Foresters' and Science Fund

Silent Auction, Raffle, and Photo Contest

Foresters’ Fund

The Foresters' Fund provides grants to SAF units for projects that promote education and enhance public understanding of the forestry profession. The annual silent auction and raffle is the biggest fund raising activity for the Foresters' Fund and donations are needed. Please consider donating an item.

Items can be shipped prior to convention or hand delivered on site. Regardless of the delivery method, we do ask that the Foresters’ Fund Donation Form be submitted.

NEW FOR 2009!

SAF Convention Golf Tournament at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course

Step onto the first tee and into the shoes of champions. These beautifully manicured links, designed by Joe Lee, are named for an abundance of fragrant magnolias. Elevated tees, spacious greens, and tranquil water hazards immerse you in a natural setting fit for a fulfilling round of championship golf. Rated 4 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest. Proceeds benefit the SAF Foresters’ Fund.

Foresters’ Fund State Society Spirit Award

The state society that raises the most monies from items donated to this special silent auction will win the Ol’ Pinch statue for one year. The “Ol’ Pinch” statue, a 12-inch wooden statue of a forester, was previously awarded annually to the state society raising the most money per capita for the Fund in the previous year. This year, convention volunteers are reintroducing the contest with a new twist. State societies will also receive credit for items donated by divisions and chapters.

State societies wanting to participate in the contest are asked to submit the Foresters’ Fund Spirit Award Registration form.

Foresters’ Fund University Spirit Award

To get SAF student chapters more engaged in the Foresters’ Fund, convention volunteers are introducing the “Foresters’ Fund University Spirit Award”. All SAF student chapters are encouraged to donate an item or items for this special silent auction. Items should represent the school and/or the forestry/natural resources program. The chapter’s donated item(s) that raise the most monies will win the award. In addition every SAF student chapter member (as of September 25, 2009) from the winning school will receive a copy of the “Dictionary of Forestry”.

Student Chapters wanting to participate in the contest are asked to submit the Foresters’ Fund Spirit Award Registration form.

All donation forms and registrations for the Spirit Awards should be submitted to Heather Wierzbicki at heather.wierzbicki@mwv.com or via fax at (334) 855-5087. Questions about the raffle or silent auction can be directed to Charles Maynard at (850) 539-5079 or cmaynard3@comcast.net.

Science Fund

The Science Fund provides grants and loans to conduct and support forestry research, continuing education activities and transfer of knowledge, and promote collaboration and relationships with other SAF entities and external groups. The Science Fund will hold a photo contest to raise funds.

Science Fund Photo Contest

2006 Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner, submitted by Mike Cloughesy, photo by Jordan Benner, Oregon Forest Resources Institute 2007 Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner, photo by Amy Grotta, King County Extension, Washington State University 2008 Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner, photo by Erin Saunders, Northern Arizona University

Here's how it works:
Anyone can submit up to five photos. Judging is conducted by popular vote of convention attendees at $1 per vote. The photos with the most votes in each category will be awarded prizes.

The photo contest theme is "Science in Action" and photos can be submitted in one of the following four categories.

1. Teaching Science to Children - examples include field events, science fairs and Arbor Day activities.
2. Research - such as field study sites, experimental subjects and sampling procedures.
3. Scientific Application to Management - including workshops, field tours and demonstration areas.
4. Science and Technology - such as specialized equipment, GIS and spatial analysis, or microscopy.

Entry requirements:

• Entry fee is $2 per photo.
• Photo can be no larger than 11 inches by 14 inches for black and white or color photo.
• Photo can be from a digital or film source.
• Photo must be mounted on a hard backing and may be matted.
• Photo with glass, frames or plastic will not be accepted.

How to enter: It's easy!

• Bring your photos to the National Convention in Orlando.
• Clearly mark the back of the photo with your name and category.

Photos not picked up after the contest will become the property of SAF.

If you plan to deliver award donations directly to the Science Fund table, please notify one of the following individuals: Randy Kolka, phone 218-326-7115; Terry Clark, 301-897-8720.

For Donors: contributions are tax deductible. However, please ask a tax advisor regarding Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations.