July 14, 1969

The meeting of the Sunsites Gem and Mineral Club was called to order by President Paul J. Duncan at 8:00 P.M. Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Mary Duncan, acting in the absence of Mrs. Rice.

The treasurer announced that there was an error of 10 cents in his report of last meeting and should be corrected to show the Club’s savings account to be $106.00, rather than $106.10.

His report to date shows $106.00 in the savings account; cash on hand $22.25, with dues received of $3.00, making a total of $131.25. No disbursements to July 13, 1969.

Mr. Hamilton was asked to give a report on the status of the proposed dues card for the Club. He explained a possible preliminary design as having a background of the Dragoons, with Cochise Stronghold in the background, and discussed several other ideas and the problems involved. He said space had been left on the card for any affiliation with the Rocky Mountain Federation, should later report on that matter indicate it to be necessary. He added that while there would be a charge to have the original cut made up, one of our own members, Mr. Fenessy, a printer by trade or hobby and not sure which, has volunteered to print the card, which would reduce the overall cost considerably. He expressed the Club’s gratitude for such generous cooperation. The design was passed around the group for inspection and suggestions or other ideas. Further work of the committee in this connection will be presented at the next meeting.

The President announced that by the next meeting he would hope to have the details in connection with affiliating with Rocky Mountain Federation for consideration by the Club.

Mrs. Sczpanick remarked that sometime ago mention was made of having a charter for the Club, but that nothing was done about it. She felt it would be desirable. Discussion followed, after which it was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved that investigation be made into possibilities of getting a charter for the Club. The President appointed Mrs. Sczpanick, Mrs. Baeskens and Mr. White on the committee, they to decide among themselves who is to be chairman.

The President then said he\would like to bring up a matter in which he hoped the Club would be willing to become involved because of its importance not only to rock club members but the nation as well; namely, the increasing problem of litter covering the country, and of a movement underway to help correct a bad situation. He said this ties in with the Bureau of Land Management program to close much of what is now public land, thereby depriving us (rockhounds, that is) of many hunting areas. Many clubs have been and are now making themselves heard to keep public lands for multiple use. Since one of the main arguments for denying access to one and all is the almost inevitable accumulation of litter, now there is a movement steadily gaining momentum, not only with rock clubs but all clubs involved in outdoor recreational activities, to clean up the countryside. A cleaning-up program is being set up now, called the “Johnny Horizon” plan, primarily thus far in the west and southwest, but it is hoped that it will gain support nationwide, with specific dates of October 10, 11, and 12 for concentrated work. On these days all outdoor groups signed up will go right out and pick up litter, whatever and whenever it is, and carry it to places where it can be dumped. Every local club affiliated with this group has a chairman in the area and, the President said, if we are interested we should get in touch, express our willingness to participate, notify what facilities we have to help and ask what is the best way for us to do so. The man in our area to contact would be a Mr. J. C. Cronin, of Phoenix, if the Club indicated a desire to be a part of this worthwhile project.

In the discussion following, Mrs. Sczpanick mentioned having seen an article recently of a whole family from Tucson which has been going out regularly to pick up beer cans and other litter; also that there had been an article in Reader’s Digest concerning an aluminum company which pays 4 cents a lb. for aluminum and that 21 cans make a lb., which might mean that a little extra bonus might be picked up for the Club treasury at the same time.

A motion was unanimously carried that this club offer its assistance for the cleanup days of Oct. 10, 11, and 12. The President expressed his personal satisfaction with the Club’s willingness to participate and offered to write Mr. Cronin at once so there will probably be details on the procedure to be followed by the next meeting.

It was suggested that possibly Mrs. Horning might be able to get pictures of the cleanup activities, which would be good publicity for the club as well as contributing to community betterment.

Mr. Grim proposed the next field trip be to Guadaloupe Canyon – 30 miles east of Douglas for, hopefully, golden plume agate such as was shown on the cover of Lapidary Journal sometime ago, and possibly to Skeleton Canyon not far from there for geodes. Arrangements were to meet at the Community Center on Sunday at 7 A.M.

The President mentioned that he had high-graded the fire agate picked up on two trips to the Day Ranch and had about three lbs. of material with good fire showing – a pretty good haul, he felt.

There were a number of visitors present who were introduced or who were asked to introduce themselves. The newest Club member, Mrs. Fenessy, was introduced by Mr. Sitars and welcomed into the fold.

Meeting was adjourned, after which a film supplied by Phelps Dodge on “Arizona Resources” was thoroughly enjoyed.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Duncan, Secretary, pro tem