Author: Club Secretary

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November Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, November 3, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

6 pm, Ferndale, WA

Attending: Harold, Dave S., Gordy, Todd, Candi, Deb, Michael L., Wes, Ralph, Trevor

Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley. Today is the 5-year anniversary of our store at Bellis Fair Mall!

Secretary Report: Nothing to report

Treasurer Report: 49 new memberships + renewals in October. Deposit made at WECU, expenses include tool/rock acquisition. including 10″ trim saw, and 18″ oil saw which are both currently available. RRR was fully funded, pebble pamphlets purchased. Fees for next year at Pavilion paid. Members picked up 120 more milk crates . Thunder Egg purchase. $240 in lap room fees collected.

Auction was a success, netting nearly $1800 for scholarship program, club. Thank you to all who donated and participated!

Lapidary Report: no lap room last Thursday of November + month of December. 3 more tumblers ordered for mall holiday season. Looked into alternative trim saw options, prefer water over oil due to enclosed space/clean up. 

Big thanks and kudos to everyone who helped with the pick up of our large acquisition. We appreciate you!

2026 Show: Need more tables, at least 2 x 8′, 2 x 6′. Todd notes that QR code from last year’s collateral is still good for next years flyers. Good to go on tumbled rocks, have 150 critters made. Discussion about silent auction table for show.

November general meeting will include a micro mount presentation by Wes Gannaway. 

Ralph – thank you for the use of your karaoke machine at the October auction, should we try at next meeting?

November  newsletter coming out soon, thanks Jonathan!

Mineral Council Field Trip: 11/08 – Blanchard Hill for stilpnomelane (dalmatian stone) More info HERE.

Todd RE: scholarships at WWU. Reached out last spring to ask about fund vs. direct check, no answer. Have put in a new inquiry through scholarship portal on website, still waiting for clarification. So far, business as usual for 2026 scholarship. 

New Business: may need more milk crates for the 40+ boxes of raw material and slabs at the Gerard’s. Lots of obsidian, pet wood, and “leaverites.” Discussed a second Conex for club storage. Motion made, voted, and passed to check pricing on a second unit. Thank you Gordy, for dealing with Parberry’s on this.

Mall Shop: Holiday hours are coming soon. Discussed vendor of the month idea. Still need volunteers for busy season. Todd suggested gathering photos for a moving slide show during break at upcoming meeting.

11/17 Vendor meeting at 6 pm, at Pioneer Pavilion, prior to general meeting. Show ‘n’ Tell: rock you purchased at a show in 2025.

Motion made to purchase new 10″ trim saw, voted, and passed.

Meeting adjourned.

Minutes submitted by Trevor Duncan.

 

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Baker Blues Field Trip Saturday 10/04

Saturday, October 4th

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY – all vehicle friendly, families welcome – adult must sign waiver

Swift Creek @ Baker Lake – Swift Creek Campground
Coming from Whatcom County: Meet at REI @ 9 am to carpool
Coming from the South: Meet at Cook Rd. Park & Ride, exit 232 @ 9:30 AM

Open to dues-paid members of the Mount Baker Rock & Gem Club only, a waiver must be signed to participate.

We will convoy east on State Rte 20E to Concrete, WA and venture up Baker Lake Road, then park in the gravel lot after the bridge just past the Swift Creek Campground.

For folks leaving from Bellingham, expect about 80 minutes of drive time to get to our destination. Those joining at Cook Rd. will drive ~ 60 minutes. Park restrooms will be closed for the season, so bring your own TP!

Terrain is a flat dirt road, with trail access through the campground, and then a small hill to get down to the creek. For those who don’t want to walk as far, there are agates to be found just under the bridge, but gators or waders are recommended for the best hunting! Expect to walk up to .5 miles to the search site.

Arrival ETA: 10:40 am
Departure: ~3 pm for about 3.5 hours of agate hunting

What to bring: Bucket or pail, snacks, water, waders, clothing layers – the water will be COLD!

This field trip will be happening rain or shine, so please plan accordingly.

Contact person: Trevor Duncan (check your email for contact info, and please do not share.)

 

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Field Trip, Saturday, October 18th

Saturday, October 18th

ADVANCED HIKE – Dirt road has been filled to accommodate most vehicles, SUV recommended.

Swift Creek @ Swift Creek Trailhead #607

Coming from Whatcom County: Meet at REI @ 9 am to carpool
Coming from the South: Meet at Cook Rd. Park & Ride, exit 232
@ 9:30 AM.

Open to dues-paid members of the Mount Baker Rock & Gem Club
only. A waiver must be signed to participate.

We will convoy east on State Rte 20E to Concrete, WA and venture up Baker Lake Rd., then access NF-1130, and bear right onto NF-1144, parking at the Hot Springs/Swift Creek Trailhead.

For folks leaving from Bellingham, expect about 80 minutes of
drive time to get to our destination. Those joining at Cook Rd.
Will drive ~ 60 minutes. There are no toilets at this trail, so bring
your own TP.

Terrain is a steep downgrade, with an ~ 0.6 mile hike to get to the
creek from the parking lot. There may be logs, large rocks, pebbles, and sand to traverse. Expect mud puddles along the way.

The hike back will be a steep incline; be mindful you must carry
out what you carried in + any finds collected.

Arrival ETA: 10:40 am
Departure: ~ 3 pm for about 3.5 hours of agate hunting.

What to bring: Boots, bucket or pail, snacks, water, waders, walking stick, clothing layers – the water will be COLD!

This field trip will be happening rain or shine, so please plan accordingly

Host/contact: Trevor Duncan 360-920-2393

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Field Trip, Saturday, October 4

Saturday, October 4th

BEGINNER FRIENDLY – all vehicle friendly


Swift Creek @ Baker Lake – Swift Creek Campground
Coming from Whatcom County: Meet at REI @ 9 am to carpool.
Coming from the South: Meet at Cook Rd. Park & Ride, exit
232 @ 9:30 AM.

Open to dues-paid members of the Mount Baker Rock &
Gem Club only. A waiver must be signed to participate.

We will convoy east on State Rte 20E to Concrete, WA and
venture up Baker Lake Rd., then park in the gravel lot after
the bridge just past the Swift Creek Campground.

For folks leaving from Bellingham, expect about 80 minutes of drive time to get to our destination.

Those joining at Cook Rd. Will drive ~ 60 minutes. Park restrooms will
be closed for the season, so bring your own TP.

Terrain is a flat dirt road, with trail access through the
campground, and then a small hill to get down to the
creek. For those who don’t want to walk as far, there are
agates to be found just under the bridge, but gators or
waders are recommended for the best hunting! Expect to
walk up to 0.5 miles to the search site.

Arrival ETA: 10:40 am

Departure: ~ 3 pm for about 3.5 hours of agate hunting.

What to bring: Bucket or pail, snacks, water, waders,
clothing layers – the water will be COLD!

This field trip will be happening rain or shine, so please
plan accordingly.

Host/Contact: Trevor Duncan 360-920-2393

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August 2025 General Meeting Minutes

8/18/25 MBRGC General Meeting Minutes

7 pm, Pioneer Pavilion, Ferndale, WA

Meeting called to order by President, Michael Langley. Reminder, our September meeting will include a gem ID presentation by Candi G. (we will still do a show ‘n’ tell). 

October: annual auction

Picnic @ the Gerard’s, Sunday, August 24th.

Jonathan Syltie, a member, has volunteered to do our newsletter. He has a lot of experience, and we can’t wait to see what he shares with us in Fall!

Raffle: guests, Derek, Ken & Lynn. Members: Carter, Gordy, Mary, Elizabeth (x2), Steve L., Shelly. Congrats to the winners.

Secretary Report: Nothing to report

Treasurer Report: slow month, 6 checks written. Income outweighed expenses, including books sales, silent auction revenue, 7 new memberships. Largest expense: Insurance premium. 

Federation: Upcoming show in Wala Wala, WA. Theme: Petrified Wood

Lapidary: All is well, could use a new 6″ blade – we are using the last used one now.

March 2026 show: critter making party – 50 were made, please donate rocks, tumbles, etc. for kids prizes. Thank you to all who have volunteered your time and efforts so far. There will be another critter session in September at the mall. 

We need a volunteer to run the kitchen during the March show; to keep coffee & snacks supplied, area tidy, etc.

Volunteers are needed to head up each show committee. Please inquire with an officer, or at the mall if you are interested.

2025 Field Trips:

September 6/7th – overnight @ Red Top, must be member of mineral council for $15 fee.

September 20th: Little Naches for Fossils, Lilly pad Jasper, Thunder Eggs

MORE INFO HERE <—- please bookmark the page.

Local Field Trips:

Saturday October 4, 2025 – Baker Lake, Swift Creek for Baker Blues – see separate email or Facebook for details

Saturday, October 18, 2025 – ADVANCED SKILL LEVEL – Swift Creek Trail for Baker Blues, Jasper

Must be an adult member, and sign a liability waiver to participate

<Break>

Show ‘n’ tell

Minutes submitted by club secretary, Trevor Duncan.

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August 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

8/11/25 – MBRGC Board Meeting, 6 pm, Ferndale, WA

Prior to meeting start, a discussion occurred about payment collection procedures for the mall shop.

Meeting opened by President, Michael Langley

Secretary Report: nothing to report

Treasurer Report: 7 new memberships, healthy income, expenses: State Farm Insurance. 2026 Show is already pre-paid! As well as monthly meeting space.

Joan Hartman estate, inventory.

Federation: Mike M. will stay in Kennewick Saturday night to save the club $

September Meeting: Candi presenting about Gem identification

October Meeting: annual auction

November: Wes presents about thumbnail/ mini specimens

December: Holiday potluck & gift exchange

Old Business: First Aid & walkie talkies for field trips. Should we adjust our stipend for field trips to increase interest? Discussed tools of the trade.

Jonathan Syltie, a club member has volunteered to do our club newsletter. Look for the first edition in Fall. Thanks, Jonathan!

Mineral Council Fieldtrips: Scheduled Field Trips.  Find out more HERE.

RRR has closed! We have 30 vendors filling 44 booths throughout the weekend of 9/27 & 9/28. $200 Facebook budget for advertising. Waitlist? 

ATM – yes! BBQ truck Saturday, and Pizza truck Sunday.

Our next Board Meeting would occur on Labor Day, 9/1 – shall we reschedule for 9/8? Voted, and agreed to meet second week of September.

minutes submitted by Trevor Duncan, club secretary

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July General Meeting Minutes

MBRGC General Meeting, July 21, 2025

Meeting called to order by club president Michael Langley at 7 pm.

August Show ‘n’ tell: Quartz crystals

September: Gem ID presentation by Candi G.

Raffle: congrats to our guest, Greg. Members: Heather, Chris H., Sandee, Gordy, Marjorie D., Bruce W., John L., Tom C., Melody

Secretary Report: nothing to report

Treasurer Report: 10 New memberships, welcome Stephanie! June was a busy month. Thank you for everyone supporting the club by participating in silent auctions at the meetings. Expenses: books, saw repair, utilities, meals, rent, etc.

RRR: Sold out! A waiting list has been started. 

Federation: Wala Wala, WA show in September. Mike will attend.

Lapidary: going well. Gordy and Candi on vacation soon.

2026 Show: Need help with tumbled stones, and prizes for kids. Free rock bags. Please bring donations to the mall, a meeting, or Candi and Gordy’s.

Mineral Council Field Trips:

8/16 – 8/17 Greenwater for agate, opal, jasper

9/06 – 9/07 Red Top for agate, jasper, geodes

9/20 Little Naches for thunder eggs

More info HERE

Newsletter – we las published a newsletter under Linda M. in 2018. Do we have a volunteer? It can be put out monthly, quarterly, etc. Let’s make this what you want to see.

Summer Picnic: Sunday, August 24th. 10 am set up and tail gaiting. The mall shop will be closed that day.

Location: 1371 Paradise Rd. Ferndale, WA 98248. 

Potluck style picnic – the club supplies water, plates, cutlery, chicken. 

Bring your own chair.

Food will be served in the afternoon, around 1-2pm. 

intermission, followed by the second half of John L’s presentation about self-collected minerals from around the USA.

Our August meeting will still be held on Monday, August 18th at 7 pm. Show n tell is “Quartz.”

minutes submitted by Trevor Duncan, club secretary

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July Board Meeting Minutes

7/7/25 MBRGC Board Meeting Minutes

attending: Dave S, Bruce, Gordy, Candi, Deb, Wes, Ralph, Michael, Trevor, Mike M, Harold

Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley at 5:55 pm

Secretary Report: Nothing to report

Treasurer: went over finances, 40k CD has been secured at WECU, 18 months @ 4% interest. So far, we have earned over $100 in dividends!

Q3 rent has been paid at the mall. Upcoming: insurance fees with Liberty Mutual, discussion about possibility of switching to State Farm for nearly $1k in annual savings.  Motion was made, seconded, voted, and passed to switch carriers. 

Michael brought up need for a signed waiver from all members at club outings (liability).

Thank you notes from Food Bank, Whatcom Humane Society, PAWS for the donations made from the jewelers sale. 

Federation: Mike M still planning to attend in Wala Wala, 2-day pass has been purchased.

Lapidary: 2 walk-ins last week, staying busy. Harold helped with saw maintenance – thanks, Harold! Bruce will start helping with Thursday nights at the mall – thanks, Bruce!

<discussion about vending fees, income vs. expenses from last show, etc. > Motion made, seconded, voted, and passed to raise 2026 fees to $20/ foot for table space. This is still less expensive than most other clubs, shouldn’t need to adjust again anytime soon. Went over social media, raffle, etc.

Old Setters Days – Still need volunteers for Saturday, July 26th. 4 x show cases, tables, etc. to be picked up at Gerard’s and set up at 3 pm Thursday, July 24th.

2-Day Rock Rendezvous (RRR) still open for members to sign up. Currently there are 2 spots remaining for 2-days. First come – first served for table placement. 2-day vendors will be against walls, 1-day participants will be in the middle of the floor.

July Meeting will feature the second half of John L’s presentation about minerals from the western states.

August  show n tell – Quartz crystals

September – Gem ID presentation by Candi

October – auction fundraiser

Field Trips: WWU? Justin C recently took 6 folks on a dig at Walker Valley, even made it up to the higher “Murphy hole.”

Upcoming mineral council field trips: 

07/26 – Lake Wenatchee for garnets
08/16 & 17 – Greenwater area for agate, jasper, and opal
09/06 & 07 – Red Top for agate, jasper, geodes
09/20 – Little Naches for thundereggs, leaf fossils, lilypad jasper

More info HERE <—- bookmark this link!

August Picnic at Gerard’s, Saturday, August 23rd (general meeting on the 18th), both will go on as Pavilion is paid for in August.

Old Business: newsletter?

New Business: First aid kit, and walkie-talkies for outings

Candi and Gordy out of town 8/1-8/16.

Meeting adjourned

 

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June General Meeting Minutes

Monday June 16, 2025

MBR&GC General Meeting

Pioneer Pavilion Community Center, Ferndale, WA

Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley @ 7:03 pm

Raffle winners, congrats to: Suzanne, Sandee, Ken, Matt, Steve, Todd & Tom

Secretary Report: nothing to report

Treasurer Report: 10 new memberships, lap room staying busy, September has only 8/40 spots left! 

Income: donations/sale, split with Ferndale food bank, and Paws. 

Federation: NFMS June newsletter available at Northwestfederation.org website. 

Old Settlers Days: July 25th & 26th – table to promote the club along with book sales. Happens here at the Pioneer Pavilion in Ferndale. The club needs 4x people both days to man our table and facilitate sales. 

March 2026 Show: time to get started on critters, we ran out at the last show! Critter making party at the mall, 1 pm Monday, July 14th.

We can always use volunteers to fold flyers, tumble rocks for the club, etc.

<break>

After our break, John Lindell presented an informative talk about field collecting and shared with us his impressive collection of minerals from western states. 

Meeting adjourned.

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June Board Meeting Minutes

June 2, 2025

MBRGC Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley @ 6:02 pm.

Secretary Report: Polka Dot mine disappointing, discouraging self-collection. Thank you to Tawnya C. for volunteering to take over secretary role.

Treasurer Report: busy month (May), large deposit made at WECU. Deposit paid to COF for 2026 show, as well as Mall rent. CD at WECU still pending (not for a lack of trying), proposal made to increase investment from 30k – 40k, motioned, voted, passed unanimously. 

Discussion about increase of scholarship funds to WWU, and possibly WCC. 

10 new memberships in May. RRR = 31/40 spots reserved. Discussed concerns over inoperable power outlets at Pioneer Pavilion. Who will bring this concern to COF?

Silent auction brought in $100+ at May meeting, feel free to bring items to donate to meetings, every little bit helps!

Federation Report: reservations at 2 hotels for show in Wala Wala. 2-day show pass purchased, reminder of signature requirements for entry.

Side discussion about registration with SOS – filing occurs at the end of June.

Lapidary Report: issues reported with 8″ trim saw, appear to be user error vs. equipment malfunction. Discussed purchasing a new trim saw – will check if there is a blade on hand first. 

2026 Show: Candi is already tumbling rocks for the kids at show next year, it’s never too soon to prepare! Display cases – need to weed out duds as we have more cases than we use.

June meeting: John L. to present about his western mineral collection trips. Show n tell: pearl, moonstone, alexandrite, or any other rock of interest.

Discuss RE: incoming calls to the mall, please keep the ringer on so we do not miss calls. 

Thank you to everyone who supported our sale of donated items, only one box of tools left, as well as faceted gemstones. Talked about how to disburse funds, $3000 to Ferndale food bank, $3000 to PAWS for cause and/or Humane Society. Okay to bring small tray of gems to store, but will need to lock up in safe at night.

October meeting (auction), call for items of interest at beginning to save time. Please only donate usable items, rocks and rock-related.

Mineral Council Field Trips. More info HERE

We’d still love to have a club member head up a trip to Walker Valley, or other areas of interest. The club will pay $50-75 stipend depending on distance.

Meeting adjourned.

minutes submitted by Secretary Trevor Duncan.