In memory of Colibri (George Angehr)

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61

I’m in also

62

Add me to the pile.

63

that sounds perfect. i’m in.

64

Sounds great!

65

This sounds great! Will the GFM be announced in this thread when it’s set up?

66

Slight hiccup. My contact at STRI informs that, on further inquiry, the Smithsonian as a federally funded entity can’t accept money raised through outside platforms like GoFundMe due to transparency concerns. However, the Smithsonian is happy to accept direct donations from the public and is equipped to do so online. My contact suggested that her office set up a landing page for the George Angehr Memorial Fund on the STRI website to which SDMB members could be directed.

I said I was fine with that idea - the main thing was to collect money for a fellowship. One drawback was that the funding total wouldn’t immediately update as with GFM, but my contact said she could track that and post the revised total periodically. I volunteered to write copy for the proposed web page and have since submitted it. My contact says as soon as the page is launched she’ll send me the link, which I’ll post here. Sorry this is so complicated; always the way.

67

I think a couple of people may already have made memorial contributions directly to STRI. Any way to add those to the total?

68

Could we do our own GFM and then have Ed put the money in the Smithsonian account? I think people enjoy watching the tally go up.

But if Ed has already set the deal in motion I am OK witlh that as well.

69

Yes, this is my question. I specified that it was in his honor.

70

I don’t think they’d go for that. I’d be acting as an intermediary for funds contributed by someone else. They want to know the original contributor.

71

Not sure but I can ask.

72

If not, perhaps we could let Ed know so he can add the unofficial donations to the total.

73

Thanks (for this and everything else) — I also already donated to them and specified George’s memory. But if they can’t, I’ll just donate again! :slight_smile:

74

In a way, it’s kind of nice that the speed bumps are because a government agency is remaining committed to fiscal transparency.

Thanks again for navigating this stuff for us, Ed

75

Awesome idea!!

76

Another slight complication. However, I have a plan.

STRI has now created a donation page for the George Angehr Memorial Fund on their site at:

https://stri.si.edu/george-angehr-memorial-fund

It includes a fine tribute to George. The problem with it from our standpoint is that George’s connection to the SDMB is mentioned only briefly. In the grand scheme, George’s scientific contributions obviously outshine his work on the board. Still, this is likely to dampen enthusiasm.

So here’s my plan, worked out with the assistance of the STRI development person, Kate:

  1. I’ll start a new thread entitled something like, “Please contribute to the George Angehr (Colibri) Memorial Fund.” I’ll post the STRI donation page link plus a running total of the amount contributed. I’ll pin this thread to the top of ATMB.

  2. On the donation page, there’s a “Comments” box. Enter “SDMB” in this box when you make your donation.

  3. Periodically, I’ll update the running total in the thread based on reports I get from Kate.

Several contributions have already come in, some of which have likely come from SDMB members. Kate will add these contributions to the total. I have a list of email addresses for these donors and will look them up in a sec, but just to be sure, if you’ve already donated, pls email me at edzotti at gmail dot com.

Not ideal, but I think it’ll work. What do you say?

77

Thank you for getting this set up.
It worked pretty painlessly.

78

I put “In memory of George Angehr (SDMB)” in the comments box.

79

Great, thx

80

I put, “From SDMB, in memory of George Angehr”. So we were thinking along the same lines I guess.