| June 2007 Meeting Minutes | |
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The meeting started at 4:30pm at
the Clay Madsen Rec Center in Round Rock. There were 15 total attendees. New members were identified and introduced: Allen Updike Nan Updike Dean Colgrove The Chapter failed to elect new officers during the May meeting at Malcom Long’s. The turnout for that meeting was very low and no one volunteered to accept any nominations. The few members and new persons that attended discussed options on the future of the Chapter. Several ideas were discussed, including dissolving or merging the Chapter. Daniel Klepac started the June meeting by expressing his views about the importance of keeping the Chapter intact. The following is a letter he sent to the previous officers, which he read during the meeting: Some of the comments made at the May meeting need to be addressed and I will give you my opinion on a few.
As for the next set of issues, I have mixed feelings about expressing my opinions but feel strongly enough about them they need to be said. When we look at the big picture rather than just the individual parts, we’re better able to make decisions based on fact verses emotions and wants. As such, I will supply sources of information to verify my comments and to add to the information available. Raffles: Charitable
Raffles
What
does the law permit? The
Charitable Raffle Enabling Act, effective January 1, 1990, permits
"qualified organizations" to hold up to two raffles per
calendar year, with certain specified restrictions. What
is a "qualified organization"?
In
general, a qualified organization is: a.
An association organized primarily for religious purposes that
has been in existence in Texas for at least 10 years; b.
A volunteer emergency medical service that does not pay its
members other than nominal compensation; c.
A volunteer fire department that operates fire fighting equipment
and does not pay its members other than nominal compensation; or d.
A nonprofit organization that has existed for at least three
preceding years and is exempt from federal income tax under Section
501(c), Internal Revenue Code; does not distribute any of its income to
its members, officers or governing body; does not devote a substantial
part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation; and does
not participate in any political campaign. The
language of the law is very technical. If you are considering holding a
raffle to benefit an organization, you should check the statute to be
sure you qualify. What
prizes may be offered?
An
organization may offer any prize except money. If the raffle organizers
offer a prize which they have purchased or have given other
consideration for, the value of the prize may not exceed $50,000, unless
the prize is a residential dwelling, in which case the value may not
exceed $250,000. There is no value limit on prizes donated to the
organization. Texas lottery tickets may be purchased and offered as
prizes, even though the tickets' payoff may exceed $50,000. The
organization must have each raffle prize in its possession or ownership,
or must post a bond for the full amount of the value of the prize with
the county clerk of the county where the raffle will be held. Is
an organization required to register with the State before conducting a
raffle? No.
What
are the restrictions on how the raffle may be conducted?
How
may the proceeds from ticket sales be used?
Proceeds
from ticket sales must be used only for the charitable purposes of the
qualified organization. Are
there any penalties for conducting or participating in an unauthorized
raffle? Yes.
Only raffles held according to the terms of the Raffle Enabling Act are
authorized raffles. An unauthorized raffle is considered gambling under
the Texas Penal Code. Conducting such a raffle is a Class A misdemeanor.
Participating in an unauthorized raffle is a Class C misdemeanor. What
law enforcement authorities may stop an unauthorized raffle?
A
county attorney, district attorney or the attorney general may bring an
action in state court to stop a violation or potential violation of the
Charitable Raffle Enabling Act. Where
can I get more information on the requirements for holding a raffle?
The
law is Chapter 2002, Occupations Code, Texas Codes Annotated. If you
have specific questions about the law, you should consult your attorney.
Contact
Information By
Us Mail: By
Telephone I think that pretty much covers holding raffles. The chance of getting caught is slim, but so is getting a ticket for no seat belt. Not having enough places to prospect: Let’s face it, Texas does not have the geological history for deposits of gold like the Rocky Mountain states and California. Our history is that of material filling an inland sea, crossing the Ouachita Mountains, and then continuing the filling process to where our present coast is. As for mountain building in which most gold deposits are found, the remnants of the Ouachita Mountains are approximately 40,000 feet below the Balcones Fault Line. (Geologic Wonders of West Texas, Donald McGookey) The gold we find is more than likely the result of the fill process which brought material from the west. The advantage of the Llano Uplift is that millions of years of deposits have been removed to expose the base rocks. This also means that there are other areas which could hold gold in amounts that a recreational miner might find interesting. As a chapter, we have the means to gain access to property as long as we work as a team and not as individuals looking out for themselves. What I mean is all members should look around for access, not just a couple. While I see no problem with someone having a spot for themselves, but until new areas are opened up to the chapter we’ll be stuck with Long’s. GPAA doing something for Texas: While at times I may sound anti GPAA, I am not. I was a member before most of our current members and was very pro GPAA. My opinion changed when I started inquiring as to the plans for Texas such as:
It is very apparent that we are
very low on their list of priorities.
As a business, the decisions made are based on profit.
We do not belong to a club; the GPAA is an association in which
you pay for the privilege to use their claims.
This means that if we are to succeed, we must do so on our own
and not expect any help from the GPAA. I am not very excited about
forming a private club because we lose a method of exposure.
But since I am not allowed to vote for a change at the national
level, I allow my displeasure to be heard by the lack of my money in
their account. Lack of interest in taking an
officers position: As I heard at the May meeting, many people have
opinions on how to improve the chapter, but when we asked for volunteers
to fill officers positions the response was “I’m too busy”.
We’re all busy with our lives, especially if children are
involved. At the same time
I feel very strongly about our chapter.
I would like to make this suggestion:
If there isn’t anyone interested in stepping up, we continue
with the present officers and move forward. We would have more members if we
had meetings: Our meeting
rosters will indicate a steady decline in attendance way before we
ceased having raffles or meetings.
As for having a meeting and building equipment, I’m all for it.
All we need is a shop with tools, suggestions for builds, and
people to commit. During Daniel’s reading of his
letter, several members added their thoughts about the Chapter. Grady Wallace spoke about the
formation of the Chapter in 2002. There were 75 attendees at the first
meeting. Even though no gold was found at times, prospecting and having
outings was fun and there was great satisfaction from the getting
together of everyone. He feels that future meetings need to be opened up
to more topics to keep the meetings fresh. He also expressed concern
about the Chapter’s assets and what would happen to them if the
Chapter dissolved. Ron Pottberg thanked Grady for
starting the first Chapter in Texas. He also feels the Round Rock
Chapter is partially responsible for the formation of the 7 other
chapters in Texas. The GPAA magazine listing of chapter contacts
continually brings in new members. He has prospected on 10 claims from
the mining guide and has found gold on all of them. He believes the GPAA
is a good organization to be involved with. Kevin Green had concerns about
the Chapter contract. This contract has to be signed by all newly
elected officers and all officers are required to be current GPAA
members. Daniel reminds the group that our Chapter doesn’t always
follow the GPAA rules. For example, only GPAA members can participate in
outings. The Round Rock Chapter has decided to allow anyone to attend
its outings. Kevin also informed the group that there are 125 people
signed up for the Chapter’s email announcements. He recently renewed
his membership to the GPAA for $30. You have to ask for the lower price,
otherwise the GPAA will charge $67. The lower price does not include the
mining guide or admittance to any GPAA sponsored outings. Dean Colgrove spoke highly of
the GPAA. He also made a motion to elect new officers. Daniel seconded. Kevin Green was nominated to remain secretary. He accepted. Roland Schneider was nominated to be Treasurer. He accepted. Allen Updike was nominated to be Vice President. He accepted. Daniel Klepac was nominated to remain President. He accepted. Gerry Davison was absent. He
will likely remain as the Claims Chairman. The meeting adjourned at 6 pm.
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