Borrego Rock and Gem Club
Meeting Minutes, 11 April 2009
1. We have another new member – WELCOME to “Wyatt’s dad”. !
2. Eva gave an informative and interesting jewelry-making presentation.
3. Treasurer’s report – club is solvent. Reimbursement of $35 to Bob V. for banner purchase still outstanding.
4. Finalized dates for meetings and trips are as follows: the club meeting will be the second Saturday of the month. Field trips will be scheduled for the fourth Saturday of the month (not the last Saturday as stated in the minutes from March).
5. The group discussed the establishment of a petty cash fund. A motion was made and approved to allow a maximum of a $25 dollar expenditure by a club officer without prior club approval.
6. Bob V. participated in the ABDNHA tour of the Gypsum Mine. He is working with the mine to arrange for a field trip for BRAG. The mine only runs 5 trains per week now (one a day). Gypsum is used in the production of dry wall, fertilizer and Portland cement, among other things. Gypsum was used by the ancients as a building material and alabaster from the mine has been used for carving. The trip will take place on a weekday, since the mine is not open on the weekends.
7. The bonus field trip is scheduled for Saturday April 18th. The trip will include Garnet Wash and the Wonderstone Quarry. Meet at the Nature Center at 8 AM if you wish to participate. The drive into the Quarry requires 4WD/high clearance – carpooling is available for those who need a ride.
8. Field trip on April 25th will be to the Right Fender Ranch, which has a non-working old gold mine on its property. The owner has agreed to give a tour for the club. If time allows, we may go back to the lepidolite mine or explore other options in the same area. Details will follow via email.
9. The next meeting is Saturday, May 9th at 10:00 AM at the Nature Center. Feel free to bring any goodies for show and tell. We will decide on the May field trip at that time – the Himalaya Tourmaline fee mine and Pebble Terrace have been proposed as possibilities.