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2021 Fort Bragg. Photo by Hugh Smith (modified)

FFSC Ministers

Ministers?? To be sure, but in a political rather than a religious sense. Think Prime Minister or Minister of the Exchequer. We have both, and many more ministers, on our board.

Winter Chanterelles Bunch. Photo by Yevgeny Nyden

Winter Chanterelles Bunch. Photo by Yevgeny Nyden

FFSC took its name and structure using the “Federation of Planets” model. Instead of a president, vice president, etc, we have a board of Ministers and subcommittees who volunteer their time to plan and run classes, forays, culinary events and other activities to implement our mission. 


Collage of some current and past FFSC ministers- Its really time to update this photo!
Collage of some current and past FFSC ministers- Its really time to update this photo!

FFSC Ministers are a hard-working group of volunteers who plan and run FFSC activities aligned with our mission. Members elect or re-elect ministers every 2 years in May. To get a sense of what is entailed in these positions, see our FFSC Bylaws.


The group meets monthly from September through May at 7 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. We're an eating and drinking club, so of course the evening begins at 6 PM with a potluck (often with wine) and social hour! Visit Food and Fun to confirm when the next minister potluck will be held.


After dinner, we circle up to discuss and vote on current and future business and to plan forays, classes, and other club activities.


Some of the minister duties are quite involved, so each minister may also have a sub-committee of members to help them. If you're an FFSC member, consider volunteering to help a minister! It's is a great way to get involved with the club, learn more, gain leadership experience, and potentially become an FFSC minister yourself one day!


Current Ministers


Here is the current slate of ministers elected in May 2026:


  • Prime Minister: Vellany Pierce 

  • Vice Prime Minister: Peter Mu

  • Scribe: Nerissa Wong-VanHaren

  • Minister of Programs: Peter Mu

  • Minister of Exchequer: Michelle Kinney

  • Ministers of Membership: Richard Rammer

  • Ministers of Propaganda: Suhani Saraswat

  • Minister of Local Forays: Vega Bluem

  • Minister of Long Distance Forays: Kitty Elvin

  • Science Advisors: Phil Carpenter, Christian Schwarz, and Henry Young

  • Minister of Stores: Andrea Wilson

  • Minister of Culinary Events: Bob Wynn

  • Minister of Web: Lisa Tesler

  • Minister of Education: Richard Rammer

  • Ministers at Large: Dan Tischler and Lisa VanBuhler

  • Fungus Fair Coordinator: Peter Mu

  • North American Mycological Association (NAMA) Representative: Phil Carpenter

New ministers elected 2026

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