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But here we are, starting our next 25-year run, a prosperous and vibrant organization, with an incredible group of talented and dedicated members, some of whom have been with the group since it began; others who have joined the voyage only recently.
As one of the original handful of "midwives" who helped give birth to the organization, I have occupied nearly every minister position in the FFSC over the years except for CEO. It seems appropriate that 25 years later, I volunteer for that role.
This year's programs and events will follow our tradition of monthly meetings, local forays, long distance forays, and special culinary events. We also have changes in the works, including a new format for our mushroom ID class, led this season by Phil Carpenter. Details are included in this newsletter. We may also implement collecting trips before some of the classes.
One of our premier events is the annual Fungus Fair in January, held in downtown Santa Cruz. We have co-produced the Fungus Fair with the City of Santa Cruz and the employees of the Museum of Natural History and the Museum Association for many years of the Fair’s history. The picture changed this year when the City’s budget crisis resulted in elimination of the paid Museum staff. In spite of these changes, we are now planning for the 2010 Fungus Fair in cooperation with the Natural History Museum Association. Your help in volunteering for the fair is more crucial than ever. The proceeds from sales at the Fungus Fair represent a substantial percentage of our yearly revenues, allowing the club to pay for such things as speakers and snacks at our meetings, equipment purchases, library additions and educational stipends to students studying mycology.
Because the Fungus Fair is such a popular event, our publicity whiz member, Jim Maley, worked with a local California publication to write a piece about the Fungus Fair and FFSC. Look for the article in an upcoming issue of Sunset Magazine!
Here's to a wet and wonderful mushroom season, everyone.
Bob Sellers, CEO