The Bitterroot Conglomerate
Newsletter of the Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society
Vol. XXIX issue 11
Presidents Colum
November, where has the year gone! The holidays are fast approaching and our Christmas pot luck will be before you know it. It’s set for December 4th from noon to 4 p.m. There will be lots of great food and goodies. We’ll also have an auction and installation of new officers for 2011.
On that note, if you would like to participate as an officer in the club, our next meeting, November 9th, will accept nominations from the floor.
I’m hoping to have a program at both the November 9th meeting and the November 23rd meeting. Wayne Farley will be presenting a program on Agates at one and I’m waiting for confirmation on the other.
The club has purchased a Genie cab machine and current club members will be able to check the equipment out. If you were at one of the recent meetings Daniel Farley gave a demonstration on how to use the machine. Thank you Daniel! Check out for the Genie will be one month at a time. Members who check out this equipment will be responsible for it.
Now, the National Geographic program on the Crystal Caves. Was not available to Dish network subscribers. Dish has since brought Nat Geo back to its programming lineup and the program is set for airing in November.
I better close for now. I hope to see everyone at the upcoming meetings. If you have ideas or projects that you would like to see the club take an interest in please let me know.
You can email me at micker1949@yahoo.com. Every day it seems, I run into another person who has an interest in some form of rock collecting. So I invite them to join hopefully they will become new members in the club.
Thank you,
Mike McConnell, Pres.
Editors Notes
I must apologize for the lateness of this newsletter. My printer quit before I could print out the newsletter and it has taken me time to get a new printer and get it working.
This year the Board of Directors are up for election in addition to our Club officers. The MT Council and NFMS delegates are also to be elected.
I will need reports from the Chairperson of the various Committees during the last week of each month so they can be included in the newsletter.
The Editor is not responsible for the accuracy of articles accepted, items for sale, nor are the opinions expressed therein necessarily those of the Club Officers, members and/or the Club Editor.
Ralph
BGMS Minutes Oct. 12, 2010
This was a wire-wrapping session but no business meeting.
BGMS Minutes Oct. 26, 2010
The meeting was called to order by President, Mike Mc Connell. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag, Mike started the meeting. We had 26 Members and 0 Guests.
The Minutes were approved as corrected. Wayne Farley, our Treasurer gave 2 reports, one for last meeting where we had only the Wire Wrapping and no business. A motion and second was made to accept both of the Treasurer’s Reports.
Meeting of October 12, 2010 was a No Business meeting for the purpose of Wire Wrapping. It was attended by 27 Members.
Committee Reports:
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Ron Livsey, Chairman reported that with the other members, Traci Warner and Dick Coppage – they had called members to seek people who would run for the Offices. Those willing to be put on the ballot were: President-Mike McConnell; Vice-President-Pam Meyers; Treasurer-Wayne Farley. This leaves the Secretary position open. Step up and volunteer. Please.
BGMS SHOW: Our Show will be set up on May 13th for the Friday Night Pot-Luck. Saturday, May 14th and Sunday, May 15th. The Show Committee met and had a new idea for increasing the attendance. That will be to go to EACH School in the Valley and seek participation from their Science or ?? Classes to choose one (1) Rock to represent their School in competition. There will be Big Prizes in the form of money for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Winners. A total of $500.00 will be asked to spend on this endeavor. This was placed as a motion by Jenet McConnell and seconded by Ron Livsey. Passed.
Another idea will be to have an “IDENTIFICATION” Table, where children or anyone can bring in a rock that they would like to have identified. Wayne Farley has agreed to man it and any other member is welcome to assist.
FIELD TRIPS: Ron and Traci had gone on several trips and brought in some specimens to show the Club. First was up to Weasel Creek off Skalkaho Hwy. They found some Goethite (pronounced gurr-tight) Crystals. The second trip was up to the top of Lolo Pass by the Visitor’s area with Bonnie Klein. They found some Clear Quartz Crystals and one beautiful BLACK one. Wayne let us know these are called Mariam Crystals. Thanks Ron and Traci
MONTANA STATE COUNCIL REPORT: Wayne explained some of the mishaps getting the Show Trailer back from Billings. They blew a tire on the way to Bozeman where it will be stored this winter as they will be the first Club to host a Show in 2011. This simple tire blow-out turned out to be one large problem, but has now been taken care of.
OLD BUSINESS: Apple Days – Harvey explained there was a mishap in the jewels that were used in the Fish Tank and some that should not have been there. Resolved and we will do better at the Next use of it. Also, the Spinning Wheel was sooooooo successful; they ran out of material to give for prizes. The Club Members can help make little rock “Critters” at some of our meetings to get a good supply for our Show in May. Will still need more polished rocks, specimens, etc. anything that will be a nice little prize for the people to win.
MISC: Don Tibbs and Pat have returned from their Alaska Summer Trip. This year was to put some power to their cabin (which is 100 miles North of Anchorage). They drove – After 32 days of rain they got the power in and even had a great trip to Denali (approximately 20,000 feet). It was wonderful and they saw much wildlife. Then it was time to return to Montana. Thus started the episodes…they lost their transmission in the wee spots between towns. Had to be towed…then got another one installed and started out again, then ….”Wham”…the new transmission gave out….etc. This is not the place to have vehicle problems. Don told of insurance ideas-if anyone is planning to travel outside the U.S. talk with him.
Good to have David Garry back also.
Reminders: Next meeting November 9th will be the Election of Officers. Mike has gotten some Videos to show when we do not have another formal program.
December 4th (Saturday) will be or BRGM Christmas Party-Pot Luck-Auction. Pat and Don Tibbs will prepare the Turkey. Gene and Dianne Ayres will cook the Ham. ALL ELSE please bring your yummy side dishes to accompany the Ham and Turkey.
There being no further business, Margaret made the motion to adjourn and Wayne seconded. Passed and we all got to go over and eat the treats Sharlene had prepared.
The 50/50 Drawing was won by Jenet Mc Connell in the amount of $15.50 with the same going to the treasury. Wayne Farley won the Door Prize brought by Dianne Ayres. It was a selection of various rocks and minerals labeled for identification. For Mike’s Special Drawing for Members ONLY – and needing to be present to win…the name tonight was Bonnie Klein (who was NOT here).
PROGRAM:
The program tonight was Wayne Farley showing some beautiful Smokey Quartz Crystals and other rocks he had brought in. Thank You, Wayne for jumping in at the last minute.
Respectfully Submitted
Dianne Ayres,
Secretary
Field Trip Report
Read the minutes to see report on the extra field trips.
Mining Committee Report
The reclamation work we had done at our opal claim has been approved by the BLM.
The CDs we have to cover reclamation work at our Blue Grouse opal claim have been released and will be returned to us by the BLM.
Ralph
MT Council Report
Read the minutes to see item about the Council case trailer.
N.W. Federation Report
None this month.
Sunshine Committee
No report.
Programs
Looking for more volunteers.
An Amber party is being considered for the future but it is suggested that it should be held on a Saturday instead of a Tuesday evening. In the past the Amber parties have been well received by all.
A silver smithing session is desired by many of the members. This would have to be done in small groups and in a place where we can use a propane torch. I believe this can take place if we are willing to work with Jo Farley to get her shop set up with tables and all of the equipment we will need but will have to have warmer weather.
Show Report
Read about next year’s show in the minutes.
How To Kill Your Club In 13 Easy Steps
via Crack 'n Cab, June 1983
newsletter of the Gem & Mineral Society of Syracuse, NY
Stay away from meetings.
If you do come, find fault.
Decline office or appointment to a committee.
Get sore if you are not nominated or appointed.
After you are named, don't attend meetings.
If you do get to a meeting, clam up until it's over, THEN tell them how things should really be done.
Don't do any work if you can help it. and when the "old reliables" pitch in, accuse them of being in a clique.
Oppose all meetings and seminars as being a waste of time and members' money.
When there's a lot of business to discuss at the meeting, complain the meeting is dull, too long, and you aren't interested.
Never accept a place at the head of the table. You might learn something new.
If you aren't asked to sit there, get angry and threaten to resign because you are not appreciated.
Don't pay your dues on time, let the executives sweat. After all, they wrote the budget and write the checks.
Read your mail only now and then. Put the club bulletin aside, there isn't anything in it anyway.
And How To Resurrect It
(an addendum)
Decide to take part in all you can. You've always planned to do more, do it now while there's someone left to do it for and with.
Offer to share your skills and expertise by putting on a "hands on" program or "Show and Tell".
Consider your contribution in absolute terms. What will you gain and what can you give. (Ignore comparisons to the contributions of others - their situations, money, health, interests will be different).
Lead by example. It's much more effective than describing a course of action you can't yourself follow.
Offer to do a program at a local school and invite kids to come to your meeting or workshop.
Remember, criticism of others invites criticism of one's self. Only the "noblest Romans" can bear such scrutiny.
If you can't say something nice, shut up and let others talk. Kind words and good deeds can go anyplace, gossip easily finds its way home.
For Sale. An ore car from the Betty O’Neil Mine near Battle Mountain, Nevada. In good shape. $500.00. Contact Posey at 961-4116
end
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