MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL APPLICATION
*Required Fields
MEETINGS
The club generally meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM (except July and August). During the Covid-19 pandemic, most meetings will be held via Zoom. Login information will be sent to members prior to each meeting. Ordinarily, meetings are held at Trinity Episcopal Church, Main Street, Shrewsbury. Trips to collecting sites, museums, and special events are planned throughout the year.
The meetings generally consist of a short business agenda followed by an educational or informative program. Programs presented may be speakers often with slides, specimens, or other visual aides, films, or demonstrations.
Speakers talk on a variety of topics and range from our own club members with experiences or expertise to share to prominent researchers that work in an Earth science field. Children’s educational programs and activities are planned for meetings as interest arises. There are door prizes drawn at the meetings. Refreshments are available. In addition, everyone is encouraged to bring in specimens or their lapidary work to display to the members.
MEMBERSHIP
All are welcome to join the Worcester Mineral Club. The cost for individual membership is $15.00 per year and $20.00 per year for family memberships (2 adults 18+ and 2 children). If your family has more than 4 people, add $5 for each additional child, up to $30.00 max per family. Dues are payable at the time of membership and cover your membership for the calendar year.
Membership Benefits Include:
- Access to the “Members Only” section of the website
- Monthly meetings from September through June featuring educational programs
- Eleven issues of the club’s e-newsletter, New Diggings
- Eligibility to participate in all club sponsored field trips and, by arrangement, field trips sponsored by other EFMLS member clubs
- Eligibility to collect at the club’s claim at Diamond Acres in Fonda, NY for $5.00 per day
- Membership cards upon request to the club and to the EFMLS
- Liability insurance coverage provided through the EFMLS
- Opportunity to win door prizes at in-person monthly meetings
- Opportunity to buy, sell, or swap specimens with other members at monthly meetings
- Addition to our club’s email list
- Free admission to our annual show
FIELD TRIPS
Many of our club members enjoy mineral collecting field trips, others enjoy visits to museums and shows, some enjo both.
Museum, shows, or special event trips may range from local colleges to New York City or New Jersey.
Collecting field trips attempt to accommodate all levels of collectors with tips and techniques to make the trips both successful and safe. They range from local sites to most of New England and New York. The club provides these opportunities throughout the year as the weather allows. Other collecting trips and events are made available to us through the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies and participating EFMLS clubs.
COLLECTING CLAIM
Members are eligible to collect on their own or with a club field trip at the club’s own claim at Diamond Acres in Fonda, NY for a fee of $5.00 per day. The claim has produced quartz var. Herkimer Diamonds in single crystals and clusters ranging in size from micro to nearly a foot across.
SWAP / AUCTION
The club holds public swaps and auctions based on member interest and informs members of area swaps, auctions, and shows through our newsletter and meetings. The club generally holds an annual auction at the December club meeting.
ANNUAL SHOW
The centerpiece of the club’s year is our Annual Show held in November. The show provides members and the general public an opportunity to purchase gems, jewelry, fossils, minerals, lapidary, and related publications and equipment.
The show features dealers with a wide range of material from children’s and beginner level items to advanced collector’s items. Prices range from less than a dollar to hundreds of dollars.
We encourage club members to assist in the planning and operation of this event. Our annual show is the club’s largest source of operating funds.
Paying by check? Please make Checks Payable To “Worcester Mineral Club” and Mail to the Address Below:
“Worcester Mineral Club”
Attention: Naomi Campbell Siok
17 Westview St
Groton, MA 01450
FOR NEW MEMBERS ONLY: Applications for new members will be voted on by or before the next regular club meeting, which they are welcome to attend. Payments can be made on-line, or at any in person club meeting.
QUESTIONS / ANSWERS
Feel free contact any of our club officers for more information:
President
Sara Furbush
Email: Saracollectsrocks@gmail.com
Vice President
Bob Manlick
Email: bobmanlick@yahoo.com
Treasurer
Naomi Campbell Siok
Email: naomic8581@aol.com
Secretary
Barbara Chickoski
508 631-4276
Email: tourmalinemomma@gmail.com
Membership Chair
Brittnay Wiley
Email: wmcemails@gmail.com
Newsletter Editor
Cheryl Miller
Email: cherylamiller@outlook.com