American Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies:

In 2007, the American Federation will mark its 60th year. The organization was founded in 1947 when eight delegates from the four Regional Federations, the Midwest Federation, California, Rocky Mountain and Northwest, met in Utah to coordinate their activities and encourage interest and education in the earth sciences. Three more Regional Federations have been added to the four original federations since it’s inception: Eastern in 1953, South Central in 1954, and Southeast in 1993. All seven are equally represented on the AFMS Board of Directors and each provides one executive officer, elected annually. In 1997, these Regional Federations were comprised of 778 clubs with 56,585 individual members.  The AFMS Scholarship Foundation, established in 1964, gave the first grants ($300 a year, for two years) in 1965. Today, grants are $2,000 a year for two years, and twelve two-year grants are issued each year. The annual AFMS meeting rotates among the Regional Federations and is held in conjunction with one of the Regional Conventions.