Alberta Federation of Rock Clubs Activities

During the May long weekend meeting, activities such as field trips, auctions, and cookouts spice up the annual meeting part, which occurs on Sunday morning beginning at 10:00 am.

AFRC MAY DAZE

The AFRC Annual Meeting is held on Sunday Morning of the May long weekend, beginning at 10 a.m.

The Annual Meeting each year has become a weekend activity, known as "May Daze". Club members are invited to share technical expertise and advice, to talk rocks, and get to know people from the various clubs in Alberta. Both members and non-members are welcome.

Club members from all over the province of Alberta begin arriving Friday afternoon/evening at a community hall arranged for by the host club. There is room for those who will be bringing their RV, or rooms can be rented at nearby motels and hotels. Friday is mostly for getting accommodations settled, setting up tables and chairs, take in any auction items and/or consignment items. Some clubs have initiated a barbeque. The cost of the barbeque is determined by the host club.

Saturday is filled with a variety of activities. Weather permitting, field trips are arranged for the day. For those not taking in the field trips, arrangements are usually made for demonstrations to take place in the hall, for example, faceting, beading, flint knapping, carving, etc. Display cases have been set up by club members to provide information about materials and member's activities. Some choose to enjoy coffee and visit for part of the time. A potluck supper is served at 5:00 p.m. The Rock Auction is the main attraction on Saturday evening.

The auction items are rocks and anything related to the hobby. Some of the auction items are donated to the Alberta Federation; other items have been consigned with 15% of the selling price going to AFRC, and the consignee receiving 85%. Non-AFRC members are charged 20%. The auction takes place after the Saturday Potluck Supper.

Sunday morning begins with a pancake breakfast. The annual AFRC General Meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. and lasts for an hour or more. Although everyone may contribute to the discussion at the meeting, only AFRC members in good standing may vote at the meeting. Generally, the remains of Saturday's potluck supper makes up the Sunday noon buffet. The food seems to taste even better on the second day.

After lunch, tailgating takes place either inside the hall or outside, depending on the weather. The AFRC asks that each tailgater donate 10% of their sales to AFRC, using the honor system. Tailgating lasts for a couple of hours and then it is time to do hall clean-up. Everyone is asked to help with putting away tables, chairs, cleaning floors, etc.

View the MayDaze 2006 Pictures taken by Chris Hancock, Edmonton Tumblewood Lapidary Club.

Here are the details for the May Daze 2010.