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BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CCMGS TODAY
Welcome to all rockhounds and enthusiasts! Learn more about what it's like to be a member in our club and apply.
WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF JOINING?
WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF JOINING CCMGS?
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Includes Membership To Other Organizations
Join the CCMGS to automatically become a member of the CFMS, AFMS, and the Cooperative Field Trip Chairmen Association!
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Get Exclusive Members-Only Access
Get access to educational programs, classes, and courses on a variety of topics only our members have access to, including our library and special offers!
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Travel And Explore With The CCMGS Club
Get out in the field in locations across the region and beyond to learn more and see specimens in their natural habitat!
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Regular Meetings And Other Activities
Come to our monthly meetings to get involved in our club! Consider joining or running a Committee that interests you to further your member engagement!
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Learn How To Create And Show Your Collection
Volunteer or visit us at our annual show in November of each year (see calendar for details)! Learn how to make your own creations and keepsakes as well.
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Meet, Learn, And Network With Rockhounds
By joining our club you will be able to enjoy the company of other like-minded rock enthusiasts and learn from professional guest speakers invited to meetings.
Members Can Apply For The Spotlight Here! Want To Nominate A Member For The Spotlight? Email Your Nomination To Us Here And Tell Us Why!
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Member's Name: Donna Albrecht
Member Since: 2008
Favorite Part About Being A Member: "Belonging to the Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society is a delight! It’s a great way to get to know people who, like me, care about our natural environment and specifically the minerals it is made of. Meetings with speakers, field trips, classes, and more all enable me to learn more about collecting really beautiful specimens, how minerals are used in art and jewelry, and how they are used in creating products we use every day. I also love participating in the social events and shows!"
More About This Member: "Since joining the society, I have served many years on the board of directors. Quite a few of those years were as president or program chair. I find that being active in the society’s administration has helped me get to know other rockhounds better and form solid friendships. In my professional life, I am a freelance writer, mostly specializing in medical and business articles for consumers. I’ve also written articles for other magazines, including Rock & Gem, which has also allowed me to delve deeper into understanding the remarkable minerals in our world. My husband and I live in Contra Costa and are currently between Border Collies (but not for long, I hope). We love to travel, and one frequent destination is the annual rock show at Tucson and Quartzsite. The picture with this article shows me at the 2024 American Federation of Mineralogical Societies annual show where the case I created won the blue ribbon and plaque in its class. Creating cases is a way members share their knowledge, love of minerals, and (those who wish to) compete at certain events for fame and glory!"
CHECK OUT OUR MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Membership through CCMGS offers opportunities to enhance your geology knowledge
and expand your skills to the next level. Active participation from CCMGS members is expected for our club to accomplish its mission. In order to highlight the accomplishments of our members, we wish to put a spotlight on those that are working hard to help us achieve this mission. See below to learn more about our rockin' members!
CCMGS Honorary Members
Honorary members have a consistent membership of over 10 years in the club and have made a sizable or meritorious contribution to the club. Pioneering a path of endless opportunities supporting the club’s mission to promote a popular interest in the earth sciences, honorary members are decided by the board of directors.
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Terry and Joanne Caskey
Naomi Morgan
Dick and Betty Pankey
Hazel Woolsey
Awards, Accolades, and Other Member Achievements
CFMS/AFMS Website Contest
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2014 Harry Nichandros (Webmaster) won an Honorable Mention
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2015 Harry Nichandros (Webmaster) won 10th place
CFMS/AFMS All American Club Yearbook Contest
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2023 Kelly Plumb’s submission placed third at the All American level and won silver at the AFMS level
CFMS/AFMS Display Contest
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2024 Donna Albrecht won 1st place in the Advanced Exhibitor Group in the Open Project Division
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2023 Michael Hopkins won 1st place in the Education Division
CCMGS Rockhound of the Year
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2023 Barbara Roderick
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2019 Michael Hopkins
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2017 Taylor Thompson
Alameda County Fair
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2023 Michael Hopkins won Best of Show
- 2023 Michael Hopkins won 1st place in the Novice Division
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CCMGS in the Press
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East Bay Times (2012)
GET A GLIMPSE OF A PAST YEAR’S NEWSLETTERS*
JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
*Members get exclusive access to all prior year’s newsletters in our Newsletter Archive in the Member-Only Area of our Website
SEE WHAT OUR CURRENT MEMBERS ARE SAYING...
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Payton Hillman
Member Since XXXX
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Max Johnson
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Members Can Leave Their Testimonials About Their CCMGS Club Experiences Here For Posting!
Join Or Run One Of Our Committees
Membership Committee
Program Committee
Field Trip Committee
Hospitality Committee
Display Committee
Publicity Committee
Annual Mineral & Gem Show Committee
Public Lands Advisory Committee
Education Committee
Website Committee
HOW TO GET INVOLVED AFTER JOINING
See what chair positions are vacant on our About page here.
Interested in volunteering at our annual show? Let us know here.
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