Friends of the Natural History Museum Paris
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| Founded | April 1907 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Edmond Perrier |
| Type | Society 1901 law |
| Services | Financial and moral aide to the French National Museum of Natural History |
| Members | 4,047[1] |
Key people | Edmond Perrier, Bernard Bodo, Raymond Pujol, Yves Cauzinille, Ghalia Nabi, Christine Sobesky, Paul Varotsis |
| Website | amis-museum.fr |
The Friends of the Natural History Museum (French: Société des Amis du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle et du Jardin des Plantes or Les Amis du Muséum) is a French non-profit organisation (association loi 1901[2]), created in 1907 and recognized as a charity (reconnue d'utilité publique) in 1926. Its purpose is to give practical and financial support to the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, France, enrich its collections, zoo, laboratories, greenhouses, gardens and libraries, and to promote scientific research and education related to it.
Les Amis du Muséum was founded in 1907 by Edmond Perrier anatomist, zoologist and Director of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. With the success of colonial exhibitions in the early 20th century, many people became interested in the new discoveries being made, but the Muséum could not afford new acquisitions. Perrier decided to create an organisation to support the actions of the Muséum, and assist in their funding.[3] With President Léon Bourgeois, then president of the French Senate, Perrier created Les Amis du Muséum. There were many famous personalities among the first members: Raymond Poincaré, Emile Loubet, Paul Doumer and Prince Albert I of Monaco. Their political power was useful in helping to acquire new specimens as well as enhancing the flow of financial aid. In 1909, Les Amis du Muséum acquired its first specimen, an ichthyosaur currently on display in the Gallery of Palaeontology. From the beginning, Les Amis du Muséum organized various activities for its members.
1913 saw the first publication of Les Amis du Muséum, Nouvelles du Muséum,[4] it served to inform members of the activities of the Muséum and is the ancestor of the current Bulletin. It already included at least one scientific paper per issue, such as the number 1933.[5][6] Numerous issues have been published since despite shutdowns caused by war and lack of funds. The Bulletin continues to be published quarterly and is free for members of Les Amis du Muséum. Since 2012, the Bulletin includes a supplement aimed at younger members.
In 1926 under President Paul Doumer, then French Minister of Finance, Les Amis du Muséum is recognised as an official charity (reconnaissance d'utilité publique), which allows them to receive donations and legacies of the French government.
In 1935 a junior section is open for members under fifteen years old.[7] Two branches are opened in Arcachon and Tananarive (today’s Antananarivo) with the aim of spreading the action of the Muséum in the French provinces and colonies.[8] This is the year when the logo of Les Amis du Muséum was designed, it represents three fields present at the museum : Mineral, Plant and Animal.[9]
From 1940 Les Amis du Muséum closed down and did not reopen until the end of the war. The Bulletin reappeared three years later as the Feuille d'information. In the 1950s Les Amis du Muséum membership was stagnating due to financial difficulties: the annual fee was deemed too expensive. In 1990, Mr Fontaine (in French), president of Les Amis du Muséum obtained the approval of the Muséum for free entrance to the whole site of the Jardin des Plantes in central Paris. This privilege had been abolished in 1923 and its renewal was appreciated by the public, and allowed the numbers of members to grow again.
Functioning
Source:[10]
Les Amis du Muséum is managed by a board composed of sixteen to twenty members elected by secret ballot for four years by the General Assembly, and selected categories of members that make up the assembly. The professors of the Museum that are part of the organisation are ex-officio members of the board (list of directors).
Board renewal takes place by quarter. The outgoing members are eligible for reappointment. The board elects from among its members by secret ballot, a bureau composed of a president, two vice-presidents, a secretary general, a treasurer and eventually an assistant treasurer. Former presidents may be appointed honorary presidents. Members of the bureau are elected for one year, except for the secretary general who is elected for four years. The Board meets at least once every six months and whenever convened by its president or at the request of a quarter of its members. The presence of one third of the Board is necessary for the validity of the proceedings.
The sessions of the Board are recorded in its Minutes that are signed by the president and the secretary general. They are transcribed without white spaces or erasures on a register, numbered and initialled by the prefect of Paris or his delegate.
The members of the Board receive no remuneration for their duties. Only expense reimbursements are permitted[10]
