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About the LGMC [ Home | Previous Page ] |
Contents
Club History
The Littleton Gem & Mineral Club, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose funds are primarily derived from membership fees and contributions of its membership. Its meetings and properties, including mining claims controlled by the club, are for the education and improvement of the members in the enjoyment of their hobby.
The club is affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS), the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies (RMFMS), and the Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council (GDAGMC).
For more information about the club's earliest history, read Mary Rybieki's In the Beginning... article.
Club Purpose
The purpose of the Littleton Gem & Mineral Club (LGMC) is to assist in the enjoyment of finding, procuring, collecting, processing, identifying, exchanging, and displaying gems, minerals, fossils, and jewelry as a hobby.
Special interest groups, such as "Cabbers & Faceters" and Mineral Study Groups, may be formed with the consent of the Board of Trustees to meet, study, exhibit, or otherwise promote the pleasures of the hobby.
Benefits of Membership
Some of the benefits of being a club member are:
- Fellowship with people who share an interest in and a love for the hobby.
- The opportunity to attend the club's monthly meetings and outings.
- The option to attend the club's board meetings.
- The opportunity to "show and tell" about your latest finds.
- The opportunity to attend scheduled field trips and outings, which include sites not readily available to the general public and which involve prearranged permission.
- The official club newsletter, Highlites, mailed to you.
- Notification of special events being offered by other clubs in the area.
- The opportunity to receive other club members' knowledge and experience in the hobby.
- The opportunity to check items out of the club library.
- A club badge with your name.
- The opportunity to purchase a club vest, complete with club logo patch and pin.
- The opportunity to have a link to your personal Website posted on the club's Website.
Requirements of Members
Members are in good standing when their membership fees are paid for the current year.
- Members should attend as many meetings and outings as possible.
- Members should be willing to serve on a committee.
- Members should conduct themselves in a respectable and responsible manner.
- Members should participate in as many events as possible.
- Members should strive to promote the hobby.
- Members should run for office, when qualified.
Membership Fees
Membership in the Littleton Gem & Mineral Club, Inc., is open to all who concur in the purposes of the club, who agree to abide by its rules, and who are current in their membership fees.
Annual membership family/individual fees are $20.00, are due on January 1st, and are delinquent after March 1st. Membership fees are prorated to $10.00 for those who join after October 31st. Each new member receives an official club logo badge.
Membership Application
To apply for membership in the LGMC, please mail your request for an application to the address on our Home page. Click Membership Application for an online version.
Guests
Guests are welcome. A guest may attend two club general meetings before deciding to join the club. To participate in club activities, the guest must then pay the membership fees required.
Field Trips
Various field trips are planned during the warmer months. Some are planned with our sister clubs. All members are invited to attend.
Please sign up early and remember to check with the field trip leader 24 to 48 hours before the scheduled trip to be notified of any changes because trip leaders may not always be able to contact trip attendees (especially if they have not already signed up!).
Many trips are on private land and claims, so we must abide by any restrictions they choose to set.
Because of the liability involved, field trips are generally for members only. Members are required to check with the trip leader to see if guests are welcome before bringing a guest.
Please refer to the LGMC Field Trip Rules and Decorum.
Annual Picnic
A club picnic is held toward the end of the summer months, usually in August, at a Littleton location such as Sterne Park. The shindig begins about noon. It is a great time to meet new club members and see old friends. There is time to swap tales, show off new mineral finds, and do some trading. We have a drawing for a truly special prize. Members are asked to wear their name tags so everyone can get to know each other quickly. Details are available in the club's mid-summer newsletter.
Annual Grab Bag Party
Each year the club hosts a grab bag stuffing party and potluck. Members gather around tables to put specimens into cloth grab bags that will be sold at the September Denver Gem & Mineral Show (DGMS), which is hosted by the Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council (GDAGMC). Proceeds of the grab bag sales go to a scholarship at the Colorado School of Mines. Members are asked to sew grab bags using patterns and directions published in the Highlites newslettter and available at the club meetings prior to the Grab Bag Party. Click Grab Bag Patterns for a printable online version.
Denver Gem & Mineral Show
In September the Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council (GDAGMC) hosts the Denver Gem & Mineral Show at the Denver Merchandise Mart. The show features wholesale and retail dealers, museum and competitive exhibits, international dealers, and very informative lectures. As an affiliate of the GDAGMC, the club supports the Show by providing grab bags of mineral specimens and many club members serve on the Show Committee.
Club Meetings
The LGMC monthly meeting, unless members are otherwise notified, is held September through May on the third Friday at 7:30 p.m.
During the break between the monthly presentation and the business portion of the meeting, members have the opportunity to socialize and partake in refreshments. After the presentation, door prizes are awarded.
The Cabbers & Faceters group meets the third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Club and section meetings may deviate from their regular schedules due to holidays, shows, inclement weather, etc.
Cabbers & Faceters
Club members especially interested in faceting gems and shaping cabochons are invited to join like minded individuals on the 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Interesting topics of conversation are usually generated from "show and tell."
Pebble Pups
The club's young ones, the "Pebble Pups," have a special concurrent meeting during regular club meetings. The Pebble Pups are presented with their own gem and mineral presentation. Information about Pebble Pups meetings may be found in Highlites, the club newsletter.
Mineral of the Month
At the monthly club meetings, a "Mineral of the Month" display case is set up. Categories, such as "minerals starting with the letter A," are announced in the Highlites newsletter.
Best Field Collected Specimen Contest
The contest for the best specimen for the preceding collecting season is held annually at the September meeting. A nominal prize is awarded.
Annual Auction
Each year, usually on a Saturday in November, the LGMC Holds a Silent Auction at
our regular meeting place. The setup of the facility usually begins at 1:00 p.m., the seller’s setup at 2:00 p.m.,
and the auction itself from 2:30 to about 5:00.
The Club welcomes 100 percent donations to the Flower Fund to help pay for cards, flowers, etc. We do request all of our members to bring refreshments (finger foods).
Click HERE for a single printable online bid slip.
Best $10 Specimen from the Denver Shows Contest
As an aid to members' bargaining spirits and to encourage member attendance at the annual gem and mineral shows in Denver, the club hosts a "Best $10 Specimen from the Denver Shows" contest at the September (or October) meeting. The specimen must have been purchased for $10 or less at the Denver Shows in September and whatever a member can negotiate down to $10 is acceptable. Members are expected to have fun, as it is amazing what can be found for that price. A nominal prize is awarded.
Officers and Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees includes the President, President Elect (automatically becomes President next term), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Trustees (the first of which is the immediate Past President). These officers, as well as the Highlites Editor, Program Chairman, and Field Trip Chairman, comprise the Board of Trustees.
Board of Trustees meetings are open to all club members who are welcome to become involved. Board meetings are held in board members' homes. Location and time of the next meeting are announced at the regular meeting and published in the Highlites newsletter.
Officers and Trustees are elected at the regular October meeting of the club membership and take office the following January.
According to the club's Bylaws, "No salary shall be allowed to any of the club members or to any officer of the club or to any member of the Board of Trustees."
At the end of May, the President appoints a Nominating Committee, which presents a slate of candidates to the membership at the September meeting.
Standing Committees
There are several committees deemed to be essential to the club. These are:
- Field Trip. The Field Trip committed is responsible for coordinating, planning, and conducting field trips for collecting and other purposes.
- Highlites. The Highlites committee is chaired by the Editor and is responsible for publishing and distributing the official club newsletter.
- History. The History committee is chaired by the Historian and is responsible to keep a historical and/or pictorial record of the club, including any awards given or received by the club.
- Hospitality. The Hospitality committed meets and greets guests, maintains the guest book, introduces guests and new members, prepares name tags, and informs new members of club activities and opportunities.
- Library. The Library committee is chaired by the Librarian and is responsible for maintaining the club library and encouraging its use.
- Program. The Program committee is responsible for programs for presentation at the monthly meetings of the membership.
- Refreshments. The Refreshments committee provides refreshments for the monthly meetings of the membership.
Club Newsletter
Highlites is the official newsletter of the Littleton Gem & Mineral Club, Inc. The newsletter is sent to each member in good standing monthly from September through May and Mid-Summer. The newsletter contains information about club events and other items of interest to the membership. Any member may submit items for publication in the newsletter. For copyright protection when submitting an article from another publication, permission must be obtained and submitted with the article title, publication's name, issue, and volume number, publication date, and author's name. Any material contained in Highlites may be reproduced as long as credit is given, unless otherwise indicated.
Club Vests
Club vests are available for purchase for $17.50 (by members only). Vests are green and complete with a large club logo patch on the back. Each vest comes with one of the club's official logo pins. Show your pride in your club . . . wear your vest and pin to meetings, outings, events,
and gem & mineral shows! (Sorry, logo patches and pins are not available separately from the vests.)
Club Bylaws
The Bylaws of the LGMC are mailed to members with their Highlites newletter when they are revised.
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