Membership
Information
Becoming
a member has many benefits. Why not join today?
You can now pay
your membership fees online!
Click
here to get to the membership application page
Here is
a listing of your benefits as a member of the MHS:
General
Meetings
The general
membership meetings are open to the public. All members are encouraged to
attend as often as possible. Most of the services provided for the membership
are handled at the monthly meetings. There are sign up sheets at the front
of the meeting room for MHS activities. These include critter of the month,
hands-on, newsletter folding and other events. News and notes are presented.
The monthly speaker will present on various topics directly and indirectly
affecting amphibians and reptiles. If you have any questions, the board members
have colored nametags and will be happy to help you.
Click
here for more information on events and meetings
Board
Meetings
Board meetings
are open to the membership. Much of the business of running the society occurs
here. Proposals from various members, correspondence, committee reports, and
activities are discussed in an open forum. There is opportunity for non-board
member to express comments and concerns. Every member is encouraged to attend.
Click
here to see who currently sits on the board of directors.
The monthly
newsletter contains information about MHS business and general meeting happenings;
current and past speakers; upcoming events and special articles. The newsletter
provides a forum to express your viewpoints to the general membership. Local
businesses advertise in the newsletter and free advertising space is allowed
for members of the Society. See the newsletter for advertising policies and
pricing. The content of the newsletter is the responsibility of the membership.
Newsletter submissions should be mailed to the Bell Museum, Attn.: Editor.
Submissions must be received one week prior to membership meeting for consideration
in the next newsletter.
Bullfrog
(Rana catesbeiana)
White
Pages
As a member
you can choose to be listed in our annual telephone directory. New directories
are mailed out annually. You can use this as a resource to network with other
individuals with similar interests.
Library
As a service
to the membership, MHS maintains a library of books, periodicals, tapes and
society journals available for check out to paid members.
Library
Rules:
-
Must
be a current member of MHS
-
A
member may only have up to 3 items checked out at one time
-
Items
are checked out for one month only
-
Overdue
fine is $1.00 per month
-
Items
may only be renewed twice
-
The
member who checked out the item is responsible for any damage to the
item
-
Replacement
cost will be charged on any item not returned to MHS
Voting
As a current
active member of MHS you are allowed to vote at the Annual Meeting in November
to elect the Board of Directors and to vote on any referendums brought to
the ballot. Additional voting may take place at other general meetings throughout
the year but only after 60 days notice has been given via the newsletter.
Election
Rules:
-
Must
be a current active member of MHS, corresponding memberships may not
vote
-
Members
must be wearing MHS nametag to obtain ballots
-
Members
must be present to vote; there are no absentee ballots
Membership
allows you to participate in our Animal Adoption program. As a current member
in good standing, you are allowed to apply for animals that are surrendered
to the society.
Critter
of the Month
This is
a program where individuals of the Society bring in their personal animals
and explain a little about them to the audience. If the Newsletter suggests
a Critter of the Month theme for the next Meeting, be creative in finding
an animal that fits. For example, if Critter of the Month was 'Minnesota Herps',
you could bring any animal as it lives in Minnesota now.
Guidelines
for Critter of the Month:
-
Must
clear all potentially dangerous animals with the Vice-president before
bringing them to the meeting.
-
Do
not bring sick or animals in shed.
-
Bring
animals in appropriate carriers for the weather conditions.
-
Bring
a proper container to display the animals.
-
Animals
brought into the meeting room are not to be shown in the room except
during Critter of the Month.
-
If
it is necessary to take the animal out, please do so outside the room.
Carpet Python (Morelia
spilota)
Resources
Another
service to members is 'herp assistance'. An individual who has a specific
question on an animal can contact one of our designated 'experts' who will
attempt to resolve your particular problem. These people will offer guidance
based on their experiences; they are not Veterinarians. These members' areas
of specialties and phone numbers are listed in the newsletter. Additionally,
the MHS has a listserve
where members can ask questions, offer advice, and check for announcements
via email.
Raffle
Each month
a raffle is held as a fundraiser for the Society. Anyone is encouraged to
donate items to this raffle.
Rodent
Sales
MHS sponsors
the sale of frozen rodents to its members. These sales are at a discount,
usually less than in the retail market.
Rodent
Sale Rules:
-
Must
be a current member of MHS
-
Orders
must be placed at least one week in advance of date of meeting (see
newsletter for phone number)
-
Orders
must be picked up at monthly meeting only
-
Prices
are listed in the newsletter
A yearly
fund raising event, this silent bid auction is where members, individuals,
and businesses donate items for auction. MHS also puts out items such as old
newsletters received from other societies. The meeting will be quite different
from the normal meeting. The rules will be explained at the beginning of the
meeting. This is the biggest fund raising event for MHS.
MHS Merchandise
A number
of unique items are put up for sale by the Society. T-shirts, occasional papers,
notecards, window decals, and other items are available. Please consult the
sale table at the front of the meeting room for prices and availability or
call the voicemail to request prices and availability.
This holiday
event is a great get together with fellow herpers in a relaxed evening of
socializing. This potluck dinner features a speaker and a special raffle.
MHS frequently
participates in fieldwork involving a variety of subjects, methods and surveys.
Announcements will be made in the newsletter.
Being a
member allows you to represent the Society by displaying your amphibians and
reptiles to the public in a positive manner. Through this type of education
we can bring a real 'hands on' experience in herpetology to the public and
alleviate some of their misconceptions. After all, these are the people that
we need to convince of the value of herps, herpetology and herpetoculture.
Some of our educational events include the Renaissance Festival, local fairs,
schools, nature centers, zoos and other private or public functions.
'Como Cottage'
was originally built by Como Zoo to educate people about animals while stepping
back into the 16th century during the seven weekends of the fall Renaissance
Festival. In 1997, MHS took sole responsibility for the cottage after years
of sharing with Como Docents. The volunteers dress in period costumes. If
costumes are needed, MHS maintains a large wardrobe of renaissance clothing.
After working a portion of the day for MHS, you are free to experience the
sights and sounds of the realm. This is a very fun and popular event.
Looking
for more information?
Click here
for MHS general policies and bylaws.
How can I participate in MHS activities?
Many
MHS members (and their friends) participate in the Renaissance Festival
each year.
Click
here to go back to the Main Page
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Copyright
2002-2009. The Minnesota Herpetological Society.