[meteorite-list] Newcomers and the Meteorite world (was STOLEN meteorites - from Allen Shaw)

[Impactika at aol.com]

Al, and all
 
When we got to well over 100 members in all corners of the globe, we had to 
organize, and become a legal entity. There was no choice there. And yes, 
that meant a Code of Ethics, ByLaws, Yearly Elections, but also a website, and 
the Encyclopedia of Meteorites,....etc, and yes that also meant $20 a year 
dues, to pay expenses, and so we could have funds to keep on growing and 
helping newcomers. And we now have 339 members and applications coming in 
everyday..
 
Al!!  You are more than welcome to come back in the Association, and I am 
sure members would line up to recommend you! I'll be at the head of the line.
 
As for a "group of dealers that have some sort of stamp of approval and 
self governing". Isn't it how the IMCA started some 10 years ago?  And you know 
what happened when it grew!  See paragraph above. Are you thinking about 
doing that all over again?  
 
Anne M. Black
_http://www.impactika.com/_ (http://www.impactika.com/) 
_IMPACTIKA at aol.com_ (mailto:IMPACTIKA at aol.com) 
Vice-President, I.M.C.A. Inc.
_http://www.imca.cc/_ (http://www.imca.cc/) 
 
 
In a message dated 8/15/2010 1:22:29 PM Mountain Daylight Time, 
almitt at kconline.com writes:
Hi Scott and all,

There are quite a few good dealers who are not IMCA members. In fact some 
of 
the larger, most successful dealers are not. So don't cut yourself off from 
those long time decent dealers. I'd be glad to compose a list for you. I 
belonged at first but decided not to renew when they became official with 
dues and so forth. I believe as a newer person collecting meteorites it 
would be a better choice for your protection.

Anne has encouraged me to join again and I probably should. Don't know if I 
could find two people to recommend me though :-)

Perhaps we should have a remaining group of dealers that have some sort of 
stamp of approval and self governing but then in the beginning that is how 
things worked. Since we now seem to get a new dealer of meteorites about 
every month or two, not everyone knows everyone else like in the good old 
days.

--AL Mitterling

Mitterling Meteorites

Mitterling.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Schulz" <swschulz at astrum.com>
To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 12:13 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] STOLEN meteorites - from Allen Shaw


> On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 11:41 AM, Barry Hughes <bhughes at sneezy.com> wrote:
>> I am in the crazy newcomer mode of buying.  My wife found a slice in a
>> small box in the garbage yesterday, because she wanted the box for
>> Christmas gifts.  I had thrown it away.
>
> I am relieved to hear that there are others out there with "crazy
> newcomer" disease.  I caught it about a week ago, and it has hit hard.
>
> On the other hand, it is sad to see that even this hobby has it's
> share of dishonorable folks.  Sad.  But I am glad to see that there
> exists an organization like the IMCA.  I know that logo is the first
> thing I look for once an auction/sale notice catches my eye.
>
> SwS