Our First Objective

Abstract

Florida Entomological Society is 40 years of age; has over 250 members; conducts an annual meeting and publishes four issues each year of THE FLORIDA Society has a glowing history beginning on January 5, 1916, with eleven charter members. As with most children, the child-age society passed its first years in the pleasant and ideal surroundings of its maternal home at the state land grant college, University of Florida. During this early stage the young society was given little do, other than grow and develop. Then came the stormy adolescence of the depression years when our youngster developed a slight twitch and threatened become cross-eyed. By that time he was scattered thinly across, this great State, unruly, disorganized in his thinking, nervous and irresponsible. As adulthood approached, our Society began taking its responsibilities more seriously. It matured the constitutiton and the by-laws; greatly improved the annual meetings; and developed the publication a level that it ranks as a truly creditable and worthwhile scientific journal. There is no fountain of youth. There is no reliving a second childhood or adolescence. These stages in development are past. It is my happy privilege proclaim that the Florida Entomological Society is a nature organization. Furthermore, it is my considered opinion, and I have just had twelve months think on it, that this Society is now at the stage in its existence when it can, and must start fulfill more fully the purposes for its existence as enumerated so simply yet forcefully in its constitution. constitution begins with these words: The association shall be known as the Florida Entomological Society. objectives of the Society shall be: (1) promote the study of entomology; (2) encourage research relative insects and related arthropods in Florida; (3) distribute widely knowledge pertaining insects; and (4) publish THE FLORIDA ENTOMOLOGIST. As stated in opening, the Florida Entomological Society holds an annual meeting and publishes THE FLORIDA This about sums it up. We make no excuses for not having done more, and we are proud of these accomplishments. Nevertheless, both of these actions are largely of a selfish nature-entomologists holding meetings and publishing for entomologists. It is time we begin work on the first objective given in the Constitution, to promote the study of entomology. In order promote the study of entomology it is necessary influence people outside of our profession in various ways. First, inform them of what we are, what we do, and promote a respect and appreciation of our contribution the general welfare. Second, sell entomology as a science of many facets, a field of variety, a profession of intrigue and action, which offers much young men and women. As C. R. Jordan (1956), immediate Past President of Georgia Entomological Society, expressed it, The word 'entomology' does not exist in the