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About
Us
Robert
E. and Betty L. White started the Palm Beach Society of American
Inventors, Inc. (PBSAI) in 1982 to educate and assist the inventor. It was
incorporated in 1983 as a nonprofit corporation with tax exempt status 501 (c)
(3). PBSAI was a member of the National Congress of Inventors Organizations
(NCIO). Neither Bob nor Betty were inventors. They just enjoyed being around
people with innovative minds who did not know how to convert an idea into a
successful venture.
Bob,
working for the county, found out about a community center in Boynton Beach
that the society could use for meetings. The society met in that building for
about 20 years. There was no cost to use it. The only requirement was for the
group to leave it clean. The society grew from a small group to several hundred.
Most meetings had an attendance of 50-80 people.
Bob
filled in as an officer when one had to give up a position. He was committed
to the society. Betty
organized events and worked on awards. She inspired people to support society
activities. When anyone called the society, Betty answered, "Can I help
you?" Betty was the heart of the society.
Bob
and Betty encouraged creative people to share their knowledge and experience
with want-to-be inventors at monthly meetings. Bob an Betty loved what they
were doing and everyone loved them. Also, they held all kinds of events where
inventors could show off their talents. Although
the Whites are no longer with us, each year the ISSF honors them by presenting
the Bob & Betty White Award to someone for outstanding service and
assistance contributing to the advancement of the society.
The
aims of PBSAI were to:
- Promote innovation
by encouraging inventors and investors.
- Educate the
inventor in patenting, evaluating, marketing, protecting, producing and licensing.
- Hold exhibits
so investors, developers and the public will be more aware of what inventors
are doing.
- Hold lectures
and seminars to educate the inventor and potential inventor.
In the words of
Board Member Harriet Efrom in 1988,
"The
Palm Beach Society of American Inventors, Inc. helps you to grow. They are
mind farmers. They plant seeds of information, cultivate them with answers
and pamphlets on many subjects and provide conversation with other inventors
helping you to bloom and reach a profit."
The PBSAI met the
first Saturday of each month with and open business meeting from 10:30 AM to
noon and the regular meeting following at 1 PM until 4 PM. At every regular
meeting there was a speaker on one of the many subjects of interest to the inventor.
Meeting location was at the Royal Palm Clubhouse, 544 NE 22nd Avenue, Boynton
Beach, FL (which no longer exists). This was the Chamber of Commerce Building.
Here the board meeting occurred 10:30 am to noon and the general meeting occurred
from 1-5 PM. Meeting features were a snack table and lots of time for networking.
Monthly newsletters
were four pages that included short articles, tidbits of information, advertisers,
club officers and location. Newsletters began issue in 1982 with Volume 1 and
Number (1-12) in accordance with the months of the year. Notices of special
events were printed on colored paper to make them stand out from the monthly
newsletter. As many as 3000 newsletters per month were assembled and mailed
through the collaborative effort of the Board members. Jerry G. Phillips
was a research director. Betty L. White was the representative to the
NCIO and a newsletter editor.
The PBSAI offered
many opportunities for inventors. One event celebrated National
Inventors Day in February. This included many small exhibits, one seminar
and a banquet in which awards were given to inventors. Awards given:
- PBSAI National
Inventors Plaque (open to any US inventor)
- PBSAI Handicapped
Invention Plaque (open to any US inventor)
- PBSAI State
Inventor of the Year (open to Florida inventors only)
- PBSAI Inventor
of the Year (open to members only)
Through the years,
numerous society members have contributed their valuable time and expertise
to the furtherance of the society's goals. Many names appear year after year.
It is this continuing contribution of members that makes the organization strong
and fruitful for all the members. In the words of Board Member Michael Kushner
in 1988,
"We need
your help tp keep the creative people of this area creating. You too can help,
so that we can continue to support those with ideas to benefit us all. Come
visit with us, see what we do for everyone who comes to us. We offer hope,
encouragement, guidance and formulate information for success. America is
first because the individual is first. From Henry Ford to Thomas Edison, the
idea must be kept alive."
On June 2, 1990,
the Board of Directors filed an entity
name change. The society officially changed its name to the Inventors
Society of South Florida because most members lived in Dade, Broward and
Palm Beach Counties. On July 20, 1990, the Board of Directors filed amended
bylaws. Among other changes, the purpose of the society became twofold:
- Educate in
the field of inventing
- Bring together
inventors and investors.
Meeting times
have varied a half hour or so around the current times of noon for the board
meeting and 1 PM for the general meeting. Meeting locations varied after leaving
the Royal Palm Clubhouse in Boynton Beach, and then in early 2000 found
a home at the Enterprise Development Centre at 3998 FAU Boulevard in
Boca Raton.
In January 2001,
the society's meeting place moved to Enterprise Development Center Innovation
Centre at 3701 FAU Boulevard in Boca Raton.
In September 2001,
the society's meeting place moved to Muvico Palace 20 Theater at 3200
Airport Road in Boca Raton.
In February 2002,
the society created a web presence with an informational website.
In April 2002,
the newsletter became a digital document and increased in page count to accommodate
Internet resources and professional articles.
In September 2002,
the society's meeting place moved to Coconut Cove Water Park in west
Boca Raton.
In June 2003, the
society met at LIGI TOOL & Engineering,
Inc. in Deerfield Beach, our current meeting place. Bob White, founder
and former president of ISSF, passed away. Abby Waters, president of
ISSF in 2003, wrote a poem in his memory.
In May 2006, the
newsletter name changed from Inventare Maximus to Inventors News.
In December 2008,
the website was revamped and expanded to include the society's history, as well
as expo photos and speaker contributions.
Today, the ISSF
remains a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation engaged primarily in the organization
of monthly meetings, inventors fairs, and seminars for the purpose of facilitating
networking and educating its members and guests. The group's mission is to create
a forum that fosters creativity, free thinking and education that will further
our members' innovations. Meetings are held the first Saturday of the month
(unless otherwise posted) at 1 PM at LIGI
TOOL & Engineering, Inc., 3220 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442.
Directions and map.
Officers
President:
Leo Mazur (MazurElectric--at--earthlink.net)
Vice President: Albert Newman (designal21--at--bellsouth.net)
Secretary: Joanna Zaremba (joannapoland--at--msn.com)
Treasurer: Lucy Pettersen (littlepackage2--at--webtv.net)
Founding President: Robert White
Historic
Officers (1982-present)
Other
Board Members
Directors:
Alvin Blum and Richard Loughlin (LoughlinRandM--at--aol.com)
Membership: Joanna Zaremba
Publicity: Eva Thomas and Leo Mazur
Public Relations: Eva Thomas (etboca--at--hotmail.com)
Contacts
Palm
Beach County: 561-213-6581-1140 (Eva Thomas)
Broward County: 954-486-2426 (Joanna Zaremba)
Mailing
Address
Inventors
Society of South Florida, Inc.
PO Box 6008
Delray Beach, FL 33482
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