Eleven years ago in early December, about eight people met for a holiday party at the Sarasota home of Nancy Anderson to plan a study group. The group included Dr. Marion Hoppin, Dan Kuna (a Jungian analyst from Toledo who spent part of each year here), Richard Benner, Joanne Andersen, Susan Albrecht, Allan Bond, Nancy and myself. Our informal group met at the homes of Nancy Anderson and Marion Hoppin, focusing on many Jungian topics, including a year-long study of Von Franz' work on fairy tales. The group had grown to about 15 persons by 1994 when Dan Kuna returned to Toledo full time and Dr. Hoppin grew too ill to participate very often-although meetings were still held at her home. At one such meeting, Dr. Hoppin showed Nancy and me her extensive library, and informed us that she would like her wonderful collection eventually to become the nucleus of a vital Jung Society in Sarasota. In July of 1994, she signed a legally witnessed agreement to donate her full collection of books, video and audiotapes, journals and papers to our Society, making clear that she wished the collection to stay intact.

     With the prospect of acquiring this valuable asset, our members began to discuss expansion and formalization, although a minority of the group wished to remain small and informal. In 1994 By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation were drawn up so that the organization could apply for 501 3C (non-profit) corporate status in the State of Florida. The first Board of Directors was composed of volunteers. Susan Albrecht agreed to be President, Richard Benner, Vice President, Joanne Anderson, Treasurer, Joy Erickson, Secretary, with Nancy Anderson and Allan Bond as members at large. In order to establish our first bank account and get us started as a formal Society, Nancy Anderson taught a six-week course on Basic Concepts of Jung's Psychology. To our amazement 25 to 30 people showed up, and we were on our way! In the intervening years, a program of lectures and workshops from October through April by many well-known speakers, both local and national, have drawn many knowledgeable people to our Society with attendance fluctuating between 25 and 90. During many of the earlier years, we depended on low-budget programs and volunteers to present a wide range of material. More recently we have developed at more professional and focused approach.

     When Dr. Hoppin died in 1996, her collection became the property of the Society after some legal wrangling, due to an earlier will. Negotiations resulted in a stipulation that a member of the New College Alumni be given a seat on the Board of Directors and that NC students and faculty have privileges to use the collection. Space for the collection was found in the Towles Court Artist community for a modest rental. The Society then invested in shelving, furniture and office equipment for the small upstairs suite. Sue Holden spent long hours cataloging the collection using the special collections system of the Kristine Mann Library in New York City. Other volunteers devoted hours to insert labels and shelving the collection. The cozy space was also used for small groups and Board meetings until rents in the area exploded, becoming too expensive for the Society (which had reached about 40 members at that time) to carry. A search began for a new venue.

     An opportunity to liaison with the Counseling and Wellness Center at New College/USF was proposed. A two-year agreement was signed in April, 2000 to establish a library and conference room in Dr. Hoppin's honor as part of an expansion program for the Counseling and Wellness Center. $100,000 was needed to apply for matching funds from the State of Florida for the building project. Our Society raised $76,000, spearheaded by a generous donation from Nancy Anderson. It was understood that the New College Foundation would raise the balance. During the two-year span of the agreement there have been many changes-in particular, the restructuring of New College into a separate university. In May of 2002 the agreement became null and void bringing the library project to a virtual standstill. A new library committee was formed in September of this year to renew our search for ways to reopen this precious collection, which has remained in storage. In the meantime, the Hoppin collection has expanded with donations from many sources, growing to over 2500 volumes plus audio and videotapes, papers and journals, and is one of the finest collections of its kind.

     Our journey has been quite amazing. The original study group of eight has now become a Society of 160 members during the past year with a combined mailing list of about 500. Our dreams for the future have been many: to have a resident Jungian Analyst in our midst; to establish a permanent home for our library; to expand and improve our programming; to provide CEUs for mental health professionals; to publish an informational periodical for our members; maybe even to support a school for Jungian studies in the area some day. As you know, some of these dreams are a reality, some are in the birthing process, while others are still dreams. It is a great joy for me to celebrate with you this eleventh birthday of our journey with C. G. Jung in Sarasota.

~Joy Erickson