March 2024 Business Meeting Summary

by Andy Thompson, MSDC Secretary

Kenny Reynolds, MSDC’s President, called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm and thanked everyone for attending the evening’s gathering. He also acknowledged the earlier service given by three of the club’s former presidents who were attending.

He then welcomed any new club members or first-time visitors and invited them to share a few words about their mineral interests. Zack shared that he picked up a love for minerals during his youthful years hiking in Pennsylvania and more recently in national parks and museums.

For tonight’s monthly meeting, Kenny noted he wanted to keep the business session short to allow maximum time for the presentation and members’ questions and answers session.

Reports from the Club’s Officers

Kenny called on the executive board members for their reports.  Secretary Andy reported on one recent item, discussions about building greater support for the annual Foshag Award and its likely name change to include something like: the MSDC Award for Undergraduate Research.

Cindy, Vice President for Programs, reported on the club’s upcoming presenters which include for April, Leigh Broadhurst who will speak about serpentine. Dave Powars will present on the Chesapeake impact crater. And our Smithsonian’s own Gabriela Farfan who will share with us in June.

John, MSDC’s Treasurer, said that a full report on club finances had already been shared by email and no further discussion was needed at the meeting.

Kenny thanked our editor Ken Rock for the excellent March Mineral Minutes newsletter and, in particular, for his article and photos of spectacular gems exhibited at February’s Tucson Gem & Mineral show.  Ken attributed the images’ clarity to his Apple phone. He reported that there are new requirements on email to reduce phishing and that he is getting help from our co-webmaster Casper Voogt and an advisor in Portland, OR on how to comply with these new requirements.  

Geology in the News

Kenny Reynolds reported that our sister club, GLMSMC in Montgomery County, MD, will be having its annual mineral and fossil show the weekend of March 16 and 17.  More information is available at https://www.glmsmc.com.  It will be well worth attending, he said.

Beth reported that oddly, all is currently quiet on the volcanic fronts in Hawaii and Iceland, which is a big contrast from earlier months.

Kathy reported that she recently returned from Iceland were there have been earthquake rumblings strong enough to limit access to the famous Blue Lagoon.

Old and New Business

With no further issues raised for discussion, Kenny called for and received a motion to close the business meeting. Gaining unanimous approval from the members, he closed the meeting and handed the mic over to Cindy to introduce the evening’s presentation.