THE SPECIAL FRIENDS OF THE AURORA FOSSIL MUSEUM: A MODEL FOR AMATEUR INVOLVEMENT IN A MUSEUM SETTING

Established in 2002, the Special Friends of the Aurora Fossil Museum (SFOM) provides resources and support to assist the Aurora Fossil Museum (AFM) with carrying out its mission: to educate on the paleontology, geology, and prehistory of coastal North Carolina in an informal and engaging manner. Currently comprised of 113 members, consisting mostly of amateur/avocational paleontologists, the SFOM continues to provide necessary support, both financially and in-kind, to the AFM. Such support, including financial contributions, specimen acquisition, funding for displays and repairs, as well as donations of fossils, greatly assist with the overall function of the AFM.

The SFOM was established out of the need to develop an organization that could support the AFM through capital campaigns, fundraising ventures, volunteer activity, as well as to expand the museum’s outreach and networking efforts. Its creation has united fossil collectors, who have a common admiration for and a desire to support the AFM. During its thirteen year history, the SFOM has contributed substantially to the growth and stability of the AFM and through the dedication of the SFOM membership, the AFM has been able to endure economically challenging times. The nature of the SFOM’s supportive role to the AFM dynamic has been successful. Its success, as an amateur-dominant support organization, can be a model for the future development of support organizations in similar museum settings.