GMS Workshops

In line with Georgia and CDC guidelines for safe indoor meetings and in the primary interest of member safety, workshops will be held with new rules. These rules are for the safety of members attending and workshop supervisors and change the way we hold workshops for as long as we need to use them. Workshop supervisors have responsibility for all members behaving safely and will stop workshops and send everyone home if the workshop cannot be conducted safely.

Anyone who wants to attend a workshop must email the workshop supervisors to schedule a date and time. Appointments are necessary because proper social distancing must be maintained in the workshop. To schedule a workshop appointment, send email

Everyone who attends a workshop will be expected to wear a mask for the duration of the workshop. Masks will be provided at the door if you can’t bring one. No exceptions.

Everyone who attends a workshop will be required to provide their name. All attendees will pledge that if they come down with coronavirus symptoms within 7 days of the workshop, they will contact the workshop supervisors at for contact tracing. We cannot have any exceptions to this.

Additional equipment cleaning procedures will be in place. All attendees will be informed of cleaning procedures at the workshop.

Please do not bring refreshments. Consuming snacks outside before donning a mask is permitted but we can’t have people lowering and raising masks to eat or drink during workshops. Please limit use of the kitchen. The fridge has been cleaned out so there are no longer snacks on hand.

We are only using the armless chairs for now. We are only using tables for the temporary viewing of materials.

The library is temporarily closed, as are the other non-meeting rooms.

Bathrooms will require new procedures. The lights will be left on and the fans kept running at all times. Please leave the door ajar with the light on when you leave.

Disinfecting wipes will be available in both bathrooms. Please use them to wipe down any surfaces you expect to come in contact with when you use the facility. When you are done, wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds, dry with a paper towel as usual, then take a disinfecting wipe and in order, wipe faucets, the inside door handle, the toilet handle and the toilet seat, then dispose of the wipe. Hand sanitizing liquid will be available in the foyer.

Please keep social distancing after workshops, when the temptation is to break up into small groups or crowd the exit hall.

Workshop supervisors will modify or add rules depending on how each workshop goes. Workshop supervisors will have additional cleanup procedures after workshops, so please try to understand the purpose of these rules and help their workload.

• Click here for membership information
• Open for use during supervised, scheduled sessions or by appointment
• User fee of $3.00 per hour, payable at each session
• Members may use own material or purchase limited materials from GMS
• Open workshop/rock-cutting scheduled on 1st and 3rd Tuesday (7pm to 9pm),
  1st and last Sunday (2pm to 4pm), and Fridays (2pm to 4pm) for GMS members who have been certified to use workshop equipment (click here or see below for certification requirements)
• Additional sessions may be requested

For questions about workshops and requests for certification, send email to

• Workshop Supervisors:
  
  
  1. Elizabeth Lamb
  2. Shelley Stubbs
  3. Bill Waggener

• Saw cutting fee of $3.00 per hour in 1 hour increments
• Workshop Saw Supervisors:
  
  
  1. Charles Carter
  2. Bill Waggener
  3. Juergen Poppelreuter

Certification for Equipment use

• Purpose is to demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of the GMS cabbing and trim saw equipment
• Certification classes must be scheduled with a Certifying Instructor
• Requirements for certification: Student will be able to:
  
  
  1. Name the parts of the equipment
  2. Demonstrate proper safety procedures when using equipment
  3. Demonstrate proper cleaning and maintenance of equipment
  4. Complete one cabochon approved by the certifying instructor


• Certifying Instructors:
  
  
  1. Martha Brown
  2. Ivy Edwards
  3. John Iacullo
  4. Elizabeth Lamb
  5. Diana Poppelreuter
  6. Shelley Stubbs
  7. Bill Waggener

For questions about workshops and requests for certification, send email to