"Metamorphosis":

A Change for the Better!

Metamorphosis is, of course, the seemingly magical transition that insects pass through on their way to adulthood. The Young Entomologists' Society has also been undergoing its' own metamorphosis since 1965.  Just recently we achieved a new stage in our development and want all Y.E.S. members and minibeast enthusiasts to know about our plans for the continued growth of our wonderful organization. However, this growth means we need your help now more than ever before!  In the coming year we hope to raise $18,000 for support of our mobile educational outreach programs (we urgently need a new vehicle in order to continue conducting our Bugs-On-Wheels programs), $2,000 for the purchase of a Xerox dry-ink printer (for producing Minibeast World and other educational materials in full color), and $8,000 to be used for improving the in-house educational programs at our headquarters by renovating our multipurpose room, adding new exhibits, improving our interpretive trails, expanding our butterfly gardens, and erecting a seasonal butterfly house.  We've only raised $3,000 to date (mainly in in-kind donations) and obtained a greenhouse frame, so we encourage all members and supporters to give the most generous gifts they can so that the Society can move forward with its plans. Some of the needed money will come through grants and loans, but much of it must come from members and supporters. Whether it's $10 or $1,000 -- every bit will help.  Your contribution to the Metamorphosis Campaign Fund helps underwrite the future of the Young Entomologists' Society and ensures our mission in minibeast education continues.

A Story About Vision... The story is told of a European monarch whose travels took him to a remote village in a corner of Africa. While visiting, he took special notice of a magnificent tree that stood outside his lodging quarters. It stood tall, strong, and to the monarch's eye, was the most beautiful tree he had ever seen. Upon returning to his home in France, he announced that he would like to plant that specific type of tree in his courtyard and instructed the gardener to locate a tree, for planting. After some time,the gardener returned with news that the tree was very rare, unique to Africa, and especially slow to mature. Even if a tree were planted this season, it would be a generation before anyone would enjoy the beauty of the tree! The gardener, who thought that the monarch was planting the tree for his own enjoyment, was sure that this news would put an end to the quest. But the monarch's dream was that his children and grandchildren would one day be able to enjoy the magnificent beauty of the tree. So upon hearing the news that it would be a generation before anyone could enjoy the tree, the monarch simply replied... "Then, you'd better get busy right away!" This spirit of vision is one of the driving forces behind the Young Entomologists' Society. It is our dream to see the Society continue long past our lifetimes, bringing innovative outreach education to the yet unborn. Through a charitable donation or bequest to the Young Entomologists' Society, you will be planting a seed that will keep the dream flourishing for generations to come.

The Development and Growth of Y.E.S.

THE EGG STAGE

In its early days our organization was known as the Teen International Entomology Group (TIEG) and it was simply a penpal club with a mimeographed newsletter.

THE LARVAL STAGE

Soon after emerging from the egg stage our group was adopted and funded by Cornell University and began publishing an entomology magazine. Later, for a period of 12 years, the organization was funded by Michigan State University. In 1989 the group became a private nonprofit educational organization and thereby became responsible for generating all of its' own operating funds through memberships, subscriptions, program fees, sales, and donations. With these resources we have still built a world class organization and accomplished a great deal. We have provided service to more than 33,496 members over the years and in total have brought our own unique educational displays and interactive programs to over 1,006,200 people across the United States. We have disseminated educational information via ten internet websites and three periodicals, and we have provided information to thousands of reporters, writers, businesses, organizations, and individuals each year by mail, phone, and computer.

ENTERING THE CHRYSALIS STAGE

Like most successful nonprofit organizations, the growth of the Y.E.S. and its dynamic programs has been limited by the availability of critical resources such as time and money. The  Board of Directors and staff have no shortage of ideas or dreams for the Society, and we are excited about our "metamorphosizing" to the next level of educational endeavors by moving Y.E.S. into a larger, more suitable facility.  Our new facility is helping the Young Entomologists' Society to expand and grow -- both financially and programmatically.  Our plan provides for greater financial security by giving us access to a more diverse source of revenues; with a broader financial base we can support a larger staff and have space to accommodate volunteers.  In the near future we will be able to deliver a wider range of member services, while at the same time continuing to reach a growing audience of interested people, thereby helping to raise invertebrate appreciation and literacy around the world.

PLEASE HELP US GROW!

Our organization has come a long way since 1965.  [click here to see a summary of our organizational history]  With the help of a small group of volunteers, we are now operating and expanding the Y.E.S. Minibeast Zooseum and Education Center. This facility is enabling our Society to offer many new and exciting educational opportunities.  Our goal is to enable the Society and it's education center to perpetuate itself indefinitely into the future, and that's where we need your help. We need members and supporters to give the most generous gifts of time or money that they can.  Right now our "larva" is at a critical stage and needs more "green stuff" to keep it growing!

The Y.E.S. Minibeast Zooseum and Education Center

Our zooseum, which officially opened on April 6, 1999,  is a unique learning center devoted to all minibeasts (macroinvertebrates) which features all the best attributes of a zoo, natural history museum, interpretive center, resource center, science store, and outdoor classroom.  We are now able to offer many exciting educational outreach opportunities, including workshops, local bug club, group visits, programs and special events for the general public, and training opportunities for docents and student interns.

The Zooseum also currently houses the Y.E.S. Administrative Office and Resource Center and Library (home for one of the largest collections of books, posters, videos, software, databases, online resources, educational handouts, photographs, artifacts, collecting equipment, and insect toys).

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