01/06/25 MBRGC Board Meeting, Portal Creek Clubhouse, Ferndale, WA
Attending: Harold, Wes, Candi, Gordy, Michael, Ralph, Trevor, Dave, Mike
Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley at 6 pm.
Secretary Report (Trevor): Need to update membership roster with AMFS (thanks for info Mike M.)
Proposal RE: cell phone minutes for phone at mall – renew for 365 days @ $99.99 vs. $19.99 quarterly – motion made, voted, passed, granted.
Special thanks to Candi Gerard, former president, for your 8+ dedicated years served on our board. We appreciate you!
Treasurers Report (Ralph): expenses vs. income report. Income outweighed expenses, 29 memberships (new + renewals).
WECU CD – need to update names at bank in order to proceed.
Federation (Mike): request to update name in database from Michael L. to Mike M.
The next annual retreat is in Walla Walla, WA. Discussed option of $35/ 1/4 page ad for show on Federation website.
Lapidary Room (Gordy): lots of Thundereggs cut in December, thought the lap room was closed the month of December.
<discussion> RE: Budget and advertising for March show. Option of Whatcom News online for under $100/month.
Show Chair (Candi): Clarification of raffle rules, break down of costs from 2024 show to help formulate budget.
Mall Report (Ralph): December was very robust in sales, especially the last week leading up to Christmas holiday.
RRR – Mike/ Ralph: discussion of pros & cons of one day event vs. two – will reach out to past participants to get their opinion. Fee for 2025 RRR will be $40/ vendor space. Will determine a date and follow up with COF (City of Ferndale) RE: Pavilion availability.
WA Mineral Council: 2025 field trips published! More info here: https://mineralcouncil.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fieldtrips_2025.pdf
<discussion> should Gordy bring more milk crates to next meeting? Pebble foldouts ordered for mall store. Shared ideas about how to increase club member participation and provide incentives for coming to meetings. Motion to award a $25 store gift certificate at monthly meetings, with raffle. Motion made, voted, passed, granted.
Old & New Business: WPA member Dave D. willing to demonstrate gold panning at show if available that weekend.
Michael & Harold attended a Marysville club meeting, which had 120+ participants, served dinner, hosted a silent auction, etc.
January Show ‘n’ tell: Fossils or a Thumbnail specimen (~1″ or less). Matt & Ralph Sisco to present RE: Wild Turkey mine or Fossil Fish.
February > Terry Steinborn to present about gold formations.
March > “how to fill up a show case”
April > Candi shares about Yellowstone minerals
Future trip to Rice Museum? Summertime – group rates? Collect fund$ for bus charter, club to subsidize cost of museum entry ($22/ person.)
Meeting adjourned. Minutes submitted by Trevor Duncan, club secretary.