Purpose and Goals

 

The purpose of GSAF is:

• to support the mission of GSA
• to promote the science of geology

 

The GSAF accomplishes its mission in several ways:

• by generating financial gifts
• by providing responsible stewardship of gifts
• by contributing to communications with GSA members and the public about the objectives and value of GSA programs

 

The operating goals of GSAF are:

• to manage active development plans that ensure financial support for GSA and GSAF
• to ensure that all gifts are used in ways consistent with donor wishes
• to wisely manage its resources and assets to maximize their value
• to exercise due diligence in management of gift revenues and assets and disbursement of funds
• to uphold the highest standards of fiscal, administrative, operating, and ethical integrity.

Geoscience Education Division Establishes

the Geoscience Education Fund

By Kristen St. John

Chair, Geoscience Education Division

 

With over 1000 members the Geoscience Education Division is one of the largest Divisions of the Geological Society of America (GSA). The GSA Geoscience Education Division broke new ground as a Division this spring by establishing its first endowed fund in the GSA Foundation The Geoscience Education Fund.

 

The Geoscience Education Fund will benefit GED membership broadly and will support the Division’s mission of fostering active participation of members of the Society in earth-science education. By reallocating $25,000 from a non-interest bearing account to the new Foundation Fund, the Division expects to draw on the income earned to financially support geoscience education awards, grants, scholarships, and other activities as determined by the GED management board. These funding opportunities include the recently established GED Service Award, student travel awards, student scholarships to participate in GED-sponsored field trips and workshops. The Fund will also help offset the facilitator costs of geoscience education workshops held in conjunction with GSA meetings. As the GED Fund grows, the GED management board plans to add other focus areas such as: a student recognition award for best paper or presentation, geoscience education student receptions, and travel support for invited speakers and/or international presenters.

 

To place the new Fund on a successful path, the Geoscience Education Division is also putting forth a fundraising call to all members and friends of the Division. We request members to “Make a Donation - Double Your Dues” this year in support of the Geoscience Education Fund. With 1000+ members (and dues at $5/person) our goal is to raise an additional $5000 over the next year to be placed in the Fund.

 

If you have questions about the Geoscience Education Division or the Geoscience Education Fund please feel welcomed to contact GED Chair, Kristen St. John at stjohnke@jmu.edu or 540-568-6675.