2/20/23 General Meeting Minutes

7:06pm: Meeting called to order by President Candi Gerard at 2007 Cherry St. Ferndale, WA 98248

*Raffle* guest Joe, and member Violet won. Congratulations!

Presidents Report: Shared articles about lab created diamond terminology. Glenn from Hawaii sent a copy of their mineral society newsletter. Next month’s (March) meeting will be centered around the gem show, no show and tell. Club books for sale on the side tables, please check out with Deb.

Secretary Report: Tulip City, MI wants to do a rock/mineral exchange. By filling up a large flat rate box and sending through the mail. Flyers available for 3 upcoming nearby gem shows.

Treasurers Report: Incoming – dues, club sales, donations. Outgoing – grit, belts, nametags, saw oil, NFMS dues, show fliers, books for store, business cards, table rentals, postage to FL. Savings are looking good.

Membership: 2 new members in February; welcome to new members who joined at tonight’s meeting. 

Show updates: will need help to load/unload UHAUL on Friday 3/24 at Candi & Gordy’s house. Please sign up if you’d like to utilize a display case. Still looking into food truck options. For those with access to a pick-up truck, please check in with Wes about transporting rocks to & from the show. Volunteers are what make the show possible, thank you in advance to all who plan to help with door prizes, spinning wheel, greeters, club sales, etc. Wes has a map for the vendors, spaces will be marked with tape the day of set up.

Federation / Mineral Council: NW Mineralogical Society currently has 67 active clubs in AK, WA, ID, MT, OR. *UT. Big show in Billings, MT 8/3-8/6. Talk of a 2024 show in Hermiston, OR but dates not yet announced. Did anyone go on the S. Skagit field trip with Ed on 2/18? Next proposed excursion is for March 18th at Beaver Valley, near Port Ludlow, WA for Calcite, Copper, Pyrite.

Chad informed us about the WPMA Gold & Mineral show – this was their best year yet, expanding beyond “just” gold into gems, minerals. The Everett show is upcoming at the Monroe Fairgrounds. The WPMA includes WA, OR, ID, MT. Cost of membership is $65 first year, $50 annual renewal. Membership provides access to multiple Carl Carlson Ellensburg Blue claims.

Todd shared a new page on our website about volunteering for the show. It can be viewed HERE

Important items the club needs help with for our show:

#1 Display cases – pick a theme, label items in big letters for legibility. 

#2 Critters & Painted rocks – we need more before the show

#3 Loading the truck at the Gerard’s Friday morning, unloading at the venue

#4 Greeters to hand out rocks, help with door prizes, ticket sales, collect donations, etc.

     Spinning wheel $.50-$1/spin, club sales (cash handling, weighing product)

Sunday night we will all be tired, but still need help packing up and loading club property back to the Gerard’s

Break-out for snacks.

Big shout out to Walt Hekala for donating a plethora of items for door prizes at the show. You ROCK Walt! Thank you also for your presentation about Trapiche amethyst.

A few members shared rocks & hand cut gems at show and tell, then the meeting was adjourned.

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Club Web Address:  www.mtbakerrockclub.org
Visit us on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/mtbakerrockclub
For Questions, Club Email:  admin@mtbakerrockclub.org
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Club Retail Store, Bellis Fair Mall, Space 424 (JC Penny’s Wing)
Hours:  Closed Mondays, Tuesday-Saturday 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday Noon to 6 pm

Minutes submitted by Trevor Duncan, club secretary