CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS UPCOMING MEETING APRIL 17, 2004 Our next meeting will be on April 17, 2004, 10:00 AM at Small Country Campground, Louisa, VA. DIRECTIONS: From Richmond Area: Interstate 64 to exit 143 (Rt.208-North)...go 2.5 miles and turn LEFT at small sign onto 640 and go 150 yards and turn RIGHT at small sign on 649. Go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. Campground entrance will be on the right. As you drive up the dirt road, pavillion is on right. From Harrisonburg Area: Route 33 East- go through Ruckersville, Barboursville and Gordonsville to Trevillians-at intersection of Routes 33 and 22 turn left onto Route 22 then take immediate RIGHT onto Rote 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT - go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. From Manassas Area: South on Route 29 to Route 15 South. Take 15 South through Orange to Gordonsville - turn LEFT onto Route 33 - take 33 to Trevillians - turn LEFT onto Route 22 and immediately turn RIGHT onto Route 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT. Go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. Report on March 20, 2004 Meeting The first meeting of the Central Virginia Gold Prospectors was called to order by our new President, Ben Vaughan at 10:15 AM on Saturday, March 20, 2004. There were approximately 39 people present, including several guests. Ben welcomed everyone and had the new officers introduce themselves. He then made an announcement about the death of one of our members, Al Lassiter-- a moment of silence was then observed. The Treasurer's Report was given and the Secretary read the minutes from the November 1, 2003 meeting. (AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT OUR MEETINGS USUALLY RUN BETWEEN 1 AND 1-1/2 HOURS AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO INCLUDE IN DETAIL ALL OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT TAKE PLACE. IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT ANY POINT, YOU CAN CONTACT ONE OF THE OFFICERS. THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION WILL BE INCLUDED AT THE END OF THIS REPORT.) The President called for any old business. A question was asked about the dredging permits we filled out last year. Ben has spoken with the VMRC people about dredging and said he was told that a stream or river had to have a 5 mile catch basin (how much area river has to settle). Outside the 5 mile catch basin dredging can be done--otherwise, you will need a permit. He was also told a game warden can only take your equipment if you are on posted land without a permission slip. Further, he was told that if you are on private property, someone has to call for the game warden for him to be able to come on the private property. A demonstration of prospecting methods is being set to show VMRC what recreational dredging actually includes. They want to know what, if any, damage recreational prospecting causes. As has been said before, it is probably going to come down to the VMRC requiring you to obtain a prospecting permit, just like a fishing license. (I have subsequently been in contact with our State Claims Director and was informed that a demonstration has been set for the second week in April, 3 of our members will be participating). Next, we voted and approved getting a supply of "permission slips" made- up that particularly apply to prospecting. Then, Bob Stowe gave a report on what he found out about the club getting a liability policy to cover members when prospecting on someone else's property. He will be getting more specific information and present it at the April meeting, when it will be voted on. The policy would cover active members, those who have attended a meeting in the last year. Ben has been in contact with a landowner who owns a large tract of land in the gold belt and sent him a proposal setting forth what we are wanting to do--as of this date he is still awaiting a reply. It was also brought up that we will check about doing some classified advertising in some of the gold bearing county newspapers. Please bring to the next meeting names and contact information for any newspaper you think we might be interested in. To do this advertising was also voted on and approved. Then an amendment was made to not spend over $250.00 over a thirty day period on advertising. Cyndi Huffstutler will be in charge of writing and placing ads in the selected papers. Vice President Harry McElhone made an announcement about a GOLD FESTIVAL that is to be held in Marion, NC. It sounds like it is going to be very informative and lots of fun. You can get more information from their website www.ncgold.org Copies of the proposed new by-laws were handed out and will be discussed and voted on at the April meeting. John Sorg, President of the Northern Virginia Gold Prospectors Chapter, and his family joined us for the meeting--we were certainly glad to have them. Ben Vaughn wants to know if anyone is interested in joining a common dig in North Carolina or Georgia as a Central Virginia Gold Prospectors group. If you are, let one of the officers know. The meeting was then adjourned and the raffle drawing for 2 nice Australian gold nuggets was held. The winners were very pleased. Next Meeting April 17, 2004 at 10:00 AM. Contact Information for 2004 Officers: President: Ben Vaughan Telephone - (804) 693-9843 Email - BEVS23061@yahoo.com Vice President: Harry McElhone Telephone - (410) 749-2861 Email - mceharry@aol.com Secretary: Sandy Stowe Telephone - (540) 948-6689 Email - bob&sandy@crosslink.net Treasurer: Bob Stowe Telephone - (540) 948-6689 Email - bob&sandy@crosslink.net One of the things on the agenda will be a discussion and then vote on the proposed by-laws. Any suggestions you have will be welcomed. Hope to see everyone at the meeting--maybe it will be a little warmer.