Meteorite Hunting Association
Join the Meteorite Hunting Association
“The people for the ethical treatment of meteorites.”
PETM? Naaaa… 
Point being I’ve proposed this idea to many meteorite hunters and they think it’s a good idea. An organization that works closely with scientists, institutions, universities, labs, museums, private collectors etc. An organization with a common mission to provide scientific data to the scientific community in an ethical and legal way while at the same time protect and preserve meteorites in the field. A bonus would be to provide some material for private collectors to enjoy as well.
A Meteorite-List member said that “The question becomes, how can a reasonable regulation and permitting process be created?”
While an actual permitting process falls outside the realm of a “meteorite hunting association” it’s important to understand that it’s possible that if there were a permitting process that allowed meteorites to be recovered by the private sector for the betterment of the science of meteoritics then all the better.
I believe in the interest preserving meteorite hunters rights we should provide a responsible vehicle for such to be included in the meteorite world.
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UPDATES:
NOTE: We’re still in the beginning stages of forming this as a non-profit organization, and a completely separate legal entity from Meteorites USA.
Below you will find an evolving list of points and subjects that are being discussed as we form the Meteorite Hunting Association.
A Letter From the Founder: This is from a forum post made by me on the Nugget Shooter “Meteorite Hunting & Collecting Forum” that pretty much sums up what the MHA is all about. I’ve taken a bit of artistic licensing to edit the post to fit the flow of the information on this page. All in all this is how it appears in the forum post:
“I believe we have a responsibility as meteorite hunters, to promote meteorites and meteorite hunting to the public at large… The more people who hunt meteorites and who actually know how to hunt meteorites properly, the faster the science will advance. PERIOD!”
The point of the MHA is not to fight the law, nor is it’s primary mission to lobby the government. The main purpose is to educate the public thereby preserving scientific data, with that education comes knowledge and advancement. If the MHA were to make lobbying the government the primary mission, then it would most likely paint a target on every meteorite hunter who is a member. It’s not about lobbying.
Rather than do that, I think we should create the MHA as a vehicle for the public to promote meteorites, meteorite hunting and the science to the public in general. More to the point, in a way that doesn’t “go against” the government but respects their point of view, but at the same time will not stand idly by if they believe the rights of the public are being infringed upon.
To address your concern: “…If in fact meteorite hunting is outlawed,starting
a meteorite association would be about as popular
as a horse thieves society,and pretty much a waste
of time and energy. Most guys that have collections
from public lands may want to keep a low profile…”This is akin to sticking your head in the sand (no offense) and hoping things change for the better. Your comment also only takes into account federal land. It does not consider the private lands, and public lands (State & County) where permission can be granted to hunt. I believe every citizen in the USA should have the right to hunt meteorites on federal land. There should be an allowance for private sector meteorite hunting and collecting in the field.
It does not affect anyone who has meteorites in their collection now either. Only future finds. Those who wish to “lay low” may want to. But I think they will be doing the meteorite world a disservice by doing so. Complaining about something that’s not fair, then not doing something about it, is not the point and would be defeatist in my opinion.
Could it attract attention by voicing your opinion? Yes, It’s about having a voice!
It’s to make people aware that there’s science out there that needs to be preserved, and private sector individuals that are not only capable of protecting that science but that they have a “right to protect” it too. It shouldn’t be limited by restriction, but rather should be progressed through responsible recovery. It should be available to everyone who believes in the freedom of collection and advancement of the science.
The more people who hunt meteorites and who actually know how to hunt meteorites properly, the faster the science will advance. PERIOD!
Veterans can teach, amateurs can learn, and more data is preserved. If you just say “NO! You can’t hunt there!” you don’t teach people anything, you remove motivation for any kind of recovery, and the science suffers. One being that those people not educated in meteorite recovery will do it anyway and never report it thereby science loses, and secondly if you remove all motivation for education, people won’t care about recovering meteorites as there will be no reason to because if they say something they’ll get in trouble. This ultimately slows progress, decreases data recovered and provides no material for study or collection.
We’re all in the same boat, the government, the individual meteorite hunter, and the scientific community, but it seems some are paddling in opposite directions. I would like to see the MHA, the public, the government, and the scientific community all work together to paddle in the same direction, instead of going round and round in circles about who owns meteorites, or by making them off limits. This type of mentality is restrictive, persecutes, and alienates those who love and would otherwise be a boon to meteoritics.
The science will benefit from a group like the MHA. There’s lots of very professional individuals and caring people who love meteorites, nature, and believe in what the MHA stands for. The MHA is an organization that promotes all of this in an equal and cooperative manner.
We can appeal to the government when there’s something that may infringe on our rights to recover and collect meteorites.
The point is to create a group that educates, inspires, and provides meteorites to the public and the scientific community for BOTH collection and study. There’s no need for any one group to hoard all the meteorites and information.
You could start an entire network of government and privately sponsored museums in each and every state with the meteorites that are sitting in university and institutional collections. Universities and institutions could loan meteorites to these museums for the sake of educating the public. It’s really not limited to just a few people banding together to create a meteorite hunting group. It’s much more than that.
I believe we have a responsibility as meteorite hunters, to promote meteorites and meteorite hunting to the public at large. If we truly love meteorites laying low is not an option.
Regards,
Eric Wichman
MHA Founder
Meteorite Hunting Code of Ethics: Here’s an example of what the MHA hunting code of ethics could be modeled after. Keep in mind this is just a guideline.
TREASURE HUNTING CODE OF ETHICS ONE BY ONE
Membership Requirements: Becoming a member of the MHA
- Be interested in hunting or learning to hunt meteorites
- Want and believe in the need to preserve the rights of hunters to hunt
- Have an interest in hunting meteorites to advance the science of meteoritics
- Help provide meteorites for study and collection.
Outdoor Safety Education: It can be dangerous in the wilds of America and abroad if you’re not prepared. A big part of meteorite hunting includes being far from modern day conveniences. When in the desert or any remote area, it’s wise to be prepared. The MHA promotes safe and smart hunting “best practices” while in the field.
Proper Hunting & Recovery Techniques: Most would agree that to further the science of meteoritics and promote meteorite hunters in a positive light that proper recovery techniques need to be a large part of meteorite hunting and is arguably the most important aspect next to your own safety in the field.
Have a “Rules of the Road” or “Code of Ethics” or even “Ten Commandment of Meteorite Hunting”
1. Do not hunt meteorites on land without permission from the authorized owner.
2. Record all meteorite find data: i.e. insitu photos, coordinates, weight, date, time of day etc.
3. Protect the wildlife and the wilds by removing trash/debris even when it’s not yours.
4. Be considerate of other hunters and authorities.
5. Fill all dig holes…
etc… etc…
Here’s a few more points of interest:
Membership Requirement: Open
Membership Kit: Book to include? (I’d love to include a copy of Rocks From Space but at around $150 I don’t think that’s feasible.)
Education: Educational materials including magazine, periodicals, online articles, newsletter, etc.
Activities & Events: Sponsored events, activities, and outings.
MHA Membership “Kit”
Subscription to “Meteorite Hunting & Collecting Magazine” (a new Meteorites USA publication)
MHA ID Card
MHA Decal
MHA Patch?
MHA Hat or T-Shirt
10x Jewelers Loupe
2″ Neo Magnet
Gram Scale
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Model the Meteorite Hunting Association after other successful and respected metal detecting and gold hunting organizations. Or better yet combine the best of all the associations for metal detecting, treasure hunting, and scientific study into one that can be respected and trusted to provide meteorite data to the science community. Pay homage to the great jobs they’ve done building such wonderfully educational programs and associations.
The metal detecting world has a code of ethics and it works.
Metal Detecting Code Of Ethics
Expand on their success, and do it within the meteorite world and create the same thing for the science of meteoritics.
- Sponsorship & Lobbying for the rights of meteorite hunters
- OUTREACH: Create educational outreach programs for those willing to share information about hunting and collecting meteorites.
- GROUP OUTINGS – Have sponsored group outings
- Educational Articles & Media i.e. Videos, CDs, DVDs etc.
- Daily/Weekly Email Newsletter
- Subscription to Meteorite Hunting & Collecting Magazine (A Meteorites USA Publication)
- Sponsored Group Meteorite Hunts & Outings
- Online Education About Meteorites
- Active Participation in other Meteorite Outreach Programs
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Sample Meteorite Hunting & Collecting Magazine
The idea of course is to create a group which can be trusted to provide scientific data to meteorite science. An ethical and law abiding community that works together for the preservation of meteorite data and at the same time provide meteorites for the general public and private collectors. Everyone gets what they want.
There are MANY great and professional meteorite hunters that already record all data and do not remove a meteorite specimen until all relevant data has been collected. Scientists need to trust that meteorites hunters will do that, and not assume they can’t, nor lobby to have rules and laws commissioned that alienates the private sector from collecting.
The majority of all meteorite finds are found by private meteorite hunters, having an ethical group or association which can be credited with it should be created to help add an extra level of trust on both sides of this meteorite fence.
Don’t stop meteorites from being collected by the private sector, this will SLOW things and stop progress in meteorite science and the science is what it’s all about!
Trust the hunters to provide what they have been providing for decades, meteorite data, and meteorites for scientific study.
It can be done!
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Authors Note: I’d like to say for the record that the Meteorite Hunting Association has nothing to do with nor will it interfere or compete with the IMCA the “International Meteorite Collector Association” which helps provide a trusted environment for dealers and collectors to buy and sell meteorites with confidence.
purpose is to educate the public thereby preserving scientific data, with that education comes knowledge and
advancement. If the MHA were to make lobbying the government the primary mission, then it would most likely paint
a target on every meteorite hunter who is a member. It’s not about lobbying.
Rather than do that, I think we should create the MHA as a vehicle for the public to promote meteorites, meteorite
hunting and the science to the public in general. More to the point, in a way that doesn’t “go against” the
government but respects their point of view, but at the same time will not stand idly by if they believe the
rights of the public are being infringed upon.
To address your concern: “…If in fact meteorite hunting is outlawed,starting
a meteorite association would be about as popular
as a horse thieves society,and pretty much a waste
of time and energy. Most guys that have collections
from public lands may want to keep a low profile…”
This is akin to sticking your head in the sand (no offense) and hoping things change for the better. Your comment
also only takes into account federal land. It does not consider the private lands, and public lands (State &
County) where permission can be granted to hunt. I believe every citizen in the USA should have the right to hunt
meteorites on federal land. There should be an allowance for private sector meteorite hunting and collecting in
the field.
It does not affect anyone who has meteorites in their collection now either. Only future finds. Those who wish to
“lay low” may want to. But I think they will be doing the meteorite world a disservice by doing so. Complaining
about something that’s not fair, then not doing something about it, is not the point and would be defeatist in my
opinion.
Could it attract attention by voicing your opinion? Yes, It’s about having a voice!
It’s to make people aware that there’s science out there that needs to be preserved, and private sector
individuals that are not only capable of protecting that science but that they have a “right to protect” it too.
It shouldn’t be limited by restriction, but rather should be progressed through responsible recovery. It should be
available to everyone who believes in the freedom of collection and advancement of the science.
The more people who hunt meteorites and who actually know how to hunt meteorites properly, the faster the science
will advance. PERIOD!
Veterans can teach, amateurs can learn, and more data is preserved. If you just say “NO! You can’t hunt there!”
you don’t teach people anything, you remove motivation for any kind of recovery, and the science suffers. One
being that those people not educated in meteorite recovery will do it anyway and never report it thereby science
loses, and secondly if you remove all motivation for education, people won’t care about recovering meteorites as
there will be no reason to because if they say something they’ll get in trouble. This ultimately slows progress,
decreases data recovered and provides no material for study or collection.
We’re all in the same boat, the government, the individual meteorite hunter, and the scientific community, but it
seems some are paddling in opposite directions. I would like to see the MHA, the public, the government, and the
scientific community all work together to paddle in the same direction, instead of going round and round in
circles about who owns meteorites, or by making them off limits. This type of mentality is restrictive,
persecutes, and alienates those who love and would otherwise be a boon to meteoritics.
The science will benefit from a group like the MHA. There’s lots of very professional individuals and caring
people who love meteorites, nature, and believe in what the MHA stands for. The MHA is an organization that
promotes all of this in an equal and cooperative manner.
We can appeal to the government when there’s something that may infringe on our rights to recover and collect
meteorites.
The point is to create a group that educates, inspires, and provides meteorites to the public and the scientific
community for BOTH collection and study. There’s no need for any one group to hoard all the meteorites and
information.
You could start an entire network of government and privately sponsored museums in each and every state with the
meteorites that are sitting in university and institutional collections. Universities and institutions could loan
meteorites to these museums for the sake of educating the public. It’s really not limited to just a few people
banding together to create a meteorite hunting group. It’s much more than that.
I believe we have a responsibility as meteorite hunters, to promote meteorites and meteorite hunting to the public
at large. If we truly love meteorites laying low is not an option.
Regards,
Eric
I would very much like to become a member of such an organization, as I am very new to hunting meteorites and I would like to do so ethically. Being so new to this field and unable to join such groups as the IMCA it would be so nice to be able to belong to and have a group of people that share the same interest as I. How wonderful it would be to have an organization that promotes both the scientific study and private collection of meteorites while maintaining data on the collection of meteorites. Please count me in for the IMHA, what a great name and great idea. Thanks!
Hi,
Welcome to Meteorites USA! The Meteorite Hunting Association is not really a new concept, it’s already being done in the meteorite hunting community now. There are many professional meteorite hunters who would be happy to help you learn about meteorites. The IMCA is a great organization and does great work with dealers and collectors by creating a trust between them. Those new to the meteorite world who would like to hunt meteorites the “right” way should belong to a group of meteorite hunters that respects and preserves the scientific data when recovering meteorites in the field. That’s what the MHA is all about. I look forward to counting you in when we’re ready to start accepting members.
Regards,
Eric
Thank you Eric for your comments they are much appreciated, the excitement of finding and holding a meteorite not of this planet in my hands has started me down the path of searching for these rare treasures. I have done lots of research through books (Rocks from Space and others) and on the internet prior to actually looking in the field as I would like to do so ethically to make sure that any finds that I make will be recorded accurately in the data base giving me credit for the find and that is exciting in itself.
I did try to join the IMCA thinking it would be a fine place to start in my endeavor but when I read the in enrollment requirements (what a letdown) I found that I had to be recommender by 2 members before I could join. I’m sorry and don’t want to offend you but I thought what an elitist group and they are so much like the very government that wants to keep private hunters from colleting meteorites.
So when I saw an opportunity to join another group like the MHA right at its inception I thought I would let everyone know that I was in. My thought was that it would be nice to have a say as to what should be part of our credo and our bylaws with this very new organization. It would be good to have a group that would look out for my fragile newcomer start as I don’t want my private collecting to go away before I even get started.
Thanks Again;
Mark
I would not call the IMCA an elitist group at all. Some people would take offense to that, and I do have many friends that are IMCA members and also on the board. On the contrary the IMCA do great good in the meteorite world and have made great contributions to meteorite science. In fact they are a great model to use for the MHA as is the GPAA and LDMA when considering similar activities.
We are in fact considering an invitation only membership requirement, or at the very least a referral program and probationary period for new members. This seems appropriate considering the vital data meteorite hunters will be recovering and how important it is to preserve this information.
Point very well taken on the IMCA and yes the members of the IMCA have paid their dues. The interesting thing is that in your original statement you point out that there needs to be an organization (MHA) that promotes that ethical collection of meteorites and specimens so the scientific community will respect the members of the MHA so that they don’t lobby against the private collection of meteorites.
You state and I quote that “It’s to help build and create a group that can help preserve the rights of meteorite hunters (the public) to hunt federal land while at the same time help newbies learn how to recover meteorites and preserve their data. Without an organized group to do that people will see the Meteorite Men show, or read about it online and go out hunting and either get in trouble, or destroy vital data.”
This is a noble cause and something that I thought I would like to be a part of but where if not in the MHA is a Newbie Nobody from Nowhere like myself to learn and that is my point. If you model yourself after these noble invitation only organizations then why do you need to start a new group just stay with these groups that work. Why don’t you just make the changes to these organizations that you have motioned in your comments above.
I thought your interest in starting a new organization was to promote the ethical private collection of meteorites and use it as more or less a teaching tool, because of the overwhelming new interest from the general public form the viewing of such shows as The Meteorite Men. Correct me if I’m wrong, I thought your interest was to educate this new bread of hunter on how to preserve data so that it would not be lost, provide them with the tools so to speak even go so far as to provide newbies like myself with a starter kit (shirt, jewelers loupe and rare earth magnets).
My question is why go to this much trouble if you are going to fashion the MHA after the IMCA and make it an invitation only organization, where I live I have very little or no chance of meeting or getting acquainted with anyone (short of online) that would even offer to take me under his or her wing and get me started in meteoritic or the MHA.
Thanks;
Markus
I think you misunderstand what I mean when I suggested modeling it after the IMCA. The model will be used very “loosely” and NOT play a large role in the formation of the MHA. I also mentioned the GPAA, the LDMA and “other” metal detecting organizations. The MHA will be a kind of hybrid of all the best qualities of the best groups with the benefit of including a mission that is about supporting, protecting and preserving the rights of the public to hunt meteorites. You asked if I model the MHA after these groups then why is the MHA needed? Simple. Because the other groups have NOTHING to do with meteorite hunting and recovery. There is no group out there that is dedicated to meteorite hunting, the recovery of meteorites in the field, and the preservation of both the rights of hunters, and the scientific data. That’s what the Meteorite Hunting Association is.
To answer your question about why go through all the trouble? No one else is doing it and it’s something I feel, and other hunters feel, that needs to be done. If the MHA does not support meteorite hunters then who will? It’s for the hunters by the hunters, and a group that is to help grow the meteorite hunting and collecting world.
NO NO NO THIS IS A BAD IDEA REGULITING METORITE HUNTING LIKE REGULATING ANYTHING ELSE. FOLLOW THE MONWY WHO STANDS TOO MAKE THE MOST MONEY IN THIS DEAL? CERTENLY NOT POOR SMUGK WHO EKES OUT A LINING SELLING THEM …ME I AM GOING TO WRIGHT MY CONGRESSMAN RIGHT NOW TO STOP YOU IDIOTS
Is an organization being created to REPRESENT hunters, or to represent those who would regulate the hunters. No offense but, joining any organization to hunt meteorites “ethically”, when that is ALREADY the norm, AND LEGAL, is like the government telling you you need to pay large fees and pass increasingly stringent requirements so that you can posess a firearm, when in fact, you are already GUARANTEED that right in the Constitution of the U.S. Maybe Eskimos should pay a fee to be educated and licensed on how to make ice cubes properly, too. And forget about modelling a hunter’s organization on the IMCA. If you’ve been watching the current issue being discussed on “the List”, then you’ll notice that the biggest statement being made, is one not actually posted – that huge sucking sound you hear, is the IMCA’s complete absence of support for the already-existing rights (encoded law and Federal CFR’s) of the public to hunt meteorites on public lands. Hunters, collectors, and would-be-hunters already have a perception of the IMCA. They don’t live in a vacuum, thanks to the internet, they’re very well informed. They WILL REMEMBER the stand, or lack of one, that the IMCA takes. Depending on how things unfold in tthe near future, “other” organizations may form to protect the rights of the hunters. Oh, and anyone who thinks that academia is not getting it’s fair share, has not tried to have a meteorite classified. Here in Arizona, all three State University meteorite labs are getting SO MANY specimens, they’re backed up three years. The big schools in Cali are no better. I wish your association well but, you’re going to have to give better reasons to join, and your going to have to take positions on things. Sell me …………………………please fill in the blanks.
Thanks,
Do you remember when you first started hunting? Do you remember your first meteorite hunt? Were you fortunate enough to hook up with experienced ethical and responsible meteorite hunters when you first started hunting? I don’t know about you, but when I first started hunting 3 years ago I knew nothing about it, I wanted to learn all I could and I worked my ass off (excuse the french; hey that’s not French!) to learn all I could about meteorites. I was fortunate enough to meet and hunt with some very good (arguably the best) and very professional hunters. They took me under their wing so to speak and I have learned more from them in the past 3 years than I could in 10 years on my own.
This is what the Meteorite Hunting Association owes to the public. The public that wants to hunt meteorites, and no one can stop that, in fact we should encourage it for the advancement of meteorite science. We owe it to them to teach them and return the favor we received when we started hunting meteorites. Not to mention we are duty bound to preserve meteorite data when we recover meteorites in the field. If we don’t then we’re not doing our job properly. When we properly collect specimens from the field,and teach others to do it the same way, the science of meteoritics is advanced, and more people will benefit from it as will all the other related scientific fields.
The science of meteorites is fascinating, exciting, and adventurous all at the same time. To be part of a group that will help advance that in an organized fashion, and to be part of a group that helps newbies along, to open up and share data.
It’s to help build and create a group that can help preserve the rights of meteorite hunters (the public) to hunt federal land while at the same time help newbies learn how to recover meteorites and preserve their data. Without an organized group to do that people will see the Meteorite Men show, or read about it online and go out hunting and either get in trouble, or destroy vital data.
The Meteorite Hunting Association isn’t about “defending” meteorite hunters, or taking sides. It’s about collecting and sharing information for the advancement of meteorite science, preserving the rights of the public to hunt meteorites on federal land, and for helping the “newbies” to the field of meteoritics and giving them a chance to learn from the people who have contributed so much to the meteorite community already! We would be no better than the people who would deter the public from hunting meteorites if we were to NOT do something in an organized way.
How’s that sound?
Now for the fancy-schmancy stuff that comes with all organizations and associations.
You get a subscription to “Meteorite Hunting & Collecting Magazine”. A real bi-monthly magazine that I have been planning for over a year. A magazine that is all about the “adventure & science” of meteorites and for meteorite hunters. It will have science, but it will be targeted at the metal detecting and meteorite hunting & collecting community.
Also, there can be sponsored group hunts where veteran hunters can teach new hunters the rules of the road in proper meteorite recovery techniques, insitu photos, coordinates, handling, record keeping, metal detecting, identifying meteorites in the field… Educational outreach, etc
Take a look at the GPAA “kit”
http://www.goldprospectors.org/zencart/images/BuzzardSpl.jpg
Perhaps the Meteorite Hunting Association can have a similar kit. Include a gram scale, a loupe, a hat, a patch, neo mag stick, an ID card, maybe even a free copy of a meteorite book or video.
Take your pick: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Meteorites&x=0&y=0
You get the point… So when do you want to join?
Regards,
Eric
Very nice thoughts on the search for our extraterrestrial visitors, I wish I had someone like you to take me under their wing to set me on the right path. I hope that my being here on MeteoritesUSA will give me the start that I need. It will be nice to have and belong to an organization that will look out for me and my interests and help me along the way…
Markus
I was involved in the formation of the IMCA before it existed, and before it had a name. And I found out that there was a lot to it! I understand that for an organization to legally exist, and for your purposes, it should be, there are many legal hurdles to go through including possibly getting a federal tax-exempt status as a non profit corporation. And a formal certifiable charter and bilaws. Without such you could privately and individually as a participant have legal action brought against you. The pitfalls are numerous. Regardless of what noble motives you have, you do need to have some legal advice about forming an organization and what you need to do in order to protect yorself and your members against unexpected litigation, even if unfounded. Let me give you just one hypothetical possibility– Lets say for argument’s sake that one of your members identifies themselves to a landowner and asks pemission to hunt on someone’s private land. He finds a specimen and per agreement with the landowner he splits it with the landowner or perhaps offers a price. Later the landowner watches a meteorite special on TV and decides that the specimen found on his land looks like a lunar. It probably isnt but the landowner wants $100,000 in compensation and declares he has been ripped off! Regardless of how silly this may be, you are still in a law suit and will need an attorney. Who will pay for these services and costs, the member, the organization, the easter bunny? And even in the least instance, if you sell anything you need a sales tax permit for your state, collect and pay sales tax and you have to declare your business status.
These are just some of the things that need to be checked out as you form and organization, just to protect all involved. And if you want the blessings of the scientific community, as an organization, you want to cover all the legalities.
Remember Sue? The Black Hills people even thought they were covered by an agreement to hunt fossils on the Indian’s land, except that the Indians were leasing the land from the U.S. Government and had no authority to make such a contract, so the givernment came in and it cost the BH people millions in legal fees and almost destroyed their company and land them in prison!
Hi Ron, Thanks for the input, it’s appreciated!
I have taken steps already to start forming the MHA. We’re discussing now on the best legal entity to create. In other words, we have not decided which entity to form just yet but are weighing all options. The non-profit seems attractive, but there’s LOTS of paperwork, and certain restrictions that would limit the scope of what the MHA would be able to accomplish. However, if it were formed as say an S corporation for instance or even an LLC, it would offer legal protections, tax advantages, and other freedoms of movement and growth.
LLC seems very attractive right now. Though a 501 c 3 might work later. And yes, I’m aware there are certain institutions that will probably not work with an LLC or for profit corporation, but I would rather sacrifice that, than the freedom to grow the company and expand and advance.
Regards,
Eric
Sounds great! I’d love to have a ‘Rules of the Road’ or “Manuel of the Meteorite?” explaining what to do, who to contact to examine a new find, identifying it, etc. An approved action guide & list of resources and would be comforting. How about a newsletter to go with?
A newsletter is also a good idea and one that will probably be implemented via email. We’re also discussing the creation of the Meteorite Hunting & Collecting magazine. A bi-monthly print magazine. This magazine will be published by Meteorites USA.
Keep checking back on this page as updates are made.
To my mind, the real value of the GPAA was that not only did they spark your enthusiasm to prospect for gold, they provided you with the tools to do it, AND they also provided a place to do it in. Having special claims that only members could use and maps to those claims really made membership worthwhile.
Building on that model, the MHA should be sure to provide some information on *where* to hunt as well as how to do it. Special access to fireball data and maps is a good idea, but some general spots where the public can hunt is also important.
Having been involved in non-profits over the years, I find its rarely worth the effort to go for a tax-exempt status. Stick with an LLC and if you make money, paying taxes will just be part of the fun. Besides, its make lobbying for easing restrictions on hunting easier if you’re not a tax-exempt entity…
I agree about the value of an organization is directly related to being able to create enthusiasm for an area of interest and provide the tools and education needs for that enthusiasm to become contagious. It’s also about inspiring people to get involved, to help build something bigger than themselves and to educate the public. Information is scattered about right now, and you have to weed through a lot of websites to get at the good information.
Learning about meteorites, and meteorite hunting from members of the MHA will help provide a vehicle for the advancement of the science, will provide education to the public, and an organized voice for the meteorite hunting community. Until the MHA there hasn’t yet been a single group or organization willing and able to do this and help people learn about meteorite hunting in this way. The MHA will provide that.
We’re moving forward. The first thing we need as a group is interest, and I think given the popularity of this thread, and others like it concerning the MHA, the positive feedback I’ve received is a good sign that we’re on the right track.
Now lets get busy with it!
Regards,
Eric
Another project to think about would a database of meteorites recovered by members. This could include location, date of discovery, composition, photos, etc. This database would then be made available to academic researchers with the possibility of having the items loaned to academic institutions for research.
This might help ease the tension between the hunter community and the research community, and make it easier for us to lobby for increased availability of public lands for meteorite hunting.
Just a thought…
The Meteoritical Societies Meteoritical Bulletin database has this information, and this is the information that hunters and scientists gather.
The MHA is an organization for the education of the public about meteorites, their recovery and science. Members of the MHA are meteorite hunters and scientists who recover meteorites in the field and the MHA has no plans to create a “database” for meteorite data when one already exists. Data collected by MHA members will be shared with proper channels on a individual basis.
Regards.
Eric
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“OPERATION LUNAR ECLIPSE”
In all human societies, those is in power always try by all means at its disposal,to drive the opinion of ordinary people,neglecting the ethical and moral principles;the only thing that matters is staying in power.- But , Nasa forgot that “No one can fool all persons, all the time” and
“The truth will shine above all the lies.”(Gandhi)
I downloaded from the Internet a copy of “Interview With Robert Pearlman, Alan Rosen” by FREDRICKA WHITFIELD.Aired July 13,2002-12:35 ET says: ” THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.” (Maybe it can be updated now.)
Well, actually the really important news was behind that fact,the real reason for which NASA launched “Operation Lunar Eclipse.”
As you can realize now in light of the facts ; the true intention of NASA was recover (without to make noise ) some of the samples of moon rocks from the Apollo 11 mission that gift in 1969 without having been classified or studied.
Because instead of humbly acknowledge this error, decided to hide it by creating disinformation and demonizing those who for some reason had in their possession a Apollo 11 Moon-rock,with the hope that these rocks which showing the error , disappear.
The “Operation Lunar Eclipse” was a failure, but NASA published it as a “success”.-They had to create a spectacle to distract attention from the real reason. Using for this purpose at Robert Pearlman and elevating the status of “Hero” to J. Gutheimz.
Unfortunately, people who chose to lie, to try to hide the errors,are still at NASA and when mistakes are more big, still choose deception.
After the news about the Lunar Rock Holland, AP issued the following official statement:
“NASA turned over the samples to the State Department to distribute,” said Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, a NASA historian, in an e-mailed response to questions. “We don’t have any records about when and to whom the rocks were given.”
“The Office of the Historian does not keep records of what became of the moon rocks, and to my knowledge, there is no one entity that does so,” emailed Tiffany Hamelin, the State Department historian.
I fear for the future of Jennifer Ross-Nazzal and Tiffany Hamelin.
Point very well taken on the IMCA and yes the members of the IMCA have paid their dues. The interesting thing is that in your original statement you point out that there needs to be an organization (MHA) that promotes that ethical collection of meteorites and specimens so the scientific community will respect the members of the MHA so that they don’t lobby against the private collection of meteorites.
You state and I quote that “It’s to help build and create a group that can help preserve the rights of meteorite hunters (the public) to hunt federal land while at the same time help newbies learn how to recover meteorites and preserve their data. Without an organized group to do that people will see the Meteorite Men show, or read about it online and go out hunting and either get in trouble, or destroy vital data.”
This is a noble cause and something that I thought I would like to be a part of but where if not in the MHA is a Newbie Nobody from Nowhere like myself to learn and that is my point. If you model yourself after these noble invitation only organizations then why do you need to start a new group just stay with these groups that work. Why don’t you just make the changes to these organizations that you have motioned in your comments above.
I thought your interest in starting a new organization was to promote the ethical private collection of meteorites and use it as more or less a teaching tool, because of the overwhelming new interest from the general public form the viewing of such shows as The Meteorite Men. Correct me if I’m wrong, I thought your interest was to educate this new bread of hunter on how to preserve data so that it would not be lost, provide them with the tools so to speak even go so far as to provide newbies like myself with a starter kit (shirt, jewelers loupe and rare earth magnets).
My question is why go to this much trouble if you are going to fashion the MHA after the IMCA and make it an invitation only organization, where I live I have very little or no chance of meeting or getting acquainted with anyone (short of online) that would even offer to take me under his or her wing and get me started in meteoritic or the MHA.
Thanks;
Markus
Hi, I answered this already please see above: “…I think you misunderstand what I mean when I suggested modeling it after the IMCA. The model will be used very “loosely” and NOT play a large role in the formation of the MHA. I also mentioned the GPAA, the LDMA and “other” metal detecting organizations. The MHA will be a kind of hybrid of all the best qualities of the best groups with the benefit of including a mission that is about supporting, protecting and preserving the rights of the public to hunt meteorites. You asked if I model the MHA after these groups then why is the MHA needed? Simple. Because the other groups have NOTHING to do with meteorite hunting and recovery. There is no group out there that is dedicated to meteorite hunting, the recovery of meteorites in the field, and the preservation of both the rights of hunters, and the scientific data. That’s what the Meteorite Hunting Association is.
To answer your question about why go through all the trouble? No one else is doing it and it’s something I feel, and other hunters feel, that needs to be done. If the MHA does not support meteorite hunters then who will? It’s for the hunters by the hunters, and a group that is to help grow the meteorite hunting and collecting world….”
Again, I’d like to say, I was only using the IMCA as part of the example, just as I did the GPAA and other groups, and as I’ve stated it’s NOT about meteorite collecting, it’s about meteorite hunting. Read my statement again about the IMCA.
The MHA is not going to be an invitation only “club”, but will probably have a probationary period for new members within the bylaws that will provide some protection for the MHA and still allow a certain openness within the MHA membership base.
It’s very simple: The “tentative” Meteorite Hunting Association – Basic Mission: To provide, protect, and preserve meteorite data and material for education and advancement of meteorite science.
The MHA will be a non-profit organization to educate the public about meteorites, preserve meteorite data and hunters rights, and to further the science of meteoritics in a “cooperative” way.
Regards,
Eric