(Fourth in a Series)

Then (the early 1960s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and Now

Membership:

Membership:

Candidates for membership in the club had to attend at least two meetings and one field trip, and be sponsored by two current club members.

Candidates for membership must attend one club function (meeting, field trip, show, etc.) and be sponsored by one current member.

Club membership was limited to 100 people, and additional applicants would be put on a waiting list.**

There is no limit on membership, and we now have  over 270 members.

Membership was $4 for adults and $2 for juniors.

Membership is $23 per family, $15 individual, juniors free.

Annual Show

Annual Show

The Placer Co. Fairgrounds paid us $325 yearly to exhibit our display cases (around 50) in Johnson Hall for five days. Our show was part of the Fair, which always took place in July.

We pay the Fairgrounds roughly $7000 yearly to rent Johnson Hall, Jones Hall and the Garden Room for two days, and our show is always the 4th weekend in March.

All cases were competitive. The Fair provided judges & ribbons.

No cases are competitive.

Grab bags - each member had to take home 10 paper bags and fill each one with 1 slab and 4 egg-sized specimens or rough material - labeled. Grab bags were sold to adults for 25˘.

Grab bags are filled at work parties, and include specimens, tumbled stones, and other materials, both donated and bought. They are sold to juniors at the show for $1.

We could select vendors to invite, but they had to be approved by the Fair Board of Directors. Average: 5 to 10 vendors.

There is no limit on vendors (except space availability) and there is no approval required. 40 vendors is a typical number.

Bulletin

Bulletin

Postage was 3˘.

Postage is 44˘.

The bulletin pages were typed on stencils and copies were made on a mimeograph machine.

The bulletin pages are created with a software program, Microsoft Publisher, and either e-mailed or copied on a copier.

We exchanged bulletins with 17 other clubs.

We exchange bulletins with 31 other clubs.

A panic ensued in 1965 when the Post Office began refusing to deliver mail without ZIP codes. Nobody knew their ZIPs.

Panic ensues every time the Post Office raises mailing rates, which is every year, without fail.

Meetings

Meetings

Library books were brought to meetings to be loaned out. Late fees (if not brought back to the next meeting) were 50˘.

Library books are brought to meetings to be loaned out. Late fees? No. We just nag you.

The annual potluck picnic was held in August in Royer Park, Roseville. Each family was required to bring a salad and a hot dish. The club provided beverages, rolls and butter, dessert, and watermelon. Leftover watermelon was auctioned off.

The annual potluck is held in July in Johnson Hall. Members are asked to bring either a salad, a side dish, or a hot dish depending on an alphabetical list. The club provides beverages and meat. Leftover meat can be bought for $5.

A rock swap was always held at the August meeting. At most meetings there was a silent auction and a raffle, at 25˘ per ticket. Prizes were donated by various local rock shops, in exchange for a “blurb” in the bulletin praising their shop.

There is no rock swap. At most meetings there is a silent auction. Door prizes are  won by a drawing, but no tickets are sold. Prizes are all donated by members.

Officer installation was held at a special meeting in January. It was held at a nice restaurant, with a cocktail hour followed by a banquet and entertainment, such as a local band.

Hm. I don’t know why this tradition ended. Probably there was no volunteer to organize the whole thing every year -- Editor

** Editor’s note: Early membership never went past 65 or so members, so no one was ever on a waiting list.  
References: The Rollin’ Rock, various issues, 1960-1965