OUR ACTIVITIES

There are many activities available to help the members of the Magic Lantern Society stay in contact with one another. The following paragraphs describe some of these ongoing activities and provide information on how the Society's  membership is encouraged to participate.

Gazette Editor: Kentwood Wells, email: kentwood.wells@uconn.edu

Gazette Back Issues:  A limited number of back issues are available for sale. Contact the Secretary for information.

Convention:  Conventions are held every other year (even number years) in June or July, with all members and guests welcome. A typical convention runs from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon, with pre- and post-convention events scheduled depending on location. Friday and Saturday programs include presentations by members - humorous, technical and historical, with breaks for shopping at member dealer tables. There are usually optional evening special events as well. Sunday begins with a short business meeting followed by the auction. Members may auction lanterns, slides and associated paraphernalia. A percentage of the sale is given to the Society to help offset convention expenses. The convention location varies around the country to reach the greatest number of members, but is dependent upon a volunteer member in the area to chair the convention. The location is determined during the Sunday morning business meeting. Members and guests are welcome to present at conventions; the convention chairperson develops the schedule several months prior to the convention.

Elections:  Officer terms are for two years, and coincide with the bi-annual conventions. A call for nominations is published in the Gazette, followed by a mail-in ballot to all members. The results are announced at the convention during the business meeting and published in the Gazette.

Meetings/Correspondence:  Correspondence, both by US Mail and more recently by e-mail, has long been a tradition among Society members. This has proved to be a great way of sharing information through the diverse group. Please feel free to contact the officers as well as members in your area if you have questions or need assistance. Informal meetings are encouraged; members in the Pacific Northwest region hold quarterly meetings and in the Northeast a group meets once a year. Contact the Secretary for dates if you will be in these areas. All members are welcome.

Finances:  The Society is operated as a non-profit organization. The financial report is published in the Gazette once a year. Main expenses are Gazette printing and mailing and supporting the convention. Income is from member dues, convention fees and proceeds from the convention auction.

Constitution:  The Constitution is published in the front of the membership directory.

Annual Membership Booklet: A yearly Membership Booklet lists all members and their interests. As a member, you're invited to contact members with like interests.