CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS

REPORT ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2004 MEETING

NOTE THAT THE NEXT MEETING DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO OCTOBER 
30, 2004

The Sepbember 18, 2004 meeting was called to order by our 
President Ben Vaughan.  There were 32 members and guests 
present.

The Treasurer’s Report was read and approved.

The minutes of the August meeting were read and approved.

Old Business was called for:  There was none.

New Business was called for:  

It was approved to change the October meeting to the 30th at 
the leased property in Buckingham.  This is going to be a work 
day and we hope all present will help.  Our Claims Committee 
is in charge of assigning duties.   Litter will be picked-up, 
along with downed branches and debris.  Tools and trash bags 
will be provided.  The property lines will be re-marked so as 
to be clear for our members.  There will be food provided and 
members will be able to go prospecting.  There will be a large 
tent in case of bad weather.  You might want to bring a chair.

EVERYONE WILL GATHER AT THE ENTRANCE BY 10 AM BEFORE GOING 
ONTO THE PROPERTY.

Directions:  First, on a Virginia map locate the intersection 
of Routes 15 and 60 at Sprouse’s Corner.  From there go 1 ½ 
miles south on Route 15.  In the curve you will see a sign for 
Route 714—go to the next gravel road and turn right.  It is 
across from 2 churches on the left.  If there isn’t room to 
pull off  Route 15, go over into the first Church parking lot 
and wait for everyone to gather. 

Next there was a discussion of fees the club would institute 
to pay for any leased properties and  who can use them,  after 
which  a motion was made and approved for the following:

The $10 member contribution will still be accepted and a 
member card will be issued.  This can be done in person or by 
mail.  For a member to be able to have use of the leased land 
an additional $15 fee must be paid.  A different color card 
will be issued to show that this fee has been paid.  It was 
also decided that the $25 fee must be paid in person at a 
regular meeting beginning with the March 2005 season.  One of 
the rules in the CVGP bylaws is that a member must attend at 
least one meeting in a regular season to be an ACTIVE MEMBER.  
THIS NEW POLICY WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE AT OUR MARCH 2005 
MEETING.  THAT IS WHEN WE WILL BEGIN ACCEPTING PAYMENTS.

It was voted on and approved that there will be a $10 fee for 
each guest that is taken to the property.  This trip can be 
for 1 or several days since overnight camping is permitted.   
This will work on the honor system and should be reported  and 
paid to the CVGP Treasurer.

A discussion was conducted about putting a lock box at the 
property which would hold a sluice box, suction tube, extra 
pans, etc. that can be used while at the property.  This will 
also be on the honor system.

Committee Reports:  Ben Vaughan and his volunteers weathered 
the storm on Friday that hit  the Field Days of the Past 
festival.  Ben reported that his camper almost washed away but 
that he SAVED the gold.  It sounds like everyone, and 
especially the kids had a good time.

The issue of dredging, which is still pending before VMRC was 
discussed.  Hopefully they will soon give us the go-ahead to 
hold the class to get permitted to dredge.

The Claims Committee is to be in charge of managing the leased 
property.

Finally, but certainly of great importance to the club was the 
nomination of new officers.  The following nominations were 
made:

President:  Ben Vaughan

Vice President:  John Schlabach

Secretary:  Bob Stowe

Treasurer:  Sandy Stowe

Claims Committee:  Billy Cartwright, Roland Harris and Randy 
Worden

As you can see most of these names are familiar to you since 
they have served before but we are very happy to welcome John 
and appreciate him agreeing to his name being submitted as a 
candidate for Vice President.

The election for officers will be held at the October meeting.

Special thanks go to the Richard and Cheryl Spurr who donated 
a nice Canadian gold nugget to be raffled at the October 
meeting.

The drawings for a bag of concentrate and 2 Australian nuggets 
was held.  

The meeting was then adjourned.

Sandy Stowe, Secretary