March 17, 2026

Treasurer Caitlin Gulihur called the meeting to order as President Nick Morgan was unable to attend. Nineteen were in attendance.

Secretary Pat Mercado-Allinger read the minutes for the February meeting. Jenny McWilliams made the motion to approve the minutes, with Kay Killen seconding the motion. The minutes were approved.

Treasurer Gulihur presented the Treasurer’s report. Jenny McWilliams moved and Leslie Bush seconded the motion. The report was approved.

Gulihur reminded members to pay their membership dues for 2026. She also noted that the 2025 taxes for the Society have been filed.

The proposed 2026 budget was presented and discussed. Gulihur also distributed a list detailing donations made for the years 2021-2025 to provide context for the discussion. She noted that the proposed budget includes a $500.00 amount to be determined by the membership. The idea for earmarking this amount for a donation to the Llano Uplift Archeological Society (LUAS) for radiocarbon dating was considered. Leslie Bush noted that we have a close relationship with LUAS and often refer people interested in obtaining field experience to the group since they have an active excavation project. Leslie moved to  to include a $500.00 donation to LUAS in the proposed budget. Robin Matthews seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Treasurer Gulihur also noted that she had highlighted the Zoom account amount of $170.00. She was proposing that we remove this item from the budget, explaining that we have been unable to use Zoom at our current meeting place (Casa Chapala Restaurant). Finally, she pointed out that the proposed budget shows a deficit but explained that we have sufficient funds in savings to cover expenses thanks to the profits gained from recently hosting the Texas Archeological Society  Annual Meeting. Meris Watson made the motion to approve the 2026 budget with the LUAS donation and removal of the Zoom line item. Robin Matthews seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

Guilihur reminded everyone that lab work continues every Tuesday at the Texas Historical Commission Lab.

Finally, April 26th will be “Fall in Love with Nature Day” at McKinney Falls State Park. TvCAS will have a presence there and it was suggested that we have tshirts to sell. A Facebook post with details will be forthcoming.

Robert Lassen provided this evening’s presentation, “The Lubbock Megafauna Locality:  Searching for Archeology Among the Paleontology.”

The meeting concluded at 7:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Mercado-Allinger