3/3/25 MBRGC Board Meeting
Portal Creek Clubhouse, Ferndale, WA
Secretary Report: tech issues with email, WordPress. Stu Duerson tumbler offer, confirmation of food vendor for March show.
Treasurer Report: strong month in February! Income: memberships, classes, lap room, club sales. CD still not purchased at WECU. Time for an audit.
Federation: No clarification of correct date for Wala Wala, WA conference.
Lapidary: Thursdays booking up at the mall, classes full through June. We are running low on oil, can get Mineral Oil for $50/ 5 gal bucket.
Gordy made a motion to purchase rock tumblers from Stu for $500. Voted, passed. Gordy will follow up with Stu to complete purchase.
2025 Show: all vendors but one has finished paying for their space. Last year we had 18 display cases. Discussion about food vendors – Chow Gourmet Hotdogs will be joining us again. Ralph Sisco will provide security for the show. 66 critters were made, thank you to everyone who helped! Dave D. from gold panning association not sure if he can attend, will know within 1-2 weeks.
Last year, we provided pizza for the set up crew. Proposal of a “vendors only” area with coffee, refreshments, etc. Sharon has generously offered sloppy joes again for volunteers. Can we buy a large coffee carafe?
Scholarships: 2 applications received. Vote was held, and one scholarship will be awarded to Kylie McDonald. Trevor will notify winner.
Discussion surrounding Signup Genius app user error vs. system limitations. (Not smartphone friendly.)
Advertising for Show: Whatcom News website options discussed, Cascadia daily, Bellingham Craigslist, Libraries, Facebook, Social Media, Bellingham Herald, Next Door, Reddit. Social Media budget of $400 motioned, voted, and approved. We will experiment between local and Seattle campaigns.
RRR: 1-day vs. 2-day event. Club has already paid for one day, Saturday 9/27, as well as Friday for set up. Entry fee for 1 or 2 days would cover additional costs. In a mini survey of past participants, 20 people were interested in 2-days. Two day participants would be around the perimeter, one day participants in the center (to minimize impact when they leave.) Motion was made, voted, and passed to hold a 2-day event for RRR in September.
Show ‘n’ tell for March: Green, or Emerald stones. Terry S. will present about gold at the April meeting (rescheduled from February.)
minutes submitted by secretary, Trevor Duncan