I have been checking all my images for gamut. Is this necessary, just good work ethic, or just a waste of time because its not important?

I am sorry,but what is gamut?

Hi Donna,
 
I do not think it is a wasted practice as you are creating cards for print, not exclusively for the web.  
I create in RGB and always work within the in gamut colors. I also do a check to see the color shift in CMYK.
I have found this to produce acceptable color accuracy for printing on GCU.  
One time I made a test card with strips of color choosing both in gamut and out of gamut RGB colors to see how they printed. The out of gamut colors did not print true.
 
As for what is gamut. It is the range of colors available in a given color system, here is a description from an online dictionary.  
Color gamut
The entire range of colors available on a particular device such as a monitor or printer. A monitor, which displays RGB signals, typically has a greater color gamut than a printer, which uses CMYK inks. When a color is "out of gamut," it cannot be properly converted to the target device; for example, to a different type of printer. See color management system and color space.
 
I do not pretend to completely understand gamut but through trial and error I came up with this method and it has worked well for me on GCU.
Hope that helps.
Pamela

Thank you for explaining. I learn something new every day  

Thanks for the explanation. I am glad I am not the only one who didn't know what it was. I use RGB all the time,and my cards always have the correct color. Thanks again.  
Bettie