The DNFC Fungus working group.
The long-winded title Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club fungus working group firstly acknowledges the fact that we are a ‘specialist group’ within the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club. The organisation was founded in 1886 and has a ‘plant group’ and a ‘bird group’. These ‘specialist groups’ have operated on a shoestring in the backround of the DNFC for decades. In the 1930s another grouping known as the ‘Active Service Unit’ in the DNFC undertook an ambitious botanical survey of the distribution of plants in County Wicklow which lead to a definitive publication 20 years later.
The title - fungus working group – was originally formulated as a translation from the german ‘Arbeitgemeinschaft für Pilz’. The german phrase ‘Arbeitgeminschaft’ can be loosely translated as ‘working group’ – and by adding ‘für Pilz’ the phrase could be retranslated as ‘an ambitious society of people who are prepared to work together to advance the knowledge of fungi’.
During the residential foray meeting in Tyrrellspass with the Northern Ireland Fungus Group on Saturday 5 October 2002, in the post-prandial speeches, it became obvious that we are known by our northern colleagues as the ‘Dublin group’. In e-mail communications I have received, the DNFC fwg is known as the ‘mushroom club’. All draw the point that we may well need a more succinct title in the future !
Rules
The first rule is that all notices for members will be sent by
e-mail. This has shaped the general administration of the ‘fungus working
group’ – in which an e-mail list of interested parties is maintained.
People are added to the list by e-mail enquiry and struck off the list by
request, or if no feedback is received. An electronic filing cabinet
containing all incoming and outgoing e-mail provides a record of all
correspondence.
This initial rule has presented some difficulties for people
interested in our activities – but without computer facilities. A rather
firm stand has been taken – and this is now being relaxed to those who are
DNFC members. All outing arranged a long time in advance are sent in the
quarterly mailing to the entire DNFC membership.
The second rule - that for so long as is practical a membership fee is not levied. This is based on the idea that contributing scientific results, such as species identifications, to a society is somewhat like making a benefit in kind – and that one who provides information ought not to be severely penalized for ones generosity with scientific data.
It has come to the stage in our development now, that as we are involved with many field outings – and insurance issues might well arise, it is time to insist that everyone who wishes to receive the virtual e-mail offering and attend events on our calendar is a bona fide member of the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club.
Howard Fox
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· Should you wish to contact the DNFC fungus working group or participate in outings – please e-mail in the first instance <hfox@ealga.ie> or <maria@maths.tcd.ie>. The current calendar can be circulated to e-mail addresses of anyone who has expressed an interest in contributing to the group.
· Membership of DNFC is required. DNFC Membership form
· Our postal address is:
Howard
Fox,
DNFC fungus working group,
National Botanic Gardens,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9.
http://www.nifg.org.uk/dnfcfwg.htm
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If you would like to record
mushrooms please download the form which is an excel spreadsheet.