The Memorial Fund of the Knoxville Gem and Mineral Society was established on the tenth anniversary of the Society, September 1979.

The purpose of the fund is to honor the memory of deceased members and friends of the Society.

Contributions received by the fund will be used for such educational activities as will promote interest in minerals, fossils or lapidary arts as a hobby.

Use of monies received by the fund will be recommended by a committee of three trustees appointed by the president and approved by the board of directors.  Originally, one trustee will be appointed for one year, one for two years, and one for three years; thereafter one trustee will be appointed each year to serve a three year term.  A trustee who has served a three-year term may not be appointed to succeed herself (or himself).  Recommendations of that committee will be presented to the membership for approval or disapproval.

I was asked to include the above in the February newsletter at the January Board meeting.  It seems that several of us do not know what the Memorial  Fund is, what the Committee does or where the money comes from.

In the past we have given scholarships to University of Tennessee geology students and we also gave them a rock hammer.

For several years now no money has been added to the principle of the Memorial Fund due to lack of donations.  The main reason for this could be that most of us did not understand the fund.  Hopefully the above will help and we can increase the amount in the fund.