FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
CALGARY ROCK & LAPIDARY CLUB

WHAT IS THE CALGARY ROCK & LAPIDARY CLUB ?

It is simply a group of ordinary persons with a common interest in the lapidary arts and earth sciences. The club was organized in 1959 and is one of the many hundreds of such clubs across Canada. The Calgary Rock & Lapidary Club is a non-profit organization incorporated under the Societies Act.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CLUB ?

1. To stimulate an interest in the study of rocks, minerals, gems, fossils and artifacts of Alberta and elsewhere.
2. To assist members in the development of personal skills in the lapidary arts and earth sciences.
3. To promote the hobby as a positive Family activity, providing healthy outdoor recreation and spanning all age groups.
4. To collect, work and exhibit finished gemstones and geological specimens for public display.
5. To encourage the appreciation and conservation of our Natural Resources.

WHAT DOES THE CLUB DO ?

1. Sponsors an annual public show where members can exhibit competitively for trophies or for their own satisfaction.
2. Organizes field trips (covered by public liability insurance) for collecting lapidary materials, fossils, minerals and gold panning.
3. Has an extensive library available for use by the members.
4. Offers Study Groups (held in members' homes) in most aspects of the hobby: Cabochons, Opals, Carving, Silversmithing, Casting, Mineral and Fossil Identification, etc., subject to the availability of instructors and the interests of the members.
5. Publishes a Club Newsletter, The Calgary Lapidary Journal, which is mailed to all member families
6. Hosts informal social events for the members such as Barbecues and Potluck Suppers
7. Provides membership in the Alberta Federation of Rock Clubs [AFRC] and the Gem and Mineral Federation of Canada [GMFC], linking YOU with Rockhounds right across Canada.
8. Acts as your spokesman at Government levels and private sectors on matters of concern to YOU, the Rockhound

DOES THE CLUB HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS

The Club normally meets on the SECOND FRIDAY of the month [except July and August] at 7:30 PM at

BOW CLIFF SENIORS SPRUCE CLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE 608 Poplar Road SW Calgary AB T3C 2Z7

The meetings feature programs of an informative or educational nature on various aspects of the hobby. A "Pebble Pup" program is available for the younger members. This is conducted during the business part of the meetings. The Pebble Pups sometimes rejoin the group for the program of the evening. Over coffee, members have the opportunity of meeting and visiting with one another and sharing their many experiences. A raffle of donated items, rocks, minerals, fossils, etc., is held.

ARE THERE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS?

The Calgary Rock & Lapidary Club is like any other organization. You only get OUT of it what you are prepared to put INTO it. Attending meetings and social events is worthwhile. Your help in any way is always appreciated.

WHAT ARE THE DUES ?

Dues, PAID ANNUALLY, are for the calendar year [January to December]

Adult	$ 25.00
Adult Couple	$ 30.00
Senior [65 and over]	$23.00
Senior Couple	$ 26.00
*Pebble Pup (up to 14)	$ 5.00
*Junior (14-17)	$ 5.00
*Fulltime Student (18+)	$ 5.00
*Sponsored Pebble Pup or Junior	$ 5.00 without Journal $10.00 with Journal
* With Adult Membership
Individual Junior	$ 10.00
Individual F.T. Student	$ 10.00
Journal Subscriptions for Non-Members (8 issues)	$ 10.00
Club Name Tags	$ 3.00
Membership Dues and Journal Subscriptions subject to change.

HOW DO I JOIN ?

Membership in the club can be obtained by contacting the Membership Chairman and completing a membership Application Form.

Holger Hartmaier 151 Woodhaven Drive Okotoks, AB T1S 1L8 403-938-5941 E-Mail hhart@telusplanet.net

Your application will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. When approved, your membership card and a copy of the Club's By-Laws will be presented to you at the next meeting.

WILL YOU JOIN US ?

We invite you to join us in what we think is the most exciting and fulfilling hobby. Approximately 300 Calgarians, representing all ages and walks of life, are keen members of our club - the largest one of it's kind in North America.

IS THE HOBBY EXPENSIVE?

You can personally collect minerals and fossils at no expense. You can purchase a tumbler for a nominal amount and proceed to polish semi-precious gemstone baroques. You can spend several hundred dollars if you wish to pursue the hobby in a big way. The choice is yours!

WHAT IS A ROCKHOUND?

"What is a rockhound? Well you may ask. A Rockhound is the lad next door with a pocketful of casually gathered pebbles. A Rockhound is your Grandmother with her pickle jars full of carefully selected stones. A Rockhound is an adventurer with an insatiable curiosity and the gumption to do something about it. A Rockhound is an imaginative optimist who knows perfectly well the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow contains not gold but sparkling crystals. A Rockhound enjoys like. A Rockhound is what we all would like to be." - Bill & Julie Hutchinson

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CLUB MAILING ADDRESS Calgary Rock & Lapidary Club 110 Lissington Drive SW Calgary AB T3E 5E3 E-Mail - martintm@shaw.ca Website - http://www.crlc.ca