General Membership Meeting of the Vernon Placer Miners Club

Met April 6, 2019 at the Hall at 1204 30th Ave, Vernon BC.  President Gerry Morrison opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Note-taker was Cal Olsson. 26 members and three guests (Owners of the gold panner campground in Cherryville and young novice prospector) attended the meeting. The minutes of the last meeting were read and after amendment that the half price being offered at gold panner referred to the panning rates but the overnight camping rate was being given to club members at the 2018 rate of forty dollars per night; minutes were adopted by a show of hands.

Old Business Arising out of Last Meeting’s Minutes:

Sunshine  Festival in Vernon. Rick is setting up a ‘learn to pan’ event for June 15th. Any members willing to help please call Rick at 250-681-0908. Some volunteers who offered to help: Robin Jenner, Attila Vasarhelyi, Linda Morrison, Pat and Louie Yonkman, Gerry Morrison. Rick has us registered for a ten by twenty foot booth .Vernon fire department is going to fill the panning tubs.

Correspondence:

Email from History BC to Donna looking for a placer miner spokesperson for the show they are filming. Donna suggested calling local colorful club member Ken Montie as a worthy factotum. The History BC filmmakers are looking to do their interviews on April 13th. Ken has informed Donna that that won’t work, as he is involved in renovations.

Reports:

Membership Report by Donna Smith.

24 families are currently paid up members in good standing.

14 Life timers in good standing

3 Honorary members in good standing.

There is a common dues due date of October first. Dues are $20.00 per year per family, Oct. to Oct. However there is half price deal if joining the club from May 1st. on till end of season.

Treasurer’s Report by Donna Smith

 

Income………. $______________ Expenses………..$__________  Balance……..$_____________, Adopted by a show of hands

 

  • BC Open Report by Gerry Morrison for Jonathon Paull

The gaming license for 2019 is in place. The raffle tickets are printed up. Get your tickets tonight from Donna . If more are needed they can be obtained from President Gerry. Morrison 250-545-6836 Lets start selling those tickets, the club’s future depends on it!

Gerry measured up the trophies silver plates for engraving.

Once last year’s winners are engraved on silver plates they will be tacked on to the trophies at the Enderby Chamber of Commerce.

We need volunteers for this year’s BC Open Gold Panning Championships. Please consider giving a hand to help? Donna is looking for someone to set up and take charge of the booth she previously looked after. She will help sell the tickets, and help with suggestions, but will no longer be responsible.

Kim Creed has made up copies of an organized plan for setting up for the BC Open. Thanks Kim, it will help things go easier and smoother this year! We need as many volunteers to show up at 9 o’clock on Friday of the may long weekend. Hope to see you there! Kim went out and spent over $300 for prizes for the silent auction table, rather than ask businesses.  Thanks for the help Kim. Wow!

New Business:

Kim Creed moved we reimburse Rick Peterson $55.00 for the registration for the club in the Vernon Sun Festival . Seconded by Otto Brekreutz, discussed voted on and passed. Donna immediately paid by e-transfer

Lorne Tkaczyk who is doing the metal detecting at the BC Open moved we buy $125.00 in loonies and toonies for use in the event. Seconded by Mary Erickson, discussed; voted on and passed

Presentation:

We were privileged this evening to have Rick Peterson talk to us about the natural sluice box predictive model for placer prospecting. The presentation was clear and brought to light many practical applications.  An all-round excellent presentation: thanks Rick!

Announcements.

There will be a yard sale in Vernon across from the Vernon Rec. Center on Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20th respectively. To have a spot it is  $5.00 per family.  Must bring your own tables. Sell whatever you like, not just gold panning things. Anything is welcome. Club members willing to attend will be greatly appreciated. Get in touch with Donna Smith at her phone number 250-309-9117 for more details.

Social Convener’s Report by Donna Smith:

Best Wishes for a happy birthday for April 2019 go out to: Mike Bjerstedt   Brian Callaghan    Beverly Harding     Dayna Hurd    Sylvia Thompson and Vi Turner.  Sorry to hear Michael and Karen are both sick, and will not attend.

Otto Breikreutz won the first nugget door prize, and John MacFarland the second.

Sherie LaValley won the 50/50 draw $33.50.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Political Liaison and Information CommitteeReport by Rick Petersen

Rick will have more info about the govt. mountain caribou habitat initiative  at next meeting.  get in touch with Rick at 250-681-0908 or email trimguy@live.ca for any questions, clarifications etc.