I like rocks and fossils, but I don't know if I want to join yet -- what should I do?
Visitors are always welcome at general meetings, all of our section meetings, and during open workshops. Please join us at one of these meeting so you can see what we do and learn more about the club.

I would like to become a member, what do I have to do?
You must fill out a membership form and pay your dues. You can pay your dues online, send your form and dues by mail, or bring them to a meeting or a workshop. Membership forms and online payment are available on the Membership page

Where can I collect rocks/minerals/fossils in Georgia?
There is a list of commercial collecting sites under the Field Trip menu here. We do not publish information for non-commercial sites. If you are interested in collecting, please join GMS or another club -- it's the best way to find what you are looking for.

My son/daughter is interested in rocks and fossils. Do you have special activities for children?
GMS has a special group just for kids! To learn more and to see upcoming activities, please see the Junior Section page under the Sections menu

I need someone to come to my school/scout group/club to talk about rocks/minerals/fossils/geology. Can you help?
GMS has a Speakers Bureau with a long list of available topics. You can consult with the GMS Education Chair () about your needs and we will work with you on schedules and details. You can learn more under the Education menu on the Speakers Bureau page

I need someone to lead my students/scout group/fellow teachers on a rock/mineral/fossil/geology field trip. Can you help?
All requests for field trips are considered on a case by case basis by qualified individual field trip leaders. The Georgia Mineral Society may not conduct field trips for non-members due to our current liability insurance contract. We are happy to arrange a trip, but all attendees must be a member of a club that carries liability insurance under the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS). Please contact the GMS Field Trip Chair at for more information.

Can you identify a rock/fossil for me?
Yes! You can bring your rock/fossil to a GMS general meeting, section meeting, open workshop, or one of our shows and someone will be happy to look at what you have. For meeting/workshop dates and times, please see the calendar on the Home page. For more information about the next show, please see the Show page.

I have a beautiful postcard with numbered items. Where can I find the descriptions?
See the Postcard page. Click the Club Show menu, then Postcard or click here.

Field Trip Answers

Why don't you post field trip directions on the website?
Because of liability issues, you must be a member of the club to attend a field trip. Members receive field trip details via email and in the Tips and Trips newsletter.

GMS and the other federation clubs try to educate the public in the earth sciences through our field trip collecting policies and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) code of ethics. As a member of a mineral society that is associated with the AFMS and the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS), we are bound by these code of ethics; the general public is not. Therefore, we do not publish directions on the internet. We do, however, list a number of commercial (fee) locations on our website under the Field Trip menu, then Commercial Sites

If you would like to go on field trips, please join GMS! Membership forms and online payment are available on the Membership page

How will I know where and when to meet for a field trip?
Members receive field trip details via email (and possibly in the Tips and Trips newsletter). Because of liability issues, you must be a member to attend a field trip. If you would like to go on field trips, please join GMS! Membership forms and online payment are available on the Membership page

Do I have to sign up in advance for field trips?
All GMS field trips require registration to attend, but trips hosted by other clubs may or may not require registration. Field trip notices always indicate if registration is required.

Are the field trips good for children?
Most field trips are generally safe for children of all ages, but they must be supervised at all times. If a location has any age restrictions, the field trip notice will state the age limit. There are inherent dangers associated with any collecting trip, plus there may be a fair amount of hiking, so you should gauge each trip based on your child's interests, attention span, and abilities.

Is there a fee for field trips?
Most field trips do not require a fee, though occasionally we may visit a site where a fee is required or a donation is suggested. Field trip notices always indicate if a fee is required or a donation is recommended.

I need someone to lead my students/scout group/fellow teachers on a rock/mineral/fossil/geology field trip. Can you help?
All requests for field trips are considered on a case by case basis by qualified individual field trip leaders. The Georgia Mineral Society may not conduct field trips for non-members due to our current liability insurance contract. We are happy to arrange a trip, but all attendees must be a member of a club that carries liability insurance under the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS). Please contact the GMS Field Trip Chair at for more information.

I would like to bring someone who is not a member on a field trip. Can they come?
Members often ask if they can bring their grandson, granddaughter, parent, sibling, friend, etc. on a field trip. Unfortunately, because of liability and insurance requirements, we cannot allow anyone who is not a member to attend a field trip. Please note that family members (anyone who lives in your household including spouse, partner, children, relatives, extended family, etc.) can be covered under family membership.

Workshop Answers

Do I have to be a member to come to workshops?
You must be a member to use the equipment in workshops, but visitors are welcome to come and watch.

What kind of workshops are available?
"Open" workshops are every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. During open workshops members can learn how to use lapidary equipment and be certified to use the lapidary equipment unsupervised. Other workshops are available by request, so just let us now what you would like to do and we will help!

Do I have to register for workshops?
No, you do not need to register for workshops, but you must be a member to use workshop equipment.

Is there any cost for workshops?
There is a $3/hour fee for using workshop equipment (members only). Plus, you may purchase materials from GMS, but you may also bring your own materials.

Membership Answers

How much does membership cost?
$25 for a family membership (plus $10 if you want a printed and mailed newsletter). More information, online payment, and membership forms are available on the Membership page

I would like to become a member, what do I have to do?
You must fill out a membership form and pay your dues. You can submit your form and payment online, send your form and dues by mail, or bring them to a meeting or a workshop. Membership forms are available on the Membership page

Can my grandchildren be part of my family membership?
A family membership can be for anyone who lives in your household including spouse, partner, children (any age), other relatives, extended family, etc. Each person in your family membership must be listed on your membership form to be included. For more information, please see the Membership page

I am not sure when my membership expires and I don't want to miss anything. What can I do?
Please contact the Executive Vice President of Membership at

My membership expired. How can I rejoin the club?
You must fill out a membership form and pay your dues. You can submit your form and payment online, send your form and dues by mail, or bring them to a meeting or a workshop. Membership forms are available on the Membership page

If you fill out a paper form you must enter all of the information because your prior membership data may have been purged. Please contact the Executive Vice President of Membership at to determine your current status.

Can I join or renew my membership on-line?
Yes, you can use your PayPal account or use a credit card through PayPal. Please see the Membership page for payment options.

I am not getting GMS email, what should I do?
We want you to know about all of the fun and exciting trips and events at GMS, so here are some things to do if you are not receiving email:

1) Make sure your membership has not expired. Contact the Executive Vice President of Membership at to make sure your membership is current.

2) Make sure the Executive Vice President of Membership () has the email address where you want to receive GMS email.

3) You may have clicked the “unsubscribe” button on GMS email which suspends your email from the email list. If you did this, let the Executive Vice President of Membership () know so your email address can be put back in the list.

4) GMS email may be going to SPAM, Junk, etc. Here are some tips and links that may help:

Microsoft Outlook: See if the emails are going to your Junk Email folder. If they are, right click the email and select Junk, then Junk E-mail Options. On the Options tab, make sure the protection level is set the way you want. If it is, then click the Safe Senders tab and add @gamineral.org. Click the Blocked Senders tag to make sure gamineral.org is not there. Then make sure to save your changes.

Gmail: Your GMS email may be going into promotions. This link will tell you how to correct that: promotions link This link may help if your email is going to SPAM: spam link

5) If GMS email was marked as SPAM it can cause your email address to be suspended from the list. If you corrected a SPAM/Junk/Promotions problem, check with the Executive Vice President of Membership at to make sure your email address is still active in the GMS email list.

If you have any questions about email, please contact the Executive Vice President of Membership at or the webmaster at

Newsletter Answers

I am the bulletin editor for another club and would like to exchange bulletins with your club. Who should I contact?
Please contact the Executive Vice President of Membership at to have your email address added to the bulletin exchange distribution list.

I have some lapidary equipment, rocks, fossils, minerals, etc. that I would like to give away, sell, or swap. Can I list them in the newsletter?
If you are a member of GMS, you can participate in the Give/Sell/Swap column. Listings must be hobby related (geology, rock, mineral, fossil, lapidary) and non-commercial only. There is a 40 word maximum, the listing must be submitted by the 15th of the month, and it will run for only one month (must re-submit to run again).

Non-members may purchase advertising space.

For more information, please see the newsletter advertising page or contact the newsletter editor at

Website Answers

I want to send email to someone at GMS -- where can I find email addresses?
There is a list of board members and chairpersons on the Contact page. Click the Contact menu item or click here.

I tried to send email by clicking on an email address, but it isn't working -- what can I do?
To protect email addresses from spam, they are not visible on the website. Instead, you must click the address to run a script that will open your default email program with the email address filled in. If you do not have Javascript enabled, the script will not work. If you do not have a default email program, the script cannot fill in the email address for you. So, if you decide not to enable Javascript or define a default email program, you can use the general email address listed at the top of the Contact page (click the Contact menu item or click here.)

I want to send email, but I don't know who to send it to -- what email address should I use?
You can use the general email address listed at the top of the Contact page (click the Contact menu item or click here) or you can send email to the Corresponding Secretary who will direct your email to the appropriate person

There isn't a menu on the website -- how can I get to the page I want?
You must have Javascript enabled to get the navigation menu. Check your browser's help to find out how to enable Javascript.

I can't find something I am looking for. Is there a way to search the website?
There is a website search at the bottom of the home page. Type in what you are looking for, then click the Google Search button.

There is a picture on your website I would like to use -- are there any copyright issues?
Please see the Copyright page for information about GMS copyright terms and conditions. Click the Club Info menu, then Website, then Copyright or click here.

Rock Show Answers

When is the next GMS show?
The GMS show is on Mother's Day weekend in May. See the Club Show page for details.

When is the next rock show?
For a list of shows and show dates, click the Club Show menu, then select Rock and Gem Show Listings

Is the GMS show free or is there an entrance fee?
The GMS show is absolutely FREE!!!

I have a beautiful postcard with numbered items. Where can I find the descriptions?
See the Postcard page. Under the Club Show menu, click Postcard.

I would like to be a dealer in your show. Who should I contact?
Contact the show dealer at , but be aware there is a very long waiting list to get into the show.