February Business Meeting Summary
by Andy Thompson, MSDC Secretary
President Dan Teich called the business meeting to order, welcomed and thanked everyone for joining our February meeting. In true mineral club tradition, he gave a tip of the hat to the several past presidents who were in attendance and especially thanked new members and visitors who were attending a meeting for the first time. These latter included Anna Dennis, David McIntire, John Thackson, and several others, including friends and geohydrologists who said they were particularly interested in the evening’s program in part because it included the results of the NASA rover expeditions program searching for signs of water on Mars.
Reports from Club Officers
Dan then asked for reports from the club’s officers, the first being from our Vice President for Programs team who he thanked for having an excellent run of lining up very interesting speakers and topics throughout 2025, well in advance of their presentation dates.
Vice President for Programs Ken Reynolds, assisted by Laura Dwyer, shared that our March 4 presentation will be given by Dan Teich on the intriguing honey-yellow calcite crystals found on fossilized clams and other shells discovered in what is now the Rucks Pit in Florida. Dan added that he would also include a brief report on the extraordinary karst formations of El Torcal in southern Spain.
Ken noted he and Laura are in discussions with future speakers and topics and he welcomes all MSDC members to submit suggestions for interesting mineral-related topics and presenters. If you know of someone who might be interested, please contact Ken directly at kennyreynolds62@gmail.com.
Treasurer John Weidner said the finances of the club continue to be stable. He noted this is the time of the year when most of the club’s annual payments are made including:
· incorporation renewal to the District of Columbia
· insurance through EFMLS,
· a grant to support an undergraduate geology student’s research, and
· a donation to support the Smithsonian’s Department of Mineral Sciences.
John concluded by noting the club’s membership dues currently are sufficient to cover the club’s regular expenses. Fundraising efforts such as mineral donations and sales also support the grants.
Newsletter Editor Ken Rock reported that along with seeing incredible mineral specimens and enjoying meeting with friends at the annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, he was on the lookout for possible speakers for future presentations to MSDC.
Secretary Andy Thompson shared that the club’s board of directors thanked Brian Siver for his years of service as a director. Also, he noted the board would be meeting to conclude the 2026 election by electing a third director to fill Brian’s position and possibly consider further expanding the number of board members. The board will also review the updated 2026 student research project plan in light of Dr. Richard Tollo’s revision of Gabriela Desantos’ new research schedule.
Old and New Business
President Dan thanked Andy for covering both the “Old and New Business” items.
Concluding the Business Meeting
With no further business to discuss, Dan called for a motion to adjourn, which was made, seconded, and unanimously approved. He turned the mic over to Laura Dwyer to introduce the evening’s presenter, Dr. John A. Grant.