What The CFMS Does For Your Club?

Belonging to the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) offers the privilege of membership in the finest hobby organization in the land.

Also, from the dues each Club pays to the CFMS, the Club receives the following:

1. AFMS Membership - Membership in the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) and its various services.



2. CFMS Newsletter- This contains reports of progress of the Federation officers and chairpersons. It also includes news of workshops, seminars, special projects, Convention news and items of interest. A copy is sent to the Federation Director, Club Bulletin Editor, and to a designated person (usually the President). For a nominal fee, it is also available to all members.



3. Earth Science Studies - Two Earth Science Seminars are held each year. One South at ZZYZX on the Mojave desert in the spring, one North, in the fall at Camp Paradise, north of Marysville.
   The locations may change but Board, Room, study classes, field trips and instruction in our hobby/craft plus excellent comradeship are forever the goals. The CFMS Newsletter contains information on registration, time, dates and activities offered.



4. Slide and Video Programs - Many Slide and Video programs are available to clubs for a small fee, plus return postage and insurance.
   The subjects are many and varied.



5. Speakers and Program Aids - Clubs can arrange for various types of programs or speakers by using the lists provided by the CFMS. A list of speakers on all phases of the hobby and a Speakers/Program Manual (Podium People). is available to all Societies. This Manual includes the Speaker fee (if any) and their requirements.



6. Insurance Program - Because of the number of clubs taking advantage of the coverage, rates are less expensive.



7. Public Lands Advisory Committee - The duty of this large committee is to keep track of any activity, policy, or plan concerning the Multiple Use status of public lands and thus protect, within the limits of our established policies, our rights to "recreational mining" which is the term used by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to indicate our rock hunting and collecting. The committee has a chairman and vice-chairman. Also, there is a CFMS vice-chairman assigned to each district of the BLM in California, Western Arizona and Nevada.




There is a mining Task Force with the specific duty of assisting with the securing of claims for the clubs and/or getting permission to collect on the claims. This committee is also concerned with anti-pollution, with a specific chairman having to do with clean-ups, litterbags, etc.
The committee members attend any and all meetings called by the BLM (as assigned or within their immediate vicinity) or other meetings that pertain to our hobby. The main committee keeps informed constantly of any legislation pertaining to our hobby and/or right to hunt on public lands. There are two "trouble shooters" who will investigate complaints filed by a club or a member.

The investigation by the "trouble shooters" is conducted quietly and with dignity. When necessary, a final report is made to the Executive Committee.



8. Museums - Materials owned by the CFMS are on display at different museums. When a change is needed or desired, the museum contacts the Museum Chairperson. Museums will exhibit fine quality gems, minerals, or whole collections. The aim of the CFMS is to have a collection of superior quality material that will be welcomed by any museum for display, to which we can proudly claim ownership. The Committee is charged with the safekeeping of all materials (specimens) owned by the CFMS. Some specimens are available for display at Club Shows.



9. Media Publicity - We try to promote publicity for our hobby and favorable relations concerning all CFMS projects and activities through available news media that best serve the purpose.



10. Workshops
• Field Trip Workshops - Open to all members. The workshops provide new locations, new highway laws, camping ideas, safety rules and good fellowship.



• Judges, Exhibitors, and Clerks Workshops - Open to all interested persons. Rules are discussed, and questions asked and answered. Ways to set up an exhibit case for competition are discussed and demonstrated. Rule books and Exhibitor's manuals are available.



• Editor's Workshops - You can learn how to write interesting articles, eye-catching headings, ways to cut down on printing expenses, lay-outs and how to get members' support. Meeting other editors and exchanging ideas and experiences will be an inspiration.



• Many Other Workshops - If there is a need, the CFMS puts on a workshop on a variety of subjects, such as Safety, Security, Identification of Petrified Wood and many other subjects.



11. Education Through Sharing Awards Program - This program is to encourage club members to share their knowledge of earth science related matters with others and to recognize those club members who give so unselfishly of their time and resources to educate others.



12. All American Club- This award was established in 1967 by the AFMS and the six Regional Federations to encourage societies to extend their activities to outside interest, programs, and projects. In this way our Federations will grow stronger and more productive. This award carries with it the distinction of being a leader and pointing the way; of having done something extra that makes that club an All American Club: and also carries the statement that, this award is given to reward the society for service given to its members, to its society and to its community.



13. Bulletin Aids- The purpose is to aid Bulletin Editors and to plan and conduct Bulletin Editors Workshops. There is a Bulletin Aids Manual available.



14. Junior Activities - Clubs with Junior Members are given assistance in activity planning: suggestions for programs both educational and fun are offered. A Junior Activities Manual is available.



15. Rules - Competitive Displays - California Federation and AFMS competition rules are interpreted and made available to all the Societies. Assistance and guidance is given to judges, clerks and exhibitors pertaining to the rules and administration of same. The Chairperson handles all phases of competition at the Federation Shows and awards the trophies.



16. Show Coordinators - Their duty is to assist Host Clubs in the planning and creation of the Federation Shows from the acceptance of the "bid" to the conclusion of the Show, acting as liaison between the Host Society and the Federation.



17. Show Consultant - Federation show requirements and pertinent information is available and forwarded to prospective Convention Hosts. Clubs may ask for advice or consultation at any time.



18. By-laws - This Committee reviews the existing By-laws and Operating Regulations, studies and works on amendments or changes as they may be proposed by Federation Directors, Societies, or the Executive Committee.



19. Historian - This person keeps all the records of the general affairs of the CFMS. A record of individual Club histories are also kept.



20. Long Range Planning - This is a committee consisting of all past CFMS Presidents, and the currently elected Executive Committee. The immediate past President of the CFMS is the Chairperson for one year. It is authorized to meet, discuss and make recommendations to the Federation Directors.



21. Nominating Committee - Receives, processes and secures nominees to serve as CFMS officers and presents its recommendation to the Board of Directors at its annual meeting.



22. AFMS/CFMS Scholarships - Annually, scholarships are given to undergraduates and post graduate students.



23. Tax Advisor - The Tax Advisor provides tax guidance to all Societies/Clubs regarding Sales Tax matters, filing of IRS Tax Reports and direction in the event of an audit by the IRS or Franchise Tax Board. Also, generates articles for the CFMS Newsletter as needed to explain existing or new tax laws.

If possible, the CFMS will also help its member Societies in ways other than those listed above.