundreds of members who preceded us and whose gifts of their time and their resources have sustained our club since its founding in 1899. It is as a result of their tireless efforts that we have this marvelous society to share and enjoy today.

Once again, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bob Fulgency
President, Minnesota Mycological Society