Ben Franklin Society
Independent and Collaborative Research on Matters of Importance to Franklin County, NC
Welcome to the Ben Franklin Society
of Franklin County, NC
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Latest News
United Way of Franklin County Grant Application Status - May 1, 2012
Peggy McGhee and Bob Radcliffe have collaborated to satisfy Phase I and have been notified that a Panel Interview (Phase II) is scheduled for 10:00am, Friday, May 4, 2012 at Novozymes NA, Inc. in Franklinton. A joint presentation will be made to explain the Ben Franklin Society and in particular, Peggy's Research Project proposal - "The NC Colonial Hearth" - for which $1500 in funding has been requested in 2012. Award notification will be made in June.
Quarterly Society Meeting Set - Monday, April 30, 2012 @ 6:00pm DOWNLOAD AGENDA
Plan to attend our second quarterly meeting of 2012 to be held at our Cabin Headquarters - Lynch Creek Farm. Plan to make your Project Presentation using our Computer and recently acquired Computer Projector. A Meeting Announcement with complete details will be e-mailed/mailed to all members.
Society acquires GPS capability - March 24, 2012
Research Projects now have professional-quality GPS (Global Positioning System) data mapping and collection support. A Garmin eTrex30 GPS was purchased, together with 16GB microSD flash memory extension card and expertGPS Software for our Dell notebook computer that can load/unload both data and maps to the eTrex30. All data inventory-oriented Research Projects now have everything they need to initiate their field work. Field pre-and post-trip planning activities can load/unload data and maps to/from the GPS. The expertGPS software also enables Digital Camera Photography to be automatically linked with GPS field location "waypoints". Additional "freeware" digital photography editing software has also been acquired to support the addition of "metadata" to each JPEG image to identify, document and copy-protect each photo. A demonstration of these impressive capabilities will be made at our next Society Meeting in April 2012 (date t.b.d.)
Quarterly Society Meeting Set - Tuesday, January 31, 2012 @ 6:00pm DOWNLOAD AGENDA
Plan to attend our first quarterly meeting of 2012 to be held at our Cabin Headquarters - Lynch Creek Farm. Plan to make your Project Presentation using our Computer and recently acquired Computer Projector. A Meeting Announcement with complete details will be e-mailed/mailed to all members.
In
2012, Lynch Creek Farm will begin a collaboration with the Ben Franklin Society to initiate a new Private Dining Club
called the Franklin BreadWorks.
Ben Franklin Society Membership is required to attend the Dining Events. You can become an Associate Member for only $5/yr. A portion of each Private Dining Event will benefit the Ben Franklin Society and be tax-deductable.
Our Breadworks Newsletter will provide a schedule of Dining Events and Menu details.
2012 Membership Categories and Dues adopted at Annual Meeting
Child/Student/Guest $0/yr Non-voting/Project-exempt
Associate $5/yr Non-voting/Project-exempt
Individual $15/yr Voting
Family $25/yr Voting
Non-Profit $50/yr Non-voting/Project-exempt
Corporate $100/yr Non-voting/Project-exempt
Download 2012 Dues Renewal Form HERE
Annual Membership Meeting Set - Sunday, November 6, 2011 @ 2:00pm
Plan to attend our Annual Meeting to be held at our Cabin Headquarters - Lynch Creek Farm. The Franklin Breadworks will provide refreshments and formally initiate the use of our recently completed Wood-fired Oven. Plan to make your Project Presentation using our Computer and newly purchased Computer Projector. A Meeting Announcement with complete details will be mailed to you.
Board Meeting - August 19th, 6:00pm - Lynch Creek Cabin Headquarters
The Board of Directors will meet to set the direction and plans for upcoming promotional events this Fall and 2012. Results of this meeting will be a topic of discussion at our next Regular Membership Meeting in September.
4th of July OPEN HOUSE, 1:00-5:00pm - Lynch Creek Farm Cabin Grounds
Plan to share part of your holiday weekend with us. Stop by and snack on some great food and drinks. All businesses, non-profits and individuals are free to attend. Visit our unique Cabin headquarters and grounds at Lynch Creek Farm (1973 Rocky Ford Road) on July 4th from 1:00-5:00 pm. Learn how our facility can service your future business meeting and organizational event requirements. Become a Society Member and enjoy the benefits of our private dining club – the Franklin BreadWorks. Hope to see you there! Any questions, contact Bob Radcliffe at 252-433-0272
2011 Membership Categories and Dues adopted at Annual Meeting
Child/Student/Guest $0/yr Non-voting/Project-exempt
Associate $5/yr Non-voting/Project-exempt
Individual $15/yr Voting
Family $25/yr Voting
Corporate $100/yr Non-voting/Project-exempt
Franklin Times 2010 Annual Meeting Article Available for Download
The Franklin Times Weekend Edition (January 29, 2011) included an article describing our Annual Meeting held at Betsy Benning's Wolfpit on Tuesday, January 25th, 2011. Download a .pdf copy of the article HERE
Wake Electric Foundation Grant Re-Submitted December 10th, 2010
Our initial grant request submitted September 10th will be revised and resubmitted for consideration by December 10th for consideration during the next quarterly award cycle.
New Research Proposal Accepted- The Franklin BreadWorks
At our October 10th, 2010 Quarterly Meeting, the Franklin BreadWorks project was voted upon and unanimously accepted. The BreadWorks will be a Ben Franklin Society Private Dining Club - a collaboration between Lynch Creek Farm and the Society - to help build membership and revenues for the Society. "Member-only" Events will be scheduled that feature Local Foods and Entertainment. Our first Event will be held early next Spring (2011). Stay tuned for more details.
October 2010 Meeting Highlights
Thanks to the outstanding weather, our quarterly membership meeting at Lynch Creek Farm featured a delightful picnic and business meeting. Ongoing research project updates were presented and discussed. It was revealed that the Lynch Creek Farm Cabin will serve as the "permanent" headquarters for the Society - providing computer projection, library and meeting space - beginning in 2011.
United Way of Franklin County (UWFC) - Teaming for Technology (T4T) Update
Thanks to help from board member Kathy Harrelson, on August 16, 2010 the Ben Franklin Society qualified and purchased a laptop computer for only $60. Bob Radcliffe has prepped the hardware, virus software and it is ready for Society use. More details will be provided at our upcoming meeting.
Wake Electric Foundation - Operation RoundUp - Grant Application Submitted
On September 10th, Bob Radcliffe submitted a $500 Grant Application for the purchase of handheld, Garmin eTrex GPS (Global Positioning System) unit to support the Society's research project field work and a 3M LED Computer Display device for presentation purposes. A decision on approval is expected by October 15th.
IRS Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) Status
We received our IRS "favorable determination letter" on February 16, 2010 granting our tax-exempt status as a public charity effective from November 14, 2008.
About BFS
Our non-profit, service organization - the Ben Franklin Society - was formed in 2009 and welcomes everyone, of all ages, to join who wish to work to better the future of Franklin County. We are a non-political, enabling organization – committed to helping its Members produce practical results from their research efforts.
The Society promotes individual and collaborative research efforts; communicates the importance and relationship of Research Projects to the future of Franklin County; fosters synergy with other Society Projects and ongoing County initiatives; and pursues Funding support when appropriate.
Research Project Teams plan, schedule and independently control their own work. Society Membership requires participation in a Research or Non-Research Project. Special efforts are being made to include Franklin County High School Students in the Society. (See http://www.seniorproject.net/Senior_Project_Overview.html)
Plan to attend our next Quarterly Meeting and learn about this new and exciting opportunity for you to help transform Franklin County into a model of innovation in North Carolina! Society Membership will be fun and productive; satisfying and rewarding; meaningful and memorable.
SAMPLE RESEARCH PROPOSAL IDEAS
Inventory
of Indian Paths and Stream Fords throughout Franklin County - GPS
coordinates, location description, photography and mapping - to establish a
baseline for future historical and archaeological study.
http://www.tradingpath.org/
Inventory
public and private County Birding Sites - eagles, hawks, buzzards, turkey
etc - for the future integration into the NC Birding Trail project.
http://www.ncbirdingtrail.org/
Select
and map
preliminary bicycle touring routes throughout the County for
their use by tourists from nearby Counties.
Design,
build and install a large display case for an Indian Canoe, circa 1700,
recovered from the Tar River north of Louisburg.
Inventory
the best private and public fishing spots in the County.
Complete
the County cemetery inventory - public and private - that was initiated some
years ago.
Assemble and publish insightful stories about long-time County residents to establish a character profile of life in Franklin County.
What Research Project Ideas do you have?
( For more info about Bob Radcliffe see www.lynchcreek.com )
CONTACT: webmaster@BenFranklinSocietyNC.org
UPDATED: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 01:01 PM
