Rock Talk March 2025

St Lucie County Rock & Gem Club
Meeting Minutes February 23, 2025
La Buona Vita Club, 8601 S Federal Hwy., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Combined Executive Board & General Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order 2:09 pm.

Quorum was verified, so the meeting continued. Roll was taken and will be attached to permanent minutes.

Our previous Zoom coordinator, Diane Carroll has resigned. Jennifer Wilkes has offered to take over. (Thanks!)  We were minus the camera today, but had sound. Several members joined us via Zoom.

January Minutes: The January minutes required changes on some costs of the upcoming building infrastructure projects. Roni Welton motioned to accept the January minutes based on making those corrections. Cynthia Benoit seconded the motion, which passed.

Membership: Kathy Jenkins, who serves as both communications and membership officer, reported that there are 81 paid members. Calls and emails have been sent to unpaid members. Club communications, including the newsletter, will no longer be provided to those former members after February.

“Bring a friend” will be key to our ongoing growth. We were reminded again that having a phone tree is important.

Volunteer Coordination: Volunteer Coordinators Melinda Cunningham and Caroline Bishop have been calling unpaid members and gathering information about why they have not renewed.

Treasurer: Wendy Mathisen reported the January revenue and expenses, which included our condominium fee, show deposit, and insurance. Members approved a budget adjustment for insurance and payment for CPA services. Kathy Jenkins moved to accept announced budget adjustments for insurance and for payment to the CPA. Roni Welton seconded, and the motion passed.

Show Report: Meri Jo was unable to attend the meeting because of a death in family. MoiraLynn conveyed Meri Jo’s intent to arrange monthly Zoom meetings for show volunteers. She is seeking members who will help with set-up and tear down, and who will share in other tasks at the show, such as ticket sales, membership table, and similar activities. If no one volunteers to coordinate the children’s corner, the area previously used will become a demonstration corner.

Terry Kaye added that Day Dreamer Uniforms (supplier of SLRG t-shirts) not only has submitted prices for bulk purchases but has expressed interest in becoming a sponsor for the show and club. She encouraged other members to think of other businesses that might wish to become sponsors.

SE Federation: MoiraLynn reminded us, on behalf of Meri Jo, that the SE Federation’s annual Rockhound Roundup takes place March 1^st and 2^nd.

Workshop: Scott Turner and Bob Hanson announced that the oxygen regulator has been replaced. There was some discussion that the regulator may not be working as well as expected and that alternative regulators should be considered. They also noted that Joe David is going to reseal the low table in the Workshop. The new surface will be waterproof, burn- and scratch-resistant, and offer other benefits.

Newsletter: The Rock Talk is now on new website. MoiraLynn requested that, if members see something is incorrect, they please call to have it corrected ASAP. If you have items for sale, stories of interest, suggestions for field trips or any information to share please contact Moira before the 10th of the month to get info included. Thank you Caroline Bishop for volunteering to be proofreader!

Website: Webmaster Wendy Mathisen announced new website is LIVE! It’s so beautiful, check it out! It is requiring a  difficult learning curve for Wendy, with many hours invested. (Thank you!) Our current Club constitution (revised two years ago) is posted, along with class information, photos and lots of information.  Please send Wendy videos of classes, projects, classes etc Show off your work and share your joy!

OLD BUSINESS

Policies and Pocedures Document: Policies and Procedures is work in progress, Kathy Jenkins requests a backup proofreader.

YouTube: Scott Turner exploring possible YouTube videos, particularly reviews of how to properly use our Workshop equipment.

Librarian: Cynthia Benoit is our new Librarian! She is researching free and inexpensive software packages thatwould make it easy for students and teachers to access information in our library. (Thanks!)

Holiday Party: After a brief discussion about possible caterers and their expense, Kathy Jenkins made a motion that our Holiday party be a potluck event, held at La Buona Vita – the same location and method as our 2024 event. Cynthia Benoit seconded the motion. Denise Baker has cleared the date of December 7^th with the management at La Buona Vita. The motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

MoiraLynn announced that she would like to have a quarterly meeting for board of directors added and posted to yearly calendar. This would be in addition to the regularly scheduled joint general/board meetings that take place on the fourth Sunday of the month. The meetings would be added to the calendar, but could be cancelled if the Board deemed them unnecessary. Terry Kaye made a motion in support of the schedule, and it was seconded by Bobbi Richards. The motion passed.

MoiraLynn also proposed formally scheduling a joint open house/meet-and-greet) and tailgating event to be held twice annually. One will be in the spring, between the second and third class sessions. The other will be in November, after the Show. Scott Turner made a motion in support, and Kathy Jenkins seconded it. The motion passed.

There was discussion about a possible parking lot/tailgate event with the neighboring Pottery Shop. We determined that it would be good to participate, and want the details. Cathy Thomas and Kathy Jenkins are taking point.

Bobbi Richards suggested we explore opportunities at the recently started Sunday market at the Event Center. We are seeking additional information. We would need volunteers to serve as ambassadors at our booth.

Ed Dedecker led discussion on on opportunities to share our club.

Roni Welton motioned that the meeting adjourn. Kathy Jenkins seconded. The motion passed.